GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Talbot Theological Sem inaq• became Talbot Schoo l of The ology in the fa ll of 1983 as a result of the merger between the appropriate undergraduate and graduate leve l programs. The Board approved the establishment of the School of Busi ness in 1993, and the School of Continuing Studies in 1994. Because of the University's heritage and commitment , its academic basis is broader than that of the standard college of arts and sciences. Terminal and prepara tOI)' programs lead to service in church-related vocations and the many other vocations and professions embraced by the present curricu la. In addition, the University is a Ch ristian institution of higher educa ti on without anydenominational affiliation. From an institute to a university, Biola's cornerstone has remained the same: commiunent toJesus Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture and bi blical Christianity (within an evange lical Protestan t framework ), as well as to the spi ritual, academic and holistic growth of those who are personally committed to Him. THE ROLE AND MISSION OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY The mission of Biola University is biblically-centered educa tion, scholarship, and semce - equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the LordJesusCh1ist Students. We exist for committed Christian students. Our quest is to graduate followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who are equipped with technical and relational skills to li ve and work with integrity, diligence, humility, and spiritual dis cernment. We expect our graduates to en ter families, com muniti es, and careers to serve as leaders, role models, and competent professionals in thei r respective fields. Education. Our mission focuses on teaching and learning. Our goals are inspirational teaching from faculty who exhibit joy in learning coupled with excellent communication skills, and graduates who capture this excitement and dedication , and leave Biola empowered to think and practice in their fields of semce from a Christian world view. Toward this objective, all students invest at least 20% of their course hours in biblical studies and the integration of their academic disciplines with theology. Research. Discerning Christ-centered scholarship charac terizes the work of faculty and students. Our undergraduate and graduate faculty grapple with the major intellectual, eth ical , and cultural issues of our time relating them to a consis tent biblical framework. The university seeks to nourish fac ulty and students alike in a Christian environment which prizes research of the highest quality, and di alogue and criti cal thought within the context of common faith. Values. Service to a diverse constituency, modeled upon the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, is our first priority. We commit to love and respect for all persons , integrity in our words and transactions, and diligence in our labor. We aspire to excellence, creativity, and awe of god in the fulfillment of our mission . Our vision is to create a distinctive Christian university of service to the global community of faith . Impact. Our graduates make a difference. Servant lead ers, apprenticed at Biola, impact both the church and the secular world with practical , diligent service in such diverse fields as the arts, communication , business, nursing, psychol ogy and education. Our faculty set the example in their pro fessional practice, and through rigorous research, instruc-
Carrying on a tradi ti on of ed uca ti onal exce ll ence th at dates back over 80 years, Biola Universiry nowencompasses: the School of Arts and Sciences, Talbot School of Theology, Rosemead School of Psychology, the School of lntercultural Studies, the Schoo l ofBusiness, and the School of Continuing Studies. Offering three baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, 13 masters and fi ve doctoral degrees, Biola's commitment to academic excellence is firm lyrooted in its adherence to an in dep th, knowledgeable and living Chri stianity. Each year, ove r 3,000 students find Biola's unique blend of faith and learning conducive to their academic and vocational goals. HISTORICAL SKETCH The co rnerstone of the original Bible Institute bu ilding in Los Angeles was laid on May31, 191 3, and dedicated with these words: "For the teaching of the truths for which the Institute stands, its doors are to be open every day of the year, and all people, without reference to race, color or class will ever be welcome to its privileges." Spoken byLyman Stewart, president of the Institute and co founder of the Union Oil Company, these words capture the 11sion of Biola's founders. Stewart, together 111th T.C. Horton, initiated the Bible Institute, with the first pe1manent organiza tion taking shape in 1908. By 1912, the school had grown suffi ciently in its outreach and constituency to call RA Torrey, a leader in the fi eld of Christian education, as the first dean. The next eight decades have witnessed u·emendous growth in the development and outreach of the school. Under the lead ership of Dr. Louis T. Talbot, president from 1932 to 1952, the Bible Insti tute program became a four-year course, leading to degrees in theology, Christian education, and sacred music. 1l1e School of Missional)' Medicine came into being in 1945, laying the foundation for Biola's current baccalaureate nursing pro gram. In 1949, the Bible Institute was renamed Biola College. Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland became president in 1952, and with his leadership the college obtained regional and professional accreditation. Additionally, many new programs of study were introduced, including Talbot Theological Seminary. The demands imposed bythe growing student bodyand the enlarged curriculum prompted the purchase of a 7:racre site in La Mirada. Biola moved to the new site in I959. Dr. Sutherland retired as president in 1970, but continued to lend leadership as a member ofBiola's Board ofTrustees. That same year, Dr. J. Richard Chase became Biola'ssixth president In 1977, the graduate programs of Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psyc hology were acquired by Biola and relocated on the La Mirada campus. The undergradu ate programs in psychology were merged with Rosemead 's graduate programs in the fall of 1981 , forming the present Rosemead School of Psychology. Under the leadership ofDr. J. Richard Chase , Biola Col lege became Biola University on July I, 1981. The University was composed of the School of Arts and Sciences, Talbot Theological Seminary, and Rosemead School of Psychology. Dr. Clyde Cook became the seventh president ofBiola on June 1, 1982. Under his leadership, the School of lntercul tural Studies was instituted as part of the University in 1983.
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