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自慰视频 Chancellor Bill Jones honored at Jones Center dedication

Ribbon cutting on the William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center
自慰视频 President Dr. Mark Smith and 自慰视频 Chancellor Dr. Bill Jones

Chancellor Dr. Bill Jones (right) celebrates with 自慰视频 President Dr. Mark Smith. (Photos by Kierston Smith)

Jones also surprised with South Carolina鈥檚 highest civilian award

By Naomi Balk and Bob Holmes

Over 200 guests and VIPs came together to celebrate the dedication of the William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a luncheon. Built to train ministering professionals to impact nations with the message of Christ, the $20 million, 44,000 square-foot building was named in honor of 自慰视频鈥檚 sixth president who currently serves as chancellor and whose life has been dedicated to spreading the message of Christ.

鈥淭his is Dr. Bill Jones鈥 day where we honor him for the many lives that have been impacted and his role in getting us to where we are as a community,鈥 said 自慰视频 President, Dr. Mark Smith during the ceremony. 鈥淚 think that it鈥檚 important to put our spiritual mission to work in practical ways by investing in Monticello Road and the surrounding communities.鈥

Built at the entrance to the 自慰视频 campus, the Center is a vessel ready to pour into the community, assisting in economic development along the Monticello Road corridor.

Richland County Council Chairman called it a great day for 自慰视频 and the community.

鈥淓very conversation we had with 自慰视频 has also included a conversation about our community and that says a whole lot about CIU,鈥 Livingstone told the crowd gathered in the Jones Center.

Columbia City Councilman echoed the sentiment.

鈥溩晕渴悠 does an excellent Job reaching out to the community,鈥 Davis said, 鈥淓conomically, this (Center) will help to increase business development and offer resources.鈥

Lexington County State Representative has noticed careful planning by 自慰视频 that led to this day.

鈥淭hey have involved the folks in the Midlands and around the state in the conversation and decisions that they made for the programs,鈥 Huggins said. 鈥淸They鈥檝e been asking] what the employers are looking for and recognizing that from the start.鈥

It was under Jones' presidency that CIU first started a business course, then a business minor, then . Today, there is a School of Business & Professional Studies headquartered in the Jones Center.

自慰视频 Board of Trustees member calls Jones 鈥渁 master organizer always envisioning the next thing happening,鈥 adding, 鈥淭his is his vision: He wants to win the world for Christ. And that is what this building is all about.鈥

After many people and organizations were recognized for their part in the building of the Jones Center, its namesake was surprised with a very special honor from the South Carolina Governor鈥檚 Office: The Order of the Palmetto, the state鈥檚 highest civilian honor awarded to citizens of South Carolina for extraordinary lifetime service and achievements of national or statewide significance.听

Jones facial expression was that of shock when the presentation was made.

鈥淚 feel like I should not receive the award,鈥 Jones said. 鈥淚t was truly a surprise and so humbling.鈥

After the festivities, Jones explained his vision for the business program as a training ground for 自慰视频 students who may not be called to be 鈥減rofessional ministers,鈥 such as pastors and traditional missionaries, but 鈥渕inistering professionals.鈥 听

鈥淭hese are people who are being trained in the same way about Scripture and inner character so that they can create a positive godly influence [in the marketplace],鈥 Jones said. 鈥淩ight now, I am pouring my life into 14 key businessmen downtown. Here鈥檚 how we say it: we want to transform the spiritual landscape of Columbia. It鈥檚 exciting, and this [Business Center] will be the epicenter.鈥澨

More coverage of the event is available from y and the .听

Columbia International University consistently ranks听among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Excitement is growing on campus with 自慰视频鈥檚 first听听program in development and new academic programs such as the听Doctor of Ministerial Leadership.听听on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call听(800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.

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