Welcome Back: 2009 Edition

Good to see you! Us? Oh yeah, we're fine, thanks for asking. Here's what went on around here while you were gone...

Stuff Changes

Convocation, the first Chapel of the year, continues a new Biola tradition on Wednesday morning August 26!

President Corey has a message for the community, including the theme for this year, “Abiding and Aspiring as We Go Where God Leads,” based on John 15:7: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”

A new way of making up Chapels will take effect within the next couple of months. Instead of having to buy CD's from the Library, you can now download mp3 Chapel recordings and the necessary "Chapel Makeup Form" online here. This service is expected to be available November 1. More information is available on the Chapel policy site. 

This semester, all Chapels will also be available online, via audio and/or video, so you can replay or share a memorable session. The recordings will be available within a few days (hopefully within a few hours, as we work out the kinks) on the main Chapel page.

The Smart Stop program was discontinued. More info is available here.

Several facilities improvements were completed, the most noticeable of which are (1) the new music practice rooms created on the northwest side of Crowell Hall, and (2) the new fencing & gates on Biola Avenue around the Talbot building and the Sutherland parking lot.

Staff Changes

Dr. Pat Pike has been appointed interim Provost, while a national search is conducted to replace Dr. Gary Miller. Dr. Pike's regular job is Vice Provost in charge of undergraduate education.

Dr. Clark Campbell has been recruited to serve Dean of Rosemead School of Psychology, coming to Biola from George Fox University in Oregon.

Dr. Cassandra Van Zandt has been appointed as Dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Danny Paschall has been appointed as Dean of Students, working alongside John Back (Dean of Student Development), under the direction of Dr. Chris Grace, Vice President for Student Development and University Planning. Matthew Hooper's title and responsibilities have been changed to that of Associate Dean of Students.

Longtime Registrar and Dean of Institutional Records Wayne Chute will retire this Fall.

Beth Born has been promoted to the position of Associate Dean of Residence Life, and Rachel Clark now becomes the Director of Residence Life.