Brendon Anthony

CEO and Co-Founder at Harvest Craft

Environmental Science, B.S. '15

As believers, we need to be on the front lines taking care of the Lord's creation.

How did your program at Biola prepare you for your career?

Many classes I took at Biola both shaped my passions and prepared me to pursue them. As we discussed the importance of the environment, their ecosystem services, and their inter-connectedness to the inhabiting people, I realized there is a great connection between environmental stewardship and social justice. This lead me to begin a non-profit alongside other Biola students that engaged in international sustainable agricultural development. We wanted to love others and empower them by equipping them both with education and systems that could produce food and income. This lead to my continued desire to learn more and pursue a graduate degree so that the knowledge I acquire in my post-grad degree can also be used to help others overseas. Biola did a great job of showcasing the importance of loving your neighbor and your environment simultaneously.

What did you appreciate most about your time at Biola?

The main thing I appreciated about Biola was the constant desire to integrate moral and spiritual callings into our talents and passions. This was important because it meant that God designed and created us all differently to fulfill different parts of His body and plan. This enabled me to see that not everyone needs to be a pastor or a missionary, but that I could pursue my dreams and be a farmer, a scientist, or a researcher and do this all for his glory and for his people too.

How did Biola equip you to be a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ?

Whether it was through chapels, conferences, classes, or personal relationships with the faculty or student body, everywhere you went, God saturated every conversation and lecture. This constant reminder and encouragement throughout the university encouraged and enabled me to become a more faithful follower of Jesus.

What advice would you give to students considering your degree program?

The environment, more than ever, needs advocates for its protection, conservation, and stewardship. As believers, we need to be on the front lines taking care of the Lord's creation. It was one of his first commands for us, and we need to constantly live in that reality. With the changing climate, oceans, forests, rivers, animals, and agriculture all need to be rethought and adapted for resiliency. A degree in environmental sciences will enable and prepare you to be a part of this battle. Enrolling in this degree program effectively enlists you to combat environmental destruction, and encourages stewardship for God's glory and for our survival and enjoyment.