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
CIU alumnus presented with SC’s highest civilian honor
February 20, 2024
February 20, 2024 By Bob Holmes “I was flabbergasted … totally unprepared and unsuspecting.” That’s how Columbia International University alumnus Dr. Cecil Beach described his thoughts when South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette presented him with The Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. It is presented in
Andrew Brunson challenges CIU/Ben Lippen students to stand for truth
October 4, 2019
Dr. Andrew Brunson (Photos by Nathaniel Rabon) Enlarge Image By Bob Holmes and Naomi Balk Pastor Andrew Brunson, a 1985 graduate of Ben Lippen School, is concerned that the younger generation of American Christians is not ready for a coming persecution — something very familiar to him. That was the
CIU Chaplaincy student commissioned into Navy during Chapel
September 25, 2019
Caleb McKillop takes the oath with the assistance of CIU Professor Dr. Mike Langston, a former Navy chaplain. (Photos by CIU Student Photographer Johnathan Rabon) By Ireland Kost CIU Student Writer Raising his right hand, Caleb McKillop, a Columbia International University chaplaincy student, was publicly commissioned into the U.S. Navy
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.
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
Alumni “come home” to celebrate growth, pray for CIU
November 8, 2018
Dr. Y. Armanious receives the 2018 CIU Alumnus of the Year Award from Alumni Association Leadership Council President Edith Parks as CIU President Dr. Mark Smith looks on. (Photo by Kierston Smith) By Naomi Balk and Joseph Knight CIU Student Writers A lot has changed on the Columbia International University
STORYBOUND: Children’s Fantasy from the Pen of CIU Alumna
June 12, 2012
Una Fairchild is a 12 year old who stumbles upon a mysterious book buried deep in the basement of her school library. When she opens the cover, she finds herself transported to the magical land of Story. In that land are scores of fantastical creatures, magical adventure and heart-stopping twists
