On Friday, May 24, nearly 10,000 guests attended Biola University's Commencement Ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of the Spring graduating class of 2013.  Biola once again conferred degrees upon one of its largest graduating classes — 987 students received a diploma.

Adam Edgerly served as the Commencement speaker for the Friday morning graduate and BOLD ceremony. Edgerly is the lead pastor of Newsong Los Angeles Covenant Church, a culturally diverse faith community. Before entering the pastorate, he served the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination as regional director of church planting and community transformation, and as associate director of evangelism and prayer. Edgerly is also a corporate consultant and executive coach with the Awaken Group and chief executive officer of Culture Consultants, LLC. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Biola University and his M.B.A. from Emory University.

Larry Acosta, D.Min. delivered the Commencement address at the evening undergraduate ceremony. Acosta is Founder/President of the Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI), one of the top urban leadership training organizations in the country, with a combined network of more than 18,000 emerging ethnic leaders in 23 cities. Acosta is also founder of the Hispanic Ministry Center, and with his wife, Jayme, co-founded KidWorks, an organization in Santa Ana that helps at-risk kids, families, and communities. He speaks at conferences and events throughout the United States, and served as a contributing writer for the handbook “Deep Justice in a Broken World” and “Urban Youth Ministry Handbook,” and as an editor of SHOUT Magazine. Acosta graduated from both Biola University and Talbot School of Theology and completed his doctoral degree in leadership development at Fuller Theological Seminary.

After hearing an inspiring commenement address by Larry Acosta, undergraduate graduating students and their guests enjoyed special entertainment from some of Biola's premier music groups and a surprise performance of Jeremy Camp's "Jesus Saves" by graduating student, Katelynn MacIntyre and her brother — former American Idol Contestant — Scott MacIntyre. Following the presentation of diplomas, President Corey unveiled a replca of the historic Jesus Saves sign.

In addition to the thousands of guests who traveled to Biola's campus, a live internet stream of both ceremonies had an international reach of more than 1,600 additional viewers from twenty different countries including Greece, Indonesia, South Africa, Great Britain, Ukraine and Mexico, as well as those tuning in from almost every U.S. state. Spring Commencement truly was a global event and Biola was delighted to honor its accomplished graduates.