晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 celebrates the legacy and mourns the loss of former presidential spouse Mary Chase who passed away on January 25, 2025 at the age of 94.

Alumna and former first lady Mary Sutherland Chase (52) began her 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 journey in downtown Los Angeles, long before she was a student. In 1936, when she was six years old, her father, Samuel Sutherland, joined the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. He was appointed 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s academic dean in 1942, then president in 1952, when the schools name was changed to 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 College.

After becoming high school sweethearts and graduating from a private Christian high school in 1948, Mary Sutherland and J. Richard Chase began attending the Bible Institute of Los Angeles before marrying on December 16, 1950. Mary earned a degree in Christian education and taught kindergarten for several years before starting a family. Her husband earned a degree in speech education and graduated from 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 in 1951, and began teaching in 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s speech program. After many years of teaching at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 and becoming an instrumental figure in the forensics and debate program, in 1972 he was appointed 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s sixth president, succeeding his father-in-law. He served as 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s president for ten years, with Mary faithfully serving alongside him.

"We at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 have been blessed by the legacy of Mary Chase and her steadfast Christian faith, gracious hospitality and unwavering commitment to Christian higher education, demonstrated at the highest level at not just one, but two academic institutions over many years, said Dr. Barry H. Corey, president of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023. Paula and I have been with her on numerous occasions, and she always embodied the spirit of servant leadership, standing faithfully beside Dr. Chase during his presidencies at both colleges. Her love for 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, its students, her family and the broader Christian community was evident in the way she lived her life with grace, wisdom and a deep trust in God. We honor her remarkable life and the impact she has had on generations of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023ns. Our prayers are with the Chase family as they grieve this loss while celebrating a life well-lived in service to Christ.

After the couples leadership at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 concluded, they moved to Wheaton, Illinois for Richard to assume the Wheaton College presidency role.

Mary was dedicated in prayer for the Wheaton College community, and in leading the Wheaton College Womens Intercessors group every week in her home during Dr. Chases presidency. Wheaton College honors her lifelong role as a wise helper to former President Chase, as hostess to many campus visitors, as a loving friend to our Trustees and their spouses, faculty, and staff, and as a joyful Christ-follower, said Dr. Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College.

The Chase family 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 legacy was not only enriched by Mary and Richard. Marys brother Phil Sutherland (54) attended 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, and her two children Kenneth Chase (78) and Jenny Barnard (Chase, 84) were 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 graduates. Her grandchildren Elizabeth Terpstra (Chase, 09) and Matthew Chase (18) were 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 students as well.

A memorial service for Mary will be held on Saturday, February 22, at 1 p.m. at Highpoint Wheaton, 1310 N. Main St. in Wheaton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Samuel H Sutherland Endowed Memorial Scholarship fund at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023. To donate, visit , select "other" on the drop down menu. In the designation box include: Samuel H Sutherland Endowed Memorial Scholarship.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.