When Jeff McCormack, the executive director of the South Carolina Physicians Care Charity heard that Columbia International University was starting a nursing program, he was surprised.

“CIU is a Bible college, that’s where you learn how to be a pastor, learn to be a preacher,” said McCormack.

But academic programs have expanded at CIU since its days as Columbia Bible College, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and the online RN to BSN program, both with an emphasis on medical missions. And that’s why McCormack visited the CIU Advancement Office with an envelope in his hand.

Inside the envelope was a $100,000 gift in support of the nursing programs led by Dr. Jill McElheny. 

“I came here and met Dr. McElheny. I was so blown away by what you have here,” McCormack told Advancement Vice President Diane Mull and Advancement Officer David Finklea. “The facilities, the commitment. The wholistic approach. I got excited.”   

The mission of The South Carolina Physicians Care Charity is to provide “grants to other non-profit organizations with missions that promote health and wellness through their various projects within the borders of South Carolina.”

Mull told McCormack that CIU is grateful.

“The generosity of the gift is an endorsement for us,” Mull said. “I am also so excited about the community joining in with us. That’s why this gift is so important.”

Applications are being accepted for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at admissions@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5024.

CIU also offers an online RN-BSN program giving registered nurses the opportunity to advance their careers with the BSN degree.