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or nearly 200 Columbia
International University graduates,
May 16 was a day for celebration and
bittersweet goodbyes. As graduates
crossed the stage in Shortess Chapel,
they celebrated both the fruit of their
hard work, and many said goodbye to
the friends and professors who had made
CIU feel like home.
“I loved that I was able to celebrate with
family and friends,” said Charron Conley,
who received a Master’s of Arts degree
in Bible Teaching. “The difficult part was
knowing that graduation was the last
weekend for a long time to be with such
great friends.”
CIU conducted two commencement
ceremonies, the first for seminary and
graduate students, and the second for
undergraduates. South Carolina State
Senator Darrell Jackson, a CIU alumnus
who also pastors Bible Way Church of
Atlas Road in Columbia, addressed
graduates in both ceremonies. His
message, “The Blessings of Knowing,”
challenged graduates to take their
biblical knowledge to those who need it.
“Quite frankly, over the years I’ve learned
that God isn’t so impressed with degrees,
but He is impressed with what you do
with those degrees,” Jackson said.
The undergraduate ceremony also
included the tearful remembrance of
Keturah Washington, a beloved CIU
undergraduate student who passed
away in February. The CIU faculty
posthumously awarded her diploma for
bachelor’s degrees in Communication
and Bible with Washington’s parents
receiving the diploma on her behalf. As
their gift to CIU, the Class of 2015 also
established an annual scholarship in
Washington’s name.
“There are three things we know about
Keturah: she loved life, she loved
learning, and she loved her Lord,” said
Dr. Dan DeLozier, who was Washington’s
academic advisor.
With tassels turned and diplomas in
hand, CIU President Dr. Bill Jones
addressed the graduates for the last
time, encouraging them to use their
degrees to make an impact for Christ.
“I wonder how many thousands of
people will come to know Christ
through your lives, whether [you are] a
professional minister or a ministering
professional,” Jones said. “May you go
out and make a difference in thousands
and thousands of peoples’ hearts.”
A Time for Joy, a Time for Tears
By Melissa McCutchan, CIU Student Writer
MAY
COMMENCEMENT
F
South Carolina State Senator and CIU
alumnus Darrell Jackson addresses graduates
as President Bill Jones looks on.
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CIU Today
Summer 2015