The school is named after the Crowell family of Crowell, Weedon & Company, the largest independent investment firm in the Western United States. The Crowell family has been long-time friends of the University, and their family roots can be traced back to Lyman Stewart, cofounder of Biola.
Andrew Crowell gave the address for the groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of the building on October 24, 2005, and here is a brief reflection of his message:
I hope you realize that this is about much more than simply turning some dirt and taking photographs. This is about missions. Fundamentally, this is about the formation of a facility for equipping young men and women with the technical, practical, and most importantly, the spiritual skills to be effective leader for Christ in the marketplace Today isn't about building with bricks and mortar. Its about building the kingdom of God. I desire that Christian Business leaders will emerge and see the marketplace as their parish and their business as their pulpit.
We are pleased to have strategic partners in the ministry such as the Crowell Family, and especially to have a strategic alliance with like-minded friends who share the Crowell School of Business philosophy of Business as Ministry.
The new building for the Biola University Crowell School of Business is a 32, 000-square-foot building with 12 classrooms, a computer lab, faculty and staff offices, and an outdoor eating area. The new building is at the Biola Avenue entrance to campus.