From the Editor
I’ll have to admit that when “CIU Today” designer Seth Berry told me late last year that he
entered the premier edition of this magazine in the Collegiate Advertising Awards contest, I was
doubtful we would win anything. In recent months, Seth and I reviewed a number of collegiate
magazines and I was impressed with both the content of the articles and the graphic design of
each publication. I knew that the “CIU Today” staff had put their best into that first October 2013
edition of the magazine, and we were pleased with the results — but could it win an award?
Then, in late January, Seth was beaming as he walked down
the hallway to my office with the news that we had won
“Gold” in the single magazine category for Faith-Based
Colleges and Universities. Wow! And this is no small thing.
The Collegiate Advertising Awards recognize marketing
professionals for outstanding excellence in all forms of
advertising, marketing and promotion specific to higher
education products and services. Entries are reviewed by
a panel of experienced design and education marketing
professionals, and are judged on: Creativity, Layout/Design,
Typography, Production, Quality & Overall Effectiveness.
So kudos go out to those who work hard to make this
magazine happen. That of course includes Seth Berry, as well
as Alumni Editor Peggy Lee Manoogian who keeps up with
what’s going on among our 18,000 alumni in 150 countries. And as I have mentioned in the past,
I have a great staff of students who assist me, including writers Melissa McCutchan and Brittany
Bradley and photographers Christine Benz and Emily Regan. All four of them strive to contribute
professional-level work.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that “CIU Today” is the brainchild of former CIU Marketing
Director Polly Shoemaker who saw the possibilities of a quality magazine representing CIU that
combines two former CIU publications: the in-depth features of “Connection” and the alumni
updates of “Upward.” Polly now shares her leadership skills as director of advancement at her
high school alma mater, Worthington Christian Schools in Ohio. Thank you, Polly for guiding us
toward this award.
But most of all, this award is about Who we ultimately serve. I’m reminded of 1 Cor. 10:31.
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God
.
May we all live to that end.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Bob Holmes
CIU Today
Editor-in-Chief
THE FIRST WORD
Bob Holmes, Editor-in-Chief
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 e-mail
publicrelations@ciu.edu4
THE FIRST WORD
CIU Today
Summer 2015