Approximately 100 Biola University alumni, parents and staff gathered at the Newport Beach Civic Center in Newport Beach, Calif. to kick off the Campaign National Tour on Saturday night, Sept. 26. The event was the first stop on a fifteen-city tour across the world to connect with alumni, parents and friends to share about “A Soul of Conviction, A Voice of Courage: The Campaign for Biola University.”

The campaign, a $180 million comprehensive campaign to raise support for student scholarships, facilities, academic centers and online learning is the largest and first comprehensive campaign in university history. Nearly $60,000 was raised on Saturday night to add to the previous total of $158 million.

Rick Bee, senior director of alumni and parent relations, welcomed guests and highlighted the significance of beginning the campaign’s national tour in Orange County, Calif.

“Of the 1,200 students who began at Biola this fall, 221 of them came from Orange County,” said Bee. “And nearly 20 percent of the undergraduate population at Biola is from Orange County, and so many of our alumni are here as well. So naturally, we are making this the first stop on our national tour, where so many of you live!"

Mike Erre (’04), an alumnus of Talbot School of Theology, pastor and author of numerous books, including “The Jesus of Suburbia” and “Death by Church,” spoke at the event. Erre discussed different methods of engagement that Christians have developed throughout the years for dealing with opposing cultural views. He encouraged attendees to model “the way of association” that Jesus practiced, by associating with the world while still being a distinct voice of conviction.

“I deeply believe that we need places like Biola University in this world, because Biola is training leaders who know how to associate with the world in the way that Jesus did, and then sending them out to make an impact all over the world,” said Erre.

Biola University President Barry H. Corey introduced guests to the details of the campaign, highlighting the four different campaign categories and emphasizing the main priorities for the fall: student affordability and funding for the Alton and Lydia Lim Center for Science, Technology and Health.

“This campaign is not just about bricks and mortar, but about putting Biola into a better position to carry on its important task of raising up the next generation of Christian leaders in key spheres of society,” said Corey.

"We are on a good track to reach the finish line. But we are not done yet," said Corey after reporting the $158 million raised thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors. He called on those in attendance to consider how they could partner with Biola University to reach the $180 million goal.

Alumnus George Vogel (’61) and his wife, Doris Vogel, generously offered a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $25,000 for anything raised at this first Campaign National Tour event. At the conclusion of the evening, almost $60,000 was raised for The Campaign for Biola University.

The Campaign National Tour continues with the next event at the Mission Inn in Riverside, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 9, followed by an event in San Diego, Calif. at the San Diego Natural History Museum on Friday, Oct. 16.

For more information about The Campaign for Biola University, visit biola.edu/campaign.

Written by Cambria Aviles. For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.