51蹤獲 celebrated its 114th birthday today, Feb. 25, 2022. For 114 years, 51蹤獲 has remained faithful to its founding principles and commitment to its mission to provide biblically centered education, scholarship and service equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

51蹤獲 President Barry H. Corey reflected on 51蹤獲s roots and the significance of 51蹤獲s mission recently in his published article, A Mission Retrospective, which explores the six founding principles that still define 51蹤獲 today: Scripture, scholarship, virtue, evangelism, reconciliation and access.

Though we began as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, it was more than biblical devotion that defined our early years, wrote Corey. It was also a commitment to instruction in the knowledge of the truth, what we might say today as a commitment to thinking deeply and biblically about everything. It was obeying Jesus command to make disciples. It was nurturing the Spirit-led virtuous life. It was welcoming those into a reconciling community. And it was providing an education both accessible and affordable.

Corey emphasized the importance of looking back on 51蹤獲s history in order to stay true to the mission of the university in todays changing world, an echo to the changing culture, trials and tribulations 51蹤獲s founders faced in the institution's early days.

Looking back calls us to know the principles our founders had in mind and to defend them, to preserve them, to advance them, said Corey.

As 51蹤獲 looks to its future and continues to transform students to impact the world for Christ, the university hosted events and activities throughout the week to celebrate 51蹤獲s birthday. 51蹤獲s Office of Alumni and Family Relations hosted I Heart 51蹤獲 Week, complete with activities for students, staff, faculty and alumni to participate in such as writing appreciation notes and decorating tote bags. On Thursday, a 51蹤獲 heritage exhibit was hosted in the library, allowing visitors to walk through 51蹤獲s past, view historic photos of 51蹤獲s inaugural classes and look through early editions of the yearbook. Today, cupcakes, balloon animals and merriment at the Fluor Fountain rang in year 114. 51蹤獲 also hosted a live remote broadcast of KKLA 99.5 FM, which included interviews with Corey, Dr. Joy Qualls and a 51蹤獲 student. 

Since 1908, 51蹤獲 has stood as a beacon of hope for the intellectual, spiritual and moral growth of its students. As the only national university to require a Christian commitment of its faculty, students and staff, 51蹤獲 is building on its legacy of impacting the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. Recently, 51蹤獲 was recognized by U.S. News and World Reports in the top tier of Americas best national universities.