August 16   Robert McQuilken

Robertson McQuilkin served as the third president of Columbia International University from 1968 to 1990 distinguishing himself as a spiritual and practical visionary. Under his leadership, CIU made advancements in accreditation standing and faculty development, growth in the graduate and seminary programs, the initiation of radio ministry and the expansion of campus facilities. He resigned from the presidency to care for his wife, Muriel, who had reached the stage of Alzheimer's disease in which she needed full-time care. His powerful resignation speech has been heard by tens of thousands of people around the world.  

Prior to becoming president of CIU, McQuilkin served as headmaster of Ben Lippen School (link is external), then for 12 years as a missionary in Japan.

McQuilkin was honored for his decades of work in Christian missions when he received the 2010 Lifetime of Service Award (link is external)from Missio Nexus.

In recent years, McQuilkin has continued as an influential leader among evangelicals as a speaker and writer, engaging in an extensive conference ministry across America and overseas. He also serves as president emeritus of CIU.

In 2005 McQuilkin married Deborah Jones, a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Nursing. Deborah also has a teaching ministry in conferences and women's groups. Between them, Robertson and Deborah have nine children: four in Christian ministry, five in the marketplace.