Columbia International University

Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina

Not to be confused with Columbia University.

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Columbia International University

Former names

| Columbia Bible School (1923–1929)
Columbia Bible College (1929–1994)
Motto| To know Him and to make Him known.
Type| Private university
Established| 1923

Religious affiliation

| Multidenominational Christian
President| William H. Jones
Students| 2,481 (Fall 2022)
Undergraduates| 1,001 (Fall 2022)
Postgraduates| 1,480 (Fall 2022)
Location|

Columbia

South Carolina

United States

Campus| Suburban, 400 acres (162 ha)
Colors|
Blue & Gold
Nickname| Rams

Sporting affiliations

| NAIA – Appalachian
Mascot| Ram
Website| www.ciu.edu

Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1923.

## Academics

[edit]

CIU has six colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Cook School of Business, School of Missions & Intercultural Ministry, School of Nursing, Seminary and School of Counseling. [1]

The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools[2] and the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education.[3] The Graduate School is also approved by the South Carolina Department of Education to offer graduate degrees in early childhood and elementary education leading to certification as a teacher in State of South Carolina.[4]

## Student life

[edit]

CIU has doctrinal affirmations and lifestyle standards which all students (regardless of degree sought) are expected to uphold as a part of admission.

There are seven doctrinal points which students must consent to as a part of their admission to and candidacy for a degree from CIU. These are biblical inspiration, natural separation of humanity from God, salvation by grace through faith in Christ, the historical doctrine of the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer, and the evangelical mandate to witness to the gospel of Christ. Additionally, the doctrine of Premillennialism is officially held by the school, but students are not required to adhere to this doctrine. CIU requires all teaching faculty to affirm Premillennialism.[5]

Students are required to sign a covenant form agreeing to keep various lifestyle standards established by the university. Some of the standards include prohibition from alcohol and tobacco. Students are required to complete a Spiritual Growth and Self Assessment – a narrative of a student’s spiritual journey during the year. Though not required during summer and winter breaks, students are expected to maintain CIU lifestyle standards.

## Athletics

[edit]

The Columbia International (CIU) athletic teams are called the Rams. The university is a member of the Division I level of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) since the 2018–19 academic year. They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the South Region of the Division I level.[6]

CIU currently competes in 13 intercollegiate athletic teams: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.[7]

## Ben Lippen School

[edit]

Main article: Ben Lippen School

The Ben Lippen School is a private, interdenominational Christian school located on the CIU campus. It was founded as a boarding school in Asheville, North Carolina, in the 1940s, but was moved to its current location in 1988, offering middle and high school programs. An elementary school away from the main CIU campus was begun in 1989, and in 2006, a main elementary school campus was completed on CIU grounds and classes began there in August. The schools are co-educational and feature a mix of commuting and resident students. The curriculum mirrors most public institutions with the exception of teaching subject from an evangelical Christian worldview and the inclusion of Bible classes and chapel for students, faculty, and staff. In 2013, there were nearly 800 students enrolled at the school.

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Solomon Adeniyi Babalola \- Veteran Nigerian Baptist missionary and evangelist, church pastor, church administrator, denominational leader, and theological educator
* Doris Bartholomew
* Laura Belle Barnard
* Chet Bitterman
* P. T. Chandapilla
* Travis Greene
* Nabeel Jabbour
* Andreas J. Köstenberger
* Edgar Louton
* Chad Prather
* Joy Ridderhof
* Laura Story
* Phillip Yancey

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Columbia International University 2023–2024 Academic Catalog
2. ^ "CIU Accreditation Reaffirmed". Columbia International University. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
3. ^ "Institutions Holding COA Status". Association for Biblical Higher Education. 2020. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020. "LAST REAFFIRMATION 2019, NEXT COMMISSION REVIEW 2029"
4. ^ "Approved Educator Preparation Programs". scteachers.org. April 28, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
5. ^ CIU 2013–2014 Academic Catalog
6. ^ "CIU Facts". Columbia International University. Columbia International University. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
7. ^ "Athletics History". Columbia International University. Retrieved 4 February 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Official athletics website

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities

Governing Members|

* Abilene Christian
* Ambrose
* Anderson (Indiana)
* Anderson (South Carolina)
* Asbury
* Azusa Pacific
* Belhaven
* Bethel (Indiana)
* Bethel (Minnesota)
* Bethany
* Biola
* Bluefield
* Bushnell
* California Baptist
* Calvin
* Campbellsville
* Central Baptist
* Central Christian
* Charleston Southern
* Colorado Christian
* Concordia-Ann Arbor
* Concordia–Chicago
* Concordia–Irvine
* Concordia–Nebraska
* Concordia-Wisconsin
* Corban
* Cornerstone
* Covenant
* Crown
* Dallas Baptist
* Dordt
* East Texas Baptist
* Eastern Nazarene
* Emmanuel
* Erskine
* Evangel
* Faulkner
* Fresno Pacific
* Geneva
* George Fox
* Gordon
* Grace
* Greenville
* Hannibal–LaGrange
* Hardin–Simmons
* Harding
* Hope International
* Houghton
* Houston Christian
* Howard Payne
* Huntington
* Indiana Wesleyan
* Jessup
* John Brown
* Judson (Illinois)
* Kentucky Christian
* King
* Lee
* LeTourneau
* Lipscomb
* Malone
* Messiah
* Mid-America Christian
* MidAmerica Nazarene
* Milligan
* Mississippi
* Missouri Baptist
* Montreat
* Mount Vernon Nazarene
* Multnomah
* North Central
* North Park
* Northwest Nazarene
* Northwest
* Northwestern (Iowa)
* Oklahoma Baptist
* Oklahoma Christian
* Olivet Nazarene
* Oral Roberts
* Ouachita
* Palm Beach Atlantic
* Point
* Point Loma Nazarene
* Redeemer
* Regent
* Roberts Wesleyan
* San Diego Christian
* Simpson
* Southeastern
* Southern Adventist
* Southern Nazarene
* Southern Wesleyan
* Southwest Baptist
* Spring Arbor
* Sterling
* Tabor
* Taylor
* Toccoa Falls
* Trevecca Nazarene
* Trinity Christian
* Trinity International
* Trinity Western
* Mary Hardin–Baylor
* Northwestern – St. Paul (UNWSP)
* Southwest
* Vanguard
* Walla Walla
* Warner
* Wayland Baptist
* Westmont
* Wheaton
* Wisconsin Lutheran
* York (Nebraska)

Associate Members|

* Arizona Christian
* Asbury Theological Seminary
* Briercrest
* Cairn
* Columbia International
* Crandall
* Dallas Theological Seminary
* Denver Seminary
* Fuller Theological Seminary
* Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
* Johnson
* Kuyper
* Life Pacific
* Lincoln Christian
* Martin Luther
* McMaster Divinity
* Mid-Atlantic Christian
* Moody
* Ohio Christian
* Ozark Christian
* Prairie
* Providence
* Southwestern Christian
* King's (New York)
* King's (Texas)
* Tyndale
* Valley Forge

* v
* t
* e

Colleges and universities in South Carolina

Public institutions|

* The Citadel
* Clemson
* Coastal Carolina
* College of Charleston
* Francis Marion
* Lander
* South Carolina State
* USC Aiken
* USC Beaufort
* USC Columbia
* USC Lancaster
* USC Salkehatchie
* USC Sumter
* USC Union
* USC Upstate
* Winthrop

Private institutions|

* Allen
* American College of the Building Arts
* Anderson
* Benedict
* Bob Jones
* Charleston Southern
* Claflin
* Columbia
* Columbia International
* Coker
* Converse
* Erskine
* Furman
* Limestone
* Morris
* Newberry
* North Greenville
* Presbyterian
* Sherman
* Southern Wesleyan
* Spartanburg Methodist
* Voorhees
* Wofford

Technical colleges|

* Aiken TC
* Central Carolina TC
* Denmark TC
* Florence-Darlington TC
* Greenville TC
* Horry-Georgetown TC
* Midlands TC
* Northeastern TC
* Orangeburg-Calhoun TC
* Piedmont TC
* Spartanburg CC
* TC of the Lowcountry
* Tri-County TC
* Trident TC
* Williamsburg TC
* York TC

Seminaries, graduate, and
professional institutions|

* Charleston School of Law
* Erskine Theological Seminary
* Geneva Reformed Seminary
* Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
* Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
* Medical University of South Carolina
* USC School of Law

Defunct colleges|

* The Arsenal
* Chicora College

* v
* t
* e

College sports teams in South Carolina

NCAA Division I|

* Charleston
* Charleston Southern
* Clemson
* Coastal Carolina
* Furman
* Presbyterian
* South Carolina
* South Carolina State
* The Citadel
* USC Upstate
* Winthrop
* Wofford

NCAA Division II|

* Allen
* Anderson
* Benedict
* Claflin
* Coker
* Converse
* Erskine
* Francis Marion
* Lander
* Limestone
* Newberry
* North Greenville
* Southern Wesleyan
* USC Aiken
* USC Beaufort

NCAA Division III|

* None

NAIA|

* CIU
* Columbia College
* Morris
* Voorhees

NJCAA Division I|

* Clinton
* Denmark Tech
* Spartanburg Methodist
* USC Lancaster
* USC Salkehatchie
* USC Sumter
* USC Union

NCCAA Divisions I and II|

* Bob Jones
* CIU
* Clinton
* North Greenville
* Southern Wesleyan

* v
* t
* e

NCCAA Division I - South

* Carolina University
* Clinton College
* Columbia International University
* North Greenville University
* Paine College
* Regent University
* Southern Wesleyan University
* University of Fort Lauderdale
* Virginia University of Lynchburg
* Warner University

* v
* t
* e

Appalachian Athletic Conference

Full members|

* Bluefield Rams
* Brenau Golden Tigers
* Bryan Lions
* Columbia College Koalas
* Columbia International Rams
* Johnson Royals
* Kentucky Christian Knights
* Milligan Buffaloes
* Montreat Cavaliers
* Pikeville Bears
* Reinhardt Eagles
* St. Andrews Knights
* SCAD Atlanta Bees
* Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs
* Truett McConnell Bears
* Union Commonwealth Bulldogs/Lady Bulldogs

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* FAST

National|

* United States

34°04′33″N 81°04′31″W﻿ / ﻿34.075768°N 81.075314°W﻿ / 34.075768; -81.075314
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