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The Columbia International University men’s residence hall
that faces west has never had a real name – except West. But
that changed on Sept. 8 when it was announced at the end of
a Chapel service that the hall is now named Cassels Residence
Hall in honor of a couple who have been generous, faithful CIU
supporters.
William T. Cassels Jr., the president of Southeastern Freight
Lines in Lexington, South Carolina, and his wife Charlotte had
surprised looks on their faces as they were called to the stage
of Shortess Chapel following a message by their son Tobin
Cassels, the chairman of Southeastern Freight Lines and a CIU
board member.
Concerned that the humility of the elder Cassels would keep
them from accepting the honor, CIU President Bill Jones
invited the couple to campus to hear their son give the Chapel
message, but told them nothing else.
“That was a powerful message, but it was a setup, Mr. Cassels,”
Jones joked as William and Charlotte were escorted on to the
stage to be recognized. “Tobin, thank you for being bait.”
Jones added, bringing laughter from the student body.
Jones then fought back tears as he recalled how a member of
the student worship band prayed before Chapel, “God, thank
you for blessing us as students through Mr. and Mrs. Cassels.
God, would you bless them, so they can bless other people?”
Jones noted that most of the recent residence hall renovations
were funded by the Cassels bringing a long round of applause
from the student body. A photo of the couple that will reside
in the lobby of the Cassels Residence Hall was unveiled. It
includes the words:
Because of Mr. and Mrs. Cassels’ generosity, CIU has grown
in its ability to fulfill its mission of “educating people from a
biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of
Christ.”
Below that is the Scripture:
From everyone who has been given much, much will be
demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with
much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b
Before he would exit Shortess for a lunch with family and other
guests, William Cassels asked for the microphone because as
he put it, “I could not leave you without saying thank you. We
have such a respect for this institution. It’s overwhelming.”
Then addressing the student body he added, “We have
the most respect for those of you sitting out there. You are
earnestly seeking what God wants you to do with your life and
for Him. We respect you so much. It’s just a great blessing to be
a part of this institution.”
The Cassels family involvement with CIU goes back decades.
In an earlier Chapel, Jones told students that as a young man
William Cassels drove his mother around the campus so she
could pray for the students and deliver cookies that she had
baked for them.
Residence Hall Named for Cassels
By Bob Holmes
William and Charlotte Cassels holding a resolution dedicating
the Cassels Residence Hall in their honor.
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DEVELOPMENT
CIU Today
Fall 2016