News
CIU’s Third President Remembered with Commencement Robe
Robertson McQuilkin had a positive impact on stepdaughter
May 13, 2025
News Stories
News
Remembering CIU’s Fourth President, Dr. Johnny Miller
Dr. Johnny Miller passed away on Easter Sunday April 20 at age 81
May 6, 2025
News
CIU Mourning the Passing of Dr. Johnny Miller, CIU’s Fourth President
Columbia International University is mourning the passing of former CIU President Dr. Johnny Miller. Miller served as the school’s fourth president from 1991–1999. He died on Easter Sunday at age 81.
April 24, 2025
News
CIU Celebrates Black History Month; Emphasizes Evangelical Unity
By Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writer Columbia International University celebrated Black History Month with three chapel messages dedicated to the theme of Evangelical Unity, a CIU core value. Lively worship music from CIU’s Gospel Choir led off the celebration as
February 11, 2025
Alumni
CIU Alumnus is New Director of the SC Dept. of Natural Resources
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is praising the confirmation of Columbia International University alumnus Dr. Tom Mullikin as the new director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Mullikin, who among other things, is a global expedition leader,
February 6, 2025
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
CIU celebrates increased enrollment, new facilities
August 28, 2019
Many helping hands made for light work on a very busy CIU move-in day. (Photo by Nathaniel Rabon, CIU Student Photographer) The 2019/2020 school year is underway and the Columbia International University campus is full of excitement — and just plain full! Enrollment is up to 1,574 students, an increase
CIU open for “Business” in the William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center
August 27, 2019
Professor Amy Dubois welcomes students to their first class in the William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center (Photos by Kierston Smith) By Bob Holmes On the first day of the 2019-2020 school year, a couple staff members stood in the cavernous entryway to the new William H. Jones
SC Lt. Governor visits CIU to address symposium on aging
August 23, 2019
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is interviewed by the local media after speaking at CIU. South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette visited the Columbia International University campus to address a church-community partnership symposium on Aug. 22. The event was hosted by the CIU School of Business & Professional
Students “absolutely blown away” over renovated dining hall
August 23, 2019
CIU students Grace Emery (right) and Sara Knight react to their first look at the new CIU Dining Hall. By Bob Holmes The students are back at CIU and so is “The Wow Factor” with the first meal in the renovated $4 million CIU Dining Hall. “All my expectations are
Lehigh Hanson commits up to $500,000 in support of CIU’s revitalization efforts along Monticello Road
August 20, 2019
CIU President Dr. Mark Smith (third from left) accepts donation for Monticello Road revitalization from Scott Dickson, Vice President & General Manager for Hanson Aggregates Southeast LLC. They are flanked by CIU CFO Rob Hartman and Diane Mull, Executive Director of CIU Advancement. By Bob Holmes Lehigh Hanson, Inc, has
CIU Online ranked among the best for Christian colleges and universities
August 7, 2019
A new 2019 survey by College Consensus ranks Columbia International University among the 25 Best Christian Colleges and Universities for an online degree. CIU comes in at #15 in the nation with its combined 32 graduate and undergraduate online programs. College Consensus crunches the numbers by combining the results of
