Student Life
Fiesta Time!
They enjoyed free food catered by Moe’s, and joined in a variety of fall festivities, including fellowship by a bonfire, making smore’s, pumpkin painting, pumpkin carving and henna.
October 27, 2026
Student Life Stories
Student Life
Celebrating the Fine Arts at Coffee Haus
“I am very glad CIU has this event, because it allows us students to share our creative works with one another and rejoice in the talents God has given us.” – Caroline Birdsong
October 13, 2026
Student Life
A Wonderful Welcome to CIU
“It was a great way to end the first night of Welcome Week. The decorations were so fun, along with the mocktails and colorful leis. But the students turning up is what really made it a lively event.” -Abbey Crates, Executive Team Director of Student Activities
August 25, 2026
Student Life
New Dean of Students: “Looking forward to ministering to the student body”
“I love Christian higher education. Students are especially moldable during this stage of life as they prepare for their next steps, solidify their worldview, build deep and meaningful relationships, and form the foundations of their identity.” -Dr. Joe Allotta, Dean of Students
July 28, 2026
Student Life
Ram Relay: The Epic Finale of the House Collective
“In first place, West!” The members of Sapientia as well as their sister house Fidelitas stormed the field in celebration, jumping and shouting “West side! Best side!”
April 28, 2026
Student Life
Energizing New Life into The Grad Life Council
God is using GLC in exciting ways to cultivate community and to strengthen spiritual life on CIU’s campus and beyond.
April 28, 2026
CIU Houses Show their Competitive Spirit in Annual House Throwdown
February 5, 2025
By Becca Kohlmyer, CIU Student Writer Excitement buzzed in the air of Hoke Auditorium as students and a few alumni sat with their houses (dorms) and prepared to battle it out on stage for a victory won through songs, dances and skits. The annual House Throwdown event at CIU is
SNOW!
January 23, 2025
January 23, 2025 Angels were seen on the Columbia International University campus — snow angels. CIU students took advantage of a rare South Carolina snow event, and a day off from class, to make snow angels and snowmen, and to slide down the many hills around campus. Communities in in
Celebrating the New Spring Semester with “Rebash”
January 15, 2025
January 15, 2025 Columbia International University kicked off the spring semester with “Rebash,” a New Year’s-themed party. Doughnuts and mocktails in hand, the students celebrated each other’s arrival after a well-deserved break over the holidays. The celebration took place in the Pine View Apartments Community Center, filled with festive decorations,
Christmas on The Quad
December 10, 2024
December 10, 2024 By Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writer Every year, CIU throws a Christmas party on The Quad, where students enjoy Christmas themed treats, engage in festive conversation, and are given a gift from Student Life on-theme with each residence hall. On a cold Thursday night, The Quad was
Ministry and Professional Opportunities abound at CIU Career Fair
November 19, 2024
November 19, 2024 By Brandon Lee, CIU Student Writer Once each semester, local and national companies and ministries send representatives to Columbia International University’s campus to present employment and internship opportunities to CIU students. The Career Fair has been a staple at CIU for years, providing students with the opportunity
CIU Thespians present: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
November 12, 2024
November 12, 2024 By Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writer Columbia International University presents the theatre-adapted production of the classic psychological thriller “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” performed by CIU’s theater and drama club, the Thespians. Written originally as a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, playwright Noah
Fall Fiesta Time!
October 30, 2024
October 30, 2024 By Shoshanna Crompton, CIU Student Writer Fall Fiesta Friday night was a cloudy, warm one, with drizzly rain making an appearance half-way through the Fall Fiesta party. At 7 p.m., students trekked down the dark, candle-lit path to the Pavilion by the lake, surrounded by CIU’s acres
World Christian Week: Education Before Evangelization
October 30, 2024
October 30, 2024 By Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writer Do your research before doing missions. That was the focus of the 2024 World Christian Week at Columbia International University, celebrating the CIU core value of World Evangelization. Canadian missionary Grant LeMarquand, an Anglican bishop who has planted churches in Africa,
CIU students “weather” Hurricane Helene with volunteerism, help from caring faculty/staff
October 2, 2024
October 2, 2024 By Bob Holmes By 7 a.m. on Friday morning Sept. 27, wind gusts in Columbia began howling at 70 miles per hour. That’s just below the official status of “hurricane force” winds. As trees fell on power lines, portions of greater Columbia were suddenly without electricity. That
Fall 2024 Christian Life Conference: Are you right with God and others?
September 25, 2024
September 25, 2024 By Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writer Columbia International University’s annual Christian Life Conference focused on ensuring you are right with God and others. The three-day event celebrates the CIU core value of The Victorious Christian Life. This year’s messages were delivered by CIU alumnus Dr. Jeff Philpott,
Friendly competition inaugurates the new school year during “Alpha Week”
September 19, 2024
September 19, 2024 By Brandon Lee, CIU Student Writer The third annual edition of Alpha Week brought a new level of action and excitement to CIU’s campus. Alpha Week is the first major collection of competitions between the houses (named for Latin virtues), or dorms on campus, culminating with a
Convocation: Are you a biblical Christian?
September 3, 2024
September 3, 2024 By Shoshanna Crompton, CIU Student Writer Columbia International University continued the time-honored academic tradition of Convocation as the school dedicated the 2024–2025 academic year to God. As the faculty assembled on the stage of Shortess Chapel dressed in their academic regalia, CIU President Dr. Bill Jones delivered
From a luau to glow-in-the-dark dodgeball to mechanical bull-riding: Welcome to CIU Welcome Weekend!
August 29, 2024
August 29, 2024 By Brandon Lee, CIU Student Writer To celebrate the new school year, students took part in a number of entertaining events that included friendly competition, laid-back relaxation, and opportunities to interact with new faces and old friends. Known on campus as Welcome Weekend, the activities encourage incoming
College excitement begins on Move-In Day
August 28, 2024
August 28, 2024 By Brandon Lee and Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writers One of the most exciting times of the year at Columbia International University is move-in day, when new students begin their college journey and returning students reunite with old friends. On a beautiful late-August morning, the road in
Introducing the Business and Career Development Center; New workshops and programs in Fall 2024
August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024 The CIU Cook School of Business launched the Business and Career Development Center (BCDC), a new initiative based on three pillars: entrepreneurship, employment and mentoring. The goal is to increase and expand access to high-quality training workshops and programs that will assist students, alumni, and the community
CIU welcomes a new dean of students
July 17, 2024
July 17, 2024 Columbia International University’s new dean of students comes with over two decades of experience in Christian education. Philip Ritchey has been serving in Christian education for 23 years, including six years as dean of students at Blue Mountain Christian University in northern Mississippi, and as a high
Getting to know you — CIU students query new president
February 14, 2024
February 14, 2024 By Bob Holmes and Jack Horchler Columbia International University’s student body was introduced to their school’s new president, Dr. Bill Jones, in a somewhat unusual way. Instead of a typical President’s Chapel message, Jones answered questions submitted by students and read by CIU Student Body President Miles
What do delicious food, the arts, a feud and dodgeball have in common?
February 13, 2024
February 13, 2024 By Chariti Mealing, CIU Student Writer Culinary masterpieces. That’s what Columbia International University students were cooking up in the CIU Dining Room as they gathered for a Cookoff at the opening night of Shofar Cup Week. The Shofar Cup is a part of The House Collective that
One man, one people, one praise; CIU commemorates Black History Month
February 13, 2024
February 13, 2024 By Brandon Lee, CIU Student Writer The first full week of February, African American History Month, featured a sermon series from pastor and Columbia International University alumnus Ronnie Stanley, as well as worship led by the African American Student Association. The chapels presented a great opportunity for
Rebash: Wishing you a Happy New Semester!
January 18, 2024
January 18, 2024 By Brandon Lee, CIU Student Writer Columbia International University kicked off the spring semester with “Rebash,” a New Year’s-themed party. Donuts and mocktails in hand, the students celebrated each other’s arrival after a well-deserved break for the holidays. Hosted at the Jones Center, the hall was filled
