Good grades from Columbia students

Students at Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, had a chance to hand out grades last year, not just receive them, according to the school’s annual report by interim president Ron Penner.

They identified “greatest satisfaction” with: the staff and faculty, good quality instruction, a campus of which they could be proud, a general sense of safety on campus, favourable athletic activities, and the school’s reputation in the community.

They expected more, however, in aspects of campus life such as financial aid, food services, and facilities. They also wanted more opportunities for personal mentoring.

The students’ report card was part of the self-study Columbia completed last year as a member of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Some 130 accredited schools in North America agree upon the standards of excellence towards which they strive, and each school undergoes assessment every 10 years. A team of evaluators from peer schools was expected to visit Columbia in October.

In this – its 70th – anniversary year, Columbia has seen 238 new students joining some 250 returning students.

Highlights from college programs include the incorporation of the Church Ministry major into the Biblical Studies Program as well as the option for upper level Worship Arts students to spend a semester in France, Germany, Switzerland, or Scotland. Plans for the future include web courses.

Columbia is also dreaming of offering ministry and education opportunities for people beyond their mid-20s.

Currently, students are housed in several places, including campus housing and adjacent rental complexes. Penner stated that the college board intends to “mount a project in which we would be able to bring the apartment-dwellers back onto the campus.”

—from annual report