CIU alumna, Business Program unite for symposium on serving the aging

CIU alumna, Business Program unite for symposium on serving the aging

CIU alumna Laslene Glymph

CIU alumna Laslene Glymph addresses the symposium. She is the program coordinator for the South Carolina Lt. Gov.'s Office on Aging.

Partnership with Lt. Governor’s Office brings community and church together

By Bob Holmes

Columbia International University alumna Laslene Glymph is praying that by bringing the church and community together, her office can assist the elderly of South Carolina with their unmet needs.

Glymph, who earned a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Biblical Seminary at CIU in 2000, is the program coordinator for the South Carolina Lt. Gov.’s Office on Aging. Working with Professor Scott Adams, program director of the CIU School of Business, Glymph brought over 100 church and faith-based leaders from across the state to CIU for the symposium, “Church and Community: United to Serve.”

Glymph said the church is foundational to meeting the needs of the elderly.

“That’s why the first word in this theme is church,” Glymph told the packed audience in Pamplin Auditorium. “Because the church has traditionally been the foundation of the community and somehow we’ve gotten away from that.”   

Glymph offered examples of how the state’s elderly are having trouble getting basic needs met, but reminded the church leaders that they are called to help them: “Your mandate comes from holy writ.”

“He upholds the cause of the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry,” said Glymph quoting Psalm 146. “The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” 

In welcoming remarks, CIU President Dr. Mark Smith said that CIU is on board with assisting the community, citing the school’s commitment to improving its own neighborhood in North Columbia and the gateway to the CIU campus.

“We’re meeting with 40 African-American leaders in our community to say, ‘How may CIU serve you?’” Smith said. “We’ve raised $2 million to start cleaning up the Monticello Road corridor for economic development, community development and church development.”

Meanwhile, Professor Adams told members of the media in attendance that this is the first of many opportunities for CIU to serve the community as the Business program grows.

“At a time when we have ethical issues and issues with morality in the workforce, our students are making a difference and adding value through character and what they bring to the workplace,” Adams said.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant addressed the symposium and put his stamp of approval on the partnership between church and community as he asked the lunch blessing.

“Father, we thank you for the serving hearts that the folks in this room have for serving our seniors.”

CIU is experiencing growth in enrollment and has announced $25 million in expansion plans for the campus, including construction of the $20 million William H. Jones Global Business and IT Center. CIU is accredited by SACS-COC.