Biola Welcomes its Largest Incoming Class
Approximately 1,170 students arrived on campus and orientation activities began.
New students immediately felt welcomed as orientation leaders greeted them upon arrival. Students living on-campus began moving in early Friday morning and were welcomed by Student Orientation Services, Associated Student leaders and Resident Assistants. The three student groups assisted students and their families with unpacking their cars and checking into their residence halls.
Friday evening, President Barry H. Corey welcomed students and families to Biola. Greg Vaughan, vice president of enrollment, initially welcomed the audience to the event followed by Andre Stephens. Stephens, director of undergraduate admissions, introduced the admissions counselors whom most students had been in communication with through their application process. Stephens then introduced Corey describing him as winsome, firm in his convictions and a prayer warrior.
Corey enthusiastically welcomed the students stating he was in their shoes last year, when he and his wife, Paula, first arrived at Biola.
“How wonderful it is that God has called me to be a part of this community and come alongside you,” said Corey.
His prayer for the new class was that when they graduate, they would love and know God more than they do now. He also encouraged them to “get engaged, not necessarily matrimonially, but involved.”
Paula spoke to the families after the students had been dismissed. She discussed her journey of coming to Biola and encouraged parents to open their hands and allow God to flow through their lives.
The traditional communion service began Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. with worship. Corey followed with a message about his journey to Biola telling the tale of how he and his oldest son, Anders, drove cross-country from their home in Boston to their new home in Southern California. He spoke of the challenges, joys and apprehensions he had then, relating to some of the feelings students may have now.
Corey said to live by confidence, not certainty. He told students to live with confidence, in other words, to live by faith, not by sight. After his message, students were invited to give brief testimonials about their journey to Biola.
Ben Carpenter, a freshman studying cultural anthropology, shared part of his story. Carpenter originally was not planning to attend college, but enter directly into the mission field. After going to do missions work in Africa in January, he made the decision to attend Biola and learn how to further love the children he saw there.
“It has been amazing to be welcomed with open arms at Biola. I want to take that back to Africa,” said Carpenter. “…to say to these children, I’m a stranger that affirms you.”
After multiple students shared, the night ended with worship, communion and students huddled praying with their families.
Student orientation events continued in the days following.
Convocation commenced the year, Wednesday, Aug. 23 in Chase Gymnasium at 9:30 a.m. Nearly 2,000 students filed into the gym for their first chapel, alongside approximately 2,000 returning students. Associated Students President Eric Weaver, Associated Students Vice President Cami Cress, and Chris Grace, vice president of student development and university planning, presented the new students to Corey. Grace touched on the generation of this class, saying these students grew up with SpongeBob SquarePants, loving a purple dinosaur, Barney, as well as always asking the question “where is Carmen San Diego?”
Corey charged the incoming class by commissioning students to be a community of grace and to continue to respond to God’s call to have their hearts and minds transformed by the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He concluded with praying a blessing over the new students.
Orientation events continue through this week. For more information on orientation, please visit: http://www.biola.edu/sos/main.cfm
Photos
-
Students were welcomed as they moved into their new home.
-
Parent Relations answered questions at their booth by the Fluor Fountain of Faith.
-
Students were seen wearing the official “beloved” student orientation t-shirt throughout the week.
-
The traditional welcome sign hand drawn by Student Orientation Leaders reads “Welcome to Biola.”
-
Students filled residence hall lobbies as they checked into their rooms.
-
Resident assistants welcomed and helped new students check into their rooms.
-
Families could be seen praying across campus after Communion service.
-
Joel Hasemeyer of the Biola band, Fragrance, led worship at the communion service Saturday night.
-
During communion, President Barry H. Corey encouraged students to live by confidence.
-
Freshman Ben Carpenter told the audience a little about his journey to Biola.
-
The band continued to play while students and families prayed and took communion.
