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GENERAL INFORMATION
G EN ER AL •i@il•i;JH+i ■ C•H• Carrying on a tradition of educati onal exce ll ence that dates back over 80 years, Biola University now encompasses: the School of Arts and Sciences, Talbot School of Theology, Rosemead School of Psychology, the School of Intercultural Studies, the School ofBusiness, and the School of Continuing Studies. Offering three baccalaureate degrees in 23 majors, 10 mas ters and five doctoral degrees, Biola's commitment to academic excellence is firml yrooted in its adherence to an in depth, knowledgeable and li vi ng Christiani ty. Each year, over 3,000 students find Biola's unique bl end of faith and learning conducive to their academic and vocational goals. HISTORICAL SKETCH The cornerstone of the original Bible Institute building in Los Angeles was laid on May 31, 1913, and dedicated wi th these words: "For th e teaching of the truths fo r which the Institute stands, its doo rs 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 by Lyman Stewart, president of the Insti tute and co-founder of the Union Oil Company, these words capture the vision of Biola's founders. Stewart, together with T.C. H01° ton, in itiated the Bible Institute, with the first permanent orga ni za tion taking shape in I908. By 1912, the school had grown sufficiently in its outreach and constituency to call R.A. Torrey, a leader in the fi eld of Christian education, as the first dean. The next eight decades have 1vimesscd tremendous growth in the development and outreach of tJ1e school. Under tJ1e lead ership of Dr. Louis T. Talbot, president from 1932 to 1952, the Bible Institute program became a four-year course, leading to degrees in theology, Ch1istian education, and sacred music. The School of Missionaiy Medicine caine in to being in 1945, la~ng the foundation for Biola's current baccalaureate nursing pro gram. In 1949, the Bible Insti tutewas renamed Biola College. Dr. Sainuel H. SutJ1erland became president in 1952, and with his leadership tJ1e college obtained regional ai1d professional accredi tation. Additionally, many new programs of studywere introduced, including Talbot Theo logical Seminary. The demands imposed bythe growing student bodyai1d the enlai·ged curriculum prompted the purchase of a 75-acre site in La Mi rada. Biola moved to the newsite in 1959. Dr. Sutherlai1d retired as president in I970, but continued to lend leadership as a member of Biola's Board ofTrustees. That same year, Dr. J. Richai·d Chase becaine Biola's sixth president. In 1977, the graduate programs of Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology were acquired by Biola and relocated on the La Mirada campus. The undergradu ate programs in psychology we re merged with Rosemead 's graduate programs in the fa ll of 1981, fo rmi ng the present Rosemead School of Psychology. Under the leadership of Dr. J. Richard Chase, Biola Col lege became Bi ola University onJuly I, 1981. The University was composed of the Schoo l of Arts and Sciences, Talbot Theological Seminary, and Rosemead School of Psychology. Dr. Clyde Cook became tJ1e seventh president of Biola on June I, 1982. Under his leadership, the School of Intercul tural Studi es was instituted as part of the University in 1983.
Talbot Theological Semina1y became Talbot School of The ology in the fa ll of 1983 as a resul t of the merger between me appropriate undergraduate and graduate level programs. The Board approved the establishment of the School of Business in 1993, and me School ofContinuing Studies in 1994. Because of me Universi ty's heri tage and commitment, its academic basis is broader than mat of tJ1e standard coll ege of ai·ts and sciences. Te1minal and preparato1y programs lead to se rvice in church-related vocati ons and the many other vocations and professions embraced by the present cunicula. In addition, the University is a Christian institution of higher education without anydenominational affi liation. From an institute to a un ive rsity, Biola' cornerstone has remained the same: commiunent to Jesus Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture and biblical Christianity (within an evangelical Protestant frainework), as well as to the spi1itual, academic ai1d holisticgrowth ofmose who ai·e personal lycommitted to Him. THE ROLE ANO MISSION OF BIOLAUNIVERSITY The mi ssion of Biola University is biblically-ce ntered edu cation, scholarship, and service - equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world fo r the Lord Jesus Christ. Students. We exist for committed Christian students. Our quest is to graduate foll owers of the Lord Jesus Christ who are equ ipped with techn ical and relational skills to li ve and work with integrity, diligence, humility, and spiritual dis cernment. We expect our graduates to enter famili es, com muniti es, and careers to serve as leaders, role models, and competent professionals in their respective fi elds. Education. Our mission focuses on teaching and learn ing. Our goals are inspirational teaching from facultywho exhibit joy in learning coupl ed witJ1 excellent communica ti on ski lls, and graduates who capture this excitement and dedi cation, and leave Biola empowe red to th ink and prac tice in their fi elds of service froma Christian world view. Toward this obj ective, all students invest at least 20%of their course hours in bibli cal studies and the integration of their acade mic di sciplineswith theology. Research. Discern ing Christ-centered scholarsh ip charac teri zes the work of facul ty 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 frainework. The university seeks to nourish fac ulty and students alike in a Christian environment which prizes research of the highest quality, and dialogue and criti cal tJ1ought within the context of common fa ith . Values. Seroice to a diverse constituency, modeled upon the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, is our first priority. We commit to love and respect fo r all persons, integrity in our words and tran sactions, and di ligence in our labor. We aspire to excellence, creativity, and awe of GOD in the fulfi llment of our mi ssion. Our vision is to create a distinctive Christian univer sity 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 me secular world with practical, diligent service in such diverse fi elds as the arts, communication, business, nursing, psycho!-
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