On Friday, Mar. 18, Biola University’s Campaign National Tour continued its 16-city tour with a stop in Sacramento, Calif. Almost 100 alumni, parents, and friends gathered a few blocks from the state capitol building at the Library Galleria to learn more about Biola’s bold vision for the future, propelled by the fundraising campaign “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. To date, more than $169 million has been raised toward these goals.

Alumnus and former California Secretary of Education, Glen Thomas (’68), joined guests as the keynote speaker for the evening to share about his experience at Biola, and why he believes Biola plays a crucial role in our society.

“It is our responsibility to pass on the truth claims of the Christian faith to the next generation of believers, and this is the very leadership role that Biola University is taking in today’s world,” said Thomas. “Aside from faithful support of our local church, I believe there is no better way to financially support kingdom advancement than by supporting Biola.”

Biola University President Barry H. Corey briefly updated guests on the state of the university, in which recent changes were highlighted like the addition of Blackstone Hall and the work of Biola’s academic centers. He also shared that Biola broke ground on the new Alton and Lydia Lim Center for Science, Technology and Health in February.

After the university update, Corey introduced guests to the details of the campaign, which emphasized its four priorities, two of which are student affordability and continued funding for the Alton and Lydia Lim Center for Science, Technology and Health. He shared his excitement and gratitude for God’s faithfulness at the progress of the campaign.

“We are 94 percent of the way toward our goal, and only 86 percent of the way through our timeline, so we are making great progress,” Corey said.

Alumnae Rachel Johnston, women’s pastor at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, Calif., also shared her experience as a Biola student and now as a Biola parent. Johnston emphasized how Biola prepared her for her work at Bayside Church and how she sees the same formative preparation in the life of her Biola student.

At the close of the event, guests in Sacramento were invited to partner with Biola and support the campaign. An anonymous alumni couple in attendance generously offered a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $25,000 for anything raised at this Sacramento event. Thanks to their generosity and the generosity of those in attendance, more than $185,000 was raised for the campaign that evening. The total raised on the Campaign National Tour was brought up to nearly $300,000.

The Campaign National Tour continues with back-to-back events in Washington, D.C. on April 1 and New York City on April 2. For the full schedule and to register for future events, visit the tour website.

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