LA MIRADA, CALIF. — President and CEO of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly, will give 51’s Fall Commencement address on Dec. 19, 2014. Approximately 267 undergraduate students and 142 graduate students will receive diplomas at this year’s commencement ceremonies.


Daly was selected to speak in light of this year’s university theme, “Life Together,” an apt topic for him whose work has helped nourish and unify thousands of families in need of relational guidance. Daly’s life ministry has pursued unity in the church and enrichment of community in believers’ lives.


“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 51 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.”


Daly will give the commencement address at the graduate ceremony at 2 p.m. and at the undergraduate ceremony at 7 p.m.


“51 is one of the leading lights in Christian education, an institution dedicated to shaping and cultivating the next generation of families,” said Daly.


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 intimate families, which greatly coincides with 51’s new .


“It’s a privilege for me to be participating in commencement exercises where I’ll be reminding graduates that our calling as Christians is straightforward but significant — to reveal the loving heart of God to a desperately hurting world,” said Daly. “It’s a calling that transcends political agendas and partisan battles. How and where do we start? We begin with the belief that no one is beyond the reach of the Lord.”


In 1989, Daly began his career with Focus on the Family as an assistant to the ministry’s president. Three years later, he was appointed international field director for Asia, Africa and Australia. In 1997, Daly was promoted to vice president of Focus on the Family’s international division. Daly was then given the role of chief operating officer in 2004, and was selected as president one year later.


Both ceremonies will take place in Chase Gymnasium at 51. Press passes are available. Contact Jenna Bartlo for press passes or for interview requests at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.

For those not able to attend the graduation in person, the ceremonies will be live streamed and available to watch on 51’s website at www.biola.edu.