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
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
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
