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Biola University will be the beneficiary of the largest gift in its 117-year history — a transformational gift of more than $40 million made possible by a Silicon Valley executive passionate about technology and Christian education. The gift will go toward facility investment, endowed professorships, student scholarships and equipment needed to accelerate student learning.

The gift allows us to build forward-thinking programs that not only educate and equip students in emerging technologies but also prepare them to lead with moral conviction and Christian character.

“This is a landmark moment for Biola,” said Dr. Barry H. Corey, president of Biola University. “The generosity behind this gift will have a ripple effect for decades to come. The gift allows us to build forward-thinking programs that not only educate and equip students in emerging technologies but also to prepare them to lead with moral conviction and Christian character.”

The donation was formally announced to the Biola community at the 90th Torrey Memorial Bible Conference on October 8, 2025.

Since the establishment of Biola's School of Science, Technology and Health in 2018, there has been a significant surge in interest across the science, technology and health industry, resulting in more academic programs within the school and increased enrollment. The gift will fund the expansion of Biola’s rapidly growing , now known as . In the language of technology, io stands for input/output — the heartbeat of every system. The name seeks to reinforce the idea of what you put in — faith, curiosity, and pursuit of excellence — shapes what comes out. The gift will significantly enhance opportunities for students pursuing degrees in computer science, engineering, robotics, mathematics and physics in a landscape shaped by the confluence of AI, cybersecurity and the use of cloud.

The gift, which was given anonymously, will invest in the next generation of innovators in a fast-changing world that needs leaders who can blend technical skills with ethical judgment.

In this moment of extraordinary change, we need leaders who not only understand innovation, but who are guided by wisdom, humility and conviction.

“We are standing at the threshold of a new era — one where technology will redefine how we live, work and connect. In this moment of extraordinary change, we need leaders who not only understand innovation, but who are guided by wisdom, humility and conviction,” said the Silicon Valley executive. “I believe Biola can be a catalyst for raising up such leaders — individuals who will bring both technological brilliance and moral clarity to the forefront of the world’s most pressing challenges. This gift is not just about advancing education; it’s about shaping the future through the lives of students who will lead with both conviction and courage.”

The donation will be put to work immediately, beginning with the construction of two multi-million-dollar state-of-the-art engineering garages — adding more than 6,000 square feet of space — on Biola’s campus. In this dynamic, hands-on learning space, students will design, test and build projects such as racing vehicles, robotic systems, aerial drones and machine learning. With both land and air transportation technologies expected to see substantial innovation and growth in the next decade, these facilities will serve as a launchpad for students preparing for careers in high-demand sectors.

The two engineering garages will be new experiential hands-on learning environments Biola plans to develop to equip students with résumé-building skills and real-world experience, with construction scheduled to start this year. These initiatives will be central to Biola’s long-term goal: producing graduates who are competitive in the global tech job market. This space will empower tech students to sharpen their edge and level up their skills, for which they have already earned recognition at statewide robotics competitions.

“The vision of Biola’s School of Science, Technology and Health is to be identified among the world’s foremost Christ-centered STEM and health schools — a community abiding in truth, abounding with grace and compelled by Christ’s love to be a relevant and redemptive voice in the rapidly changing worlds of science, technology and health,” said Dr. Matthew Rouse, dean of the School of Science, Technology and Health. “This incredible gift will fuel our efforts to achieve this vision. I believe the future is bright for the School of Science, Technology and Health and Biola in the technology area, and our students will impact the world of technology for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In addition to physical infrastructure, the donation will support student scholarships, endowed professorships, academic and career development opportunities, including specialized summer internships in artificial intelligence. The gift will also strengthen research partnerships with industry and academic leaders, and accelerate growth in Biola’s computer science degree, particularly in the emerging field of quantum computing.

As the tech industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, Biola is positioning itself to meet the urgent demand for skilled professionals who are both technologically adept and grounded in Christian values. According to the Computing Technology Industry Association's (CompTIA) 2024 State of the Tech Workforce report, technology jobs are projected to grow at twice the rate of the overall workforce in the next decade, with many organizations struggling to find workers with the necessary skills.

This transformational gift propels Biola’s largest-ever comprehensive campaign forward, giving us extraordinary momentum as we prepare to invite the entire Biola community to join us in this campaign — not simply to reach a financial goal, but to see lives transformed through biblically centered education, scholarship, and service that advances the cause of Christ around the world.

The Tech Division at Biola, now known as Biola.io, is not just training future technologists but forming resilient, ethical innovators who are equipped to shape the future of technology with wisdom, compassion, and conviction. to join students who bring bold curiosity and a drive to make technology more human.