ROTARY DISTRICT RECOGNIZES SERVICE OF OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY LEADERS

Dr. Barry H. Corey
President
Biola University

Two well-known figures in La Mirada have been recognized for their leadership and community service by Rotary District 5320.

The recognition was part of Rotary’s annual Business and Community Leadership & Ethics awards program held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Orange. Nominees for the awards were submitted by many of the 45 clubs in the district, which covers all of Orange County and portions of Los Angeles County.

Dr. Barry H. Corey was recognized for his service as president of Biola University in La Mirada since July 1, 2007. During his tenure, he has worked to maintain Biola’s strong tradition of providing top-quality Christian education to its growing student population, and to better equip the institution to influence society in the future.

Programs developed under President Corey’s administration at Biola include: the Biola University Center for Christian Thought; the Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts; the annual Imagination Summit event; and Open Biola — an online database for free educational content created and curated by Biola University.

President Corey has overseen the launch of the School of Education and the introduction of online learning. Under his leadership, Biola has seen the highest enrollment in the university’s 105-year history, with the construction of new facilities to serve the needs of the campus. President Corey has led the university into its second century with the launching of an ambitious, 10-year University Plan (2012-2022) and the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the school’s history, entitled “A Soul of Conviction and a Voice of Courage”, following themes from his inaugural address in November of 2007.

President Corey is vice chair of the board of directors for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and is a member of the Convoy of Hope board of directors. He serves on the executive committee for the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, and the board of reference for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.  A Massachusetts native, he served as vice president/chief academic officer, and academic dean at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Mass. He previously served as Gordon-Conwell’s vice president for development, leading all external relations and fundraising programs including a successful $54 million capital campaign.

Corey received a B.A. in English and biblical studies from Evangel University in Springfield, Mo., in 1984. In 1988, he received an M.A. in American Studies with a concentration in literature and religious history from Boston College’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Corey received a Ph.D. from Boston College in curriculum, instruction and administration (a higher education program) in 1992.  Corey was a Fulbright Scholar with Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee and lived in Bangladesh among the rural poor from 1990 to 1991. He completed Boston Marathons in 2004 and 2006.  An ordained minister, Corey served from 1993 to 2000 as pastor of The Greek Evangelical Church of Boston’s English congregation.

Hal Malkin

La Mirada Rotarian Hal Malkin was recognized for being an active leader in the La Mirada community for more than 43 years.

Malkin has been visible in the community since becoming a local business owner in the early 1970s.  Malkin owned and operated Key Rexall Drugs in La Mirada for 23 years. During this period he developed strong relations with the community, and sponsored more than 100 Little League, Soccer, Little Miss Softball, and school athletic teams.  He became a respected leader in the local business community, and served as president of the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce.  He has also been named the organization’s Member of the Year.

Elected to the La Mirada City Council on April 12, 1994, Malkin went on to serve on the City Council for a total of 17 years. During that period, Malkin served three terms as Mayor and chairman of the Redevelopment Agency. He also participated in various Boards of Directors and advisory boards for other government and non-profit agencies.

In addition to his role on the City Council, Malkin has used his leadership abilities to benefit many local civic organizations.  Malkin is former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Rio Hondo Chapter of the American Red Cross and served as a member of its Executive Committee. A member of the La Mirada Theatre Commission for 17 years, Malkin worked to guide the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts to its current position of critical acclaim and record box office success. He is a Life Member of the Friends of the Library, Angel for the Friends of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Life Member City of Hope (Shirley Holiver Auxiliary), Life Patron of the La Mirada Symphony, and Life Member of the La Mirada Sister City Association.  He is a member of the La Mirada Community Foundation, and serves on the City of Whittier’s Oversight Board.  Malkin has received numerous community awards including the Parent-Teachers Association Honorary Service Award and the Golden State Children’s Theatre Appreciation Award.

After selling his business to a major national chain, Malkin continued to maintain his membership in the Chamber of Commerce and be supportive of efforts to improve the local business community. He went on to serve as an instructor and department chair at Cerritos College in the Pharmacy Technology program.  As an educator, Malkin received top marks from his students in terms of Overall Quality, Helpfulness and Clarity of Instruction.  He was named the Outstanding Faculty Member for Cerritos College in 2002-2003.