Biola University Announces New President
The board of trustees at Biola University has announced the selection for its newest president ahead of the school's centennial year celebrations.
Dr. Barry H. Corey will take over as the eighth president of the private Christian university in La Miranda, Calif., and will officially begin the position on July 1.
On the day he begins his new leadership role, celebrations for the school's centennial year will formally launch.
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"We are thrilled that Dr. Barry Corey has been affirmed by the Board of Trustees as Biola's eighth president," explained John Siefker, chair of Biola's board of trustees, in a statement Friday. "His academic and fund raising experience, collaborative leadership style and deep love for the Bible is just what Biola needs at this time in our history."
Corey will be replacing the former president, Dr. Clyde Cook, who has been serving as the head since 1982. Cook was one of the longest-standing college presidents in the nation.
Corey, 45, is excited about the new future, and has expressed his gratefulness for the new step.
"Over the past few months Paula (my wife) and I have listened carefully to God's voice as we've considered a calling to Biola University," wrote the new Biola leader in reaction to the news. "How honored and humbled I am to follow President Clyde Cook, a man of profound integrity and strength of leadership, a man after God's own heart."
Currently, Corey is acting as the vice president/chief academic officer and as the academic dean of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Mass., where he was worked since 2002. Before that, he served as vice president for development at Gordon-Conwell since 1992.
During his several years at the college, Corey was best known for his leadership during a $54 million capital campaign.
"Although after 15 wonderful years we will be leaving those we love and respect at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, we believe this calling to Biola is sure," added the Massachusetts native. "Paula, our three children and I look forward to the years ahead, serving alongside this strategic, biblically centered Christian university. We are confident that the Lord will continue to lead Biola University from strength to strength, holding fast to our mission while boldly moving into a second century as a global center for Christian thought and spiritual renewal."
Corey has also had preaching experience, leading as pastor of the Greek Evangelical Church of Boston, located in Newton, Mass., from 1993 to 2000.
Biola University is one of the top ranked Christian colleges in the nation. It was listed as the fifth best Christian college according to RELEVANT magazine's first ever "Top 5 College Rankings" which was published in March/April 2007.
Some accolades of the college include receiving the Robert and Susan Andringa Award for Advancing Racial Harmony and hosting their annual Biola Media Conference, a top conference for Christians interested in the entertainment field.
