Borrowing a page from the Olympic Games, Biola brought its centennial year to an end May 14 with a regal “closing ceremony” chapel that encapsulated the year’s many events.

The ceremony began with a marching processional of students waving flags from countries all over the world, representing Biola’s position as a global center and its vision to impact the entire world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

With them marched students who dressed in fashions and carried objects meant to remind attendees of the past year’s major events, including Dodger Day, the Red Line, Steps from Hope, and the Ruby Slippers Luncheon.

The Crystal Cathedral Children’s Choir opened up the event with a pair of musical selections by the Biola Chorale.

William Lock, professor of music, partnered with the Biola Symphony a special-commissioned composition based on Biola co-founder Lyman Stewart’s historic speech given in 1913 at the groundbreaking ceremony at Hope and Sixth Streets in Los Angeles.

Finally, President Barry H. Corey reflected on Biola’s 100 years and charged the University to look to the future and “imagine the next century.”  Then, in an original banjo-backed, Beverly Hillbillies-style song written by Corey, he sang, “Biola. 100 years, and the best are yet to come.”

The centennial celebration is officially over as Biola looks to the next century of making an impact on the world. The best is truly yet to come.