Parents, siblings, alumni and friends traveled from all over the country to gather for the inaugural Biola Weekend October 14-15, 2011. The combination of Parent Weekend and Alumni Homecoming made for a busy weekend full of activities, seminars, great food and time with friends and family. More than 400 parents and family members alongside 200 alumni visited Biola's campus throughout the weekend.

Kicking off the weekend was the Talbot Dedication where the Biola community celebrated God’s faithfulness in providing funds for the newest addition to campus — Talbot East. Guests enjoyed a lunch of fried chicken and waffles and brought back “Sutherland Sizzle,” which has been a Biola tradition for a few centuries. Following lunch, parents and students filled Mayers Auditorium to learn about student debt and study abroad options at the university.

Friday concluded with a ministry fair, food and vendor festival, and concert by guest artist Tyrone Wells as well as various Biola bands. Non-profit organizations and small businesses from the Los Angeles and Orange County area set up booths on Metzger Lawn to raise awareness and funds for their projects. Bon Appétit provided country fair style dining where guests sampled brisket sliders, corn dogs, street tacos and much more. Wells brought the evening to a close with some of his fan favorites like “Sea Breeze” and shared a few new songs coming out on his next album.

Saturday’s events began before sunrise with a 5K through campus to raise awareness and support for children with Holoprosencephaly (HPE), raising over $14,000. Biola President Barry H. Corey led the 260 walkers and runners ending the race by celebrating the birthday of baby Reagan, the daughter of a Biola alumna, who was diagnosed with HPE.

Following the race, Corey joined over 600 parents, alumni and students for brunch where guests enjoyed hearing the Biola Saxophone Quartet along with student and parent testimonies. Biola alumni shared their experiences in fields like forensic psychology, education, technology and missions at the T3 Talks on Saturday afternoon. The weekend concluded with alumni reunions on Metzger Lawn prior to the Spotlight Finale Dinner where President Corey shared his vision for Biola’s future and guests were serenaded with Latin jazz provided by adjunct faculty member, Rique Pantoja, and his students. Rousing selections from Biola’s new vocal ensemble, Encore, completed an all-community weekend celebrating the “best of Biola.”

Written by Shannon Baker, Parent Relations.  For more information, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.