Thirty-two years ago I nervously sat in the Personnel Office at Biola. A spider crossed the desk of the secretary, totally spooking her. Being the mother of five, I simply reached over and squished the unsuspecting spider with my thumb. “Whatever job she’s applied for, hire her” shouted the secretary – and I was! Last week President Corey hosted a dinner at his home for the board of trustees whom I have had the honor of serving as secretary. My family was invited, as this was my “goodbye” as I move into retirement. The evening involved the telling of my journey at Biola.

After 20 years as a homemaker, I became a single mom with five children to support. My first job was at Thermador Waste King. The work environment was not the best, but I needed to provide for my children.

Two of my daughters, who were students at the time, convinced me to apply for a job at Biola, and to my surprise I was given the opportunity to interview with Dr. Robert Crawford, the Director of Planning as his secretary. I got the job! I returned to Thermador Waste King to put in my two weeks notice and they offered me a pay raise that would have put me in a higher pay scale than that at Biola if I would stay, but I could not forget the warm feeling of Biola. Dr. Crawford even prayed with me at my interview! So I took the job at Biola, and my first day was December 1,1978. I did not answer phones or write letters, but proctored a chemistry test my first day. Three months later Dr. Crawford was promoted to Vice President of Financial Affairs. He could have left me behind in favor of a more experienced assistant, but took me along. Eventually I became Dr. Cook’s secretary and now have been the secretary to the Board of Trustees for fifteen years.

I have many favorite memories of Biola. I recall a friend of my daughter’s coming up to my desk and saying, “Are you Karin’s mom? She said you’d type my paper.” One Valentine’s Day two young men from the music department (Cupie and Dupie) came to my office dressed in pink tutus and sang a love song! Another secretary and I arranged a blind date for Karin for her senior banquet, and they later married. Her husband is your interim CFO, Dave Koontz! On my birthday in 1987 I was driven through campus by my daughter Betty Ann, who had put up a sign on her car that read, “Honk at Eva Covington. She’s 50 years old today!” The highlight is the opportunity to sign the Big Red Book that contains Biola’s doctrinal beliefs alongside the signatures of my grandmother Edith Wallace (Superintendent of the Women’s Dorm in the ‘30s) and mother, Dorothy.

My 32-year journey has been full of challenges, but the Biola community has always been there to support and encourage me. Dr. Cook stayed by my side the night my husband suffered a fatal heart attack while on the Biola Alaskan Cruise. Dr. Corey literally prayed for me around the world during my recent second cancer surgery. Working with the board has been a complete honor and joy.

This university is one in a million, so enjoy every moment you have here as God has placed you here for His glory.