Life of the Party
Each year for 25 years, Maria Davila Rudolph ’81 and her husband, Alex Rudolph, HC ’82, have thrown a Bi-Co holiday party so great, it’s worth braving the LA traffic.
Persuading Angelenos to drive across town isn’t a given at any time of year. But each December, Maria Davila Rudolph ’81 and her husband Alex Rudolph, HC ’82, throw a holiday party so festive and friendly it’s a can’t-miss in the Los Angeles Bryn Mawr–Haverford alumni community — the rare Bi-College event in Southern California.
It’s a tradition of shared camaraderie the Rudolphs have kept alive 3,000 miles from campus for a quarter of a century.
On the eve of their milestone 25th annual holiday party, we asked them for their take on what keeps alumni of all generations coming back year after year.
How did the holiday party start?
Maria Davila Rudolph: In the spring of 1998, I attended a tea hosted by Amy Hughes ’95, then-admissions rep for SoCal, that culminated in the renaissance of the Bryn Mawr Club of Southern California (now the Bryn Mawr Club of Los Angeles). I decided that we should host a club-wide holiday party that first year and, since Alex is a Haverford alum, that it should be open to the entire SoCal Bi-College community. That first year we had only four guests. The party has now grown to as many as 111 guests!
Alex Rudolph: The fact that people from such a large geographic area meet up each year is remarkable. We have had people come to the party from as far north as Malibu, as far east as Palm Springs, and even as far south as San Diego — 120 miles away. People say that they can be stuck in traffic for a two-plus hour drive but stick it out even though they would have turned around to go home for any other event.
MDR: Ann O’Keefe ’56 came to the party from Palm Springs each year and even flew back especially for the party after she moved to Virginia to see her old college friends again, including Susie Kleeman ’56 and Marjorie Mosier ’58.
Why do you open your home to the entire community?
AR: The party acts like an annual mini reunion. We are flattered and pleased that so many people see our party as a place to reconnect with old friends, make new friends, and bring the far-flung SoCal Bi-College community together once a year. We’ve made a lot of friends and have deeper relationships with SoCal alums because of the party.
MDR: It’s an absolute joy to welcome all our guests as they arrive. I am delighted to see the familiar faces of dear friends as they walk up to the door. At Bryn Mawr, our professors invited us to their holiday parties, and we are trying to create that same feeling of community at a party like this. It’s a gift!
“It is special to have so many generations of the Bi-Co under one roof, and it reminds us of the throughline in our shared experience.”
What goes into the party planning?
AR: Champagne cocktails are a standard at the bar, and I’ve learned to make a good old fashioned. I stay at the bar for most of the party and get to talk to everyone.
MDR: Bowls and bowls of chocolate, placed at a level that a 2-year-old can reach. As the party grew, we found that we needed help to make it work, and our alums really stepped up. They assist with setup, cleanup, and during the party. Saskia Subramanian ’88, M.A. ’89 has been known to expertly fill in as a bartender. Recently, Amy Crow ’98 and her family have even come the weekend before the party to help us move furniture, set up, and decorate our tree. For several years, former club president Annie Wright ’92 was our “taskmistress” in charge of getting everybody involved.
Having a team is crucial. I couldn't do it otherwise. It’s an amazing group effort, and we have fun!
It sounds like a labor of love.
MDR: It is! We love the colleges, but mostly, I think we love the people. I really and truly love seeing guests arrive. I think, “Oh, look, there you are! A whole year later, here you are, and it’s so wonderful to see you again.”
Published on: 10/16/2026