How CBU shaped one alum’s future
Mary Pomroy Key (back left) was a member of the first graduating class for the Master
of Science in Counseling Psychology program in 1984.
Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2025) – Mary Pomroy Key (’81, ’84) has deep roots at California Baptist University. She earned two degrees, began her career on campus and met her future spouse along the way. Years later, their three children received diplomas from CBU.
“Little did I know, as I traveled 450 miles from home to move into Simmons Hall 1D, that California Baptist College would become an integral part of the next 45-plus years of my life,” she said.
She was the first in her family to attend college, obtaining both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She was part of CBC’s inaugural class for the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. She joined about 20 other students on the first 10-week summer mission trip in 1980 to Australia and then co-led a team back to Australia in 1983.
“My experiences at CBC helped me gain confidence in building relationships and being willing to step out of my comfort zone to try new and sometimes rather intimidating roles,” Key said. “California Baptist College prompted me to step out in faith into several ‘firsts.’”
One of those came in 1994, when she was teaching at CBC. She accepted the role as director of the Counseling Center, which was transitioning from a departmental internship program into more comprehensive services. At the time, she was also finishing a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Southern California.
Scott Key arrived at CBC in 1988 as campus minister. Mary and Scott met, married and had three children. Mary left CBU in the ‘90s, and Scott retired as professor of philosophy emeritus in 2020. Their son Jordan is an adjunct professor of English. Fall 2025 marks the 43rd consecutive year with a Pomroy/Key family member teaching at CBU.
As Mary continued to seek ways to use her God-given talents, she was instrumental in creating a nonprofit in 2017, the C.S. Lewis Study Center, located in Northfield, Massachusetts. The Center serves as a focal point for intellectual hospitality, scholarly study, and thoughtful engagement with issues of faith, culture and the arts.
“My experiences with students and professors at Cal Baptist challenged me spiritually to seek the Lord first in every endeavor, look for the intersection of the world’s greatest needs and my God-given set of unique talents and interests, and step out by faith into ministry,” she said.
Memories at CBU:
A professor who made a lasting impact: Dr. Gary Collins, founder of the counseling psychology graduate program, encouraged her to enroll in the program. One of her favorite memories was from a lecture when he was explaining the important impact of an assessment tool. "He ended with one of his steady, dry-witted observations: ‘Consider normality.’ These two words helped me keep a generous perspective while approaching difficult situations not only in a clinical setting, but also in the ups and downs of everyday relationships."
As a student: Developing relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds; Wanda greeting me by name at every meal; mountain retreats; waiting in the hall to make a call on the one pay phone on the wing; playing badminton with Coach Dave King in the gym (and sometimes winning!); and the occasional reprimand for being too loud with friends in the library.
As a faculty member and a parent: “I enjoyed getting to know several generations of students while participating in and attending the theatre productions, encouraging many students to go on ISP trips and hosting faculty and alums in our home.”