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Dr. Bill Jones Honored at
Chapel Service
Applause thundered in Shortess Chapel
on April 18 as students, faculty, friends
and family gathered to honor and thank
outgoing CIU President Dr. Bill Jones for his
leadership, vision and service to CIU over
the last 10 years.
Resolutions honoring Jones were
presented by representatives of South
Carolina Independent Colleges and
Universities (SCICU) and the South Carolina
General Assembly.
“We will miss the advice and counsel of
a fellow board member, counsellor and
friend,” said Mike LeFever, president of
SCICU. “We are glad you’re not going far.”
State Sen. Darrell Jackson, a CIU alumnus,
said he has “never met a leader like Bill
Jones anywhere, not even at the White
House.”
Jones served five years as chairman of the
board at Ben Lippen School, the Pre-K to
12th grade ministry of CIU. Ben Lippen
Board member Renee Brooks thanked
Jones for his service
“His leadership style can be summed up
in one word: relationships,” Brooks said.
“We have been unified as a board under
his leadership and are grateful for his past
support and commitment to us, as well as
his future support.”
The CIU student
body also thanked
Jones, an avid
hunter, with an elk
knife as a token of
appreciation.
“President Jones
always remembers
everyone’s name
on campus,” junior
Heather Hoopes
said. “He has
always challenged,
encouraged and
inspired me.”
Michael Crapps, president and CEO
of First Community Bank referred to
Jones as a man of integrity saying,
“If (Dr. Jones) has a motive, it’s to
serve God and bring glory to God by
serving men.”
Mayor Benjamin thanked Jones for
his service to others, comparing him
to the prophet Isaiah who trembled
with fear before a holy and just God.
Benjamin noted that when the Lord
said, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah
answered. “Here am I. Send me!”
The loving smile of Jones’ wife
Debby, the affectionate hugs of his granddaughter Aubrey, and the warm
handshakes of each man and woman in attendance attested to these sentiments.
In the words of Starbucks District Manager Solon Flowers, “He’s one the most
genuine men I’ve ever known. You realize after forming a relationship with Dr.
Jones, that it’s truly who he is every day.”
While words of appreciation poured out for Jones, he had plenty of his own to
give.
“This morning I was reading in I Thessalonians 5:11, and the verse jumped off
the page. ‘Encourage one another and build up one another just as you also
are doing.’ I want to thank each and every one of you for encouraging me and
building me up, for which I’m very grateful,” Jones said.
“And Mr. Mayor, this [Key to the City] is icing on the cake.”
“He has infused leadership, vision, church planting,
and Bible study efforts among different people groups,
really targeting the leadership of Columbia, and it
filters down to each and every aspect of our city. ”
– CIU Professor Dr. Andre Rogers, friend of Dr. Bill Jones
Dozens gathered at Columbia City Hall to
see their friend Bill Jones receive the Key
to the City. (Photo courtesy of the City of
Columbia)
Dr. Bill Jones and his wife Debby
bow their heads as CIU Professor
Dr. Andre Rogers leads in Prayer.
The grandchildren of
Dr. Bill Jones play under
the podium as Jones
addresses the student
body, family and friends.
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CIU Today
www.ciu.eduKEY TO THE CITY