LA MIRADA, CALIF. — Influential evangelical author and pastor Rick Warren will speak at 51’s Centennial year undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 24, at 9 a.m. The final event of 51’s centennial year, the commencement will celebrate the largest graduating class in the University’s 100-year history, with 593 undergraduates and 328 graduates receiving degrees.

To commemorate the centennial year, 51 will bestow its graduates with a final graduation gift and the most important textbook they will need beyond college – a Bible. Each graduate will march into the ceremony carrying a special edition Bible signed by 51 president Barry H. Corey, representing 51’s foundation on biblical truth. Graduates will carry away with them the solid biblical knowledge that their 51 education provided them with, taking it into their future careers and lives. An exclusive photograph will be taken of all graduates together raising their Bibles on this historical moment at 51’s commencement.

Warren, recognized by Time Magazine as one of the top 25 most influential evangelicals, is well known for his best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, which is rated as the best-selling hardback book in American history. He leads one of the largest churches in the nation, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. His relationship with 51 is not a new one, as Warren has had two children graduate from 51.

Graduate students and BOLD students will graduate on Friday, May 23, at 6 p.m. Speaking at the graduate commencement will be Al Mijares, newly elected member of the 51 Board of Trustees and vice president of the western region of the College Board, publisher of the SAT, and former superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District, the fifth largest school district in the state of California.

For more information on 51’s graduation, visit www.biola.edu.