College of Education: Looking to the Past, Preparing for the Future

As Columbia International University continues to celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness in 2023, the CIU College of Education (COE) is remembering its heritage while encouraging those who serve within educational ministries.

In remembering our heritage, the COE faculty has posted a series of articles about the Christian educators who shaped our educational philosophy, courses, and degree programs. These individuals were instrumental in influencing the faculty’s knowledge and dispositions, and thereby, the educational philosophy of the College of Education. It is a philosophy grounded in God’s Word by the men and women who took the Word to heart and thus integrated it into to their lives and profession. In honoring them we honor their legacy — a devotion to Kingdom Education. The individuals include Loreen Itterman, Tony Fortosis, Marty MacCullough, and Jack Layman to name a few. They bring to mind Deuteronomy 32:7:

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of all generations. Ask your father, and he will inform you, your elders, and they will tell you…”

Follow this series on the COE Facebook page.

Meanwhile, the College of Education is hosting a Virtual Distinctive Teaching and Learning Conference on Aug. 2–4, 2023. The conference will introduce educators to past and present college faculty and over 20 alumni who will share their stories, their varied ministries, the impact of their CIU education, and lessons drawn from experience. These alumni represent various fields — public, Christian, and international schools. They serve as administrators, teachers, and leaders in their respective fields in the United States and around the world.

The Virtual Distinctive Teaching and Learning Conference will include six keynote speakers and 24 breakout session speakers including:

• Dr. Michael Johnson, Associate Dean of the COE and former Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
• Dr. Annie Gallagher, CIU Alumna and Founder of TransformedPD
• Dr. Todd Marrah, CIU Alumnus and Superintendent of Tree of Life Christian Schools in Ohio
• CIU Professor Emeritus Dr. Milt Uecker
• Jeremy Kingsley, CIU alumnus and Motivational Speaker
• Dr. Rick Christman, CIU Acting President

Please join us for three days of exciting professional and spiritual growth. Share with your faculty or other alumni who are making Him Known to the next generation. Follow this link to pre-register and receive updates with more details during the months ahead: https://distinctiveteachingandlearning.com/. There is no charge for the conference, and an individual could earn up to two CEUs for attending. If you are interested in advertising on the conference website, please email Debbie.Moore@ciu.edu.

It is our hope that you will join us in Looking to the Past and Preparing for the Future by attending the virtual conference and by following the series of Facebook articles, each one serving as a stone in an altar of remembrance — reminders of God’s faithfulness and our responsibility to pass long to those we teach, a Christ-centered philosophy of education.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university 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.