The 1948 photo of a man in a suit being handed something by a small child is dark and grainy with a crease near the bottom. But the warmth of that captured moment still comes through.

The man is R.C. McQuilkin, the first president of Columbia International University, then known as Columbia Bible College (CBC). The girl is two-year-old Alleene Petty, the daughter of longtime CBC administrator Tom Petty. She is handing McQuilkin a donation of a silver dollar, one of 25 silver dollars the Petty family donated, celebrating CIU’s Silver Anniversary — 25 years after its founding in 1923. The silver dollar would become a CIU tradition.

In 1973, at CIU’s 50^th anniversary, a letter from CIU’s third president, Robertson McQuilkin, thanks Alleene for “the tremendous gift of silver dollars.” Fifty silver dollars to be exact. But the letter is addressed to Mrs. Alleene Kracht. By this time, she was a CBC alumna married to fellow CBC alumnus Doug Kracht.

At CIU’s 75^th anniversary celebration in 1998, Alleene made a presentation of 75 silver dollars to CIU President Dr. Johnny Miller.

Dr. Miller was honored to accept this special gift and deeply appreciated the tradition being maintained throughout Alleene’s lifetime. “God encouraged us in numerous ways while I was serving at CIU.  Alleene’s anniversary gifts were unique and memorable as we thanked the Lord for her support.”

The tradition is expected to continue as CIU celebrates 100 years of God’s faithfulness in 2023. The Petty family and other donors are providing a gift of — you guessed it — 100 silver dollars!

As for Alleene and Doug Kracht, they ministered for many years in Jamaica, Cuba and Spain, and were named CIU Alumni of the Year in 2019. Alleene passed away in 2020 at age 74. But the endearing photo of two-year-old Alleene, and subsequent thank you letter to her from R.C. McQuilkin lives on in CIU’s history.

In the letter, McQuilkin quips that he hopes “our picture turns out all right,” and notes that Oct. 1, CBC’s birthday when first classes were held, is the same day as Alleene’s birthday.

“I shall always remember this gift on October 1 from Alleene Petty,” McQuilkin wrote. “I am sure there will be no other gift like that. We will pray that all of the October 1sts will be very happy days because we live for Jesus.”    

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. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.