With graduation just days away, over 700 graduates and their guests celebrated the ending of their Biola careers at the spring Senior Dinner, held on Metzger Lawn on Friday, May 15. 

Along with officially being inducted into the Alumni Association, graduates enjoyed a senior memories video and a message from Fred Sanders, associate professor of theology in the Torrey Honors Institute, who was selected as Professor of the Year by votes from the senior class.

In his message, Dr. Sanders focused on last words, citing Jesus as the ultimate, final Word, and encouraging students to think about their final words at Biola.  Dr. Sanders left the graduates with six words of advice: 1) Your last words in college are important, but they don’t have to be perfect; 2) say thank you to Biola; 3) forgive one another; 4) admit that it’s over; 5) hold on to every bit of truth you’ve found here; and 6) give these past years to God.

Dr. Sanders ended his thoughts with a simple, yet powerful, prayer on behalf of the graduates: “Thank you, and please help us.  Thank you, and please help us.  Thank you, and please help us.  That’s all we have to say.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Nursing graduate Kate Jordan, from Fair Oaks, CA, summed up the evening by saying, “I had a really good time tonight.  The speaker was amazing as he gave us thoughts about the last words of our college years.  His thoughts help all of us refocus what has been important in the last four years and help us with what to look forward to in the years to come.”