Longest Serving College President, Clyde Cook Announces Retirement
After 25 Years, Biola University Will Lose A Visionary Leader
by Nicolle Monico
After 25 years at Biola University, one of the California’s longest-serving college presidents will retire one year before Biola’s 100th anniversary.
“I chose this year because I wanted the celebration to focus on the future under the direction of the new president,” said Clyde Cook. “If I retired in 2008, after the 100th, the emphasis would be on the past, whereas I want the focus to be on the future.”
During Cook’s time at Biola, the university has doubled its schools from three to six and now has about 5,600 students attending.
News of his retirement surprised both faculty and students of the university. Cook is respected and loved by faculty and students. While watching Cook shake students’ hands during the May 27 graduation ceremony, Kristin Beuving found that Cook seemed to genuinely care about each student that passed.
“He’s not just shaking their hands; he looks into your eyes and really cares. I know as he’s looking at you he’s thinking, ‘you’re a woman or man of integrity,’” said Beuving, alumni. “It’s like he’s also praying over every person that goes through.”
Around campus, Cook is known for his humor and compassion for the students. He shows them that their relationship with him matters.
“The students are what keep me going. They are the fuel that fires my desire to continue to be in this role. I think that we have some of the most creative, outstanding, and committed students,” said Cook. “Being around them just invigorates me.”
Prior to serving as president, Cook spent many years working for Biola and graduated from the university. As CIF basketball player of the year in 1953, Cook was offered athletic scholarships by 13 different universities. With a full ride scholarship to USC, Cook initially chose to attend USC. After working at a summer camp and meeting Biola students, Cook chose to go to Biola.
“I saw the impact that Biola was having on the lives of the other counselors who went there. I saw how pleading my fame was and I wanted to spend my time with something that endured forever. Two weeks before entering USC I told the coach I was going to go to Biola and study the bible,” said Cook.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1957, Cook became the Athletic Director for three years. During this time he went on to get his Master of Divinity in 1960 and a Master of Theology in 1962 from Talbot Theological Seminary.
In 1967, Cook returned to Biola after some years working as a missionary and became an Assistant Professor of Missions which led to his appointment as Director of Intercultural Studies and Missions. Cook eventually served on the Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1982 until he was asked to assume the seventh presidency of Biola.
“I had so much experience with Biola and love Biola, I was happy to serve as president because Biola had given so much to me,” said Cook.
Although Cook believes the new president should cast the new vision for Biola, he hopes to see more financial resources in the future to build more classrooms, office space, and a convention center.
“Our seminary needs new facilities, it was built for 400 people and now we have almost 1000 students. I’d like to see the new president get the new facilities that Biola needs to continue to be a first class university,” said Cook.
Cook’s advice to the new president comes from friend President Donald Walker who told Cook that “a new president should be like a person in a snake pit. They should keep moving, but don’t make any sudden jerky movements.” Walker warned that the faculty and staff don’t like surprises and they certainly don’t like “sudden jerky movements.”
During Cook’s time with Biola he has been grateful to see Biola’s academic reputation grow. “We have outstanding faculty whom attracts outstanding students without compromising our spiritual commitment and heritage.”
On June 30, 2007, Cook will serve his last day as President and say goodbye to the Biola community. Cook plans to travel the world after his retirement to visit alumni and friends. He believes that being at Biola has made him wiser, more mature, and less naïve.
“Hopefully my relationship to Christ has deepened because of the huge challenges of this job and my need for divine direction of guidance,” said Cook.