Athletics
Rams Softball takes the Gospel to Guatemala
After each game the teams met at the pitcher’s circle to hear one of the CIU players share a testimony as the Rams led in prayer.
July 2, 2025
News Stories
News
Solidifying Hearts for Medical Missions
CIU nursing students minister in the Dominican Republic
July 1, 2025
News
The CIU Halls Come Alive with the Sound of Music
The Varna International Music Academy was held on the CIU campus for second straight year.
June 24, 2025
News
Getting the Gospel to Children Through Basketball
Hoops for Hope summer basketball camp is an evangelistic outreach to children from lower-income Columbia neighborhoods, hosted by the CIU Rams men’s and women’s basketball teams.
June 12, 2025
Alumni
CIU Alumnus to Lead Mentoring Ministry
Christian Markle’s resume includes nearly a decade of leadership experience in serving marginalized communities and advancing mission-driven development.
June 10, 2025
Alumni
CIU Alumnus is New President of C&MA, Succeeding Another CIU Alumnus
Dr. Johnathan Schaeffer follows Dr. John Stumbo as president of C&MA
June 4, 2025
Sport Management: Dr. Whitaker’s Exciting Journey to Malta
August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024 Dr. James Whitaker, a distinguished professor in CIU’s Sport Management program, recently embarked on an inspiring journey to Malta, joining the Go Sport leadership team from North America. This trip wasn’t just another conference — it was a global gathering of sports ministry leaders from over 30
Student Internships in Business Administration
August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024 Over 30 Cook School of Business students served in internships around the world this past summer. Here’s what they’re saying about their experiences: “This internship has taught me so many hard and soft skills that I plan on taking with me into my future career. I have
Introducing the Business and Career Development Center; New workshops and programs in Fall 2024
August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024 The CIU Cook School of Business launched the Business and Career Development Center (BCDC), a new initiative based on three pillars: entrepreneurship, employment and mentoring. The goal is to increase and expand access to high-quality training workshops and programs that will assist students, alumni, and the community
Campus improvements enhance the student experience
July 31, 2024
July 31, 2024 The students have spoken, and the Columbia International University administration is listening. Because CIU is committed to enhancing the student experience, response to a recent student satisfaction survey has prompted a number of campus life improvements over the summer, some of which will be immediately noticed during
Five Reasons You Should Do a Social Media Fast
July 25, 2024
July 25, 2024 Ever consider fasting? Not from food, but from your favorite social media platforms? Columbia International University associate professor of clinical mental health counseling, Dr. Seth Scott writes that the emphasis for fasting from food is not necessarily because food is inherently harmful or bad, but because we
CIU Security taking measures to make campus roads safer
July 18, 2024
July 18, 2024 By Bob Holmes Columbia International University’s Security team has been busy this summer overseeing a number of improvements on the campus roads designed to make travel safer for both pedestrians and motorists. The most noticeable change is traffic calming devices that have been installed mainly on what
CIU welcomes a new dean of students
July 17, 2024
July 17, 2024 Columbia International University’s new dean of students comes with over two decades of experience in Christian education. Philip Ritchey has been serving in Christian education for 23 years, including six years as dean of students at Blue Mountain Christian University in northern Mississippi, and as a high
Prayers for the new President
January 23, 2024
January 23, 2024 By Bob Holmes “A personal friend and a mentor.” That’s how Columbia International University Interim President Dr. Rick Christman described CIU’s incoming president Dr. Bill Jones as students, faculty and staff gathered for a special President’s Chapel two days after it was announced that Jones, who currently
“Opera is Awesome!”
January 18, 2024
January 18, 2024 By Chariti Mealing, CIU Student Writer Curious students of various majors took time out after class to find out why “Opera is Awesome.” The CIU Academic Success Center hosted the “Opera is Awesome” workshop that was led by The Palmetto Opera. The mission of the Columbia-based organization
Dr. Bill Jones Named New President of Columbia International University
January 18, 2024
January 18, 2024 The Columbia International University Board of Trustees has named Dr. Bill Jones as the new president of CIU. Jones currently serves as CIU chancellor and previously served as CIU president from 2007-2017. Jones brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the position. In his previous role
Multi-Sport athlete giving women’s basketball a boost
January 4, 2024
January 4, 2024 Bethany Rymer is making headlines in her hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina. The guard for the CIU Rams women’s basketball team didn’t start her college career with the goal of playing basketball. As a matter of fact, the nursing major, who was a basketball standout in high
Student Body President: We’re here “to know God and to make Him known”
January 2, 2024
January 2, 2024 Columbia International University Student Body President Miles Raven says he has been challenged to deepen his faith in God more at CIU than anywhere else he has lived. And for a “military brat,” that’s a lot of places from Texas to Turkey, and now Columbia. But once
Andrew Brunson challenges CIU/Ben Lippen students to stand for truth
October 4, 2019
Dr. Andrew Brunson (Photos by Nathaniel Rabon) Enlarge Image By Bob Holmes and Naomi Balk Pastor Andrew Brunson, a 1985 graduate of Ben Lippen School, is concerned that the younger generation of American Christians is not ready for a coming persecution — something very familiar to him. That was the
CIU Chancellor Bill Jones honored at Jones Center dedication
October 4, 2019
Chancellor Dr. Bill Jones (right) celebrates with CIU President Dr. Mark Smith. (Photos by Kierston Smith) Jones also surprised with South Carolina’s highest civilian award By Naomi Balk and Bob Holmes Over 200 guests and VIPs came together to celebrate the dedication of the William H. Jones Global Business &
CIU Chaplaincy student commissioned into Navy during Chapel
September 25, 2019
Caleb McKillop takes the oath with the assistance of CIU Professor Dr. Mike Langston, a former Navy chaplain. (Photos by CIU Student Photographer Johnathan Rabon) By Ireland Kost CIU Student Writer Raising his right hand, Caleb McKillop, a Columbia International University chaplaincy student, was publicly commissioned into the U.S. Navy
Dr. Smith’s Medical Announcement
September 24, 2019
CIU President Mark A Smith Medical Announcement Dear Team, When Debbie and I moved to CIU, God gave me the boldest vision I have ever proclaimed: dreams of a business as missions project for which we have raised 18 million, dreams of a medical missions program for which we have
CIU professor contributes to major denominational project
September 23, 2019
Dr. John Crutchfield (Photos by Kierston Smith) By Bob Holmes Columbia International University Professor Dr. John Crutchfield calls it “an act of worship to God and an act of love for His people.” Crutchfield, the CIU Middle Eastern Studies program director and a professor of Bible, is one of a
Dynamic speaker shares God’s love at Ladies Night Out
September 18, 2019
Susie Shellenberger speaks at CIU’s annual Christian Life Conference (Photos by Nathaniel Rabon) By Naomi Balk CIU Student Writer The women of CIU were reminded of the power of God’s love during a “Ladies Night Out” with author and speaker Susie Shellenberger. Shellenberger, who was also the speaker for CIU’s
CIU Prison Initiative Credited for Suicide Prevention
September 10, 2019
Prison Initiative students at commencement exercises inside Kirkland Correctional Institution. The week of Sept. 8 is Suicide Prevention Week and a Columbia International University program that serves behind the walls of the South Carolina Department of Corrections is credited for preventing suicide among inmates. The CIU Prison Initiative graduates about
CIU President calls students to service in Convocation message
August 30, 2019
Dr. Mark Smith washes the feet of professor Dr. Andre Rogers. (Photos by Kierston Smith) By Ireland Kost CIU Student Writer Blowing the shofar, Columbia International University Dean Dr. Bryan Beyer signaled in CIU’s Convocation procession, ushering in another school year. Convocation, an ancient tradition, is held every year at
