Biola University Sends Out Ambassadors for Christ and Charges Students for First time in Biola’s One Hundred and One Years
Nearly 1,000 students graduated from Biola University May 22 and 23, 2009
Nearly 1,000 students graduated from Biola University May 22 and 23, 2009, one of Biola’s largest graduating classes, as the school begins its next century. Students did not only receive a diploma, but were sent out with a charge to impact the world for Christ. With the world in a continual downfall, economically and morally, Biola is sending out ambassadors for Christ - graduates who will make a difference in this world.
Biola University president Barry H. Corey verbally charged the students, as a new tradition, to uphold the biblical truths of honesty, integrity, and values that respect the sanctity of life. Biola’s foundation relies on truth, transformation and testimony - three principles that separates Biola graduates from any other university.
Students were commissioned to be a light where there is darkness and ultimately strive to break the cycle of ruthlessness and immorality seen in business, in journalism, in education, in schools, in every field students may reach in our world. Biola strives to prepare their students with real life experience as well as academic preparation. Biola urges institutions of higher education to rise to the occasion and call upon the next generation of leaders to undo the societal downfall and immorality in our country and be leaders of change. As a Christian institution, Biola responds to the needs of this world and provides hope by taking the lead in educational reform beyond the nation’s call.
Graduating senior Megann Alberts said of her time at Biola, “It pushed me and stretched me to the limit, helping me discover what I am made of and who I am. Now that I have a better grasp of this I am ready to leave this campus and take on the world.”
Biola graduates were charged to take on the world armed with biblical truths and an exceptional academic education. Fifty-six BOLD students and 218 graduate students graduated Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m. on Biola’s campus. The following morning, Biola’s largest undergraduate class of 606 students graduated.
George Verwer, founder and former International Director of Operation Mobilisation gave the commencement address. A leader in global missions, Verwer represents a leader who upholds biblical truths of honesty, integrity, and values and impacts the world for Christ. Verwer started Operation Mobilisation (OM) in 1961 while he and his wife, Drena, were in Spain. OM focuses on evangelism, discipleship training and church planting around the world.
View Whittier Daily News’ Photo Gallery of Biola University’s undergraduate Commencement.
Written by Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator.