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Welcome to a dynamic university that trains
Christians for global missions, full-time vocational
Christian ministry in a variety of strategic profes-
sions and marketplace ministry.
In addition to the Undergraduate Programs,
Columbia International University (CIU) offers
Graduate and Seminary Programs. The corpora-
tion also includes Ben Lippen School, a Pre-K
through 12th grade Christian school that prepares
youngsters to fulfill the Great Commission. CIU
also reaches out with two Christian radio stations,
WMHK in Columbia, S.C. and New Life 91.9 in
Charlotte, N.C.
Located on 400 scenic acres next to the Broad
River, just minutes from the hub of South
Carolina’s capital city of Columbia, the beautiful
campus is home to a diverse group of Christians.
They represent many denominations, ethnic and
cultural backgrounds and reflect the socio-eco-
nomic diversity of the world — united by their
desire to know Christ and make Him known.
If you’re looking for an education that’s global,
biblical and practical, welcome to CIU!
History
Columbia International University (CIU) was born
out of a prayer group of six women who sought
the Lord for a means to evangelize and disciple
mill workers in Columbia. The results went
beyond their expectations. The CIU ministry was
founded in 1923 as Columbia Bible School, occu-
pying the former Colonia Hotel in downtown
Columbia in 1927. We became Columbia Bible
College in 1930, one of the nation’s first four-year
Bible colleges. Graduate courses were first
offered in 1936, marking the beginning of what is
now CIU Seminary & School of Ministry. The
school moved to its present 400-acre campus in
suburban Columbia in 1960 and changed its cor-
porate name to Columbia International University
in 1994.
Robert C. McQuilkin was CIU’s first president,
holding the office until his death in 1952. He was
succeeded by G. Allen Fleece, who led the min-
istry until 1966. Robertson McQuilkin, son of the
first president, served from 1968-1990. After him,
Johnny V. Miller, CIU faculty member and former
pastor, served as president from 1991-1999.
George Murray was appointed president in 1999
and as chancellor in 2007. Dr. Bill Jones currently
serves as president.
CIU was founded for the purpose of preparing
students “To know Him and to make Him
known,” as our motto states. That purpose
remains the same today. The Undergraduate
Programs, Graduate Programs and Seminary
offer regionally and professionally accredited
courses of study ranging from one-year certifi-
cates through the doctorate. All programs
emphasize spiritual development, biblical training
and ministry skills development. From the early
years until the present, CIU has focused on five
core values: The Authority of Scripture, World
Evangelization, Victorious Christian Living, Prayer
& Faith and Evangelical Unity.
The school’s first class boasted seven students.
Currently, CIU enrollment includes over 1,200 stu-
dents, including several hundred students
involved in non-traditional and distance education
programs. Approximately 17,000 students have
received training at CIU. Hundreds of alumni
serve in most countries of the world, making CIU
a leader in training laborers for the harvest.
Institutional Perspective
Purpose
Columbia International University is a multi-
denominational Christian institution of higher edu-
cation dedicated to preparing world Christians to
serve God with excellence. Its educational units
offer degree programs ranging from associate
level to doctoral level. All postsecondary pro-
grams emphasize spiritual formation, mastery of
biblical content and interpretation skills, cultiva-
tion of a biblical worldview, ministry skills devel-
opment and vocational competency. The faculty
seeks to challenge the students’ heads (intellec-
2012-2013 Undergraduate Programs
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Introducing Columbia International University
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every nation…”