[ MUSIC ] BIOLA UNIVERSITY IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE GRADUATING CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021! YOU DID IT! CONGRATULATIONS ON PERSEVERING, ENDURING, AND COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES. TODAY, YOU JOIN A COMMUNITY OF MORE THAN 60,000 BIOLA ALUMNI WHO HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED IN MIND AND IN CHARACTER TO MAKE AN IMPACT FOR CHRIST ALL AROUND THE WORLD. PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THESE GRADUATES WITH A ROUND OF APPLAUSE! [APPLAUSE] AND NOW, PLEASE WELCOME BIOLA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT BARRY COREY. [APPLAUSE] >> AND NOW LET'S PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE AGAIN TO THE CLASS OF 2020 AND 2021. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] OH, HAPPY DAY. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW GLAD THAT I AM THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY CELEBRATING IN PERSON AND HAVING A REAL BONN FIED PHYSICALLY PRESENT GRADUATION. ONE OF THE SCHOOLS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY DOING THIS. HAPPY, HAPPY THAT YOU ARE HERE. WOW. I HANG OUT IN THAT OFFICE THAT SAYS KINDNESS MATTERS AND SPEND THE PAST 16 MONTHS WATCHING THE GRASS GROWING AND THE SQUIRRELS AND THE BIRDS AND NO HEDGE HOGS AND WAITING FOR THIS.
AND DEEPLY TOUCHED AND MOVED THAT WE ARE HERE AGAIN. AND OVERWHELMED WITH THESE GRADUATING CLUSTERS AND ON BEHALF OF THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WELCOME TO OUR SPRING 2021 COMMENCEMENT. IT IS A POD STYLE, BUT IT IS GREAT, AND YOU ARE HERE AND WE CAN SEE EACH OTHER. YOU HAVE JOINED US AND CERTAINLY WITHOUT A DOUBT, THIS IS A MOST UNUSUAL YEAR AND PROTRACTED AND DISRUPTIVE, CHALLENGING, EXHAUSTING SEASON. BUT WE ARE HERE TODAY AND THANKS BE TO GOD. THIS IS ONE THAT WE ARE HONORING. GRADUATES YOU HAVE MADE IT. WAY TO GO.
YOU HAVE MADE IT. [APPLAUSE] WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON CAMPUS AND IT IS WARMING OUR HEARTS AND WE ARE TO HAVE WITH YOU FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE THOSE WATCHING KNOWLEDGE. EXPERIENCING THIS SPRING 2021 COMMENCEMENT VIRTUALLY, WHERE EVER YOU ARE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS WELL. GRADUATES, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE WORKED HARD AND OVER COME A LOT OF CHALLENGES, NORMAL CHALLENGES THAT ONE FACES IN A TYPICAL UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE BUT EVEN MORE SO GIVEN ALL THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC. BUT WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND CERTAINLY IN THE FACE OF THIS PAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD MANY TIMES THAT I HAVE JUST THANKED GOD FOR YOU COMING TO BIOLA AND NOW THANK GOD THAT YOU ARE LIVING BIOLA. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. TO LEAVE. YOUR TIME HAS COME AND COMPLETED YOUR EDUCATION AND EARNED YOUR DEGREES AND WE WISH YOU JOY AND SUCCESS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE. YOU MADE US PROUD. YOU HAVE UNIQUE STORIES TO TELL IN THIS JOURNEY THAT YOU ARE.
IN MANY WAYS YOU CAN TELL STORIES ABOUT HOW YOU BENEFITTED FROM YOUR BIOLA EDUCATION AND GROWN IN MIND AND CHARACTER AND RELATIONSHIPS AND HEART AND SOUL AND DEFINITION OF WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. YOU HAVE GROWN MUCH. AND WE HAVE GROWN BECAUSE OF YOU. SO IT IS AN HONOR SAYING THANK YOU FOR MAKING BIOLA A BETTER UNIVERSITY AND SEASONING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE AND WE PRAY YOUR EDUCATION AND THE TIMELESS VALUES AND VIRTUES OF GOD'S TRUTH IS EMBEDDED YOU AND YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FIELD OF INFLUENCE WHERE YOU WILL BE GOING. IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR FOR MANY. AND EVEN IN THIS AUDIENCE TODAY THERE ARE MAYBE SOME PAINFUL LOSSES THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED AND AN A LONG PERIOD OF RECOVERY.
BUT GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL AND WE ARE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS HAND UPON BIOLA AND THE PASSAGE THAT PAUL TALKS ABOUT, SUFFERING LEADS TO PER SE VERNS. STOPPING ALONG THE WAY IS CHARACTER, ON THE JOURNEY ARE FROM SUFFERING TO HOPE, DON'T FAST PASS YOUR WAY THROUGH THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY. SOMETHING HAPPENS WHEN OUR CHARACTER IS FORMED THROUGH THESE TIMES AND THAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE AS WELL. SPEAKING OF HOPE, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY LAST WEEK TO WALK THIS YARD AND LAY MY HANDS ON THE CHAIRS AND PRAY OVER YOU AS GRADUATING, PRECIOUS SOULS AND CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU WISDOM AND FAVOR AND FOR THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MATTER AND YOU WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF AND CONTINUE TO GROW IN YOUR FAITH, FILLED WITH CHRIST'S LOVE AND GROUNDED IN THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD AND EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GOD CONTINUES TO ACCOMPANY YOU AND YOU SENSE THAT WHERE EVER YOU GO.
THAT OUR PRAYER FOR YOU. WE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP. THAT IS WHAT WE DO HERE AT BIOLA. [APPLAUSE] WE ARE NOT YOUR ONLY ADVOCATES AND ENCOURAGERS AND CHEERLEADERS BUT YOU ARE SITTING NEXT TO SOME OF THEM AND SOME ARE WATCHING ONLINE. I WANT TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR THE PEOPLE BEING HERE TODAY. MOMS AND DADS, PARENTS, STAND UP, WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS JOURNEY FOR THESE KIDS AND THANK YOU MOMS AND DADS AND BELATED HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU, MOMS AS WELL. IF YOU ARE HERE AND ABLE TO STAND UP, GRANDPARENTS. [APPLAUSE] >> GRANDPARENTS ARE LOOKING AWFULLY YOUNG OUT THERE. WOW. I AM WILLING TO BET, WELL NOT ALLOWED TO BET, THAT THERE ARE SOME SIBLINGS HERE, BROTHER OR SISTERS OR KIDS OR SPOUSES, STAND UP. [APPLAUSE] Z WELCOME EACH OF YOU. I KNOW THERE ARE SACRIFICES THAT YOU HAVE MADE TO MAKE THIS GRADUATION DAY POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU FOR ENTRUSTING US WITH THESE STUDENTS OF OURS. WE HAVE SEEN THEM AS OUR SACRED TRUST AND WE TREAT EVERY STUDENT AS GOD'S WORKMAN SHIP. THIS IS ALL OF US ARE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR YOU AND WE HONOR YOU AND CELEBRATE WITH YOU TODAY. ALSO, I WANT TO CELEBRATE THOSE HERE IN THE GRADUATING CLASS THAT MAY BE THE FIRST IN YOUR FAMILY TO RECEIVE A COLLEGE DEGREE, WHERE ARE THE FIRST GEN BIOLA STUDENTS? PLEASE STAND. [APPLAUSE] HUGE MILESTONE FOR YOU. WE MIGHT HAVE GLOBAL STUDENTS, HERE ON VISAS, STAND UP, THANK YOU FOR COMING ALL THIS WAY TO BIOLA UNIVERSITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. [APPLAUSE] I'M NOT SURE IF WE HAVE GRADUATING STUDENTS IN THIS CATEGORY, IF YOU ARE, STAND, AS WELL AS ANYONE ELSE IN THIS CATEGORY, THOSE OF YOU THAT SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES, ARE OR HAVE BEEN, AND THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE TO OUR NATION. STAND UP SO WE CAN SAY THANK YOU TO YOU. [APPLAUSE] GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE THIS MOMENT WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE GIFTEDNESS OF THE FAK CULLTY AT BIOLA UNIVERSITY.
TONIGHT REPRESENTED BY SOME OF THE FACULTY FROM THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH. THEY HAVE INVESTED IN YOU AND GUIDED YOU THROUGH THE COURSES AND HELPED YOU BEYOND THE COURSES AS WELL AND MODELLING FOR ALL OF US WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TEACHER, PROFESSOR, MENTOR, PRAKS TISHER IN AND THE FAK CULLTY MEMBERS WHO KNOW YOU BY NAME AND PRAY OVER YOU AS WELL. WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF THE FACULTY HERE. PLEASE STAND UP AND WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR PROFESSORS AS WELL. [APPLAUSE] THIS IS OUR THIRD CEREMONY TODAY. I WANT TO MAKE A SPECIAL WORD OF THANKS TO OUR EVENTS TEAMS. THEY HAVE WORKED HARD DOING NINE COMMENCEMENT AND TRANSFORMING THIS LAWN INTO A COMMENCEMENT ARENA, WORKING BEHIND SCENES, PLANNING ALL OF THE CREATIVE IN-PERSON DIMENSIONS NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.
THEY COME FROM THE FACILITIES, CAMPUS SAFETY AND EVENTS AND OTHERS MAKING THIS DAY POSSIBLE AND THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. MANY YOU CAN'T SEE RIGHT NOW. FOR THE NINETH TIME JOIN ME IN THANKING THE EVENTS TEAM FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. [APPLAUSE] I HAVE ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE COMMENCEMENTS. IT IS TOP OF THE NINETH INNING AND WE ARE COMING INTO THE HOME STRETCH AND PUMPED WITH EXCITEMENT RIGHT NOW. THIS IS GREAT. THOUGH WE ARE DOING THEM IN SMALLER GROUPS, I REPRESENT THIS UNIVERSITY OF THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS, FACULTY, STAFF, TRUSTEES, ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS, WHO PART OF THIS 113 YEAR TRADITION AND LEGACY AT BIOLA UNIVERSITY THAT IS BIBBICLY CENTER AND AND CHRIST EXALTING AND COMPASSION OERNLT ORIENTED AND CARING ABOUT OTHERS AND PROFESSIONALLY DEVELOPING YOU AND WE ARE CONFIDENT AS WE MOVE FORWARD OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL BEFORE US AND YOUR BEST DAYS, GRADUATES, ARE STILL BEFORE YOU AS WELL. YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A NEW DIMENSION IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO BIOLA BECAUSE YOU ARE JOINING THE 64,000 WHO ARE A BIOLA GRADUATES AROUND THE WORLD TODAY AND YOUR GRADUATION MARKS A MILESTONE ON YOUR JOURNEY. WHEN YOU ENTER A NEW COMMUNITY, IT IS A COMMUNITY OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI.
YOU ARE BIOLANS FOR LIFE. WE HAVE A NETWORK OF THE GRADUATES WHO WANT TO BE A RESOURCE FOR YOU, WHERE EVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, WE WANT TO SUPPORT YOU. TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FOR YOU, TO INVEST IN YOUR ON GOING EDUCATION AND PROVIDING YOU THE COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTEXT AND THE CONNECTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT NEED AS THE YEARS UNFOLD. SO WE WILL NOT FORGET ABOUT YOU AND PLEASE DO NOT BE A STRANGER TO US AS WELL. (PHONE RINGING) MUST BE SOMEONE MAKING A PLEDGE RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. WE CARE ABOUT ALL OF YOU. WHY DON'T WE STAND TO OUR FEET AND THE INNOVATION IS DELIVERED AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE HYMN. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, DR. COREY. PLEASE PRAY WITH ME. TODAY, LORD, MORE THAN ANY OTHER GRADUATION YEAR THIS CEREMONY CELEBRATES A GROUP OF STUDENTS THAT PREVEFSHED THROUGH THE FUTURES AND THE CHANGES, YOU KNOW FATHER THIS IS NOT A NEATLY PRESSED RESTED UNWOUNDED GROUP OF GRADUATES.
THESE STUDENTS WERE SENT HOME MID SEMESTER, AND THOUGHT ONLINE BY PROFESSORS WHO HAD NEVER THOUGHT ONLINE AND SEPARATED FROM RELATIONSHIPS THEY WERE JUST LERNING TO NAVIGATE AND LIVED IN UNCERTAINTY AND CHANGE. MANY OF THE GRADUATES SUFFERED LOSS OF LOVED ONES AND SUFFERED THE FEAR OF LOSS AND DESPITE THIS GOD THEY ARE STANDING HERE, A LITTLE WORN OUT AND ASSAULTED AND BRUISED AND THEY ARE HERE IN THE GRADUATION CAPS AND GOWNS AND READY TO RECEIVE THE PAP THAT TESTIFIES TO THEIR GRIT AND YOUR GRACE.
WE SELL GRATE YOUR LOVE AND PRESENCE DURING THE TIME OF UNKNOWN AND CHAOS, GOD, WE CELEBRATE STORIES OF YOUR MIRACLES AND THE UNEXPECTED SPIRITUAL GROWTH THAT MANY OF THE GRADUATES HAVE EXPERIENCED. SPIRIT, YOU HAVE RESCUED SUSTAINED AND ENCOURAGED EACH OF THESE STUDENTS IN WAYS THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY NEEDED BUT IN WAYS THAT DEMONSTRATED YOUR INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF THEM AND LOVE FOR EACH OF THEM. FATHER GOD AS WE CELEBRATE THIS GROUP OF YOUNG WARE YORS WE SELL GRATE YOU, TODAY AS WE HEAR EACH OF THE NAMES READ MAY WITH BE STRUCK WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU KNOW EACH OF THESE GRADUATES, YOU KNEW EACH GRADUATE'S NEEDS AND YOU PROVIDED FOR THEM DURING THEIR TIME HERE AT BIOLA. GOD, YOU KNOW EACH'S GRADUATES STRENGTHS, POTENTIAL AND FAILURES AND YOU DEEPLY LOVE ALL OF THE PARTS OF EACH OF THEM. AND FATHER, YOU KNOW WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS FOR EVERY NAME THAT IS IS READ TODAY. AND YOU PROMISE TO BE WITH EACH GRADUATE ALWAYS. MAY WE NEVER FORGET GOD HOW YOU HAVE KNOWN AND LOVE AND PROVIDED FOR EACH OF THESE GRADUATES AND IN REMEMBERING THIS PROVIDE EACH OF THEM AND ALL OF THIS WITH COURAGE TO MOVE INTO THE FUTURE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE LOVED BY A GOD THAT NEVER CHANGES.
AMEN. >> AN AMEN, THANK YOU. WOULD YOU JOIN YOUR VOICES WITH ME AND SINGING THIS GREAT HYMN OF PRAISE, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. LIFT IT UP WITH ME THIS AFTERNOON. SING IT TO HIM. >> AMEN. THANK YOU FOR THE SINGING. YOU MAY BE SEATED. >> THE WORD OF THE LORD. PSALM 24. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, FOR READING THE SCRIPTURE AND DR. GUY THANK YOU ONE MORE TIME AND FRAN FOR COMPANYING HIM EVERY TIME ALONG THE WAY. LET'S EXPRESS YOUR APPRECIATION. [APPLAUSE] OUR COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER SHOWS MANY OF THE ASPIRATIONS FOR YOU THE GRADUATING STUDENTS IN THE SOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH. HE'S LIVED A LIFE OF CONVICTION AND EXCELLENCE AND FIRST AS A LEADER IN THE NATION'S MILITARY, AND NOW IN THE NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP AND SPACE EXPROR RATION. LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES IS HEAD OF THE LABORATORY IN PASADENA. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND SPACE EXPLORATION CENTERS ON THE PLANET OR WHO KNOWS ON THE UNIVERSE, HE'S ALSO A 35 YEAR VETERAN, THANK YOU, OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.
RECEIVING THE BRONZE STAR AND NUMEROUS LEADERSHIP AWARDS AND CULTURAL MIN TATING THE MILITARY CAREER BY SERVING AS AIR FORCE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AT THE PENTAGON. WITH AN EDUCATION THAT INCLUDES MARKS AT THE U.S. AIR FORT ACADEMY AND A MASTER'S DEGREE IN AERO NAUTICES FROM MIT, LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES IS A FATHER OF A DAUGHTER GRADUATING FROM BIOLA AND TODAY ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH MINISTRY IN NEW YORK CITY. IN 2013, THE LIEUTENANT GENERAL MOVE FROMMED THE PENTAGON TO NASA. AND UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP ARE THE ACTIVITIES OF SIX THOUSAND SCIENTISTS. ENGINEERING, TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL. THE CONSIDERABLE WORK THAT HE OVER SEES THE EXPLORING OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND OPERATIONS IN ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS, EARTH SCIENCE, INTERPLANETARY NETWORK PROGRAMS AND EVEN GET THIS THE FL FLYING HELICOPTER THAT JUST LANDED ON MARS. THIS IS SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY THESE DAYS WHEN OTHER THINGS IN THE NEWS IS NOT FUN TO LISTEN TO.
NOTICE HIS CLOTH FACE COVERING TODAY, IT SAYS 2-18-21. WHICH IS THE DATE THAT THE ROVER TOUCHED DOWN ON MARS. IT IS AN HONOR HAVING HIM WITH US TODAY ADDRESSING THE STUDENTS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH. WITH THE DEAN, MR. JAMES IS HELP TO DEVELOP A PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH JPL AND INTERNSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT AS A MEMBER OF BIOLA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY BOARD. JOIN ME IN WELCOMING LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES AS OUR 2021 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER. [APPLAUSE] >> WOW. IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE AND THANK YOU DR. COREY FOR THAT MUCH TOO LONG INTRODUCTION. YOU HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO THAN LISTEN TO AN INTRODUCTION. IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE TO CELEBRATE TODAY. IT SUS SITTING IN THOSE SEATS AS A PARENT 18 YEARS AGO. IT WAS SUCH A BLESSING TO SEE MY DAUGHTER WALK ACROSS THIS STAGE MAJORING IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM AND GOING ON TO A CAREER IN NETWORK TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND A MASTER IN THEOLOGY AND NOW AN ASSOCIATE PASTOR IN NEW YORK CITY. WHAT A LEGACY THAT BIOLA HAS GIVEN HER.
YOU WILL HAVE THAT LEGACY BEHIND YOU AS YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR SERVICES TO GOD AND OUR COUNTRY. IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE. HOW MANY THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME? AS DR. COREY SAID THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE WITH FAMILY, HOW MANY THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE PROUD TO BE IN A POD? SOME TERMS THAT WE NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD THINK ABOUT AND YET HERE WE ARE TODAY SUCCESSFULLY CELEBRATING THE GRADUATES.
WE HAVE HAD CHALLENGES. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE. I MENTIONED IN THE EARLIER CEREMONY, MY MOM PASSED AWAY IN FEBRUARY BACK IN VIRGINIA AND TRYING TO GET TO FAMILY TOGETHERS AND DO A CEREMONY AND MEMORIAL, THOSE ARE HARD THINGS. AND I KNOW EACH OF YOU HAS A STORY THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT AND TELL EACH OTHER ABOUT. AND YET, THE LORD HAS SEEN US THROUGH THIS AS HE ALWAYS DOES. AND WE ARE RESILIENT PEOPLE, RIGHT. WE CAN ALSO TURN AROUND AND FIND HUMOR IN SOME OF THIS STUFF TO LIFT OUR SPIRITS. A MONTH AGO AT THE END, WE SAW THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. I TOLD MY WIFE THROW THE DART AND WHERE IT LANDS IS WHERE WE ARE GOING.
IT WENT BEHIND THE REFRIGERATOR. I VISITED A FRIEND WITH VIRTUAL STUDENTS AS HOME, I WALK AND HE'S LIKE, I'M NOT TALKING TO MYSELF, I AM HAVING A PARENT STUDENT CONFERENCE. FINALLY, HERE IS ADVICE FOR ALL OF YOU, PARENTS AND STUDENTS, EVERY FEW DAYS TAKE OUT YOUR JEANS AND TRY THEM ON. PAJAMAS HAS YOU ALL THINK ALL IS WELL IN THE KINGDOM. HOW MANY HAVE BEEN ON ZOOM IN PAJAMAS? I IMAGINE A FEW OF YOU HAVE DONE THAT. WE CAN SEE THE LIGHT AHEAD AND GOD HAS BEEN SOVEREIGN. YOU LOOK AT THE POSTERS UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT THE SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR LORD. HE'S BROUGHT US TO THIS DAY. WE ALL SHOULD BE THANKFUL AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT. ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT I GET TO ENJOY IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT THE UNIVERSE THIS GOT CREATED.
WE SANG THE GREAT HYMN ABOUT GOD'S AWESOME POWER AND THE UNIVERSE AND HIS POWER DISPLAYED AND I GET TO DO THAT AS PART OF MY JOB, LOOK OUT AT THE UNIVERSE AND WHAT IS OUT THERE AND WHAT COULD BE OUT THERE AND HOW TO LEARN ABOUT IT. WHEN YOU CONTEMPLATE THE AWESOMENESS OF THE UNIVERSE THAT GOD CREATED, IT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF YOUR PLACE IN THE WORLD. THE POWER THAT HE HAS. THERE ARE OVER 225 BILLION GALAXIES IN OUR UNIVERSE. EACH OF THOSE GALAXIES HAS A ONE BILLION STARS, EACH OF THE STARS HAS PLANETS AROUND IT. THINK ABOUT THAT. GOD SPOKE ALL OF THAT INTO BEING.
WHEN YOU STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE TRIALS, THE TESTS THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, I HOPE YOU REMEMBER THAT OUR GOD IS INDEED SOVEREIGN AND SPOKE THIS STUFF INTO BEING. HE CREATED YOU FOR A PURPOSE AND HE'LL STAND BESIDE YOU AS HE'S DONE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND HE'LL WALK WITH YOU EVEN AS YOU GO OUT THE DOOR. SO HE IS A GOD WHO LOVES YOU. HE IS A GOD WHO ACTS IN YOUR LIFE. I WILL TELL A PERSONAL STORY. I WAS GETTING READ YOU TO GRADUATE FROM THE UNDER GRAD SCHOOL AT THE AIR FORCE BASE.
I WAS GOING TO THE SPACE AND MISSILE SYSTEM. I CAME HERE ON SPRING BREAK AND STAYING WITH A FAMILY OF A FRIEND FROM THE ACADEMY IN MANHATTAN BEACH AND THEY WERE CATHOLIC AND I AM A PROTESTANT. I WALKED IN AND THOUGHT THIS IS NOT WHERE I SHOULD BE. I GOT IN THE CAR AND NEVER HAD BEEN ON MANHATTAN BEACH BOULEVARD AND DROVE, GOT TO ANOTHER CHURCH AND WARMLY GREETED. WHEN I GRADUATED I RETURNED AND WENT THERE AND I MET MY WIFE THERE AND HAVE BEEN MARRIED 41 YEARS. GOD DOES WORK IN YOUR LIFE IN THE SMALL THINGS, IN THE BIG THINGS. AND IT IS UP TO US TO LISTEN AND BE TUNED INTO HIM. SO AS WE THINK ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE WALKING OUT OF HERE AND THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS THAT WILL BE HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU SEEK EMPLOYMENT AND WHERE TO LIVE AND THE WEDDINGS AND WHAT THE CASE MAY BE. BUT THINK ABOUT WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU AS YOU LEAVE BIOLA. WHAT DOES GOD WANT YOU TO DO. ONE OF MY FAVORITE PASSAGES FROM MICAH, HE WAS KIND OF PROPHESYIZING.
HE HAS SHOWN YOU WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU TO ACT JUSTLY AND TO LOVE MERCY, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD. THAT IS WHAT HE REQUIRES OF YOU BIOLA GRADUATES AS YOU WALK OUT THE DOOR. LET'S START WITH THE LAST PART, TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD. NEVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE VERY BLESSED. TO SIT IN THESE CHAIRS TODAY AND HAVE THIS AMAZING EDUCATION, YOU ARE VERY BLESSED. I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF UNITED WAY IN GREATER LOS ANGELES AND THE KEY IS TO END HOMELESSNESS AND YOU SEE THE HARD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO THE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AND OFTEN THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN HAVE THEY ENDED UP THERE. THEY LOST A JOB AND CAN'T PAY THE RENT. THEY ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE AS YOU YET GOD LOVES AND CARES FOR THEM. AS YOU WALK INTO THIS NEW WORD, BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU ARE ACCOMPLISHED, AND DO YOUR BEST, BUT BE HUMBLE ABOUT IT AND GOD WALKS WITH YOU AND HUMILITY SAYS A LOT AS YOU ENTER THE WORK PLACE AND INTERACT WITH PEOPLE.
THINK ABOUT THAT AS YOU WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD. THE SAYING OF DOING GOOD THINGS, WE OUGHT NOT TO BE WEARY OF DOING LITTLE THINGS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. HE REGARDS NOT THE GREATNESS OF THE WORK BUT THE LOVE IN WHICH IT IS PERFORMED. THAT IS WHAT I THINK HUMILITY IS ABOUT. PART TWO, MERCY. LOVE THE QUOTE FROM CHRIST, HE SAID GO AND LEARN WHAT THIS MEANS, I DESIRE MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT MERCY, THINK ABOUT THOSE AROUND YOU WHO MAY BELESS FORTUNATE, WHO MAY BE DIFFERENT AND SEEN DIFFERENTLY, SHOW MERCY.
SHOW MERCY IN ALL SITUATIONS. THAT IS WHAT CHRIST CALLS US TO DO. HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT SACRIFICE. HE CARES ABOUT MERCY. FINALLY, ACT JUSTLY. YOU KNOW IN THIS DAIS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HEAR ON MEDIA OR FACEBOOK, I THINK JUSTICE IS A FRAUGHT TERM SOMETIMES AND YET THE BIBLE CALLS US TO ACT JUSTLY. I LIKE LUKE 14, WHEN YOU GIVE A LUNCH OF DINNER, DON'T INVITE YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY, IF YOU DO, THEY MAY INVITE YOU BACK AND YOU ARE REPAID. WHEN YOU GIVE A BANQUET, INVITE THE POOR, THE CRIPPLED, THE LAME AND THE BLIND. AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED. EVEN THOUGH THEY CANNOT REPAY YOU, YOU ARE REPAID IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT JUSTICE, THINK ABOUT THOSELESS FORTUNATE AND HOW DO I SERVING CHRIST, SERVING GOD, WALK INTO THEIR LIVES AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND SEE THEM AS CHRIST SEES THEM.
TIM KELLER TALKED ABOUT THREE AREAS WHERE YOU CAN EXERCISE CHRISTIAN JUSTICE. ONE OF THOSE I THINK GO BEYOND THE SOCIAL BOUNDARIES. IT IS EASY TO GO ALONG WITH THE CROWD. IT IS HARD TO OUTSIDE OF THE THE BOUNDARIES. HE SAID YOU NEED TO WORK IN THE WORLD. WE ARE A PART OF THIS WORLD. WE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD. WE ARE IN THE WORLD. HOW DO YOU EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND WORKING OUT IN THIS WORLD. I SHARED AN EXAMPLE AT THE LAST COMMENCEMENT, LAST WEEK I WAS IN A CALL WITH ONE OF THE STATE SENATORS ABOUT TRYING TO SET UP A REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT UNITED WAY SUPPORTS.
WE HAVE TO WORK IN THE WORLD AND THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND SO WORK IN THE WORLD. FINALLY, TIM SAID DO IT WITH INFORMED LISTENING. SOMETIMES IT IS HARD IN THIS POLARIZED ENVIRONMENT TO TRY TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE, YOU KNOW, WE GET INTO ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE READ ONLINE AND IMMESHED. BUT AS A CHRISTIAN WE HAVE TO BE OPENING TO LISTEN TO ALL POINTS OF VIEW. WE MIGHT NOT AGREE.
BUT THINK ABOUT LISTENING WITH INFORMED LISTENING. READ, READ THE HARD THINGS. I HAVE READ A COUPLE OF BOOKS IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CROSS AND THE LYNCHING TREE ABOUT THE LYNCHING HISTORY IN THE UNITED STATES. THAT IS TOUGH STUFF TO READ ABOUT. AND YET IT GIVES YOU AN UNDERSTANDING OF SOME OF THE HISTORY THAT OUR NATION HAS. THEN ANOTHER BOOK THAT I READ CALLED CAST, THE ORGIN OF DISCONNECT.
I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH WHAT IS RIN THERE, BUT IT HELPS TO UNDERSTAND AND LISTEN BETTER TO THOSE AROUND US THAT DON'T AGREE WITH US. UNLESS YOU ARE IN A CHURCH ENVIRONMENT WORKING, YOU ARE PROBABLY SURROUNDED BY MOST FOLKS WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS, SO THE ART OF LISTENING IS VERY IMPORTANT AND THE ART OF LEARNING SO YOU CAN LISTEN WELL AS A CHRISTIAN. SO I WILL WRAP UP. BUT NEVER FORGET THE INCREDIBLE MAG ESTY AND POWER, AND LOVE OF GOD OF CHRIST WHO WALKS WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. WE TALKED ABOUT THE STARS. WHEN YOU LOOK UP INTO THE SKY AT NIGHT THINK ABOUT THE GOD THAT SPOKE THAT INTO BEING, HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF GALAXIES, YOUR PROBLEM IS NOT TOO BIG FOR HIM. WALK WITH HIM. BE HUMBLE. LISTEN WELL. AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHRIST IN THIS WORLD. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU LIEUTENANT GENERAL FOR THOSE REALLY HEART FELT WORDS. IT IS BRINGING US BACK TO THE BASICS OF OUR FAITH.
LET'S EXPRESS YOUR APPRECIATION ONE MORE TIME. [APPLAUSE] I KNOW WE USE THE WORD PIVOT A LITTLE TOO MUCH IN THE PAST YEAR AND WE ARE PIVOTING TO THE CONFERRAL OF THE DEGREES AND WE ARE MOVING NOW INTO THE TIME WHEN YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR DEGREES AND WALK ACROSS THE PLATFORM, GRADUATES, AND TO START THINGS OFF, WELCOME TO THE PODIUM MR. MIKE MAPLES, AND FOLLOWED BY THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT DR. DEBORAH TAYLOR. I WANT TO SAY AS MR. MAPLES COMES UP HERE OUR BOARD IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH MR. MAPLES AS OUR BOARD CHAIR. HE LOVED THIS INSTITUTION. HE PRAYERS OVER IT AND US. HE'S A BIOLA DAD. HE LEADS THE BOARD WITH A GREAT SENSE OF WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT AND ENCOURAGES ME WHEN I NEED IT THE MOST. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU, MIKE, AND I WANTED TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MIKE MAPLES. >> THE MISSION OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY IS BIBLICALLY CENTERED EDUCATION, SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVICE ━ EQUIPPING MEN AND WOMEN IN MIND AND CHARACTER TO IMPACT THE WORLD FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THESE COMMITTED CHRISTIAN STUDENTS WHO HAVE COME TO BIOLA FOR THIS REASON. IS NOW A DISTINCT PRIVILEGE FOR US TO PRESENT THESE DIPLOMAS TO THOSE WHO HAVE FINISHED THEIR COURSE, AND HAVE DEMONSTRATED SUSTAINED INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT. GRADUATES, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, I CONGRATULATE YOU AND PRAY GOD'S BEST FOR EACH OF YOU AS YOU SEEK TO GLORIFY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE DAYS AND YEARS TO COME. WELL DONE! [APPLAUSE] >> IN THIS AFTERNOON'S CEREMONY WE HONOR STUDENTS, WHO ARE RECEIVING DEGREES FROM THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH.
THE SCHOOL'S DEAN WILL ASK THE CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES TO STAND. I WILL THEN PRESENT ALL THE YOU ALL TO THE PRESIDENT FOR THE CONFERRAL OF THEIR DEGREES. THEN YOU ARE USHERED UP TO THE PLATFORM AND WALK ACROSS AND RECEIVE YOUR DIPLOMA. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU. AS MANY SAID, YOU HAVE ENDURED A DIFFICULT YEAR AND COULDN'T BE HAPPIER THAT YOU ARE TO THIS POINT. THANK YOU FOR THE GROWTH AND YOU WILL LEAVE BIOLA AND SHINE LIKE THE LIGHTS IN THE UNIVERSE. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL PRESENT YOUR DEGREES. >> WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR BACCALAUREATE AND POST-BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY & HEALTH PLEASE RISE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE BEST TESTIMONY THAT WE HAVE THAT BIOLA UNIVERSITY IS ACHIEVING OUR SCHOOL VISION TO EQUIP A NEW GENERATION OF THOUGHTFUL PROFESSIONALS IN THE SCIENCE AND HEALTHCARE AND GROUNDED IN A CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW AND EDUCATED IN A RIGOROUS ENVIRONMENT AND READY TO ASSUME POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP, ENABLE TO PROVIDE THE CLEAR MORAL VISION THAT THE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS.
YOU ARE READY. GO NOW IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FULFILL THIS VISION. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AS YOU IMPACT THE WORLD FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. BE PLEASE SEATED. WE NOW HAVE A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE BIOLA BELL. THE RINGING OF BELLS IN CHURCHES AND CATHEDRALS TRADITIONALLY CALLS THE FAITHFUL TO WORSHIP. THIS BELL AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL CAMPUS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES TO CALL STUDENTS TO CHAPEL. AND SO IT IS AS THESE GRADUATES LEAVE THIS PLACE, FOR PAUL TELLS US THAT WORSHIP IS PRESENTING OUR BODIES━IN EVERY PLACE, AT EVERY TIME━AS LIVING SACRIFICES TO GOD. ROMAN 12:1. JUST AS WE RANG THIS BELL AT THE UNDER GRADUATE ORIENTATION ON THIS LAWN, YOUR GRADUATION TODAY FROM BIOLA IS AN ENTRANCE INTO A NEW BEGINNING OF THEIR SERVICE OF WORSHIP IN THE WORLD. GRADUATES, PLEASE TAKE OUT YOUR BELL FROM YOUR GIFT BAG AND WHEN I RING THE BELL, PLEASE RING YOURS AS WELL. I RING THIS BELL ON BEHALF OF THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021.
[BELL RINGS] [APPLAUSE] >> I JUST LOVE HEARING ALL THOSE BELLS. PRESIDENT COREY, ON BEHALF OF THE FACULTY OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY, IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO PRESENT TO YOU THESE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DEGREES. WILL ALL OF OUR GRADUATING STUDENTS PLEASE RISE? [APPLAUSE] >> BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, I CONFER UPON YOU, GRADUATES OF BIOLA UNIVERSITY, YOUR RESPECTIVE DEGREES WITH ALL THE HONORS, RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES PERTAINING THERETO. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE GRADUATED FROM BIOLA, UNDER GRADUATES YOU CAN TURN THE TASSEL AND GOD BLESS YOU. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] GRADUATES, YOU MAY BE SEATED. THE FIRST ROW OF GRADUATES WILL NOW BE GUIDED BY OUR USHERS TO THE STAGE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS. MORE FOR THE GRADUATING CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] WAVE YOUR HAND OVER THERE, SHE MADE IT HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ALL THE GRADUATIONS, GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU.
GRADUATES, YOU HAVE DONE IT. YOU HAVE REACHED THIS MILESTONE IN YOUR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY. I'M SURE IT'S A JOURNEY THAT HAS BEEN BOTH EXHAUSTING AND EXHILARATING. IT'S A JOURNEY THAT HAS TAKEN YOU TO NEW HEIGHTS AND MAYBE EVEN NEW DEPTHS. IT'S A JOURNEY THAT HAS MADE YOU QUESTION AND STRUGGLE AND WRESTLE WITH THE IDEAS. BUT IT'S ALSO A JOURNEY THAT IS OVER.AS YOU DEPART FROM HERE, YOU WILL BE JOINING A COMMUNITY OF BIOLA ALUMNI WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AROUND THE WORLD IN COUNTLESS PLACES AND PROFESSIONS FOR THE GOOD, FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.
I TRUST BIOLA HAS IMPRESSED UPON YOU TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES OF THE WORLD AND BE A LIGHT WHERE THIS IS DARKNESS AND A HOPE WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, A STEWARD OF KINDNESS IN A WORLD OF HOSTILITY. BE A REPAIRER OF THE BREACH AND FIX THE THINGS IN THE WORLD THAT ARE BROKEN. I CHARGE YOU GRADUATES TO BE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST, UPHOLDING THE BIBLICAL VALUES OF TRUTH, INTEGRITY, SACRIFICE, JUSTICE AND COMPASSION. I CHALLENGE YOU TO LIVE SELFLESSLY. I CHALLENGE YOU TO DEFINE YOURSELF NOT IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU DO, WHO YOU IMPACT OR WHAT MAKE OR DON'T MAKE. I CHALLENGE YOU TO DEFINE YOURSELF IN JESUS CHRIST, AND IT IS IN HIS NAME THAT I COMMISSION YOU NOW. TO BEAR THE MARK OF THE GOSPEL IN YOUR LIFE, WHEN YOU CAN POINT OTHERS TO CHRIST'S AMAZING GRACE. GO IN THE NAME OF THE ONE WHO WAS BORN IN A MANGER, DIED ON A CROSS, AND IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND WHO WILL ONE DAY COME AGAIN.
GRADUATING STUDENTS, ONE MORE TIME GET TO YOUR FEET. [CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] YOU DID IT. YOU DID IT INDEED. I WILL GIVE YOU THE CHARGE AND ANSWER WITH WE WILL. GRADUATES OF THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY AS GOD HAS CALLED YOU, WILL YOU COMMIT TO BE A LIGHT TO THE WORLD? THOSE THAT ARE HERE AND THE GUESTS CELEBRATING YOU US TODAY, AND ONLINE, I WILL ASK YOU TO ASK YOU A QUESTION AND RESPOND WITH WE WILL. TO THOSE OF YOU HERE, I ASK YOU WILL YOU JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR AND ENCOURAGING THOSE YOU THAT IN THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021 AND THEY GRADUATE FROM BIOLA UNIVERSITY TODAY? BIOLA UNIVERSITY GRADUATES, IT IS TIME TO GO NOW.
NOT JUST TO THE PARTIES, CELEBRATIONS OR DINNERS, GO IN THE NAME OF THE ONE WHO CALLED YOU DISCIPLE. TO A WORLD THAT NEEDS YOU, THE LOVE THAT YOU EMBODY, THE GRACE NA YOU RADIATE, THE CONVICTIONS THAT YOU BEAR, THE COURAGE THAT YOU WILL MUSTER THE WISDOM AND ONLINE THAT YOU POSSESS, GO NOW TO THE NEXT LEG OF THE JOURNEY WITH THE HOPE, KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH THAT INDEED TO LIVE AS CHRIST. NOW PLEASE STAND FOR THE BENEDICTION. >> THE END OF NINE GRADUATIONS, PLEASE PRAY WITH ME. HEAVENLY FATHER, WHAT A GIFT EACH OF THESE STUDENTS HAS BEEN. THANK YOU FOR LEADING THEM TO BIOLA AND FOR THE TIME THAT WE HAD TO EQUIP THEM IN MIND AND CHARACTER. WE REJOICE WITH THEM OVER THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF SUCCESSFULLY C COMPLETING THE WORK FOR THEIR DEGREES AND WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THEM. WE PRAY THEY CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND BRING FWLORY AND HONOR TO YOU, AND MAY THEY STAND UP FOR WHAT IS GOOD AND TRUE, EVEN WHEN THE CULTURE TRIES TO PERSUADE THEM OTHERWISE.
PRAY THAT YOU WILL GO WITH THEM AS WE SEND THEM OUT TO MAKEN IMPACT IN THE WORLD. IN THE NAME OF JESUS. AMEN..
