CIU Receives $1 Million Gift
November 23, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – Columbia International University (CIU) is the recipient of a gift of $1 million from a life insurance policy funded by Harry S. Dent Jr. and the late Harry and Betty Dent.
The Dents were respected members of the Columbia area known for their involvement in civic affairs and their ministry efforts, including their love for CIU.
Harry graduated from CIU Seminary & School of Ministry in 1982 and was named CIU Distinguished Alumnus in 2001. He passed away in 2007. Betty was a former member of the CIU Board of Trustees. The announcement of the $1 million gift came at her memorial service held at CIU on Nov. 15, 2014.
Harry served in numerous leadership positions in state and federal government, including service in the White House under President Richard Nixon and as an advisor to Presidents Jerry Ford and George H.W. Bush.
In the mid-1970s, Betty served on the S.C. Mental Health Advisory Board and was recognized as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Women in Columbia.
Together the Dents founded Laity Alive and Serving in 1985, through which they coordinated mission trips around the world, especially to Romania. Betty also coordinated Market Place Bible Studies and assisted Harry when he was chairman of the Billy Graham Crusade in Columbia.
CIU President Dr. William H. Jones says the $1 million gift from the Dents provides $250,000 for a building fund and $750,000 for a scholarship Fund.
“It is with much gratefulness to the Lord and to the Dents that we establish this scholarship fund,” Jones said. “We pray that this fund will enable scores of CIU students in the future to be trained from a biblical worldview to then go into the marketplace, into church ministry, and into missionary service to impact the nations with the message of Jesus Christ.”
Founded in 1923, Columbia International University is private, Christian and multidenominational. CIU specializes in Bible-centered professional development that prepares students to impact the nations with the message of Christ in ministry and the marketplace. The university is recognized for its emphasis on biblical authority and world evangelization. www.ciu.edu
