Columbia College Global

50th Anniversary Celebration

By Kevin Graeler

» Directors and program coordinators from Columbia College’s nationwide locations gathered in Dorsey Gym with members of the faculty, staff and college community on Thursday, March 23, to kick off the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Columbia College Global.

“This is truly a landmark day as we celebrate the kickoff of this yearlong celebration,” President Dr. David Russell told the crowd, which included attendees via Zoom. “Columbia College Global will continue to play a pivotal role in Columbia College’s success. We remain committed to fulfilling our mission to improve lives by providing quality education to traditional and nontraditional students.”

Dr. Shadel Hamilton, left, and Col. Mike Randerson – Columbia College Global leaders present and past – celebrate the first 50 years of the college’s impact in adult higher education.

Photo by Abigail Wade

Additional celebration events were held at two of the college’s Illinois locations later in the spring: April 26 at Freeport and May 10 at Elgin. More recognition of the anniversary is planned this fall.

More than 75,000 students have graduated from the network over the past 50 years, and more than 20,000 Columbia College alumni are affiliated with the military.

Boone County, Missouri, Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick ’06, a graduate of the Columbia College Evening Program, attended the kickoff celebration as a special guest and congratulated the college on its milestone on behalf of the Boone County government. Kendrick shared his personal experiences as a nontraditional student who worked a full-time job while completing his bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Kip Kendrick ’06, Presiding Commissioner of Boone County, Missouri

Photo by Abigail Wade

“This place is very near and dear to my heart,” Kendrick said of Columbia College. “I am a product of Columbia College Global. The experience that I had through CCG allowed me to get to where I am today and to become who I am today.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzer have sent the college letters of congratulations in honor of the milestone.