Sutherland Auditorium was transformed into a technological haven on Friday when about 250 students, faculty and staff attended the Imagination Summit.

The all-day conference was designed to reveal how Biola can use technology to further its mission. Presenters included industry experts, such as Jason Ediger, director of iTunesU and Mobile Learning, and Hugh Hewitt, a nationally syndicated radio host.

A faculty panel, lunch with Hewitt in the Caf Banquet Room and raffle giveaway comprised the rest of the conference.

But perhaps one of the most attention-grabbing parts of the summit was the live Twitter conversation, in which attendees could immediately add their thoughts on the summit with the hashtag “imagineit.”

“I’m paying more attention to Twitter than the speakers,” tweeted audience member Christian Young.

At intervals during the summit, speakers answered questions posed by “tweeters,” facilitating an active dialogue between presenters and the audience.

This interaction revealed the innovative nature of the conference as a whole.

“It’s about possibility and it’s why we’ve gathered here today,” said President Corey in his opening address.

Corey said the future of higher education is changing and Biola needs be proactive to avoid being left behind. While technology can’t replace the relationships built on a college campus, he said it can enhance the learning experience.

Throughout the day, the speakers suggested various ways Biola could utilize new technology to communicate both its academic and spiritual values. Ediger talked about using iTunesU to make Biola’s educational content available to the world. Walt Wilson, founder and chairman of Global Media Outreach, wanted to see Biola use the Internet to fulfill the Great Commission.

“Just as God used the Roman roads to start the spread of the gospel, I believe in the last days God is going to use the Internet,” he said.

For junior Stephanie Greer, it was exciting to hear how Biola can communicate with the world through technology. She said the conference was an enlightening experience and was glad she attended.

Professor Matthew Weathers, who teaches distance learning and mathematics, agreed with Hewitt’s suggestion that Biola could sort through the Internet’s sea of information to find the good content.

“I was glad to see that the people in charge here at Biola are thinking about these ideas and sort of casting a vision for what might be possible here at Biola,” Weathers said.

According to Hewitt, who compared the information age to the launch of a space shuttle, Biola is only at ignition. The velocity of the coming changes will be extraordinary, but the university cannot succumb to fear of the unknown, he said. As an institution, it must be open to the changes about to take place

“Bring in the wind, and let’s see what happens,” he said.

Irene Neller, senior director of Integrated Marketing Communications, said the summit did just that.

“[It] completely and officially blew open the doors on the discussion regarding the use of new media and technology on Biola’s campus,” she said. “We have a responsibility now as a university to respond and make this a priority to stay relevant in providing 21st century education as we reach the world for Christ.”