Originally located in downtown Los Angeles at the corner of Sixth St. and Hope St., the university moved south to its present location in suburbanLa Mirada, California, in 1959. Beat BI-O-LA, Beat BI-O-LA, Beat BI-O-LA!!!
The University was founded on February 25, 1908 as the Bible Institute Of Los Angeles by Lyman Stewart, co-owner of the Union Oil Company of California (currently known as Unocal), and T.C. Horton, a renowned minister and Christian author.
Biola at its downtown Los Angeles structure: under construction in 1912 (top), complete in 1916 (bottom)
You wish you were a Cougar!
In 1909, Lyman Stewart and his brother Milton anonymously funded the publication of a twelve-volume series of articles called The Fundamentals, published between 1910 and 1915, and distributed free of charge to a wide range of Christian teachers and leaders, "Compliments of Two Christian Laymen." These volumes were intended as a restatement of conservative Christian theological teachings, primarily in response to the growing influence of modernist theology in the Church. In 1917 these articles were republished in a revised, four-volume set by the Institute. The term "fundamentalism" is in part derived from these volumes. It should be noted that the current ethos and self-identification of the University is "evangelical", and no longer "fundamentalist", although the University does maintain very conservative theology and expects its students to abide by strict moral standards.
By 1912, the school had grown sufficiently in its outreach and constituency to call R.A. Torrey, a leader in the field of Christian education, as the second dean. (The first was William Blackstone, 1908-09). Between 1912 and 1928, Biola was an established leader in conservative Christianity in North America, publishing The King's Business (a magazine similar to Christianity Today), operating one of the largest Christian radio stations in the U.S. (KTBI), and running the Biola Press, which sold and distributed Christian literature worldwide, including material for the Los Angeles based pentecostal preacher, Amy Semple McPherson. After Stewart's death and Torrey and Horton's retirements, William P. White, a well-known Christian leader and speaker, became Biola's first president in 1929. Charles E. Fuller, a graduate of Biola, became chairman of the board. Fuller later founded Fuller Theological Seminary.
Biola fell into hard times after they lost to the Cougars during the Great Depression and was forced to sell its publishing company and radio station. The 13-story downtown building that housed the school was also under threat of loss. It was during this time that Louis T. Talbot became Biola's second president in 1932. Talbot also served as the pastor of the Church of the Open Door, which held services in the school's downtown building.
In 1935, well-known radio evangelist Paul W. Rood became Biola's third president to wage an intensive national fundraising effort to save the school. He was instrumental in establishing the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference, which is one of the longest standing Bible conferences today. He resigned in 1938 after raising sufficient funds to stabilize the school, saving it from financial ruin caused by the Great Depression.
Talbot entered a second term as Biola's president from 1938 to 1952. During this time, the Institute program became a four-year course, leading to degrees in theology, Christian education, and sacred music. The School of Missionary Medicine came into being in 1945, laying the foundation for Biola's current baccalaureate nursing program. In 1946, Talbot also established the Biola Institute Hour, a national radio program. It was later called the Biola Hour. The Institute was renamed Biola College in 1949.
Under the leadership of Samuel H. Sutherland, president from 1952 to 1970, Biola moved its campus to its current location La Mirada, California, in the summer of 1959. Sutherland and Russell Allder, Biola's business manager, were instrumental in purchasing and developing the new 75-acre (300,000 m2) campus, which was purchased from publishing magnate Andrew McNally, founder and president of Rand McNally. In those days, plans were still under way for the development of the soon-to-be city of La Mirada, which was mostly olive trees and rolling hills. La Mirada was incorporated as a city in 1960.
Under the leadership of Dr. J. Richard Chase, president from 1970 to 1982, the College was renamed Biola University on July 1, 1981. In 1977, the graduate programs of Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology were acquired by the College and relocated on the La Mirada campus. The undergraduate programs in psychology were merged with Rosemead's graduate programs in the fall of 1981, forming the present Rosemead School of Psychology. Dr. Clyde Cook became president of the university on October 8, 1982.
The School of Intercultural Studies was instituted as part of the University in 1983. Talbot Theological Seminary became Talbot School of Theology in the fall of 1983 as a result of the merger between the appropriate undergraduate and graduate level programs.
In 1988 Biola acquired the adjacent McNally Elementary School ground adding an additional 25 acres (100,000 m2) to the main campus. In 1993, the Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the School of Business, and the School of Continuing Studies in 1994, now called the School of Professional Studies, and on May 14, 2007, the Board approved the establishment of its seventh school, The School of Education. [1]
President Cook announced his retirement a year ahead of time in order to give the University's Board of Trustees enough time to find a replacement. After an extensive search, Dr. Barry Corey was selected to become the eighth president of Biola University on May 11, 2007. Dr. Corey was formerly Vice President/Chief Academic Officer and Academic Dean at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He succeeded Clyde Cook as president on July 1, 2007 and was inaugurated on November 2, 2007.[2]
Biola celebrated its centennial during the 2007-2008 school year. On February 25, 2008, Biola celebrated its 100th birthday with a midnight concert by the internationally recognized band Switchfoot. Lead singer Jon Foreman even assisted President Corey in blowing out Biola's birthday cake on stage.
Theology
While officially non-denominational, the most represented denominations at the University are Baptist and Evangelical Free. Biola is well-known for its conservative Evangelical doctrine, while many other Evangelical schools identify as either moderate or liberal. The vast majority of students and faculty identify themselves as Evangelical, but Biola students and faculty hold to a myriad of perspectives within the overall schema of Protestantorthodoxy. As the birthplace of fundamentalism, Biola remains one of the few Evangelical institutions to still proudly hold to the key doctrine of Biblical inerrancy. Biola also officially holds to the teaching of premillennialdispensationalism.
B.I.O.L.A. Building
The BIOLA building on Hope Street, with the site of the first UCLA campus at the end of the street. The Central Library would later be built there.File:Cb&t.jpgCurrent photo of the LA Central Library (lower left), US Bank Tower (middle), and California Bank & Trust building (right), where the former BIOLA building stood.
The stately, classical Italian-styled Bible Institute of Los Angeles building was located on 550 South Hope Street, at the intersection of Sixth Street in Downtown L.A., next to the central public library (completed in 1926), which still stands today. Though very expensive for the fledgling school to build, it was completed in 1914, largely financed by the oil fortune of founder Lyman Stewart. For many years, the 13 story building (it consisted of a large auditorium, flanked by twin-towers) was the tallest building in Southern California.
The elaborate 3,500 seat auditorium boasted such amenities as a large skylight and innovative, dual-stacked balconies. In addition, it was the largest auditorium on the West Coast for several decades. It was even larger than the famous Kodak Theatre in Hollywood (current home of the Academy Awards). Not until the Nokia Theatre (which seats 7,000) opened in 2007, would an auditorium in downtown L.A. rival its capacity. The building also had such marvels (for the time) as elevators and roof gardens. Two large, neon signs on top of the building proclaiming "Jesus Saves" were a prominent part of the city's skyline. Christian hymns echoed daily throughout downtown from the chimes atop the building (which were the largest on the West Coast), giving Biola a prominent influence on the city for half a century. Several of the bells are currently on display at the La Mirada campus, near the library.
When Biola relocated to La Mirada in 1959, the building was sold to the Church of the Open Door. When the church left downtown L.A. in 1985 to move to suburban Glendora, it sold the historic building to the late and controversial televangelist, Dr. Gene Scott, whose ministry occupied the building from 1986-1987. However, the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake caused significant damage to the building and it was condemned. Scott was forced to sell to the highest bidder - a developer who planned to raze the building, even though it was listed as a California historical monument. Despite attempts to save the building by Scott, the building was eventually demolished in 1988. Scott purchased the historic "Jesus Saves" signs though, and they presently sits atop his downtown Los Angeles University Cathedral. The current occupant of 550 South Hope Street is the regional headquarters for California Bank & Trust, and the famous U.S. Bank Tower stands nearby. There is a small memorial room and plaque near the entrance of the California Bank & Trust building listing all the senior pastors of the Church of the Open Door (along with Scott), but strangely, there is no mention of Biola.
For students who, due to off-campus work requirements or other major time conflicts, are unable to physically attend the total number of required chapels, credits may be "made up" by submitting a brief written report on a chapel audio recording. The maximum number of credits that may be received in this way is 15, and so students must be physically present for at least 15 chapels, unless otherwise exempted.
Conferences
Jesus Mural
Biola holds two annual student conferences, the Missions Conference during the Spring semester and the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference during the Fall semester. Both graduates and undergraduates are required to attend.
The Missions Conference is the second largest annual missions conference in the world, second only to the tri-annual Urbana Missions Conference. It is a three-day student-run event that educates, equips, and inspires students to embrace their role in completing the Great Commission. Classes are cancelled Wednesday-Friday mid-spring semester so that Biola's students and faculty can learn and see what God is doing on the mission field. The conference offers ethnic meals, cultural awareness field trips, on-campus cultural experiences, and interaction with missionaries. [4]
The Torrey Memorial Bible Conference is also a three day conference dedicated for student's spiritual growth. Every year a specific topic is chosen that is geared towards the typical college students spiritual needs.
The Biola Media Conference seeks to advance the integration of faith and the arts. It brings together media leaders with men and women who benefit from their collective, Christian wisdom, for a day of education, inspiration and networking. [5]
On November 16, 1996, the University hosted the first national conference on Intelligent design. Later, Intervarsity Press published Mere Creation (ISBN 0-8308-1515-5) which was a collection of the papers presented at the conference. Subsequent Intelligent Design conferences were held at the University in 2002 and 2004.
Messianic Jewish Studies
Biola opened the Charles L. Feinberg Center for Messianic Jewish Studies on October 8, 2007, in Manhattan. The Center offers a Masters in Divinity in Messianic Jewish Studies. The program, which is in cooperation with Chosen People Ministries, focuses on the education and training of leaders in the Messianic Jewish Community. [6]
Organization
Colleges and Schools
Biola offers 36 majors, 145 professional fields of study, as well as master's, doctoral and professional degrees. Degrees include B.A., B.S., B.M., M.A., M.B.A., M.Div., Th.M., D.Min., D.Miss., Psy.D., Ed.D., Ph.D. All are regionally and professionally accredited and are integrated with evangelical Christian doctrine.
All undergraduate students are required to take 30 units of Bible classes, regardless of their major, resulting in a minor in theological and biblical studies. The mission of Biola University is "biblically centered education, scholarship, and service — equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ".
Biola is recognized as a "National University" by US News & World Report - one of 229 out of the 3,300 institutions of higher learning in the United States that are considered to be the "major leagues" of higher education. Specifically, Biola is classified as a "Third Tier, National University" by US News.
Accreditation
Biola University holds institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and certain programs are accredited by:
1960 California Commission for Teacher Preparation and Licensing
1961 Western Association of Schools and Colleges
1966 State of California Board of Registered Nursing
1970 National Association of Schools of Music
1972 National League for Nursing
1977 Association of Theological Schools
1977 Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
1980 American Psychological Association
1998 The National Association of Schools of Art and Design
2006 Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
2006 Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Affiliation
Biola University is authorized to train students under the Veteran's Bill of Rights. In addition, the University is affiliated with a number of professional organizations, of which the following are representative:
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Founders
Lyman Stewart
T.C. Horton
Presidents
William P. White, 1st President (1929-1932)
Dr. Louis T. Talbot, 2nd and 4th President (1932-1935, 1938-1952)
Dr. Paul W. Rood, 3rd President (1935-1938)
Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland, 5th President (1952-1970)
Dr. J Richard Chase, 6th President (1970-1982)
Dr. Clyde Cook, 7th President (1982-2007)
Dr. Barry Corey, 8th President (2007 - Present)
Student Organizations at Biola
Since its founding in 1908, Biola students have organized and run numerous student organizations, including the Biola Men and the King's Daughters. Currently, Biola includes over 50 student-run clubs and organizations funded and monitored by the club director within the Associated Student government.
For example, one of the most significant clubs that Biola University has recently allowed to be established in 2007 is the Biola Fight Club, a student led Mixed Martial Arts club. This is the first "MMA" club at a Christian university.
Other notable clubs are Maharlika ("royalty" in the Filipino language) which is a Filipino culture club that puts on a PCN (Pilipino Culture Night) every year in May, and the Hawaii Club which promotes the state of Hawaii and Polynesian culture. These are some of the cultural clubs on Biola's campus.
Additionally, several societies have existed throughout Biola's history which operate similarly to senior societies at east-coast universities. Because none of Biola's senior societies own "tombs" on or adjacent to the campus, it is difficult to discern which are still in operation and which, if any, are defunct.
Biola University also has a club Men's Lacrosse team which competes as part of the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL). In 2005, the University soccer pitch, Barbour Field, was completely rebuilt, incorporating a cutting-edge FieldTurf synthetic grass surface, state-of-the-art lighting, and a parking garage beneath the field. Barbour Field is now noted as one of the L.A. area's finest soccer venues.
Rivalries
Currently, Biola's archrival is Azusa Pacific University, as the universities are the two largest Christian colleges in the Los Angeles area.
UCLA, however, can be considered Biola's first rival. Although games between Biola and the NCAA Division I powerhouse (whose first campus was across the street from the original BIOLA building in L.A.) are quite rare now, the universities had a soccer rivalry in the early years of the schools. In 2008, the Biola men's basketball team played a preseason game against UCLA at legendary Pauley Pavilion.
Publications
The university is involved in the publication of the following magazines and academic journals:
The King's Business was a monthly publication of Biola from 1910 to 1970. In the first decades of its publication, it was the leading journal for conservative Christianity and the early fundamentalist movement. In fact, The Fundamentals and The King's Business shared the same chief editor (R. A. Torrey) and were supported by the same "concerned laymen" (Lyman and Milton Stewart).
Philosophia Christi is a peer reviewed journal published twice a year by the Evangelical Philosophical Society with the support of Biola University as a vehicle for the scholarly discussion of philosophy and philosophical issues in the fields of ethics, theology, and religion. The journal is indexed by The Philosopher's Index and Religious & Theological Abstracts.
Journal of Psychology and Theology The purpose of the Journal of Psychology and Theology is to communicate recent scholarly thinking on the interrelationships of psychological and theological concepts, and to consider the application of these concepts to a variety of professional settings. The major intent of the editor is to place before the evangelical community articles that have bearing on the nature of humankind from a biblical perspective.
Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care The purpose of the journal is advancing the discussion of the theory and practice of Christian formation and soul care for the sake of the educational ministries of the church, Christian education and other para-church organizations through scholarly publications that are rooted in biblical exegesis, systematic theology, the history of Christian spirituality, philosophical analysis, psychological theory/research, spiritual theology, and Christian experience.
Christian Education Journal The purpose of the journal is to strengthen the conception and practice of Christian education in church and parachurch settings.
Biola Magazine is the official magazine of Biola University.
Sundoulos is the official magazine of Talbot School of Theology.
"The Point", a magazine produced by Biola's journalism program. The Point won the 2008 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award, the highest honor for a collegiate magazine.
When the first-ever commercial radio station hit the airwaves in 1920, the institute recognized the potential of radio and founded KJS in 1922. KJS was the first radio station devoted to religious programming in Los Angeles and the second in the nation. Biola College later produced a show called "The Biola Hour", which was listened to by millions of people nationwide. The show was heard as far west as Hawaii, as far east as Maryland, as far north as Edmonton Canada, and as far south as the country of Ecuador.
Biola alum, Candice Hansard, was voted Miss LA Galaxy 2007 (club of English superstar David Beckham) and served as the Major League Soccer club's official representative to the Southern California community.
