CIU Today Spring 2017

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CIUNews
TV Reporter Touched by CIU Prison Initiative
Commencement
The commencement exercises of
the CIU Prison Initiative usually bring
local media attention, but the most
recent commencement in December
touched the heart of one reporter.
Shelli Adamczyk of WACH FOX 57 in
Columbia took to Facebook to report
to her social media followers:
I had never been inside the heart of
a prison before but after covering
this story it made me see a different
side to being behind bars. After
experiencing all the extreme security
getting into Kirkland Correctional
Institution, I had no idea what to expect, but the second I got in I was pleasantly
surprised and left feeling empowered.
Inmates getting a diploma from Columbia International University Friday. Most
of them are in the South Carolina Department of Corrections system serving life
sentences, but they’re changing the way they will spend that time - and it’s going
above and beyond to help others.
The most recent cohort of graduates included 12 student-inmates receiving
Associate of Arts degrees, and one, a bachelor’s degree. The graduates are
assigned as chaplain’s assistants throughout the South Carolina prison system,
making an impact among their fellow inmates.
“The Prison Initiative continues to have a very positive effect on many men and
women in our institutions,” said Bryan P. Stirling, the director of the South Carolina
Department of Corrections. “This collaboration with CIU is a vital part of our effort
to reduce recidivism and make our prisons safer.”
Since its inception, 136 men and women have graduated from the program, serving
in over 20 correctional institutions.
Reporter Shelli Adamczyk and other reporters
prepare to interview a CIU Prison Initiative
graduate.
CIU President Dr. Bill Jones had the
privilege of swearing-in Richland County,
South Carolina Sheriff Leon Lott to a
new term in office during a ceremony
in January. Lott takes part in a weekly
Bible study group led by Jones who was
introduced as “a very close friend” and
“religious mentor” of the sheriff.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
More Memories of
Robertson McQuilkin
Before I even applied to CIU, I read
Robertson McQuilkin’s book, “Living
by Vows,” about Dr. McQuilkin keeping
his wedding vows to Muriel. After
reading it, I thought, “Now that’s the
school I want to go to if they have
that kind of leadership.” I remember
him lecturing in Dr. Brad Mullen’s
Biblical Ethics class. He and Dr. Mullen
had updated his biblical ethics book
together. It is a great textbook filled
with Scripture. Dr. McQuilkin uttered
his famous saying, “It’s easy to go to
extremes, but you must stay in the
center of biblical tension.” Later I got a
chance to borrow from the book while
teaching an ethics Sunday school class
at the Chinese Church of Columbia.
Mark A. Peter, (‘96) M.A. TEFL/ICS
West Columbia, South Carolina
Letters to the Editor are welcome.
Correspondence must include your
name, address and phone number. The
editor reserves the right to determine the
suitability of letters for publication and
to edit for clarity and length. There is no
guarantee your letter will be published, nor
will letters be returned.
Write to:
CIU Today Editor
Columbia International University
7435 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
Or email
Former CIU president Robertson McQuilkin
passed away last June.
Correction: On page 26 of the Fall 2016 edition of CIU Today, the professional titles of William T. Cassels Jr. and Tobin Cassels were incorrect.
William T. Cassels is the chairman of Southeastern Freight Lines. Tobin Cassels is the president.
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CIU Today Spring 2017
CIU NEWS