On December 19, 246 undergraduate students and 142 graduate students received diplomas at Biola University's Fall commencement ceremonies. Family and friends of graduates filled Chase Gymnasium to watch the ceremonies, while others were able to watch the ceremonies live online around the globe. 

President and CEO of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly, gave this year's commencement address. Daly was selected to speak in light of this year's university theme, "Life Together." 

"Jim Daly possesses the kind of voice I believe is important today, which engages the culture for Christ in a compassionate and winsome way," said Corey. "This is precisely why I invited him to be our Fall commencement speaker, reflecting my desire for Biola that we consider how we can increasingly be a university with a firm center and soft edges as we address the big issues the world is facing." 

During the graduate ceremony at 2 p.m. and the undergraduate ceremony at 7 p.m., Daly urged graduates to continue to live out their Biola education and Christian walk through facing fear and serving God boldly. 

"You are graduating. It's probably a bit scary," said Daly. "But you have a great education and courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." 

Daly was named president of Focus on the Family in 2005. Under his direction, Focus on the Family received recognition from the White House and Congress for its work as a global ambassador for foster-care adoption. Daly also rejuvenated the ministry's mission to help couples build lasting marriages and intimage families, which greatly coincides with Biola's new Center for Marriage and Relationships. 

"Biola University is one of the leading lights in Christian education, an institution dedicated to shaping and cultivating the next generation of families," said Daly. 

Purchase a DVD of the commencement ceremonies. 

Written by Jenna Bartlo, media relations specialist. For more information, contact Jenna at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.