The Biola birthday celebration on Monday will be packed with events to mark the university’s 105th anniversary, including an announcement from president Barry Corey regarding a plan to create a replica of Biola’s historic “Jesus Saves” signs.
Corey will share the plan with students and faculty at the Feb. 25 birthday chapel, said Brian Shook, administrative director in the office of the president.
REPLICAS PLANNED AFTER FAILED ATTEMPTS TO PROCURE ORIGINALS
During last semester’s Convocation chapel, Corey announced his intentions to either acquire the original signs, which once marked the original Biola building on 6th and Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles, or make replicas. Since then, Biola has made many attempts to buy the original signs, but they were unsuccessful, according to Shook.
He elaborated that the original sign perched atop the soon-to-open Ace Hotel in Los Angeles is not for sale; the developers decided to the keep the sign because of its history. The second sign was taken down by the building’s previous owner before it was sold and has since vanished, Shook said.
NEW PRAYER WALK TO BE UNVEILED
In addition to Corey’s announcement, the Biola Block Party on Saturday, Feb. 23 is set up to be the grandest birthday block party yet, said Brenda Velasco, assistant director of public relations and internal communications. She said that the celebration, which will take place in the area between the Fireplace Pavilion and Chase Gymnasium, will feature a live disc jockey, taiko drums and popcorn in addition to the buffet-style barbeque meal. Students with a meal plan can gain entrance to the block party by scanning their Biola ID card.
After Monday’s birthday chapel, Corey will host an introduction to Biola’s new prayer walk while guests enjoy birthday donuts and coffee at the Fireplace Pavilion. She explained that guests are invited to view the prayer walk on their own afterwards. The walk consists of five new signs across campus that encourage people to pray for specific long-term Biola goals, said Velasco.
“The campaign is going to allow the university to continue in its mission in equipping students that will then proclaim the good news in a changing world,” Velasco said. “That’s obviously a long-term campaign, we won’t see the fruit of those prayers for a couple years, but we’re setting the foundation for that.”
Many of the events in celebration of Biola’s 105th anniversary, especially the prayer walk and the announcement concerning the sign, work in accordance with this year’s theme, “From This Place: Proclaiming Good News in a Changing World,” Velasco said.
REMEMBERING THE PAST
Biola professor and historian Paul Rood will host “Lunch and Learn: Biola’s Heritage with Paul Rood,” on Monday afternoon. Students, staff and faculty can bring their lunch and listen to Rood speak about Lyman Stewart and his influence in Los Angeles, as well as Biola, according to Velasco.
“When you hear [Stewart’s] influence and his impact on society, you’re kind of amazed that this person is the person that founded Biola,” she said.
Following this talk about a key figure in Biola’s history, another will be honored in the Heritage Room. The Ken Bascom exhibit, which will feature photographs and Bascom’s story in connection with Biola, will open in honor of the former senior director of facilities and planning who passed away this past summer.
