Former Columbia International University administrator and 2017 CIU Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Ralph Enlow Jr.,  returns to his alma mater on Saturday May 6 as commencement speaker, joining in the celebration of CIU’s 100^th anniversary this year.

Enlow earned his undergraduate degree from CIU in 1972 and graduate degree in 1982. His doctorate in Higher Education Leadership is from Vanderbilt University.

Enlow served CIU for 28 years in various leadership capacities including senior vice president and provost. His four decades of service in Christian higher education also include roles as an institutional and association executive, consultant, professor, and chair of several ministry and nonprofit boards.

From 2006 until his retirement in 2020, Enlow served as president of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). He was instrumental in the founding of the International Alliance for Christian Education and currently chairs its board. He has authored two books on biblical leadership and contributed to numerous other books and publications. His retirement activities center on global Christian education governing board leadership, mentoring, consulting, teaching and writing.

Enlow describes his life calling as: “To cultivate and accelerate the spiritual, intellectual and professional formation and fruitfulness of leaders engaged in fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission.”

CIU will have two commencements on May 6 in Shortess Chapel; Graduate students will walk the stage at 8 a.m. and Undergraduate students at 11:00 a.m.    

CIU Interim President Dr. Rick Christman and CIU Provost Dr. James Lanpher will preside over the commencements, conferring degrees on 304 graduates who have earned certificates, associate of arts degrees, bachelor degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. The ceremonies will be livestreamed:

8 a.m. vimeo.com/event/3362314

11 a.m. vimeo.com/event/3362327

Facebook: facebook.com/columbiainternationaluniversity/videos

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. www.ciu.edu.