There is no feeling quite like walking into a room and thinking, “I just met my best friend!” That is exactly what happened to alumna Mary Brown (B.A. ’67) when she met her roommate, Karen, at Biola University in the 1960s. After fifty years, the two are still friends and occasionally meet up with their other two friends and fellow alumnae, Charlene Cedarwall (B.S. ’67) and Pam Reid (B.S. ’67).

The four alumnae had no idea their friendship would last more than half a century. Yet through marriages, careers, children and retirement, the bond they formed during their college years has endured. Three members of the friend group, Brown, Cedarwall and Reid, reunited at Biola Homecoming in February, reminiscing on their time as students on Biola’s campus 50 years ago and celebrating their induction as Golden Eagles, a distinction given to Biola alumni who are graduates of 50 years.

“When I walked into that [dorm] room, I thought, I finally found my best friend,” Brown recalled of meeting her first roommate during freshman year.

The two were opposites: Brown was quiet and shy, and her roommate was boisterous and fun, but the difference only strengthened their connection. Soon, two more women joined their circle, forming a close-knit group of four.

Living on the same floor and taking classes together quickly deepened the friendship. Two of the alumnae, Cedarwall and Reid, were math majors who often shared courses, while Brown studied sociology. Over time, they moved into the same house during their later years at Biola, spending countless hours studying and navigating the challenges of college life together.

“There’s something about living together, that bonding, being together that you really get to know each other,” said Reid. “Even though you’re all different, that helps you, too.”

Though their academic paths overlapped, their careers eventually took them in different directions. Reid pursued teaching, discovering her passion for mathematics after taking a class with a Biola professor who changed her perspective on the subject. Although math had once been a challenge for her, she found that struggling through the material ultimately made her a stronger teacher.

“Because I didn’t understand it as well, it’s easier to teach,” Reid said. “Because you really can get in the heads of your students.”

Cedarwall, the other math major, initially planned to teach as well, but after graduating from Biola during a difficult job market, she took a different path. She began working as an engineering assistant, later becoming a programmer and eventually a systems analyst for the railroad industry. Even outside the classroom, she found the communication and critical thinking skills she developed in Biola’s teaching program invaluable.

“You still use a lot of those communication skills, even in corporate America,” Cedarwall said.

Meanwhile, Brown, the sociology major, began working at a children’s home in Hollywood while still in college, serving as a house parent for several years before transitioning into the business world. Though their careers varied widely, each alumna said her time at Biola provided a foundation that shaped both her professional and personal life.

Spiritual formation remained an important part of their lives long after graduation. Reid credits her time at Biola with sparking a lifelong love for studying Scripture.

“My thirst for really deep Bible study started here,” said Reid. “My favorite class was Romans. You had to do a textual reconstruction of the whole book. Knowing the Word of God and how important that is in your day-to-day life, and to be able to share that with others and encourage [is important].”

Yet perhaps the most lasting impact of their college years has been the Christ-centered friendships formed during those early days on campus.

Over the decades, the women have remained connected through a simple but meaningful tradition. At major milestone birthdays, they reunite to celebrate together, picking up their conversations as if no time has passed. When asked what their secret to staying friends for so long was, they said intentionality is key.

“When we turned 30 we all met, when we turned 40 we all met, when we turned 50 we all met and when we turned 60 we all met, and two years ago, we all turned 70” explained Reid.

“We don’t talk during the year, but we always pick up from where we left off,” added Brown.

Today, the four friends live in different parts of California and beyond, but the bond formed during their years at Biola remains as strong as ever. What began as a chance meeting between freshmen has become a lifelong friendship rooted in shared memories, faith and the foundation they found during their time on campus.

Biola is ranked number one for putting faith into action among 562 Christian institutions and is the best Christian college in California, according to Niche. Learn more and apply now to become part of a community that lasts a lifetime.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager, with the assistance of AI. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.