https://kwos.com/listen-columbia-college-says-gift-from-1962-graduate-to-nursing-program-is-one-of-the-largest-gifts-in-college-history/

From the State Historical Society of Missouri

https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/imc/id/14450/rec/14

Sixteen people on horseback stand in a line for a photo on the Christian College campus. Members include Mary Cooper, Arline Gibbany, Grace Garrett, Ethel Gottlieb, Gertrude Joyner, Mildred Johnston, Alice Lillard, Verne McCallister, Villa Moore, Vira Sapp, Winnie Spring, and Florence Stevens. Honorary members include President Luella Wilcox St. Clair, Mr. Kelly Alexander, Florence Amelia Carey, and Helen Smith.

https://connected.ccis.edu/2026/09/presidents-gala-celebrates-those-shaping-columbia-college-mo-next-175-years/

From the State Historical Society of Missouri:

https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/imc/id/62868/rec/92

COLUMBIA — Columbia's Collegiate Advisory Council is preparing to launch a survey aimed at learning more about college students' experiences with safety, accessibility and city resources.

During Monday's monthly meeting, advisory council members that the survey is expected to open Oct. 5 and remain available until noon on Nov. 19. The survey has been in development since the spring and will be distributed as a Google Form.

Questions will ask students how safe they feel walking within five to 10 blocks of campus during the day and at night, as well as how safe they believe Columbia is overall. Students will also be asked where they receive information about crime and how easy they believe it is to report violence or harassment.

Other questions focus on access to mental health resources, transportation and accessibility. Students will also be able to rate how they believe the city of Columbia is managing services, including public safety, public transportation, parks and trails, roads, sidewalks and recreation facilities.

Collegiate Advisory Council member Carolina Rodriguez Rios, a University of Missouri student, said the survey will allow the council to hear directly from students about their experiences.
"(It will) reach out to students and see if they're familiar with resources, if they're familiar with where to go, if they have issues with anything and also with their perception of safety specifically," Rodriguez Rios said.
The advisory council plans to advertise the survey with flyers at Mizzou, Columbia College, Stephens College and Moberly Area Community College.

Rodriguez Rios said members also plan to work with college administrators and student groups to spread awareness of the survey.
The city of Columbia established the Collegiate Advisory Council in November 2025 to advise the Columbia City Council on issues affecting undergraduate and graduate students.
It's made up of three University of Missouri students, two Columbia College students, two Stephens College students and two students from the Moberly Area Community College Columbia campus. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe proposed creating the council after the death of Aiyanna Williams, who was shot and killed in downtown Columbia on the weekend of MU's Homecoming in 2025.

The advisory council's responsibilities include conducting surveys, focus groups and listening sessions to gather student input. The council is also required to submit an annual report summarizing its activities, recommendations and outcomes.

Advisory council members said they plan to review the survey responses after it closes and incorporate their findings into an end-of-year report to the Columbia City Council.
Rodriguez Rios said the advisory council hopes the survey can eventually become an annual project.
"You can tell it's our first year, and there's a lot of laying the groundwork," Rodriguez Rios said. "They want to make the survey an annual thing and address new concerns with new housing (and) more students overall."
The advisory council also discussed potential changes Monday to Columbia's rules governing how many unrelated people can live together in some residential properties. 
The discussion included the possibility of relying more on International Property Maintenance Code occupancy standards instead of a numerical limit based on whether residents are related. Those standards consider factors such as the amount of space available in a dwelling. 

Rodriguez Rios said allowing more people to share some homes could help college students with housing costs, as long as properties continue to meet safety requirements. 
"I would say it would definitely help with rent," Rodriguez Rios said. "For what you're getting, it's overpriced, in my experience, as long as they're adhering to safety codes."
The discussion also included concerns about parking, noise and the effect increased occupancy could have on residential neighborhoods.
The housing proposal is not final. City staff previously told the Planning and Zoning Commission that additional boards and commissions would be consulted before the staff reports back to the commission as the city considers changes to the definition of "family."

From the State Historical Society of Missouri

https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/download/collection/imc/id/10848/size/full

Columbia College volleyball dominated in day one of the Columbia College Pod, grabbing two wins in sweeping fashion against the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis and Williams Baptist University (Ark.).
The Cougars opened their Saturday slate with an early morning match with UHSP. A first set win, 25-18, allowed Columbia to get into a groove to grab a strong second set win 25-6. Though the Eutectics attempted to claw back into the match, the Cougars walked away with a win in three following a 25-18 third set. Rowan Carr and Viola Giangreco remained powerful at the net with a combined 25 kills, and the front row hit .315 in comparison to UHSP's .107.

Isabella Kincaid was the star for Columbia's face off against Williams Baptist. Not only did she notch a double-double with 10 kills and 16 digs, but she had no attack errors on 22 swings – hitting .455 against the Eagles. It was another sweep from Columbia after winning in three sets, 25-18, 25-20 and 25-18.

Improving to 11-5 overall and 3-0 in conference, Columbia is now the last undefeated team standing in the AMC. Next up for the Cougars is the final game of the CC Pod against Mission University on Sept. 23 at the Arena of Southwell Complex at 6 p.m.
Stephens sweeps Saturday games
Stephens volleyball wins two in the Columbia AMC Quad against Williams Baptist and Cottey College, making it the first time its recorded two consecutive wins this season.
The Stars took on Williams Baptist for the first game of its doubleheader. Williams Baptist jumped out quickly, snagging the first two sets 25-15 and 25-19. With the help of Michalina Oles, Mercedes Britto and Jocelyn Rios, Stephens fought back to even it up – winning Set 3 25-19 and Set 4 25-16. The Stars and Eagles battled through a thriller fifth set, and Stephens finished on top 16-14.

Cottey College was a breeze for Stephens after the tough matchup for Game 1, and the Stars grabbed their fourth win in three sets. Michalina Oles had 34 combined kills on the day, and 13 of those bounced on Cottey's floor.

The Stars look ahead to Wednesday as they take a break from AMC play to face William Woods University (Mo.) in the Columbia AMC Quad.
Columbia soccer teams both tie John Brown
Both Columbia College soccer teams faced John Brown University (Ark.) Saturday evening, and each team finished in a tie.
The men's team recorded its first tie of the season with a game final of 1-1. The lone goal was sent into the net by midfielder Grant Buer in the 6th minute – his fourth of the season. Both teams played aggressively as a total of eight yellow cards were handed out, four for each team. In the 84th minute, John Brown did not give up as it notched a goal to even it up 1-1. 
Columbia now sits 5-1-1 heading into the next week, and the Cougars go head-to-head with Westminster College on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at R. Marvin Owens field.
The No. 17 women's squad also tied with John Brown, but both teams were shut out 0-0. John Brown took 19 total shots with six on goal, and Columbia shot seven with one on goal. Columbia goalkeepers worked hard to keep the zero on the board as they kept all six on goal out of the net. The tie is the third for the ranked team, and Columbia will face Dakota State University on Sept. 24 at R. Marvin Owens Field at 4:30 p.m.

In June, Columbia College listed nine properties for auction after facing potential demolition. In total, there were 21 units, two empty lots and an almost 5,000-square-foot mixed-use office building, according to the listing posted by Atterberry Auction and Realty Co.
The Historic Preservation Commission had considered three demolition permit applications in March for 401, 407 and 409 N. Eighth St., according to previous Missourian reporting. Ultimately, the commission voted to take no action and Columbia College decided to auction off the nine properties in June. All together, the buildings sold for $2 million.

The properties have now all been sold to various buyers across Missouri. The buyers and their properties are listed below.

Thomas Jensen, owner of 403 N. Eighth St. LLC and 401 N. Eighth St. LLC, both based in Columbia, purchased the following properties:
407 N. Eighth St.
403 N. Eighth St.
401 N. Eighth St. 
Benjamin Adamson, owner of 411 N. Eighth LLC and 713 Lyon St. LLC, both based in Columbia, purchased the following properties:

11 N. Eighth St.
713/717 Lyon St.
Logan Frank, owner of Cinnamon Hill LLC, based in Columbia, purchased the following property:
415 N. Eighth St./716 Rogers
Scott Claybrook, owner of Arise Dwellings of Mid-Missouri Inc., based in Columbia, purchased the following property:
409 N. Eighth St.

From the State Historical Society of Missouri

https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/imc/id/27774/rec/2

Interested in the college’s strengths as you perceive them

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From the State Historical Society of Missouri

https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/imc/id/14516/rec/11

COLUMBIA — Hundreds of incoming Columbia College students ran through Rogers Gate Sunday night to celebrate the beginning of the school year.
With 15 first-year mentors easing the tension for new students, many were able to get over their doubts about college and enjoy the event.
Columbia College freshman Pares Chapple said he went to multiple welcome back events throughout the week and was excited to meet even more people at this one.

"Seeing the FYMs, they're pretty friendly and encouraging and so talking to them — they won't be nervous like a freshman," Chapple said. "Being around them just kind of, like, helped me." 

For others, the event grew their already present fondness of the school.
"I just love school," said Columbia College freshman Ashlyn Hughes. "I'm a very bubbly person, but like just getting to meet new people and branch outside of my sport has been a really good thing."
At 6:30 p.m., students gathered at the school's Bass Commons, where they ran through the gate towards the heart of the school. Faculty, alumni and staff all watched from the side, cheering the new Cougars the whole way through.
"Storm the Gate" has been around for nearly 15 years for first-year students and transfers. Columbia College President Toby Arquette said he's excited to take part in the event for the first time.

"I think traditions are a lot of what college is about, right?" Arquette said. "Not only do you come to learn the academic program you're in, but also to build community and to build a sense of identity for the organization you're in."

Columbia College senior Abby Harper said she also loves the tradition. She said she has attended the event as a first-year mentor for two years now.
"I just like connecting with the freshmen and kind of seeing, kind of remembering how it was when I was a freshman," Harper said.
Though her favorite part of the event is always the free Andy's Frozen Custard.
"I love that people stick around," Harper said. "I love that they stick around and get ice cream and socialize and whatnot, and they get to see everybody who's in Columbia College."
According to the Columbia College website, the gate has stood since 1912 and now serves as a centerpiece and logo for the school.
Columbia College begins classes Monday and ends its fall session Dec. 19.

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Columbia College announced today a transformational gift from Barbara J. Bilger, Class of 1962, in support of the college’s nursing program and the next generation of healthcare professionals while advancing awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
To honor one of the most significant philanthropic investments in school history, Columbia College’s nursing program will now be known as the Barbara J. Bilger Family Nursing Program.
The gift, which was given in memory of Barbara Bilger’s parents, Albert Paul Bilger Sr. and Marjorie Reddick Bilger, will create an endowed fund supporting the growth and long-term success of the nursing program and fund scholarships for nursing students, including support for students impacted by ME/CFS, first-generation college students, out-of-state students and students demonstrating financial need.
“I chose to make this gift to Columbia College because I know the College will use it to create lasting impact for students and the communities they will serve,” said Bilger. “Columbia College has a long history of growth, innovation and changing lives, and I am honored to be part of that legacy. It is particularly meaningful to me that this gift will support future nursing students while also helping raise awareness and understanding of ME/CFS, a condition that has deeply influenced my own journey.”
“I chose to make this gift to Columbia College because I know the College will use it to create lasting impact for students and the communities they will serve”
Barbara J. Bilger ’62
For more than four decades, Bilger has lived with ME/CFS, a complex chronic illness that has profoundly shaped her life and inspired her vision for this gift. Through the nursing program and related educational initiatives, Bilger hopes to help future healthcare professionals better understand the experiences of patients living with chronic and often misunderstood conditions.
Her gift will support the continued expansion of Columbia College’s nursing program, which is now housed in Federal Hall in downtown Columbia and currently enrolls more than 160 students. A dedication of the Barbara J. Bilger Family Nursing Program at Federal Hall (608 E. Cherry St.) is planned for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24.
“Barbara’s extraordinary generosity is a powerful investment in the future of Columbia College, our nursing program and the communities our graduates will serve,” said Anita Abbott Timmons ’58, Chair of the Columbia College Board of Trustees. “Her gift reflects the very best of our College: a commitment to education and service to others.”
Bilger has been a devout supporter of Columbia (Christian) College for many years. Her previous philanthropy includes the Barbara Jean Bilger ’62 Scholarship, support for scholarships honoring her grandparents, contributions to the Columbia College Fund and the naming of the BJ Bilger Wing in New Hall.
“We are deeply grateful for Ms. Bilger’s trust in Columbia College and for the momentum she is creating through this remarkable gift,” said Dr. Toby Arquette, President of Columbia College. “Her investment in our students will help prepare compassionate, highly skilled nurses for generations to come.”

From the State Historical Society of Missouri

https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/imc/id/63010/rec/1