Dr. J. Richard Chase was a former student of Biola, as well as Biola's sixth president, serving from 1970-1982. He was also the academic vice president at Biola from 1955 to the 1960's. He is responsible for the founding of several schools within Biola as well as its transition into becoming a university.

Personal Background

Chase was born October 7, 1930, in Oxnard, California. The Chase family lived on a large farm, the Chase Brothers' Dairy. He was brought up in a strong Christian home in a small town three miles from the city. His last two years of high school he attended Culter Academy giving him a new direction for serving God. He also met his wife, Mary Sutherland, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Sam Sutherland during this time.

In 1948 he enrolled at Biola. He graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1951. He attended Los Angeles City College in 1951 then Pepperdine in 1952 and received a B. A. degree in Speech Education in 1953 and an M. A. degree in Speech in 1954. While attending Pepperdine he taught part time at Biola then full time in the Speech Department. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Speech in 1961.

He returned to Biola after this and taught speech courses there for several years. After resigning from his teaching position he was appointed Academic Vice President in 1955. In the late 1960's, the board was searching for President Sutherland’s successor. Dr. Chase became the sixth and youngest President effective July 1, 1970.

During his twelve-year tenure several new programs were initiated and he was devoted to bring to fruition the goals of the School. In 1977, he oversaw the acquisition of the Rosemead School of Psychology. His term culminated in 1981, when Biola College officially became Biola University. Dr. Chase expressed his philosophy of a well-balanced Christian School at his Inauguration:

"There are two tyrants to sound education. They are tradition on the one hand, and fashion on the other."

In the midst of great changes within the school and the nation at large, Dr. Chase cultivated and maintained Biola’s commitments to academic excellence and sound Christian teaching. He resigned in 1982 to become President of Wheaton College.

Presidential Milestones

While teaching in the speech department, Chase developed the forensic program, with debate teams that competed locally and regionally.

Dr. Chase oversaw the founding of the Rosemead School of Psychology in 1977.

During President Chase's term, Biola College became Biola University in 1981.

Dr. Chase was the youngest president, appointed at 40 years of age.

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Taken from: The Biola Hall of Fame website. http://100.biola.edu/index.cfm?pageid=33.