Alumni
Homecoming 2026: Celebrate and Reconnect
“I am honored and humbled.” -The Rev. Howard Blair (Class of 1950) Recipient of the Kingdom Impact Honor at age 100
November 10, 2026
Alumni Stories
Alumni
CIU Alumna Elected President of Missiological Society
“I believe there is a real synergy between the work of CIU and the work of EMS, as is evidenced by the robust participation of CIU in EMS regional and annual meetings.” -Dr. Jessica Udall, President of EMS
October 28, 2026
Academics
CIU’s PhD in Educational Leadership: Leading Across Cultures for God’s Kingdom
Dr. Michelle “Mikki” Schmidt spent 33 years as a missionary educator in West Africa before returning to CIU to earn her PhD in Educational Leadership. Here’s why she came back, and what the degree made possible.
June 30, 2026
Academics
Intercultural Studies at CIU: From Ethiopia to the Ends of the Earth
While delivering one of Ethiopia’s most respected theological lecture series, CIU Dean Dr. Ed Smither reunited with alumni and students whose ministry leadership is helping bring Scripture to dozens of language communities across Africa.
June 25, 2026
Alumni
Columbia TV Station Selects CIU Alumna Teacher of the Week
Sharon Hanna graduated from CIU in 1987 with a degree in Bible Teaching.
May 13, 2026
Academics
Real Leadership Doesn’t Shout, It Serves, and It Loves – Spring Commencement
Holding up a towel, Dr. Dearborn reminded the graduates that in whatever field they entered, they were meant to represent Christ by serving in leadership. He used Jesus’ washing of the disciples feet in John 13 as the example of what Christian leadership is like. Dr. Dearborn stated that “serving others crushes pride.”
May 6, 2026
The Last 24 Hours of Jesus
April 2, 2026
True courage is often misunderstood as aggression or dominance. But in Jesus’ final hours, courage looked like restraint. It looked like standing firm when every instinct might urge retreat. It was the courage to endure injustice without becoming unjust.
Homecoming 2025 — a Look Back and a Look Ahead
November 19, 2025
“Meet everyone you can, they might become the friends you have all throughout your life.” -Advice to current students from Ronny Wilson, Class of ’85
CIU Alumnus Lands Job at Augusta National
October 23, 2025
“I really enjoyed how much the professors invest in you. They care about you. They look out for you.” -Brandt Toburen, Sport Management, Class of 2025 crediting his CIU professors for his success.
CIU Alumnus to Lead New Office of Community Safety in His Hometown
June 25, 2025
John Jones graduated from CIU in 2020
CIU Alumnus to Lead Mentoring Ministry
June 10, 2025
Christian Markle’s resume includes nearly a decade of leadership experience in serving marginalized communities and advancing mission-driven development.
CIU Alumnus is New President of C&MA, Succeeding Another CIU Alumnus
June 4, 2025
Dr. Johnathan Schaeffer follows Dr. John Stumbo as president of C&MA
CIU Alumnus is New Head of School at Ben Lippen
March 26, 2025
Dr. Ben Porter, a Columbia International University alumnus, is the new head of school at Ben Lippen, CIU’s Christian Pre-K to 12th grade college preparatory school in Columbia. Porter has devoted 23 years to education, with the past 15 years serving in various leadership roles at Ben Lippen School, including
From CIU to Global Impact: The Journey of Andreas and Marny Köstenberger
March 26, 2025
Columbia International University has long been a place where students not only receive a Christ-centered education but also build lifelong relationships that shape their future. For Dr. Andreas J. Köstenberger and his wife, Marny, CIU was not just an academic training ground — it was where their journey together began.
Former Rams Softball Standout Lands General Manager Job for NC Baseball Team
March 20, 2025
By Bob Holmes Congratulations to Columbia International University alumna Lauren Baker. She is the new general manager of the Edenton Steamers, a collegiate-level summer baseball team in Northeastern North Carolina. Baker, who graduated from CIU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management, was also a softball standout for
CIU Alumna Delves Deep into Study of “The Fear of the Evil Eye” – Longtime Missionary Examines Topic Vital to Reaching Muslim Women
March 11, 2025
By Dr. Safia J. Yun In a world where the Evil Eye is often dismissed as mere superstition, young, university-educated Jordanian Muslim women reveal a different story: “The Evil Eye is real, and we were raised with it.” Fear of the Evil Eye: A Missional Approach Toward the Envious Gaze
CIU Alumnus is New Director of the SC Dept. of Natural Resources
February 6, 2025
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, earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from CIU in 2021.
CIU Alumnus Makes Gospel Inroads with Hispanic Community in Louisiana
January 21, 2025
January 21, 2025 Columbia International University alumnus Danny Carpenter (master’s degree in Old Testament 1991) is making significant strides in reaching Hispanics with the gospel in his Louisiana community. Carpenter’s work is featured in an article published in The Advocate in Baton Rouge. After serving as a missionary in Mexico
Student Spotlight: A Doctor of Business Administration Graduate Who Balances Family, Faith and Academia
December 16, 2024
December 16, 2024 Life often presents us with unexpected surprises, and for one student at Columbia International University (CIU), the final days of her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) journey were no exception. Three days before defending her dissertation, Jordan Turner, who will soon be welcoming her first child, learned
The inauguration of Dr. Bill Jones is highlight of Homecoming 2024
November 6, 2024
November 6, 2024 By Brandon Lee, Shoshanna Crompton, and Bob Holmes The inauguration of Columbia International University President Dr. Bill Jones as CIU’s eighth president highlighted the Homecoming 2024 weekend filled with celebration and reunion. Alumni from all over the world made their return to CIU’s campus, mingling with old
A mandate to protect the environment
October 24, 2024
October 24, 2024 Columbia International University alumnus Dr. Tom Mullikin, chairman of the S.C. Floodwater Commission, told CIU students during the annual World Christian Week, “It’s crystal clear; the Lord made the Earth. Then He told us to work and keep the land.” Mullikin, who among other things, is a
CIU alumnus Brent McHugh: A mission leader in innovation and excellence
October 16, 2024
October 16, 2024 Congratulations to Columbia International University alumnus Brent McHugh who was awarded the 2024 eXcelerate Award from Missio Nexus for excellence in innovation and excellence. Missio Nexus represents over 53,000 staff members of organizations, churches and businesses engaged in the Great Commission. McHugh is the international director of
A Bridge of Hope – CIU alumni filling the need for counseling in rural SC
October 4, 2024
October 4, 2024 By Bob Holmes Pastor Steve McGee recalls how in an act of kindness, he allowed a man who was trying to overcome drug addiction to sleep in his church study. But after about nine months, McGee discovered the man had been cooking meth inside the church building
The Inspiring Career of Ismael Valverde Kardouchi
October 2, 2024
October 2, 2024 From Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to South Carolina Ismael Valverde Kardouchi was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and from an early age showed a strong desire to excel, both academically and athletically. In 2017, he decided to take a brave leap and cross
Sport Management Alumni Spotlight: Milena Picciano
October 2, 2024
October 2, 2024 Milena Picciano is a ticket sales account executive with the Augusta Green Jackets minor league baseball team. Milena started as a game day intern with the team in 2021 working in various departments. She then joined the staff as a ticket and group sales intern in 2022,
Cook School of Business Student/Alumni Spotlight: The Ospina Brothers
August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024 We shine a spotlight on the remarkable journey of the Ospina brothers – Daniel, Juan, and David – who have left and continue to leave a mark on CIU and the business/sports world. Daniel Ospina Daniel first joined CIU in 2019, embarking on a path in Business
