2010 has already been a busy year. It has seen the (warm) Winter Olympics, New Orleans winning the Super Bowl and Taylor Swift winning a lot of awards.
With all the world class partying going on across the globe, Biola is looking for some of its own fun.
Admission Counselor Josh Pardy has an event in mind.
“Par-tay! There will be tables and chairs, there’ll be pony rides and dancing bears, there’ll even be a band,” Pardy proclaimed with a classic grin and laugh. “Oh oh, there will be snacks there will, there will be snacks!”
That’s because this year also represents Biola’s 102nd year in existence. As most students know, Biola was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, and in the 1950s we moved here to La Mirada.
Across the university, students, faculty members and departments have all been dreaming big for this year’s birthday wish list.
“(I want) a little wider parking spaces in the Talbot parking lot,” Pardy said. “My car has been brutalized lately.” On a more serious note, he added, “A little more funding in the merit-based scholarship pool, so that we can be a little more competitive with our awards.”
Ken Bascom, senior director of facilities planning and construction, also had some candles to blow out.
“The best thing for our department would be if God were to provide full funding for both phases of the Talbot project,” Bascom said. “Enough money to get us started on the architectural planning for a new Science Building and also enough for the planning on a new Center for the Arts.”
Talbot has not been able to come up with the funds to stay with their original timeline and plan; so much of the campus is holding their breath, hoping that they all can enjoy a new building in the near future.
Members of the Torrey Honors Institute also had some classic Torrey ideas.
“It would be great if Biola had a large chapel to assemble in for worship,” requested Fred Sanders, associate professor of theology. “And if it had flying buttresses, that would be even better.”
Students also had their own requests on birthday gift and party ideas, and some seemed pretty practical.
“If DBC said I could have anything for Biola’s birthday,” freshman Erik Holmlund asserted. “I’m saying a degree.”
Freshman Luke Hamagiwa threw his two cents in as well.
“Free tuition for my life and anyone related to me,” he said. “In a more serious and less drastic one, move Singspo to another night. Oh, and build an ice hockey stadium, and start an ice hockey team.”
Despite the lofty dreams and funny ideas, Bascom also brought in a very humble birthday request.
“The best thing Dr. Corey could give us would be a continuation of his dedication to maintaining Biola’s historic Christian commitments while simultaneously raising the bar of quality for our academic standards,” he added. “(Also) a renewed commitment to prayer in every facet of University life.”
Students also were in agreement with Bascom, his visions for the Talbot building and the continued theme of prayer at Biola.
“I would love to see full funding for the Talbot building,” freshman Jeff Clark said.
AS Vice President Justin DeVesta said he would like to see a few more buildings on campus.
“(We in AS) want a parking garage,” he said. “I know a lot of commuters would love that. We want a new sub too. And a cake with Jesus’ face on it. A racially diverse cake from DBC.”
However Biola decides to celebrate her birthday and spread the funding love, people just want to have some fun.
“Hugs, hugs for everyone!” Pardy responded when asked what he would ask of Corey for Biola’s birthday. “And maybe free coffee for life at Common Grounds.”
As much as we would all love to get a lifetime supply of fresh brew from Commons, realistically, most students will smile at the thought of Biola’s birthday and hope that we can be along for 100 more years.
“We should start a Bible institute in Los Angeles (this year),” Sanders added.
Perhaps we can strive for a biblically centered education, scholarship and service -– equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.
