September 2008

After the quieter and slower pace of summer, the Biola campus has resumed its familiar state of academic hustle and bustle. The students have returned, adding a spark of life to our campus buildings and walkways.

One dimension of summer ministry is our student missions trips. This year Biola’s Student Missionary Union sent out five teams totaling 50 students to all the corners of the world: Malawi, Indonesia, Ukraine, Zambia and China. The five teams served the Lord by building houses, participating in children’s ministries, working in an orphanage and conducting open air evangelism.

Another way Biola continues to serve the world during the quiet summers is through the Conference Services program. This year, Biola hosted 23 groups with 3,600 guests, 250 of whom indicated a decision or rededicated their life to Christ. What a powerful way to serve the Lord and minister to His people!

As the summer came to a close, we cranked up operations to get ready for the academic year, and at the end of August, Biola welcomed its largest class in its history with 1,170 undergraduate students and 528 graduate students. The whirlwind of student orientation weekend included an official welcome from Paula and me, a Parent Luncheon and a meaningful Communion service of worship and reflections. As classes commenced on August 27, the university gathered for a jubilant Fall Convocation Ceremony to welcome our new students and faculty and commit the year to the Lord. A busy opening week ended Friday evening when my family and I joined 600 students and 280 alumni at an Angels baseball game. Talbot Convocation was held on September 2, and I spoke to the incoming and returning seminary students and faculty about keeping a careful watch over one's doctrine and life.

As we begin a new academic year, I invite you to join me in aligning our efforts around the 2008/2009 University Theme, along with the accompanying strategic initiatives. Biola University enters 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)

The Board of Trustees will meet for its annual retreat at the end of September when the President's Administrative Council and I will present the University Plan. Once more, I appreciate all of the input from the breadth of the university that has helped with the most recent revisions. At the board retreat, in addition to regular matters of governance, we’ll be engaging around discussions of our university planning and the strategic initiatives. Dr. Robert Klitgaard, president of Claremont Graduate University, will join us to share his perspective on strategic planning in higher education.

As we have spent the last year reflecting on our history, I am excited to enter year one of century two with ambitious goals to prepare this institution to accomplish even greater things for our Lord. We won’t be straying too far from celebration though, because this year marks the 50th anniversary of Biola’s move from downtown Los Angeles to the La Mirada campus and the 25th anniversary of the School of Intercultural Studies.

Many changes have occurred on this campus in the past 50 years. Two recent improvements are the completion of the Production Center on McNally campus and the addition of Olive Grove Park. The Production Center, a $2.125 million project, has been under construction since last summer and is now ready for student use. It is equipped with more offices, a new sound studio and convergent newsroom for the journalism and cinema and media arts students. Olive Grove Park is also a special addition as a historical landmark, containing 60 olive trees remaining from the orchard Andrew McNally planted in the 1880s. At that time, La Mirada was one of the world’s leading olive oil producers. A 95-foot-long bridge connects the campus to this quiet retreat which will feature lit paths and benches.

As we step boldly into this new 08/09 academic year, I am excited for what God has in store for Biola University while we live in the realm of great expectations. I look forward to the year ahead, serving alongside the Biola community as we move this university forward with conviction and courage.

Blessings to you.

In Christ,

Barry H. Corey