Pepperdine University

Join your fellow Waves as we cheer on the Pepperdine men’s golf team to victory during the national championship match! Watch the Pepperdine Men's Golf team play for a national championship against Oklahoma live this afternoon, June 2, 2021, at 2 PM PDT on the Golf Channel. After beating Florida State and Oklahoma State yesterday, Pepperdine, the 1997 national champion, is competing at the NCAA finals for the 11th time in program history, and for the third time in the last four tournaments. Read more: https://bit.ly/2S5Pkov

Alicia Jessop, associate professor of sport administration at Seaver College, has worked this year with Connecticut senator Chris Murphy on drafting the College Athlete Economic Freedom Act, a bill aimed to restore the publicity rights of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes. While college athletics coaches’ salaries have increased exponentially and more revenue has been allocated toward college sports through broadcasting contracts, student-athletes have been restrained from benefiting from these profitsan issue that Jessop addresses within this legislation. Read more: https://bit.ly/3vI3QS8

In 1996, as children toured Lafayette Park in Washington, DC, guides asked what Memorial Day meant to them to which they responded, That’s the day the pools open! In an effort to preserve the dignified and reflective nature of Memorial Day, organizations and individuals alike began to create meaningful traditions. Beginning as an informal tradition in 1997 with the iconic bugle call of the armed forces, Taps, sounding at events and ceremonies across the nation, the Nation...al Moment of Remembrance was formalized by Congress in 2000 in an effort to emphasize the significance of the Memorial Day holiday. This Memorial Day we invite you to honor the brave men and women who have given their lives while serving in the United States military by participating in the National Moment of Remembrance. During this moment Americans, wherever they are, pause at 3 PM local time in an act of national unity for one full minute.

#MemoriesOfCampus | For Amal Bahloul (’15), Dorm Road is the place where she established a meaningful friendship that broke boundaries: I remember in 2015, my roommate Jesse and I were walking up Dorm Road that overlooks the soccer field . . . The sunset was magical as always and we were laughing about something before we moved on to the deeper topic of our friendship. We had been living together for 2 years . . . but by this point we had never actually verbalized that we w...ere close. I was the first Arab/Muslim she was ever friends with. We were taking Religions of the World with Dr. Barton together, and we had the best conversation about our course material, comparing and contrasting our thoughts from our own experiences. It was an interesting moment for both of us because we realized that our circles were beginning to diversify. I have a best friend that is Christian, and she, a pastor’s daughter, has a best friend who is Muslim . . . It was at this moment I realized that this type of friendship was one of the richest, and I was so thankful I was put in a place where I got to build relationships I wouldn’t have been able to back home. Ron Hall

You Belong Here Regardless of where you may be, you belong in the Pepperdine community. What's your favorite part about being a #Wave?... Hester Qiang

During the spring 2021 semester, the Counseling Center will offer virtual psychoeducational support groups for students living in California, as well as all international students. The University has also partnered with Sanvello, a top-rated stress and anxiety management app, to help students with their mental health needs. http://bit.ly/3jZtyMO

What are your favorite Pepperdine memories? As we all look forward to the day we can be together again, we invite our students and alumni to reminisce on their years at Pepperdine. Many mention Surf Convo and the joys of waking up at 7 am on a Wednesday morning. There, students experience the beauty of God’s creation while worshiping in community with their peers. Additionally, students are provided surfboards, wetsuits, and other beach toys where they can get in the water and surf, or learn to surf, with others. Check out our stories to hear more favorite memories from students and alumni, and share your own in the comments!

According to the most recent National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black and Native American populations receive worse care than whites for about 40 percent of quality measures and Hispanics receive worse care than whites for about 35 percent of quality measures. Meet alumni Talitha Phillips (’00), CEO of women's clinic Claris Health, Craig Garner (JD ’95), a healthcare attorney and general counsel to a Los Angeles-area hospital, and Goran Dragolovic (’03, MBA ’04), CEO of Women’s Health USA, and find out how they have dedicated their careers to resolving the tiered healthcare system experienced by people of color. http://bit.ly/3d5Fv28

Academic excellence at Seaver College is truly changing the world. Pepperdine University congratulates Dee Anna Smith ('86), chair of the Pepperdine Board of Regents, for being named an AACSB International 2021 Influential Leader. Learn more about her inspiring commitment to service leadership as the CEO of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, and beyond: http://bit.ly/3u4PpqQ

Feed people, not landfills! Pepperdine organizations such as Food Recovery Network, Green Team, and Pepperdine Volunteer Center encourage and provide opportunities for students to live sustainably. Composting is one way that Pepperdine students practice living more sustainably. By creating their own composting centers from home, they turned food scraps into nutrients for the soil and reduce household food waste. ... Follow Food Recovery Network, Pepperdine Green Team, and Pepperdine Volunteer Center for more information on composting and sustainable living.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28, NRSV In a world that glorifies busyness and normalizes never-ending productivity, God invites us to get off the treadmill of activity, and simply rest. Resting allows us to quiet ourselves before God and revives our minds, bodies, and spirits. Resting as a spiritual practice is intentional and can be practiced in community or alone. In this video, Pepperdine Graduate... School of Education and Psychology dean Helen Williams shares her story of renewal after taking time to rest in God's presence. Look for more spiritual resources like this video at: pepperdine.edu/practicing-faith

Grace Lank (’20), who was awarded a post-baccalaureate fellowship with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will join the research group of Anthony Fauci, the director of NIAID, to engage in research at the forefront of immunologic, allergic, and infectious diseases. This summer Lank teamed up with Jay Brewster, professor of biology and dean of the Natural Science Division at Seaver College, to explore the development of mRNA vaccines and their ability to protect vulnerable populations from the SARS CoV-2 virus. Read Lank and Brewster's article: https://bit.ly/2J4mzUF

Help us celebrate the recipients of the 2020 Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence. October 28 | 4pm PDT | https://bit.ly/3dVD9Bs The Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence highlights the work of teachers who inspire and challenge students to think critically and creatively as well as those who instill in their students a lifetime love of learning.... This year, in lieu of an in-person awards ceremony, Provost Marrs will host a virtual roundtable featuring the awardees to discuss their teaching philosophies and how they continue to support students during this particularly challenging year. Register now and join us in congratulating these outstanding professors.

How much has Dance in Flight changed since the 1970s? For over 25 years, Dance in Flight has provided a safe environment for emerging student dancers and choreographers to cultivate creativity, physical expression, and teamwork in a professional performing atmosphere. But it all began back in the early seventies when it was was the creation of then professor Carolyn Dyer, who taught movement and dance to our theater majors. Carolyn had been a professional dancer on Broadway b...efore coming to Pepperdine, where she taught for many years. Carolyn developed the Dance in Flight program that eventually became an integral part of the theater arts program. After Carolyn Dyer left the program there were a few years when Dance in Flight was without a director, and it was during this time that the students became the driving force behind the program. In present day, the dancers experience a sense of pride and accomplishment when they present their creation to the community in their annual performance in the Smothers Theatre. The performance spotlights Pepperdine students, of all majors and backgrounds, performing a variety of dance principles from Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Theatrical, Ballroom, and World dance. Follow this link for more information on Dance in Flight: https://bit.ly/3jaBqch : Ron Hall

Waves, your vote matters! We encourage every eligible member of the Pepperdine community to make their voice heard by voting in the upcoming election. Voting allows you to have your say in the elected officials who will lead this country and in the issues that will impact your community. Due to the ongoing pandemic, voting looks a little different this year. To participate in the election consider the following:... Make a plan to vote. Know where and when to vote, and how to do it safely. Check your registration status. Vote early if you can, in person or by mail. Make sure you use an official ballot drop box. Find reliable and credible sources of information. Be wary of mistaking rumors on social media or online for facts. We hope all of you have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process safely and respectfully.

Five Pepperdine (Seaver College) alumniDiana Inguito, Benjamin Le, Megan McComb, Corinne Persinger, and Tatum Shackelfordreceived Fulbright Association Fellowships to teach English around the world. https://bit.ly/37refbp The prestigious fellowship fosters cultural understanding and global partnerships while adding invaluable experience to inform their future academic and professional endeavors. The five awardees will begin their teaching placements in South Korea, Spain, Czech Republic, Mexico, and India as soon as COVID-19 conditions permit.

Reduce the rubbish, save the planet! Saturday, September 26th, the Pepperdine Volunteer Center and the Outdoor Recreation Council organized an event called Reduce the Rubbish. The overall goal was to encourage students all over the nation and the globe to take just a small amount of time to pick up trash in their local communities in order to give back to the planet. Senior Victoria Levinsohn organized a local cleanup at Zuma Beach for students living around Malibu, while freshman Noelle Alderton participated all the way from Wyoming, picking up trash in Yellowstone National Park.

Research has shown that deep, heartfelt laughter increases our pain tolerance and could promote the production of certain antibodies, particularly those that fight upper respiratory diseases. If you find ways to enjoy the benefits of humor in the pandemic, you will simply feel better, shares Steven Sultanoff, adjunct psychology faculty at the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology and an international expert in therapeutic uses of humor. Find out what Sultan...off says about the healing power of laughter and how a sense of humor can help us through challenging times. https://bit.ly/3nNcKKG

Happy Global Handwashing Day! Today is dedicated to increasing global awareness of the importance of handwashing as a way to prevent disease and save lives. The goal of #globalhandwashingday is to empower and motivate others to protect their own health and the health of others, which is especially important during the pandemic. So today, and everyday, remember to wash your hands and encourage those around you to as well!

Pepperdine University has been awarded host duties for the 2024 West Regional of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at Staples Center, the fifth time in 12 years that the Waves have been entrusted with the event. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3iWmJcJ

Pepperdine University has received a grant of nearly $1 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish the Restoration Initiative, an effort focused on strengthening Churches of Christ in the Western United States. Funded through the endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative, the program aims to bring renewal, vitality, and effectiveness to churches through spiritual formation, instruction, mentoring, and team building. Learn more: https://bit.ly/33Zeh8m

Are you taking time for yourself? In the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School article Work-Life Balance: Why it Matters Now More Than Ever, they discuss the importance of setting aside time for yourself throughout the week to focus on things that bring you fulfillment and joy. Whether you’re a full-time student, employee, or anything in between, it’s important to: * Leave work at work ... * Unplug * Make your mental health a priority * Find time for what matters Read the full article to learn more about exercises you can incorporate to facilitate a balanced lifestyle. https://bit.ly/3di1a5k

Look closely to see workers repairing the Raleigh Runnels Pool back in the 1970’s combined with a current photo. The Olympic size pool honors the late son of Charles and Amy Jo Runnels. Raleigh Neal Runnel, an honor student at Palisades High School, was enrolled as a first founding 1972 freshman. He was counting the days until school started, but sadly he was never able to realize his dream. On July 1, 1972, just weeks before school began he lost his two-year fight against... cancer. Three days after the memorial service Charles and Amy Jo, as well as Blanche and Richard Seaver, were walking beside the Fieldhouse, which was under construction. Blanche committed $650,000 toward the pool on the spot to ensure his memory. Morris B. Pendleton and others added $300,000 more, and it became the only Malibu facility to be paid for before it was built. The Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool was eventually seen and experienced by hundreds of millions around the world as the water polo venue for the 1984 Olympics. Thanks to photographer Ron Hall for this blast from the past.