New Senate majority leader has deep ties to Christian university

By Mark Ellis —

Senator John Thune is the next US Senate majority leader, replacing Senator Mitch McConnell, who has led the Senate for 17 years.

He is also a graduate of Biola University in La Mirada, California, and has maintained significant ties to the institution.

Thune was a business major at Biola, graduating in 1983. He played on the Biola Eagles basketball team and met his wife, Kimberley (Weems, ’83), during his time at the school. His sister Karen and two brothers, Robert and Richard, also attended Biola.

The senator spoke at Biola’s centennial event in 2008 and was the honorary co-chair for Biola’s $214 million fundraising campaign, the university’s most ambitious and successful campaign to date.

“Biola alumnus Senator John Thune has long embodied an honorable character and remarkable wisdom,” said Biola President Barry H. Corey in a press release. “I am confident these good and godly traits will continue as he leads in his newly elected role as Senate Majority Leader.

“We are proud of him and his wife Kimberley as Biola graduates, and my wife Paula and I have for 18 years appreciated their kindness as they graciously receive us when we are in Washington.

Thune has served in the Senate since 2005 and is currently in his fourth term.

Corey said he appreciates their ties to a national figure. “We’re elated,” he told the OC Register. “We’re very proud of John Thune and feel like we had some part in his journey to his now being the Senate majority leader.”

As an undergrad, Thune played basketball under coach Dave Holmquist, Biola’s head men’s basketball coach for 47 years. They were part of an undefeated Eagles team that lost in the finals of the national championship, a legendary run for the school, Corey said.

Holmquist remembered Thune as a freshman player with a good outside shot and excellent passing skills. “He was a freshman on an older team and he was well-liked by everyone,” he told The Register. “He had no problem earning the respect of seniors. He was one of those rare people that have plenty of cognitive and emotional intelligence. Easy to be around and easy to like. It’s no surprise his success has been beyond imagination.”

President Corey praised his character. “He embodies these strong character traits of integrity and kindness,” he said. “He’s exceedingly wise and obviously has amazing diplomatic skills. I’m confident these good and godly traits will continue through his work. In my mind, he exemplifies what Biola is trying to do to prepare our students to vocationally lead in whatever field they choose to pursue.”