Leonie V. Soubirou was the founder and dean of Biola's School of Missionary Medicine, which was later renamed as the Department of Baccalaureate Nursing.
On September 20, 1961, then-president Sam Sutherland wrote a letter of commission to Leonie Soubirou authorizing her to represent Biola in the formation and development of an accredited the department of nursing. He wrote:
Dear Miss Soubirou:
This letter will serve as an official statement of record as from the Board of Directors of The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Inc., authorizing the formation of a school or department of nursing tot be operated under the administration of BIOLA College.
We are depending upon you to represent BIOLA in a liaison capacity with the various agencies in California, in connection with the nursing program; also to develop the curriculum and work in cooperation with the College Faculty Curriculum Committee in implementing the course of study.
Further specific details will need to be worked out with all concerned as the time draws nearer for the inauguration of this program, at the beginning of the fall semester, September, 1962.
Cordially yours in Christ,
S.H. Sutherland,
President
The state of California Department of Professional and Vocationsal Standards' Board of Nursing Education and Nurse Registration issued "BIOLA COLLEGE" a certificate of accreditation on September 30, 1966.