LA MIRADA, CALIF. — President of Barna Group, David Kinnaman, will deliver the commencement address during both spring ceremonies on Friday, May 4, 2018. There will be more than 250 graduate and 640 undergraduate students who will participate in the commencement ceremonies.

“With an insightful mind and winsome spirit, David is one of today’s leading experts on how Christians can contribute to the greater good in an increasingly complex and polarized society,” said Biola’s President, Barry H. Corey. “His is a voice our graduates need to hear as they go into the world with conviction and courage as ambassadors of Christ.”

The Barna Group, led by Kinnaman, is a visionary research and resource company that is widely considered to be a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture. In its 30-year history, Barna Group has conducted hundreds of studies and developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive databases of spiritual indicators. Their findings have been quoted in major media outlets including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.

Kinnaman graduated from Biola University in 1996 and currently serves as a member of Biola’s Board of Trustees. He is the author of bestselling books “Good Faith,” “You Lost Me” and “unChristian.” Since 1995, he has conducted interviews with nearly one million individuals and provided leadership on hundreds of U.S. and global research studies. He is regularly asked to speak on topics of spiritual and cultural trends, teenagers and young adults, vocation, calling and leadership.

The first ceremony scheduled at 10 a.m. will include Cook School of Intercultural Studies, Rosemead School of Psychology, School of Science, Technology and Health and the Talbot School of Theology. The second ceremony scheduled at 7 p.m. will include Crowell School of Business, School of Education, School of Fine Arts and Communication and School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

For more information, please visit the Spring 2018 Commencement website. There will be a livestream available for those who are unable to attend.

Written by Alisa Ohara, media relations intern. For more information, please contact Media Relations at media.relations@biola.edu.