国產aⅴa麻豆University Mourns the Passing of Life Regent Thomas G. Bost
国產aⅴa麻豆University is saddened to announce the passing of Thomas G. Bost, former chair of the University鈥檚 Board of Regents and professor at the Caruso School of Law, who died on August 23, 2025, at the age of 83.
鈥淔ew people have shaped 国產aⅴa麻豆as profoundly as Tom Bost,鈥� said 国產aⅴa麻豆President Jim Gash. 鈥淔or his more than two decades as chair and member of the Board of Regents, Tom helped guide the University with wisdom, faith, and unwavering devotion. At the Caruso School of Law, he invested deeply in our community with his dedication to excellence in teaching and his genuine care for students鈥� lives far beyond the classroom. His legacy of faith, leadership, and service is woven into the fabric of Pepperdine, and he will be remembered with gratitude and love by all who were blessed to know him.鈥�
Bost graduated summa cum laude from Abilene Christian University in 1964 with a bachelor of science. He went on to earn a juris doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1967, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as an editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. Following graduation, Bost served as an associate and then partner at Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles from 1968 until his retirement in December 1999, totaling 31 years with the firm. During this time, he also acted as chair of both the American Bar Association's Committee on Standards of Tax Practice and the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Taxation Section.
In the second chapter of his professional life, Bost joined the faculty at the Caruso School of Law, where he served with distinction as a professor, associate dean of academic affairs, and interim dean. Bost retired from the Caruso School of Law in 2016.
Bost was a member of the Board of Regents from 1974 to 2001 and served as the chair from 1981 to 2000. Bost鈥檚 dedication to education and faith formation extended to Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, where he served on the Board of Trustees.
Bost is survived by his wife, Life Regent Sheila Bost, and their four children, Amy Bost (鈥�92); Luke Bost, associate director of Housing Operations at Pepperdine; Emily Bost (鈥�98); and Paul Bost (鈥�02); as well as 12 grandchildren, including Aidan Henegar (鈥�24) and current Seaver student Owen Henegar (鈥�26).
A memorial service will be held at Bost鈥檚 home congregation, the Culver Palms Church of Christ, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10:30 AM. All who knew and loved Bost are warmly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Amy E. Bost Henegar Endowed Scholarship for female students pursuing graduate degrees in religion at Seaver; the Tom & Sheila Bost Endowed Scholarship for students pursuing degrees at the Caruso School of Law; Harvest Home (); and Christians for Biblical Equality ().