CIU Today Fall 2016

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Thy Towers are Pointing Upward!
(Lyrics from CIU’s Alma Mater)
By Frank Bedell
I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of
a prophet – BUT I do work for a non-
profit organization (can you tell that the
book of Amos is one of my favorites?).
At Columbia International University, we
rely on the gifts of alumni and friends
to bridge the gap between CIU’s actual
operating cost and the amount we
charge for tuition, room, and board.
One of the ways that we accomplish
this goal is through our endowment
program. Endowments require a
minimum gift of $10,000. However,
I have a secret for those of you who
don’t have $10,000 but would still like
to create a legacy that will benefit CIU students beyond your lifetime or
until Christ returns. The secret is the CIU Tower Fund.
You can begin your scholarship in the Tower Fund for as little as a $25
monthly commitment. My wife Marti Cosper (’76) Bedell and I began our
scholarship in the Tower Fund to create a perpetual memory of our son
who went to be with the Lord in April of 2013. On the year anniversary
of Jonathan’s death, Marti and I were retracing the steps of our son
along the 80-mile Hadrian’s Wall, built by a Roman emperor in northern
England to separate the “Romans from the barbarians.” This mighty
wall with accompanying towers was built one stone at a time. That’s
when I was struck with the idea of the Tower Fund, which uses small gifts
to build a lasting endowment.
After launching the Tower Fund two years ago, we now have 10 active
funds along with two funds that have reached their endowment goal.
I have a vision for 50 funds by the end of this school year. Consider
participating in the Tower Fund and begin to build a legacy that will
impact generations of students. As a bonus, gifts to the Tower Fund or
gifts to endowments will be matched through Dec. 31, 2016.
For more about the Tower Fund, please visit
Is CIU Still Living by Prayer
& Faith?
Homecoming 2016 features CIU Chancellor
Dr. George Murray (‘67) and Vice President of
Estate & Gift Planning Keith Marion (‘79, ‘93) at
an event called, “Living by Prayer & Faith.” They
will share their many years of CIU experience
and financial knowledge as they answer
questions such as:
• Do students still attend CIU by faith?
• Does CIU still have prayer days?
• How do I receive life income on a
charitable gift?
• Do I have to pay estate tax?
Living by Prayer & Faith
Homecoming 2016
Nov. 4
3:30-4:30 p.m.
McKey Dining Room
Registration is free at
Frank and Marti Bedell
Alleene Kracht (‘68) chats with Dr. George Murray
(center) and Keith Marion
CIU met its operating budget of $3.1 million thanks to alumni, friends and parents.
Because of your gift, we move forward in our mission to educate people from a
biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.
$3.1M
Thank You!
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