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At Biola University, John Thune was ‘easy to like.’ Now he’s majority leader of the U.S. Senate

Thune, who attended the La Mirada university, played basketball under coach Dave Holmquist, who is still on staff at Biola.

At Biola University, John Thune was ‘easy to like.’ Now he’s majority leader of the U.S. Senate + ' Main Photo'

Biola University celebrated the selection of alumnus John Thune as the nation’s new Senate majority leader Wednesday, Nov. 13, replacing Sen. Mitch McConnell.

University President Barry H. Corey spent a “busy and exciting” morning fielding congratulatory calls after the news broke that the South Dakota senator was elected the next GOP leader in the chamber.

Corey said he relishes this new local tie to a national figure.

“We’re elated,” he said. “We’re very proud of John Thune and feel like we had some part in his journey to his now being the Senate majority leader.”

Corey said the man charged with shepherding President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda through Congress is an ideal alumnus.

Thune was a business major at the La Mirada university and graduated in 1983.

Corey has known Thune for 18 years. Thune regularly played host to Corey and his wife Paula whenever they were in Washington.

“He spoke at our school’s centennial and was honorary co-chair of our $214 million fundraising campaign a few years back,” Corey said.

Thune followed his two older brothers Bob and Rich to Biola University from South Dakota. The Christian college was founded in 1908. This is also where Thune met his wife Kimberley, a fellow South Dakotan whom he married in 1984.

As an undergrad, Thune also played basketball under coach Dave Holmquist, Biolas head mens basketball coach for 47 years. They were part of an undefeated Biola Eagles team that lost only in the national championship, still the stuff of campus legend, Corey said.

Holmquist remembered Thune as a freshman player with a nice outside shot and good passing skills.

He was a freshman on an older team and he was well-liked by everyone, he said. He had no problem earning the respect of seniors. He was one of those rare people that have plenty of cognitive and emotional intelligence. Easy to be around and easy to like. Its no surprise his success has been beyond imagination.

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joined at left by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the Republican Conference chairman, speaks to reporters about the possibility of a partial government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

“He embodies these strong character traits of integrity and kindness,” Corey said. “He’s exceedingly wise and obviously has amazing diplomatic skills. I’m confident these good and godly traits will continue through his work. In my mind, he exemplifies what Biola is trying to do to prepare our students to vocationally lead in whatever field they choose to pursue.”

After graduating from Biola, Thune earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota. He worked for then-U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor and was appointed to the Small Business Administration by President Ronald Reagan.

He served as executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party, state railroad director and executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League before running for Congress in 1996.

He served three terms and won his Senate seat in 2004, defeating Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, the first time a top party leader was ousted in 52 years. Thune has held Senate GOP leadership posts in agriculture, science and transportation, and telecommunications and is on his fourth term.