August 2008

Greetings, Biolans! To our new freshmen, transfers, graduate students, faculty and staff- welcome to the Biola community. To those of you who are returning- welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed your summer. I’m excited and confident that the year ahead will be one of our best. Our university theme for this year is a new century of strength to be:

• Champions of a biblical worldview (TRUTH)

• Leaders with conviction and courage (TRANSFORMATION)

• Servants who reach the world for Christ (TESTIMONY)

I look forward to the exciting ways we can explore this theme and achieve it as a community.

New students will be settling into their new lives at Biola University beginning Friday, August 22. Paula and I will officially welcome new students and their parents and will be speaking to them on Friday night. Throughout the weekend, the Student Orientation Services staff will help acclimate them to the Biola community. I will be speaking to the parents on Saturday, August 23, at the Parent Luncheon. The day will conclude with a time of reflection and communion at the Bell Tower, a long observed, meaningful tradition here at Biola.

Our faculty has just prepared for the year during our annual Fall Faculty Conference in the desert. This three-day conference provides a time for the faculty to gather as a community, interact with each other’s families, worship together and engage in stimulating dialogue on a variety of topics. A highlight was listening to Biola alumnus and president of the Barna group and author of unChristian, David Kinnaman. His book addresses the image problem facing Christianity today and has sparked a conversation about how Biola should respond to these issues.

We also used that opportunity in the desert to huddle the PAC together as a team. The PAC used this time to plan our university priorities for the year.

I hope you will join me for Fall Convocation on Wednesday, August 27 at 9:30 a.m. in the gym. During this ceremony, we will officially welcome the newest Biolans into our community and dedicate the new year to the Lord. The Talbot convocation will take place on Tuesday, September 2, at 9:30 a.m. in Calvary Chapel. I will be speaking about the role of the seminary in university life.

Again, welcome to all. I look forward to serving alongside you and watching Biola University grow as a community in the coming year.

Blessings to you.

In Christ,

Barry H. Corey