President Mark Smith attends important economic development luncheon

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith (right) with Steve Forbes of Forbes Media.

As Columbia International University increases its community involvement, CIU President Dr. Mark Smith dialogues with key members of the state and other influencers.

In January, Smith joined over a dozen state and nationally known leaders for an economic partnership luncheon. Others at the table included University of South Carolina President Robert Caslen, South Carolina businessman Hayne Hipp and Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media. Also in attendance was South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette who has spoken at CIU on two occasions.

From the time Smith became president of CIU and a resident of the Palmetto State, he has shared his desire to volunteer his time and serve state leaders in any way possible, noting that CIU students, faculty and staff are willing to do their part to serve the great state of South Carolina.

Smith serves on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education representing independent colleges and universities.

"WELCOME TO A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR" by Dr. John Harvey, Dean of the Seminary & School of Ministry

On August 26, the Seminary and School of Ministry began a new academic year. The Fall 2019 semester brings with it multiple reasons to thank God for his faithfulness.

• Ninety percent of the students who were with us last spring registered for fall semester courses. 
• Our new Doctoral of Ministerial Leadership degree has 26 new students registered in its first cohort. 
• Our new Doctor of Philosophy degree has 22 new students registered in its first Biblical Studies and Theological Studies seminars. 
• Our Chinese Seminary Studies initiative has 30 new students registered for masters-level courses. 
• Dr. Seth Scott has joined the Clinical Counseling team as our fourth full-time counseling faculty member. 

Would you take a few minutes to praise God with us for his goodness to SSM?

Items for which you could be praying include: 

• The addition of a Practical Theology concentration for the PhD degree and the possibility of making each of the PhD concentrations available in Chinese.
• The development of a five-year Psychology/Clinical Counseling dual degree program and a new MA program in Addictions Counseling. 
• Initial conversations regarding the development of an MA degree in Marketplace Transformation. 
• The search for the right person to lead our church-based apprenticeship initiative. 
• Glenda Nanna as she concludes work on her doctoral dissertation. 

Servanthood

Blowing the shofar, Columbia International University Dean Dr. Bryan Beyer signaled in CIU's Convocation procession, ushering in another school year. Convocation, an ancient tradition, is held every year at CIU to dedicate the school's academic mission to God.

Provost Dr. James Lanpher recognized over 200 new students and several new faculty members while welcoming everyone into another school year. Events and accomplishments from the previous school year and summer activities were reviewed in a video presentation drawing loud applause from the student body, faculty and staff assembled in Shortess Chapel.

The congregational singing of the hymn "Take my Life and Let it be" and a prayer by Professor Dr. Andre Rogers set the tone for what was to follow.

"We realize we are here because of your grace and tender mercies," Rogers prayed. "We thank you for your faithfulness to all who call CIU their home."

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith delivered the Convocation message saying that he was directed over the summer to John 13:16, a theme verse for the coming school year:

"Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."

"I challenge you today to spend a few minutes in the Word to understand a key principle about Columbia International University and our faculty and staff," Smith said. "To understand this whole idea of servanthood, I want to first take you to the beginning."

Smith focused on God's love, God's service, and God's call for us to be like Him. He retold the scene of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples in an act of humble servanthood. And then appealing to Scripture and drawing from experiences in his personal walk with God, Smith encouraged all to take on the loveliest of tasks in emulation of Jesus, giving oneself for others.

Smith finished by saying, "CIU students when you serve ..." and leaving the sentence hanging in the air, he walked to the side of the stage where a towel, bowl, and pitcher of water awaited him. Removing his Convocation regalia and getting on his knees, the president of CIU washed the feet of his special assistant, friend and faculty member, Dr. Andre Rogers giving all a visual of servanthood.

In an appropriate finish to the message, and in the tradition of CIU Convocation, the assembled sang CIU’s Alma Mater that includes in the final verse a call to service and the CIU motto:

The vision thou hast given of truth and human need, inspires us all to service to sow the precious seed. May we in consecration to Jesus Christ alone, fulfill thy sacred purpose: “TO KNOW AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.”

Columbia International University ranks #1 among colleges and universities in South Carolina by BestColleges.com. Excitement is growing on campus with CIU’s first baseball program in development, and online with CIU’s new Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

CIU open for “Business” in the William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center

By Bob Holmes

On the first day of the 2019-2020 school year, a couple staff members stood in the cavernous entryway to the new William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center directing students trying to find their way to the very first classes being held in the much anticipated $20 million building.

It was May 2018 when a ceremonial groundbreaking at the entrance to CIU signaled the beginning of the project named for CIU Chancellor Dr. “Bill” Jones who also served as CIU’s sixth president. The Center is a training ground for best business practices at home and abroad; for business as mission; and a hub for the Monticello Road community business development.

“At first I didn’t think it would get done on time, but it’s beautiful,” sophomore Mackenzie Sanchez said about the building as she waited for her Introduction to Business class to begin. Sanchez and the other 50 students in her class could look out floor-to-ceiling windows and view a neatly landscaped hillside leading up to Monticello Road. Overhead and just behind Professor Amy Dubois was a huge media screen.

The two-story structure includes a number of classrooms, meeting rooms for collaborative projects, and offices for staff members including those involved in CIU’s rapidly growing online programs.

Meanwhile, roaming the hallway to take in the historic day was CIU Provost Dr. Jim Lanpher and Scott Adams, dean of the School of Business & Professional Studies who said he is still in awe over this centerpiece for CIU’s growing business program.

“This is just wonderful,” Adams said as he struggled the find words to match his feelings. “This is the culmination of several years of planning to have a first-class Business program. It’s just incredible. This is one of the most modern facilities for business schools in the state.”

The CIU IT Department is also located in the building, enhancing the campus IT functionality and infrastructure for all staff and students. It also offers the potential for IT academic programs in the future.

As contractors continue to put a few finishing touches on the building, a formal dedication is scheduled for Oct. 4.

Columbia International University ranks #1 among colleges and universities in South Carolina by BestColleges.com. Excitement is growing on campus with CIU’s first baseball program in development, and online with CIU’s new Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

Friendly Reminder

If you are planning to graduate this Fall (Dec 13) submit your Graduation Application by September 4 to avoid a late fee. Applications received after this date will incur a late fee in addition to the application fee. No applications for Fall graduation will be accepted after October 21.