Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann recalled how last year Columbia International University rallied over 2.100 people to be involved in RAMSERVE, CIU’s annual service day to the community.

“They made not a small dent, but a huge dent (in clean up) and really sent a message,” Rickenmann said at a “Clean-Up Columbia” news conference in Hyatt Park just a few miles down the road from the CIU campus.   

The news conference included remarks from CIU Interim President Dr. Rick Christman who announced that RAMSERVE 2023 scheduled for April 5 “is an exciting opportunity to extend our 100^th anniversary celebration beyond our campus and help serve the Columbia community.”  

“If we had a theme for this, it would be to put our words into action,” Christman said. “Not just say it, but let’s do it.”

He noted that RAMSERVE will partner with other Columbia area colleges, universities and high schools, as well as churches, ministries and service organizations to meet needs at nearly 50 different sites.

“That takes a lot of organization and a lot of work to make that happen,” Christman said to the applause from the civic and community leaders at the news conference.

Service projects will not only include general clean-up, but maintenance, repairs and some construction such as a wheel chair ramp.

“One of the partnerships that I’m most proud of is with CIU and RAMSERVE Day,” said Richland County Councilwoman Gretchen Barron who recalled the school spirit shown by CIU and Benedict College students at last year’s event.  “We saw the collaboration from school to school.”  

One of CIU’s RAMSERVE partnerships is with the Richland County Sheriff Department’s Project Hope that assists senior citizens. Sheriff Leon Lott noted that he and the mayor had just come from a prayer breakfast for local leaders.  

“I believe in the power of prayer,” said Lott. “This is prayer in action." 

 Watch the entire news conference from the City of Columbia on YouTube.

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.