When Columbia International University Teacher Education major Casey Malone addressed a luncheon for scholarship donors, he thanked them for assisting in his academic career and quickly added, “my future students thank you, as well.”

That drew a chuckle from the nearly 90 scholarship donors in the Moore Fitness Center as they heard from 40 students benefiting from their generosity.

The Rev. Leon Jones of Columbia, a scholarship donor and a 1980 CIU alumnus, was seated at the table with Malone.

“It’s just a joy to see a young man who is in love with the Lord, and right now loves fifth graders and wants to make a difference in their lives,” Jones said.

“Yup!” agreed Malone having noted he wants to be a male role model in the public-school system.

Meanwhile, Tryphene Dewanou wants to assist the marginalized in her home country of Benin in West Africa who struggle with mental health issues. She is in the Clinical Counseling program and calls meeting the people who are helping scholarship her education “surreal.”

“You pray to God for provision … and to see the people He is using to do that is just beautiful,” Dewanou said. “My heart is full of gratitude.”

Louie Cason, Chairman of the Board at The Cason Group, a Columbia company providing marketing services to the insurance industry, is so impressed by CIU students that he is not only a scholarship donor, but about 25 percent of The Cason Group staff are CIU alumni. He says that’s because they have a good work ethic.

“CIU is putting out a very good product in their students,” Cason said.

With record enrollment for five straight years, CIU 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.