The seal of Biola’s centennial is, on the surface, an elegant arrangement of graphic elements exuding both traditional and contemporary design. At first glance, the seal appears as miscellaneous objects joined together to create the finished product. However, view the objects separately, and you will discover its meaning.

The banner across the middle references a 1958 Biola College emblem. The 100, symbolizing the number of years Biola has been in existence. The olive branches that frame the seal forming a crown have triple meaning:

First, The Biblical Symbol of: Faithfulness of God and His people

The olive branch is an image from Scripture: 1) In Genesis 8:11, God’s faithfulness and provision to His people is illustrated when a dove returns with an olive branch indicating the hope of land and God’s faithfulness to Noah’s family. 2) For Paul the apostle, the crown of olive branches is the reward for continuing faithful, as he writes near the end of his life in 2 Tim. 4:7-8.  The apostle Paul compares the demands of the Christian life to the efforts a runner puts into winning a race to win a wreath made of olive branches a metaphor for the crown, which the Christian receives if he is faithful to run the race and keep the faith.

We cannot look back over our last 100 years nor can we look forward to the next without acknowledging God’s faithfulness to us as well as the faithfulness of Biola and its leadership to its founding mission to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, The Olympic Symbol of: Wisdom and Triumph

As Paul the Apostle referenced earlier, an olive wreath was made, and used to crown the Olympic champions. For the Ancient Greeks, the Olive tree was a symbol of peace, wisdom and triumph. Biola’s centennial falls on the same year as the 2008 Olympiad and so the olive crown in the Biola Centennial seal carries this additional significance.

At Biola, we believe that true wisdom comes from the study and application of God’s Word, which is essential to the study of truth.  As President Cook says, “We cannot study truth without acknowledging God, the creator of all knowledge and truth.”  Godly wisdom is at the core of what Biola stands for.

Third, The Biola Symbol of: History & Heritage

In 1888, Andrew McNally, founder and president of Rand McNally Publishing Company, purchased almost 2,300 acres of rangeland, which was part of Rancho Los Coyotes, and named the area La Mirada. He set aside 1,500 acres to be used for gentlemen's estates and an olive grove. He had a plant and a railroad station built on Stage Road, and shipped the finest olive oil throughout the United States.  In 1959, God led Biola’s leaders to purchase 75 acres in La Mirada.  Biola’s campus now rests on the site of the old Olive Grove planted by McNally.  In fact, an area has been protected on the east side of campus where olive trees were preserved from the original grove.  Olive trees can still be seen across Biola’s campus.  One of the largest rests in front of the Jesus Mural near the center of campus.

The Olive grove serves as a reminder of where we come from, our heritage, our history and the provision and guidance that God has given to Biola’s leaders over the last century.