South Carolina’s Broad River separates Columbia International University’s main campus from the sprawling facilities of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. But the river does not separate the opportunity to live out CIU’s mission to “educate students from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.”

Here is why.

In December, CIU held two commencement ceremonies, one on each side of the river. The first was held at the Kirkland Correctional Institution where CIU Interim President Dr. Rick Christman conferred Associate of Arts degrees on six graduates and a bachelor’s degree on four others enrolled in the CIU Prison Initiative. The next day, Christman presided over the commencement on the main campus conferring degrees on 295 graduates who earned bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctorates.

First, let’s go behind the razor wire fences of Kirkland.

The mission of the CIU Prison Initiative is to train inmates to live in accordance with biblical principles and to equip them for the unique ministry opportunities afforded by their incarceration. After graduation, they are assigned as chaplain assistants to prisons throughout South Carolina. Since its inception in 2007, just over 200 men and women have graduated from the program and serve in 21 South Carolina institutions. The recidivism rate among CIU Prison Initiative graduates is only 5%.

Speaking on behalf of the Prison Initiative Class of ’23 was a student-inmate named Lawton (last names are withheld). As he fought back tears he told family members of the graduates, “If I had to describe this program in one word, it would be ‘restoration.’” He credited the CIU professors who cross the river to teach at Kirkland for helping them make it to graduation day.  

“Each instructor had his or her own unique way of letting us know of their genuine care for us,” Lawton added. “We were challenged, we were corrected and we were encouraged to grow stronger in our faith and in our education.”  

Meanwhile, on the other side of the river … the graduates on the main campus heard from CIU Professor Emeritus Dr. Bryan Beyer, who gave the commencement address. Beyer, who has served at CIU for 36 years in a variety of roles, reminded the graduates that whatever their role in life, God can use them in The Great Commission.

“The consistent testimony of Scripture is that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary means, when they surrender their lives for His purposes,” Beyer said.

Among the graduates celebrating on The Quad after the ceremony, was James Thompson, who earned his Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies online. It was only the second time the missionary to Thailand has  stepped foot on campus.

“It was wonderful to see everyone together celebrating their accomplishments,” said Thompson. “It gave me a real sense of the community here, and the shared purpose and the shared mission. That’s really inspiring, and really motivating to get back out there and continue ‘making Him known,'” Thompson added quoting from the CIU motto, “To Know Him and to Make Him Known.”    

Read more about the CIU Prison Initiative commencement in the Post and Courier article, “SC prison inmates graduate with degrees from Columbia International University.”

Watch this television report on the Prison Initiative commencement from ABC Columbia, “SC inmates complete degree program.”

Watch the entire on-campus commencement ceremony on CIU’s Facebook page.

CIU consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.