After Biola

Greg Thompson is the Director of Forensic Services at the San Diego Sheriff’s Regional Crime Laboratory. During his time at Biola, Thompson decided he wanted to go on to law school to study criminal law. Upon graduation from law school, he was offered a position at the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office and has been in law enforcement and criminal justice ever since.

Senator John Thune, who is a graduate of Biola University and the University of South Dakota, serves as a United States Senator from the state of South Dakota. After completing three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Thune was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. Senator Thune serves as Chief Deputy Minority Whip and on the Armed Services, Agriculture, Small Business, and Commerce, Science and Transportation committees.

Michelle Burford has worked as a writer for O, The Oprah Magazine and Essence. She is currently pursuing her master’s at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Todd Worrell began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985 and proceeded to become the first pitcher in history to post 30-save seasons in each of his first three years. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1986 and never posted an ERA higher than 3.00 during his first five seasons. After a two-year absence due to injury, Worell returned in 1992 to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was once again a dominant closer. Named to the National League All-Star Team in 1995 and 1996, Todd also led the National League with 44 saves in 1996.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose, released by Sony Pictures, was directed and co-written by Scott Derrickson. The film made over $30 million in its opening weekend and has grossed over $144 million worldwide.

Scientists like Mike Strauss carry out research in high-energy physics to answer such questions as: What is the universe made of? How does it work? Where did it come from? As a respected particle physicist, Strauss views the field of science as his mission field. By sharing his life story with students, he hopes to open doors to share his faith with them, as well.

After Biola, Earle Patriarco attended USC on a full scholarship and then applied and was accepted at Merola Opera Program in San Francisco, one of the most prestigious apprentice programs in the world. He now works as a freelance professional and sings with a number of major opera companies, including: Metropolitan Opera (New York), San Francisco Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and the Los Angeles Music Center.

Compassion International is a child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

John Lewis practices law as a litigation attorney at Cummings and Kemp in Orange, CA and is also an adjunct professor at Trinity Law School. John is the co-founder of the Evangelical Legal Society, a non-profit whose mission is to impact the public policy issues of the nation and defend the Christian faith.

After graduating from Biola, Katie Vankooten went to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Katie now studies voice with Rudolf Piernay and performs with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Opera House in various productions.

Steve Bridges has had a distinctive impact on secular culture through his clean and good-natured humor. Steve has received much publicity for his roles as “Mr. President” and “Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Lillian Doerksen dedicated 50 years of her life to serving orphans and the deaf in India. For 36 years, she ran an orphanage where she raised 34 girls. In 1987, she founded Maharashtra Deaf Fellowship of India, a ministry to the deaf.

Ernest Ibanga serves in Iraq as a chaplain for the U.S. Army and pastors the largest Protestant gospel service in Baghdad.

Mercy Ships sends a fleet of hospital ships that carry doctors, medical equipment, and supplies to the poorest regions of the world.

Food for the Hungry provides disaster and emergency relief to more than 45 developing countries and implements sustainable development programs to transform communities physically and spiritually.

Lori Vanyo planned on becoming a foreign missionary to Nepal. However, as she studied to become a medical missionary, her eyes were opened to the mission field in her own country. Today, Vanyo is a surgeon at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona, California. Vanyo prays with patients before taking them into the operating room and has many opportunities to share her faith.