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 professor named Outstanding Educator for environmental literacy
August 6, 2019
Dr. Lynn Hoekstra CIU Professor Dr. Lynn Hoekstra loves to inspire and equip future educators to teach their students with joy and creativity. It’s that kind of spirit and her desire to show children how to be good stewards of the earth that earned her the title of 2019 South
Live Your Life Offline
August 2, 2019
Live Your Life Offline – Mark Smith CIU As president of a university, I interact with teenage students on a regular basis. One thing that I have noticed that is concerning to me is the amount of time each day that is spent on their phones. Technology has provided us
Modern hi-tech press box is new addition to soccer field
August 1, 2019
The new press box overlooking Sessions Field includes a photo of Elizabeth Sessions from 2016 at the dedication of the field. A new 22-foot press box at Sessions Field will streamline sports information and game operation for CIU soccer. It features a climate-controlled space with high-speed internet, scoreboard control console,
2017 Alumnus of the Year: What does being a servant leader really mean?
August 1, 2019
Dr. Ralph Enlow Jr. What did Jesus really mean when he said in Mark 9:35, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, the servant of all?” How radical is the “all” in that statement? That’s the question posed to CIU’s 2017 Alumnus of the Year, Dr.
This World Needs Transformation
July 22, 2019
This World Needs Transformation Mark Smith CIU During the last several months, I have been privileged to be involved in several sectors of our global world- economic development, church work, education and community development. In every corner, there seems to be confusion, hopelessness, and those who are searching for the
200 Columbia-Area youth hear the gospel at Hoop for Hope camp
July 11, 2019
Columbia-area youth take part in the Hoop for Hope camp. (Photos by Kierston Smith) CIU Rams learn to “coach” youth on basketball and life By Bob Holmes Columbia International University Assistant Athletics Director Kim Abbott says this was the plan for CIU athletics from Day 1. As Abbott stood on
Recidivism in CIU’s Prison Initiative is Zero Percent!
July 9, 2019
Candidates for graduation listen to the speaker at a CIU Prison Initiative commencement. It’s true. Among graduates of Columbia International University’s Prison Initiative the recidivism rate is zero percent. That’s phenomenal when you consider that a recent report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics showed 68 percent of inmates released
CIU students ready to make an impact in government
July 9, 2019
CIU students pose on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Trip to D.C. includes address from the president and vice president By Bob Holmes Nearly 50 Columbia International University students learned to make an impact in the Nation’s Capital, as well as at home at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s
CIU students and alumni are changing the world
June 24, 2019
From the office of Dr. Mark Smith, CIU President Dear Friend, If you could look onto campus and see what I see – you’d see passionate students burning to take the message of Christ to the world; professors, coaches, staff – teaching, reaching, transforming lives. Thank you, thank you, thank
CIU Leadership Luncheon emphasizes leadership through humility
June 20, 2019
Former Krispy Kreme CEO James Morgan (Photos by Kierston Smith) Lessons from a former Krispy Kreme CEO By Bob Holmes Anne Marie Green was so excited about what she was hearing at the Columbia International University Leadership Luncheon that she tweeted it out right away: “Culture is the platform for
CIU Prison Initiative plays vital role in preventing inmate suicides
June 18, 2019
South Carolina inmates enrolled in the CIU Prison Initiative provide an important listening ear to fellow inmates on suicide watch. The student-inmates have become known as Health Companions who routinely check on their peers who are going through significant challenges and may be suicidal. That’s just one ministry of the
10 Great Reasons to earn your MBA online at CIU
June 17, 2019
Get your MBA fully online from Columbia International University Take it from a man with an extensive background in business and business education. There are at least 10 great reasons to earn your MBA online at Columbia International University. Dr. Thomas E. Griffin, the program director of CIU’s online business
Talented director to lead dynamic 100-voice choir
June 13, 2019
Bryce E. Thompson A new 100-voice Ambassador Choir is in development at Columbia International University led by a talented and experienced chorale director. Bryce Thompson comes to CIU from Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, Michigan where he built a choir program that emphasizes music literacy and high-level musicianship.
A busy summer of construction and renovation at CIU
June 11, 2019
Construction of the William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center moves ahead. There have been 100-plus-degree days and the humidity that the Midlands of South Carolina is famous for has returned. But committed, hard-working construction crews on campus are moving toward completion of important projects before students return in
Dr. Smith returns from two weeks in China
May 30, 2019
Thank you for your prayers over the last two weeks. Dr. Xu, Dr. Lanpher and I had a great trip to China and your prayers were so important! We just arrived back from a mission to meet with many of the underground church leaders in this country of 1.4 billion
An “Excellent” Teacher: Dr. Sandra Young earns award
May 28, 2019
Dr. Sandra Young Columbia International University English professor Dr. Sandra Young is among the best in South Carolina. Young is CIU’s 2019 recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award presented each year by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU). Young serves as Chair of CIU’s Liberal Arts division as
Full-Tuition Lausanne Scholar is from Ethiopia
May 21, 2019
Mehari Korcho (photo provided) By Bob Holmes The 2019 recipient of a full-tuition Columbia International University scholarship desires to mobilize and equip diaspora churches in America so they can increase their engagement in the mission of God beyond their own community. Mehari Korcho is an immigrant from Ethiopia who came
Local celebrities, dignitaries join other CIU supporters for day of golf
May 13, 2019
The winning foursome included two members of the CIU golf team: Kyle Olenchuk and Jordan Hinson in the CIU polo shirts. Joining them were Joshua Lusk and George Lusk. (Photos by Kierston Smith) By Bob Holmes As Columbia International University President Dr. Mark Smith finished an opening prayer at the
Former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann fires up CIU graduates: “You are God’s handiwork!”
May 7, 2019
Former Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (Photos by Ben Rutkowski) By Naomi Balk CIU Student Writer “Commencement is my favorite day of the year,” said CIU President Dr. Mark Smith as he introduced former Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann as the CIU commencement speaker to the Class of 2019. Bachmann delivered a
CIU Dining Hall under renovation; delicious menu expansion coming this fall
April 29, 2019
Renovation of the Dining Hall in the Rossi Student Center is underway. By Bob Holmes A $4 million renovation of the Columbia International University Dining Hall is underway that will feature a traditional serving line plus, a multi-station elliptical, expanding nutritional options to meet the diverse culinary needs of local
