New President, New Century New President, New ... - Biola University

04
EDITOR’S NOTE
Outnumbered
For the first time in American history, televisions outnumber
people per household, 2.8 to 2.5, according to the latest Nielson
research. And with an average of 104 channels per household,
fewer people are reading these days, which makes publishing a
magazine that gets read more of a challenge.
So, in May, we asked readers what they think of Biola Magazine.
Does it inspire and equip them to impact the world for Christ? Does it
demonstrate that Biola is fulfilling its mission? Does it make them
proud of their association with Biola? Over 80 percent of respondents
said yes, agreeing or strongly agreeing in each instance. And many
readers shared their appreciation for the magazine’s design and for the
topics it covers.
But there was some criticism too, which is sometimes more
interesting to read about. One reader said that we were Republican
propaganda. Another said that we seemed obsessed with socially and
theologically conservative agendas.
Many of our readers might take these criticisms as compliments given
that 77 percent of respondents identified themselves as Republicans and
81 percent considered themselves theologically conservative. (For those
pining to know, 4 percent identified themselves as Democrats, 9 percent
as “other” and 10 percent left this question blank.) As a registered
independent with no obsessions over social or theological agendas, I can
assure readers that Biola has no political affiliation and its only obsession
is to serve Christ the best it can. We appreciate all the feedback we’ve
received from readers, both positive and critical. And we want to thank all
those who completed a reader survey.
We’ve made some changes to the magazine since the last issue.
These changes, which include a new design, reflect Biola’s move into a
new century under the leadership of a new president, Barry H. Corey,
whom you’ll read more about in the cover story. Another big change is
the magazine’s name. We’ve dropped “Connections” from the title.
We’re now Biola Magazine or just Biola. We also made “Biola” upper and
lower case to remind readers that “Biola” has not been an acronym (i.e.
“BIOLA”) since 1952, when it became “Biola Bible College.”
Other changes include some new sections, like “About the Bible,” an
expanded news section called “Red Report” (formerly “Biola Bulletin”),
and an expanded “Ask An Expert.” I’d like to know your thoughts on our
changes, so please write me and tell me what you think. With your help,
we’ll do our small part to reduce the amount of TV watching in America
and maybe the number of TVs per household.
Rob Westervelt, Editor (M.A. ’97)
BIOLA
Publisher Biola University
President Barry H. Corey
Senior Vice President / Provost
Gary A. Miller
Vice President for University
Advancement Wesley K. Willmer
Vice President for Financial Affairs and
Information Technology Carl Schreiber
Vice President for University Services
Greg Balsano
Editor-in-Chief Rob Westervelt
Managing Editor Holly Pivec
Art Director Dwayne Cogdill
Copy Editor Jason Newell
Intern Emily O’Dell
Editorial Board Rick Bee (’79, M.A. ’90,
Ph.D. ’01), Adam Morris (’90, M.A. ’97, Ph.D.
’02), Irene Neller, Holly (Peters, ’99, M.A.
’05) Pivec, Rob Westervelt (M.A. ’97),
Wesley K. Willmer
Biola Magazine is published quarterly
by Biola University’s Integrated Marketing
Communications department and is sent to
alumni, parents, supporters and friends of
the University. Biola’s mission is biblically
centered education, scholarship and
service – equipping men and women in
mind and character to impact the world
for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Send correspondence to:
Biola Magazine,
13800 Biola Avenue,
La Mirada, CA 90639-0001,
e-mail biolamag@biola.edu
or call (562) 906-4516.
For address changes,
e-mail alumni@biola.edu
or call Constituency Records
at (562) 903-4774.