Pepperdine Magazine Vol. 8, Iss. 3 (Fall 2016)

Volume 8 Issue 3 Fall 2016

In our inaugural list, see how extraordinary young alumni are making a difference in their communities and careers. 14

CULTURAL COUNSEL 22

OFFICE POLITICS 26

LED TO LEAD 30

Announcing a new way to endow a scholarship at Pepperdine starting at $10,000 A pioneering new initiative, the Legacy Fund is a scholarship program enabling alumni and friends to endow a scholarship at a significantly lower dollar threshold than ever before. New named scholarships, awarded in perpetuity, permanently honor family members, graduates, or passed loved ones while supporting one of six unique Legacy Fund priorities of your choosing. Join the giving movement today and leave a legacy that will support countless generations of students at Pepperdine.

pepper dine .edu/ legacy | 310.50 6 .6335

Volume 8 Issue 3 Fall 2016

FEATURES 14 40 Under 40

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14

In our inaugural list, see how extraordinary young alumni are making a difference in their communities and careers.

22 Cultural Counsel

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A clinical psychology program at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology has graduated its first cohort of students trained to work with Latina/o families and communities.

26 Office Politics

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40 42

26 44

An election law expert shares his take on American politics and the 2016 presidential race.

30 Led to Lead In the second edition of her co-authored book, Graziadio School of Business and Management professor Bernice Ledbetter examines leadership from a perspective of faith.

COMMUNITY 36 Wild Thing 38 Doctor Without Borders 40 Executive Scoreboard 42 The Man Behind the Mic 44 Society’s Stage 46 Hope, Amplified

DEPARTMENTS

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2 Letters 4 Perspectives 6 News 12 Snapshot 34 Alumni 48 In Focus

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letters LETTER FROM THE EDITOR How do you define leadership?

Some might argue that the term defies definition and is unquantifiable by traditional measures of success.

True leadership, while abstract and subjective, is not determined by a company’s organizational chart, but demonstrated in the process of growth by serving others: modeling grace in the face of challenge, revealing the strengths of those around us, and inspiring action that benefits the greater good.

In this issue, we recognize the leaders who work both in the spotlight and behind the scenes, mobilizing communities to think, feel, and act and engaging others in broader conversations that signal progress and promise in a changing world.

IF

In our collection of 40 outstanding alumni, we find bridge builders, storytellers, and advocates who are truly and intentionally living out the University mission in their respective fields.

It is in the marriage of scholarly work and public thought leadership that faculty like Derek Muller live out the School of Law’s commitment to forming students for the 21st-century law practice.

Leadership is found on a global stage in Edinburgh, Scotland, where this summer 18 Seaver College theatre students amplified the dangerous and complex circumstances surrounding issues of sexual assault on college campuses.

Indeed, one would be hard-pressed to identify a single archetype of leadership.

At Pepperdine all are encouraged to

express their leadership in constructive ways. As an overwhelming spirit of cultural angst and uncertainty swirls around us, Pepperdine this year is exploring what it means to welcome all to the unique, inclusive open table. And, in the words of President Andrew K. Benton, we must exercise “convicted civility,” most importantly in the days, months, and years ahead as we discover how leadership plays out on a grander scale.

These ideals are woven into the fabric of the student, faculty, staff, and alumni experience at Pepperdine. It is up to us to seize the myriad opportunities to serve others and, in doing so, to become the leaders that encourage and inspire the greatness we wish to see in the world.

— GAREEN DARAKJIAN editor

EVERY ALUM SENT ONE OF THESE…

...Pepperdine could: Award 1,000 more scholarships Send 450 students on service projects Bring 50 renowned speakers to campus Help 250 students commute to internships

Every gift matters!

It’s not how much, BUT HOW MANY!

Make a secure gift online:

give.pepperdine.edu Or send a check to THE PEPPERDINE FUND 24255 Pacific Coast Highway •Malibu, California • 90263-4579 2

Pepperdine Magazine

Fall 2016

Give every year. Make a difference every day.

editor

Gareen Darakjian

senior designer

Courtney Gero

writer Sara Alamdar graphic designers

Samantha Burg, Ryan Kotzin

photographer

Ron Hall (’79)

copy editor

Vincent Way

production manager

Jill McWilliams

app and digital issues

Keith Lungwitz

interactive developer

Kimberly Robison (’10)

multimedia

Nathan Pang (’07)

PUBLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS chief marketing officer and vice president for public affairs and church relations Rick Gibson (MBA ’09, PKE 121)

2017 Pepperdine Bible Lectures May 2–5, 2017

REGISTER ONLINE

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associate vice president for integrated marketing communications Matt Midura (’97, MA ’05) director of communications and brand development Nate Ethell (’08, MBA ’13) creative director Keith Lungwitz director of digital media Allen Haren (’97, MA ’07) senior director of operations Ed Wheeler (’97, MA ’99) director of digital marketing Mauricio Acevedo Pepperdine Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 3, Fall 2016.

Pepperdine Magazine is the feature magazine for Pepperdine University and its growing community of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends. It is published quarterly by the University’s Public Affairs division.

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All material is copyrighted ©2016 by Pepperdine University, Malibu, California 90263.

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perspectives

Pepperdine University – A Worthy Cause Education has for centuries been one of the most powerful forces to enable and empower the human race. This is true even more so at a place like Pepperdine, where the pursuit of wisdom is charged by investigations of both faith and reason.

In 1937 George Pepperdine envisioned that his namesake college would be a place of both intellectual and spiritual transformation, bolstered by the partnership between a world-class education and Christian values. Thus, the seekers of such pursuits—students—would be uniquely equipped to impact the world by leading purposeful lives with hearts to serve.

By S. Keith Hinkle (JD ’97)

Senior Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs Chief Development Officer

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Indeed, our students and alumni are fulfilling George Pepperdine’s vision: all around the world they are dedicating their time, hearts, and funds to causes and communities that would not survive without their contributions. The effects of these contributions will extend far beyond our lifetimes. Closer to home, generous giving by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the University is one

of the only reasons many Pepperdine students are able to afford the unique opportunities for academic, personal, and spiritual growth that Pepperdine provides.

Alumni like Sarah Madsen (’15) who, as a Seaver College student, experienced a transformation that was a direct result of the generosity of those who believed in the value of the Pepperdine experience. Madsen spent her freshman-year spring break serving Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission with Project Serve, an initiative that depends on the contributions of our community in order to thrive. There, she discovered the transformational work taking place at the nonprofit organization.

“I was able to see God working

It is imperative to come together as a community to “pay it forward” to future generations of Pepperdine students to help them become the leaders our world needs. Alumni support in terms of giving and endowment size is a key factor in measuring reputation, receiving foundation grant consideration, and even determining rankings. It has the power to position Pepperdine as the long-term leader in academia for the next 25 years and beyond.

In 2016 only seven percent of our alumni gave a gift of any size to Pepperdine. This is in comparison to Boston College’s 25 percent and Harvard’s even more impressive 35 percent.

Even our top West Coast Conference rival, Loyola Marymount University, boasts alumni giving over twice our rate. Our $789 million endowment is nearly half the size of University of Florida’s $1.556 billion.

in the lives of those in need through people who humbly serve his cause,” she explains.

“God worked deliberately in that two-month time period to soften my heart and teach me about salvation, grace, mercy, and eternal love. Without Project Serve, I would not have had incredible opportunities to serve and love those in need. I simply would not be who I am today.”

Investing in Pepperdine also enables more students to have access to innovative programs and state-of-the-art spaces

2016 Alumni Giving Rates UNIVERSITY PERCENTAGE

Harvard................................................. 35 Boston College..................................... 25 Villanova............................................... 25 Loyola Marymount.............................. 20 Santa Clara........................................... 20 Texas Christian..................................... 19 Penn State............................................ 14 University of Florida............................ 14 Lipscomb.............................................. 13 Biola........................................................ 9 Pepperdine............................................. 7

needed for eager minds to seek the global good. Services like the community counseling clinics at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, which improve the quality of life for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families by providing affordable, high quality, individualized counseling; the Global Justice Program at the School of Law, where law students and alumni gain practical experience in the advancement of human rights, religious freedom, and rule of law throughout the developing world; and the Davenport Institute at the School of Public Policy, where students, faculty, staff, and alumni develop the leadership skills that engage the citizens of California in the policy decisions that affect their everyday lives.

Framed in another context, Pepperdine recently broke into the U.S. News & World Report top 50, tied with Pennsylvania State University—University Park, University of Florida, and Villanova University, as one of the nation’s “Best National Universities.”

While that progress is exciting, our alumni giving percentage remains the lowest among these peer institutions by a significant margin. Alumni support—indeed, your support—is critical to our success and to continuing on this trajectory. We must do better, and I know we can.

On Wednesday, March 8, 2017, Pepperdine will host its firstever University-wide giving day, Give2Pepp, which calls on each member of the Pepperdine community to give back on one extraordinary day. Building upon the University’s time-honored tradition of generosity, we will join together to support future generations of Waves with an enduring gift. We invite you to invest in any area, program, or school at Pepperdine that matches with your passion so you can see your dollars make a direct impact.

It’s not how much—it’s how many.

Beyond Give2Pepp, seize any opportunity to support the one-of-a-kind programs and experiences that have changed our lives. Your contributions make an extraordinary difference—in the lives of our students, in the imaginations of our faculty, and in the future of this vibrant university.

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news Pepperdine Mourns the Loss of CHANCELLOR EMERITUS CHARLES B. RUNNELS The University was saddened to announce that Charles B. Runnels, Chancellor Emeritus of Pepperdine University, passed away October 25, 2016. He was 91.

“Pepperdine University has lost one of its best friends and finest leaders,” says Pepperdine president Andrew K. Benton. “His impact can be seen all over campus, in its buildings and programs, and in the people who have made our University strong. His consummate ability to make friends around the world is something that has changed Pepperdine forever. Although I will miss him sorely, I look forward to celebrating his life with his family and all who loved him.”

Runnels was first introduced to Pepperdine in 1967, “on loan” from Houston-based Tenneco Corporation to help search for a new campus for George Pepperdine College—joining the site selection committee that ultimately chose a Pacific panorama from 40 possible venues. The two-year assignment turned into a permanent calling, and Runnels became an integral part of the construction plans of the new liberal arts college campus.

After serving as the University’s vice chancellor from 1971 to 1984, Runnels was named chancellor in 1985. Serving under five Pepperdine presidents, he was also elected as a University regent in 1977, later being named a Life Regent in 2010.

As chief fundraiser for the University, Runnels’ personal philosophy of investing in Pepperdine students rather than the institution itself inspired many to become friends of the University. Runnels personally raised money for thousands of

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student scholarships, always keeping students his top priority.

He successfully coordinated fundraising activities for the $100 million Wave of Excellence campaign in the 1980s and served as one of three co-chairs of the $300 million Challenged to Lead campaign in the 1990s.

Runnels was also the founder and decades-long steward of the Youth Citizenship Seminar. One of his proudest career accomplishments, the five-day program brings 250 outstanding high school juniors to Pepperdine each year to explore themes of free enterprise, leadership, freedom, and faith.

After more than two distinguished decades as chancellor, Runnels was named Chancellor Emeritus in 2006, though his calendar remained full as he continued his work with Pepperdine Associates and University Board members to invite new friends into the Pepperdine family. He often made friends at Rotary Club meetings, town hall meetings, and church services as he affirmed daily his vocational mantra, “It’s all about the students.”

A fervent supporter of Pepperdine Athletics, Runnels was also an ever-present fixture on the sidelines of Waves sporting events.

The University honored him in 2010 with the dedication and naming of the Waves athletics complex as the Charles B. Runnels Sports and Recreation Village. That same year, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the Seaver College commencement ceremony in recognition of his many decades of service to Pepperdine.

Runnels is survived by his wife Amy Jo (’00); sons Duke Runnels and Tyler Runnels (’78, MBA ’80); daughter Susan Runnels Plumb (’80); daughters-in-law Ginger Runnels (’75) and Jasmine Niklas Runnels (’78); son-in-law Charles Plumb; and grandchildren Chase Runnels (’05), Megan Runnels (’10), Alex Robertson (’09, JD ’14), Jessica Robertson, Christopher Runnels, and Caitlin Runnels.

AEG AND PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY PARTNER to Bring Sports and Entertainment-Focused Education to Students With an extraordinary demand for talent in the sports and entertainment space, AEG and Pepperdine University are partnering to offer a postgraduate- and undergraduate-level educational experience that will combine AEG’s expertise and international network of venues, sports properties and franchises and live entertainment assets with Pepperdine University’s academic excellence. The agreement, brokered

by AEG Global Partnerships, names Pepperdine University the exclusive Education Partner of STAPLES Center, L.A. LIVE, and the LA Kings and will give students unprecedented access to the business acumen behind the world’s leading sports and entertainment company.

The partnership will provide Pepperdine University the opportunity to build out a branded classroom within the iconic STAPLES Center, home to four professional sports franchises and numerous concerts and special events, providing the top-ranked college a strategic educational hub in downtown Los Angeles and cementing the school’s place within Los Angeles’ vibrant business community.

Students enrolled in the sports and entertainment-focused program will be able to gain hands-on experience through an AEG “bestin-class” speaker series as well as first-person experiences in one of the world’s most successful arenas.

The agreement also facilitates AEG providing speakers from across its world-class divisions such as AEG Global Partnerships, AEG Live, AEG Sports, AEG Facilities, and more — further distinguishing the program by offering guidance from some of the top executives in the industry today.

a sports, music, entertainment, and business conference.

The conference would be hosted in the heart of Los Angeles’ preeminent downtown sports and entertainment district, L.A. LIVE, and the University would work strategically with AEG and its brand partners to produce a conference that provides attendees an insightful view into the rapidly evolving sports and entertainment industries.

“As one of the nation’s most respected Universities, Pepperdine is an exceptional partner for the LA Kings, STAPLES Center and AEG,” said Dan Beckerman, president and CEO, AEG. “Working closely with their respected faculty and staff will not only enable us to create unique sports-related curriculum and programming, but will also allow us to provide their undergraduate and graduate students with valuable insights and lessons from some of the industry’s most respected leaders.

Through this partnership, we are also excited to offer students valuable hands-on training through our renowned internship program, while providing our employees with continuing education opportunities through the University.”

AEG will also have the opportunity to further the education of some of its own staff through an employee integration and internship program with Pepperdine. The program will afford a number of AEG’s staff the chance to participate in the University’s prestigious MBA program while placing select Pepperdine undergraduate and graduate students in AEG’s competitive internship program.

“By partnering with AEG, Pepperdine will be at the forefront of academic innovation, creating world-class educational programs in sports and entertainment management,” said Andrew K. Benton, president of Pepperdine University. “We look forward to working with professional athletes, entertainers, and business professionals — as well as our students and alumni — as we develop new initiatives that will powerfully engage and serve the Los Angeles community.”

Additionally, Pepperdine will help further educational opportunities outside the classroom by developing a series of events and custom content with the LA Kings. In accordance with the University’s educational mission, it will serve as the presenting partner of “LA Kings Business of Hockey,” a regularly scheduled event that gives participants a chance to meet and gain advice from top hockey and sports business professionals both in and out of the AEG organizational network. Past events have included speakers such as Luc Robitaille, president, business operations, LA Kings, and more.

The partnership not only directly contributes to the knowledge of the students enrolled, but also the sports and entertainment industry at large. As part of the partnership, the University will have the opportunity to collaborate with AEG to produce

AEG will also host Pepperdine University alumni at a co-created networking night at one of the 250 events at STAPLES Center each year. The event will focus on connecting the University’s prestigious alumni with top AEG executives.

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news Graduate School of Education and Psychology Hosts BETTER TOGETHER: CALIFORNIA TEACHERS SUMMIT 2016

Pepperdine Alumni and Coaches Compete in 2016 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) hosted the second annual Better Together: California Teachers Summit at Howard Hughes Cinemark 18 Theatres, adjacent to the University’s West Los Angeles Graduate Campus, on Friday, July 29.

The event was organized in partnership with the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the California State University, and the New Teacher Center.

This first-of-its-kind event, presented at nearly 40 locations across California, was uniquely designed to help teachers build a lasting and powerful network of peers, share innovative strategies and best practices, gain inspiration from keynote and teacher speakers, and access effective resources to implement new standards adopted by the California State Board of Education in their classrooms.

The program featured keynote addresses by education leaders, TED-style EdTalks presented by local teachers, and EdCamp discussions around timely topics such as the California standards in English language arts and math, and the Next Generation Science Standards. Teachers walked away with access to new resources and concrete tools that are already working in classrooms across the state.

A group of Pepperdine alumni athletes and Waves coaches participated in a variety of sports throughout the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to 21.

Alumni athletes included: • Sarah Attar (’14): Saudi Arabia Women’s Track and Field • Miranda Ayim (’10): Canada Women’s Basketball • Roxanne Barker (’13): South Africa Women’s Soccer • Kim Hill (’12): USA Women’s Volleyball • Merrill Moses (’99): USA Men’s Water Polo • Jesse Smith (’05): USA Men’s Water Polo • Fred Winters (’04): Canada Men’s Volleyball The Olympians were joined in Rio by several accomplished Pepperdine volleyball coaches: head coach Marv Dunphy (’74), assistant coach David Hunt, beach volleyball assistant coach Marcio Sicoli (MA ’15), and volunteer assistant coach Kayla Banwarth, who was also selected to represent the United States in women’s volleyball.

Additionally, alumni Jack Kocur (’97) and Alex Rodriguez (’98) participated as assistant coaches for the USA men’s water polo team, and men’s volleyball alumni Kevin Barnett (’97) and Dain Blanton (’94) were present as analysts for NBC. Volleyball players Hill and Banwarth returned home with bronze medals after the U.S. defeated the Netherlands 3 to 1 in the finals match.

Read more about Kim Hill’s road to Rio: magazine.pepperdine.edu/road-to-rio

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Pepperdine Athletics HALL OF FAME CEREMONY Honors Former Student-Athletes Five more Pepperdine all-time greats were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. The class of 2016 includes Scott Doerner (’06) (men’s tennis), Anna Picarelli (’05) (women’s soccer), Michael Putnam (’05) (men’s golf), Steve Rodriguez (’01) (baseball), and Julie Rubenstein (’09) (women’s volleyball). The ceremony was held on Sunday, October 16, in Firestone Fieldhouse on the Malibu campus.

“Our annual Hall of Fame ceremony is always one of our biggest events of the year,” said Pepperdine director of athletics Steve Potts (JD ’82). “We get to welcome back five former student-athletes who achieved so much with their various programs, and we are very pleased to be able to recognize their outstanding accomplishments.”

The Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1980.

This year’s group joined 115 individuals, 14 teams, and eight special achievement recipients that have already been enshrined.

To be eligible for induction, nominees must have competed, coached for, or rendered an extraordinary service to Pepperdine University Athletics. After a list of nominations was gathered, Pepperdine’s Hall of Fame committee made the decision on this year’s inductees.

Learn more about the 2016 Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame inductees: magazine.pepperdine.edu/hall-of-fame-2016

ALTERED REALITY DIGITAL ART EXHIBITION on Display at Weisman Museum The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art had on display Altered Reality: Contemporary Photography and Digital Imagery from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation until December 4, 2016. Curated by Billie Milam Weisman, director of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, this exhibition filled the Weisman Museum with a stimulating array of large-scale contemporary photography with an emphasis on digital imagery.

Artists today use the camera and the computer together as creative tools to produce provocative and fascinating commentaries on the world around us. Their art is bold— sometimes monumental in size—and often aspires toward the look and scale of movies. In fact, many of the works draw upon the art of cinema and are based on elaborate photo shoots that are as complex as movie sets. Featuring almost 40 large works of art spanning four decades, Altered Reality offered an enticing introduction to the range of thoughtprovoking work being produced today using cameras in tandem with computers.

Read more about the exhibition: magazine.pepperdine.edu/altered-reality

Graziadio School of Business and Management Hosts SUMMER 2016 COMMENCEMENT The Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management hosted the summer 2016 commencement ceremony at Firestone Fieldhouse on the Malibu campus on August 6. The event honored Cindy Ayloush (BSM ’80, MBA ’13) as the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Ayloush is president, CEO, CFO, co-chair, and second-generation

member of Hydraflow, a family-owned company that has been manufacturing engineered component parts for the aerospace industry since 1961. Prior to joining Hydraflow in 1979, she worked in the retail industry as a department manager for Robinson’s Department Store.

Currently Ayloush is a member of the Graziadio School Board of Visitors, the Center for Family Business at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), and the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics at CSUF and the Orange County Advisory Board for City National Bank.

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news Pepperdine Theatre STUDENTS TAKE TOP AWARD at EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

Pepperdine University theatre students, part of the Pepperdine Scotland company, received the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First award on August 12 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland.

It is the second time that Pepperdine Scotland, the award-winning cultural and artistic program comprising members of the Pepperdine theatre department and leading members of the Scottish theatre community, has won a Fringe First, an honor designed to recognize outstanding new theatre work and celebrate the very best new writing. The group also earned a series of coveted four- and five-star reviews for their performance.

Written by Scotland-based playwright Lynda Radley, The Interference is a fast-paced drama about a campus rape victim’s struggle for justice. While the

magazine.pepperdine.edu/fringe-fest

The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the School of Public Policy hosted the one-day conference “Election 2.016: Technology and Civic Engagement” at the Drescher Graduate Campus on October 14.

The Pepperdine University Fine Arts Division Theatre Department presented David Saar’s play The Yellow Boat at Lindhurst Theatre in Malibu from September 27 through October 1.

The Yellow Boat is a glorious affirmation of a young boy’s journey and the strength and courage of all children.

Based on the true story of Saar’s son Benjamin, who was born with congenital hemophilia and died of AIDS-related complications in 1987, The Yellow Boat is an exploration of the power of imagination and art’s ability to transform lives in the face of overwhelming obstacles—all told through the eyes of 8-year-old Benjamin. It is a profound play of imagination, hope, and love, as well as a vibrant celebration of life for all ages.

Pepperdine visiting assistant professor of theatre Scott Alan Smith directed the student cast, which featured Noah Archibald, Addyson Culpepper, Jacquelyn Ferguson, Dylan Forehand, Tara Jenkins, Andreon Watson, and Reed Williams.

Pepperdine Magazine

Read more about Pepperdine Scotland and The Interference on page 44.

Davenport Institute Hosts ELECTION 2.016 CONFERENCE on Elections and Technology

THE YELLOW BOAT Opens at Lindhurst Theatre

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play is set in an American university, it is inspired by events both in the United States and United Kingdom, and the questions it raises go far beyond the campus. Within days of its world premiere on August 3, it had earned acclaim from leading critics at Scotland’s most prestigious publications, including the Scotsman, the Herald, British Theatre Guide, The List, and Broadway Baby.

Fall 2016

The five-session conference brought together panels of technology innovators, recognized academics, political strategists, democracy advocates, and students to explore how technology is changing the way voters engage in the political and election processes at the local and national government levels.

“Our goal was to encourage broader engagement in both discussion and action around elections, specifically to drive voter registration and election awareness within the Pepperdine community,” said Ashley Trim (MPP ’09), executive director of the Davenport Institute. “We did this in conjunction with a broader University effort to promote elections, and we wanted to have a connection between the technology world and the public policy world.” magazine.pepperdine.edu/election-2016

Assistant Professor of Economics MICHAEL OLABISI NAMED CARNEGIE AFRICAN DIASPORA FELLOW Michael Olabisi, assistant professor of economics at the Graziadio School of Business and Management, will be one of 59 African-born scholars based in the United States and Canada traveling to Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda for 14 to 90 days as a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow to conduct academic projects at host universities in those countries.

The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program is designed to avert Africa’s brain drain, build capacity at the host institutions, and develop long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations among universities in Africa, the United States, and Canada. magazine.pepperdine.edu/michael-olabisi

Pepperdine Volunteer Center Holds 28TH ANNUAL STEP FORWARD DAY For the 28th consecutive year, Pepperdine University students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends joined together to participate in Step Forward Day, the University’s annual day of service, on September 10.

More than 1,500 registered volunteers served with over 75 community partners across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, as well as across the nation and internationally, to serve a collective 4,500 hours.

Step Forward Day is a simple yet significant way for the Pepperdine community to connect with local neighborhoods, impact the lives of others, and celebrate the University mission.

“From its humble beginnings, Step Forward Day has grown into an event that connects the Pepperdine community in a unique way,” said Justin Schneider, assistant director of the Pepperdine Volunteer Center. “Our hope is, as the name implies, that this is just the first step of service this year towards a year of connecting to local communities and serving however each person can.”

The Pepperdine Volunteer Center also hosted a volunteer fair at Alumni Park on the Malibu campus, where participants enjoyed food and music and spent time reflecting on their day of service at designated stations.

Pepperdine University HONORS 9/11 VICTIMS with WAVES OF FLAGS DISPLAY From September 10 to 26, Alumni Park became home to the University’s ninth annual Waves of Flags installation, a display that each year commemorates the lives lost in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Waves of Flags featured 2,977 full-size flags—2,887 American flags for each American life lost and 90 various international flags representing the home countries of those from abroad who died in the 9/11 attacks.

The installation became a Pepperdine tradition in 2008 when the College Republicans, inspired by a similar display, wanted to bring the tribute to the University.

Doug Hurley, associate dean of students for student activities and campus recreation at Pepperdine, highlighted the importance of the installation. “This year Waves of Flags coincided with the University’s day of service, Step Forward Day, creating a great opportunity for the Pepperdine community to come together and reflect on the events of 9/11,” he said.

In addition to the Waves of Flags installation, the University is the permanent home of the Thomas E. Burnett, Jr., Heroes Garden, a public space for visitors to reflect and honor all those who live heroic lives, including namesake and Pepperdine alumnus Thomas Burnett (MBA ’95), a passenger on United Flight 93 who lost his life in the 9/11 attacks.

Get a closer look at this year’s Waves of Flags display: magazine.pepperdine.edu/waves-of-flags

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snapshot

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S P A C E Study A familiar sight beloved by Pepperdine students past and present, the curved staircase at the entrance of Payson Library has led thousands of visitors to the vast and limitless opportunities that have enriched their scholarship. As part of the Campus Life Project renovations, in fall 2017 this cavernous entryway will serve as the gateway to a new, updated learning facility that will fuel creativity, collegiality, and a spirit of discovery in students for generations to come.

Learn more about the Campus Life Project: pepperdine.edu/clp

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feature

AT PEPPERDINE, PURPOSE, SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP IS MORE THAN A MISSION STATEMENT. It’s a way of life, reflected in the impact and achievements of more than 100,000 extraordinary alumni around the globe. This year’s inaugural 40 under 40 alumni represent just a sample of these incredible stories. Selected from hundreds of nominations, these young entrepreneurs, executives, doctors, lawyers, educators, and public servants are innovating in their fields, inspiring their communities, and leading by example as the next generation of Pepperdine Waves.

Excerpts have been edited for length and clarity.

See each honoree’s full responses: pepperdine.edu/40under40

1. Kimberly (Mansen) Amundson (’10) Program Officer, PATH Seattle, Washington

Describe your success: I’ve been a part of a team that is fighting malnutrition from preconception through the stages of growth and development to help nourish children to thrive. We do this by innovating in the space of nutrition and global development to address issues in malnutrition, stunting, and disease.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine continues to mean community to me, whether that lies in friendships carried forward or new friends that also went to Pepperdine. There is a unique camaraderie between Waves and a sense of deeper meaning, holding each other to higher expectations of integrity and mission.

2. James Stephen Azadian (JD ’01)

Shareholder and Chair of Appellate, Writs, and Constitutional Law Practice, Enterprise Counsel Group ALC Laguna Beach, California

3. Meri Barnes (’04) Founder/CEO, The Shop Forward Creative Director, Michael Gerald LTD Santa Monica, California

5. Tara (Lawrence) Bracher (’04, MA ’09) President, Hats Off for Cancer St. Louis, Missouri

Describe your success: I am most proud of starting the online fundraising platform The Shop Forward (TheShopForward.com).

In less than two years since launching, The Shop Forward has raised nearly $1 million for various charities. We’ve partnered with some amazing influencers to raise funds for deserving causes through apparel and accessories sales.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine taught me to make giving back part of my growth strategy, which in turn made a huge impact on the foundation of my work. The business program at Pepperdine instilled the importance of ethics, values, and philanthropy. At the same time, it also equipped me with business skills and experience that I use on a daily basis as an entrepreneur.

4. Meredith (Sullivan) Benton (’01)

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

My law professors modeled honest, hard work with a dogged commitment to integrity in the practice and study of law. But they equally modeled bringing a humanitarian component to all aspects of the service lawyers provide their clients. The “whole lawyer” is not simply a great legal technician or one who is able to develop top business for her or his firm. Pepperdine Law teaches the importance of becoming the “whole lawyer.” I don’t know that any other law school can make that same claim.

Who’s your inspiration?

In a professional sense, I have always been inspired

by Abraham Lincoln. I doubt there’s been a finer advocate or communicator than him. I often reread his Bixby Letter, which a friend blew up on a poster board for me, and which hangs in my office. I am awed by Lincoln’s unmatched ability to say the right word at the right time.

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Senior Program Officer, The Healing Trust Nashville, Tennessee Describe your success: My success is in service to others as I advocate for change in the communities in which I live and serve. I have worked on both sides of the political aisle in service to a U.S. senator and two governors.

I also served at the Carter Center, President Jimmy Carter’s organization, planning election observation missions and traveling to Africa to see new democracies host their first elections. I now lead a team that grants millions of dollars to Middle Tennessee nonprofits to improve health outcomes.

Who’s your inspiration?

My husband, Jim Benton, who graduated from Seaver in 2000, inspires me. While he passed away four years ago, he taught me so much about love and life. I also learned that leadership and success is not about accomplishments, but rather about positively impacting the lives of those around you.

His life and legacy is a daily reminder of what’s truly important in this life, and I work hard to live that out in honor of him.

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Describe your success: I founded a national nonprofit organization, Hats Off for Cancer, at age 14 to focus on improving the quality of life for kids and teens battling cancer. We do this through the collection and donation of hats for those young people who lose their hair during their cancer treatments. In the past 20 years, the organization has been able to collect and donate nearly three million hats and send them to deserving kids and teens battling cancer around the world.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

As a student, Pepperdine embraced Hats Off for Cancer and held hat drives through my sorority, Alpha Phi, along with other student groups on campus. Now as an alumna, Pepperdine Family Camp held a Hats Off for Cancer activity for kids and parents, making hats and writing notes of encouragement for those battling cancer.

Pepperdine’s emphasis on service helped to keep me focused on my goals of continuing my organization and the importance of giving back.

6. Pierce Brown (’10)

Author/Screenwriter, Penguin Random House Los Angeles, California Describe your success: In 2014 I released a novel with Random House called Red Rising. It managed to sneak onto the New York Times Bestsellers list at number 16.

In 2015 its sequel, Golden Son, landed at number six. This year, the final book in the trilogy, Morning Star, debuted at number one. My novels have been translated into 33 languages and a film is in development with Universal Studios.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

The real triumph of Pepperdine, as far as I’m concerned, belongs to the Great Books Colloquium, particularly to Dr. Don Marshall—one of the giants who shaped my brain back when it was just a lumpy, arrogant, SAT-obsessed ball of clay. He never tried to teach me what to think, but he always endeavored to teach me how to think.

What’s next?

It’s the engineers, scientists, businessmen, and humanitarians who really change this world. But each of their journeys begins with a dream. I want to make them dream of worlds better and worse and different than this one. Whether it’s through books, TV, film, or comics, that’s what I want my life to be about—waking the wild imagination in others.

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9. Elizabeth Edwards (’99) Founder and President, Volume Public Relations Highlands Ranch, Colorado

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Attending Pepperdine was a gift and an extension of the foundation upon which I was raised. Purpose.

Service. Leadership. Being influenced in such a way at a pivotal time in my life led me to the life I now have, which embodies those three principles.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine helped me recognize the need to fill the void that exists in communication, education, and execution. By not having that combination, Pepperdine gave me a world class communication education and then triggered in me the personal desire to become a lifelong student of psychology and neuroscience in order to bring to the table what does not exist anywhere else.

Development Director, Best Buddies International Marina del Rey, California

Who’s your inspiration?

Mother Teresa is a constant in my life. She inspired me to start my own nonprofit at the age of 10 and to live a life of service, seeing the face of God in everyone I serve. Her spirit is alive and well in me.

What’s next?

I would like to find a creative way to influence people globally about the importance of service and advocacy, making it attractive and attainable to everyone.

8. Todd Dildine (’09)

Pastor, Lakeview Church of Christ Chicago, Illinois Describe your success: I’m a young pastor at a great church in a neighborhood that experiences too much chaos.

What I am most excited about moving forward is the direction my church has chosen to take. Instead of retreating towards comfort and safety, my church is advancing towards the pain and violence in our neighborhood.

What’s next?

I minister in a neighborhood in need of healing.

In the next five years I hope that the graduation rates increase significantly in my neighborhood, that gun violence drops by 50 percent, and people on the margins are brought into leadership within my church. In 10 years I hope that I can inspire other churches to play a bigger role in lifting their neighborhoods out of poverty and violence and into healing and hope.

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What’s next?

To continue establishing Volume as the nationwide premier integrated communication and PR agency that delivers the most results and precision outcomes possible. Not just practicing the art of communication, but also adding to it the science of communication.

Favorite quote?

“Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.” –Winston Churchill

Assistant District Attorney, Collin County District Attorney’s Office Dallas, Texas Describe your success: I have been trying criminal cases to juries since my first month in the district attorney’s office. What is more important to me than my success in the courtroom is my commitment to giving back and teaching others who are interested in becoming a trial attorney. The time I spend teaching trial advocacy, coaching mock trial, and mentoring law students is what makes me feel most successful when I see those students grow into thriving young lawyers.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine Law taught me the fundamental skills to be a great trial advocate. But perhaps more importantly, at Pepperdine Law I also learned to integrate my faith into my career. As a Christian lawyer, I strive to practice law with the utmost integrity and the highest ethical standards.

12. Danielle L. Greg (’01, PsyD ’10)

10. Ken Ellsworth (MBA ’10)

Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice Calabasas, California

Senior Manager, Customer Analytics and Strategy, Intuit San Diego, California Describe your success: I now lead an analytics organization at Intuit that partners closely with senior leadership up to the CEO to make better business decisions. The work we are doing directly influences go-to-market strategy, identifies new target customer segments to pursue, measures retention and customer lifetime value, evaluates multi-million dollar bets the company places, and makes strategic business recommendations daily. I have been fortunate enough to lead key initiatives that have had a material impact on the bottom line of multiple Fortune 500 companies.

How do you prepare for a busy day?

If I have a big presentation I will write an outline of everything I want to say, including introductions and jokes. I’ll read over it a few times and practice a bit before going in. This makes sure I don’t miss anything I wanted to cover and helps me appear more natural.

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11. Zeke Fortenberry (JD ’07)

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What does being one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 honorees mean to you?

This honor is particularly meaningful to me because I was diagnosed with cancer during my final year as a Pepperdine GSEP student. At that time, I was not sure that I would be able to carry out the career that I had long dreamed of and prepared for. I am extremely grateful for the work I have been able to do since then and for Pepperdine acknowledging my achievements.

What’s next?

I plan to continue my work in private practice and perhaps begin teaching some university courses soon. I would also love to write a book about developing a healthy body image. I am currently brainstorming about a children’s book focused on helping young girls appreciate their bodies for all of its magnificent abilities. Additionally, I would like to do some advocacy work related to the need for more mental health services in our society.

13. Marinela Gombosev (MBA ’12)

Executive Vice President, Operations and Marketing Evoke Neuroscience Corona del Mar, California Describe your success: In my current role at Evoke Neuroscience, our team is taking on the important mission of providing access to advanced-brain-function care to patients concerned about their memory and cognitive function—right in their physician’s office. I am proud that our company was ranked number 131 in the Inc. 500 | 5000 fastest growing private companies in the United States.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine’s MBA program created a paradigm shift in my career and in my aspirations. It catapulted me from an engineering career into the world of global business and leadership where I could leverage my background in product development into building and growing teams and companies.

14. Keith Gormley (’08)

Vice President, Social Marketing and Communication, Prudential Financial Montclair, New Jersey Describe your success: Since graduating with a master’s degree in communication from Pepperdine, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some really amazing brands—both large and small—helping them to form meaningful connections and engage with audiences through digital. I’ve spent my short career looking for unique ways to create value and innovate through digital, inspiring audiences to take action.

What’s next?

My outlook and plans are simple: be a leader and find ways to inspire. And I will continue to push for innovation and positive change by following the best advice I’ve ever received: “Don’t look for a new job; do your job better.”

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15. Seth A. Haye (’02)

17. Stefan Holt (’09) Anchor and Reporter, NBCUniversal New York, New York

Describe your success: I have been very fortunate to help grow our wealth management practice at Morgan Stanley to more than $1 billion in assets (as of November 1, 2016).

We take pride in saying that virtually all of our clients are also personal friends.

Describe your success: It has been a fun adventure that has taken me to two of the country’s top television markets working as an anchor and reporter. This year I became the 4 PM anchor for the company’s flagship station, WNBC-TV in New York. Prior to New York I anchored the morning newscast at WMAQ-TV in Chicago where I was also recognized with Emmy Awards for anchoring and for spot news.

Executive Director, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Westlake Village, California

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

I feel like I owe much of my success to Pepperdine, so much so that if it weren't for my association with Pepperdine I don't think I would be in my current industry or be working with my business partner of 13 years. We met at a Pepperdine Crest Board meeting in 2000 when I was a student speaker and he was a new prospective board member.

Who’s your inspiration?

Some of the people who inspire me are longtime Pepperdine administrators who have helped to shape the University, legends like Charlie Runnels, who taught me what it means to be a good friend and thoughtful to others, and Andy Benton who speaks with unparalleled sincerity.

16. Lori A. Harer (JD ’07)

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine is where I fell in love with journalism.

I remember flipping through channels one day in the dorm and found myself watching a student-run newscast called “Newswaves.” I thought to myself, “This looks cool!” Kind of on a whim, I went to an information session and then auditioned. I was immediately hooked! I’ve always had the news bug, but it was the Pepperdine program that really helped me build the practical skills that are essential for anyone who wants to be a reporter. By the time I graduated from Pepperdine, I was fully prepared to shoot video, edit, and report the news.

18. Capt. Justina “Tia” Hooper (’07)

Attorney at Law The Law Offices of Lori A. Darakjian Woodland Hills, California

Chief, Recruiting Branch, HQ U.S. Air Force JAG Corps Alexandria, Virginia

Describe your success: After nine years of working for highly accomplished family law attorneys, I started my own practice and have had the opportunity to make a very direct impact on my clients. I feel most successful when my clients are less anxious about the legal process because they trust me to protect the most important people and things in their lives.

Describe your success: Pepperdine’s core values motivated me during my four years, specifically, service. It was the idea of service that pushed me towards law school, where I knew I could learn a skill that would allow me to help others. And it was the idea of service that led me to pursue a career as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force, where I knew I could serve my country.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

What’s next?

I hope to promote to the rank of major within the next year, and along with that promotion I plan to take on more leadership responsibilities within the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps. In the next couple of years I plan on being a deputy staff judge advocate, which means that I will be second-in-command to a staff judge advocate who leads a legal office at an air force base.

I received a minor in education from UCLA and in my pre-law career taught 6th grade math and science at LAUSD. The students were at an impressionable age and a lot of them lacked positive role models. I was passionate about making math and science fun for the students and showing them that being smart is cool. I would love to return to academia in a law school setting in the future.

Who is your inspiration?

While at Pepperdine I interned at the YWCA Glendale Domestic Violence Project in collaboration with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County to provide pro bono legal assistance to domestic violence survivors. Their strength and determination to protect themselves and their children inspire me daily to provide the best and safest outcomes for my clients.

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21. Travis D. Jones (’11) Judge Advocate (JAG), U.S. Navy Newport, Rhode Island

Surgeon, Del Rey MD Los Angeles, California

Describe your success: I currently own a company called Lemonlight.

Our team has grown to 30 people in two years.

We measure our success on team happiness, client happiness, and financial growth, all of which have steadily increased month over month since inception.

Describe your success: Currently I am a judge advocate for the United States Navy. JAGs, as we are commonly known, serve as legal advisors in a number of different areas of law including criminal, administrative, international, and operational. Specifically, over the last few years the probability of obtaining a commission as a judge advocate has been shockingly low with selection rates hovering between four and seven percent of the thousands of candidates that apply to each selection board.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

My experience with Pepperdine’s international program in Catacamas, Honduras, helped to foster my career in medicine. I experienced firsthand a humanitarian medical mission. I was able to study medical Spanish and volunteered at medical clinics to provide healthcare to the local population and helped build latrines. My experience in Honduras is one of the reasons for my continued involvement with international humanitarian medical missions today.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

I can say with complete confidence that I would not be the person I am today without the training Pepperdine provided me. Not only did Pepperdine train me intellectually, but also spiritually.

Pepperdine ingrained in me the concept of having a vocation and using that vocation to serve the greater good.

What’s next?

In the next five years, I would like to expand my international medical volunteer missions in Laos.

In the next 10 years, I would love to be an integral part of developing the healthcare system in Laos.

CEO, Lemonlight Santa Monica, California

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

The most important thing that Pepperdine taught me is the motto, “Freely ye received, freely give.”

I can confidently say that by taking the time to help others on their own path, it has opened me up in ways I had never thought possible.

20. Arjun Jolly (MBA ’14)

COO/Cofounder, adQuadrant, Inc. Irvine, California What does being one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 honorees mean to you?

This recognition affirms that growth and achievement are created by stepping outside of your comfort zone. Hard work alone is no longer enough to create value in today’s world. Now it’s about pushing yourself beyond your own limits and doing the things that intimidate you in order to live a life filled with happiness and success.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine has exposed me to the foundational elements that are crucial for building businesses and, more importantly, lifelong relationships.

I choose to leverage that education by sharing my knowledge and supporting others in their journey towards their own success and personal growth so that we, collectively, will have a beneficial imprint on society.

Who’s your inspiration?

My father is my greatest inspiration. Like many first-generation immigrants, he never let his unpleasant predicament deter him from succeeding, though this isn’t why he inspires me. What inspires me is his altruistic nature. He often says “to truly be successful, you must bring those around you to your level of success.”

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What’s next?

Ultimately, whenever my time in the navy does end, I want to transition into academia as a law school professor. I spent a lot of my time in law school teaching younger students the art of trial advocacy and the intricacies of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

I want to make a career out of developing the next generation of trial advocates.

23. Bounmany Kyle Keojampa (’01)

What is one of your favorite hobbies?

Musical production. I have a home music production and recording studio. These days, though, are filled with playing with my daughter Eloisa who just turned 1 year old.

24. Rob Khatchadourian (MPP ’06)

Engineering Program Manager, Apple, Inc. San Jose, California

What does being one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 honorees mean to you?

Being a 40 Under 40 honoree is a good reminder that our actions represent not just ourselves, but also the affiliations we carry with us after graduation.

Whether our alma mater or company, our family or customers, we owe it to the communities in which we belong to live with intention.

What does being one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 honorees mean to you?

I’m truly humbled to be on this list alongside so many people who have made such a difference in their communities. It’s also a validation that success comes when natural curiosity meets hard work, humility, and a realization that you have to enjoy the journey. Success at a greater scale happens when more people who think this way come together around a common purpose. None of this would be possible without Pepperdine giving me the opportunities to stretch myself beyond what I thought I’d be capable of handling and opening some doors.

Describe your success: Since my time at Pepperdine, I’ve had the opportunity to move to Silicon Valley and play a part in the stories of some of the most influential startups in enterprise software. Today I’m building the next great category of enterprise software in customer success.

How do you prepare for a busy day?

Fill your calendar before someone else does it for you. Next, write down the top three to five things you need to get done that day. Nothing should slip to the next day. If it does, then move it to the “nice to have” category and have it be something you’ll get to that week or month.

22. Anthony Kennada (’08)

Vice President, Marketing, Gainsight San Francisco, California

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine’s commitment to instilling Christian values into vocation has given me a context in which to frame my perspective on career. I can share my faith authentically, not by rocking a bumper sticker on my laptop, but rather by serving my employees, leaders, and customers while doing exceptional work and giving God the glory rather than claiming it as my own.

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25. Brittney Lane (JD ’12) Associate, O’Melveny & Myers Washington, D.C.

27. Alec McNayr (’00) Founder, McBeard Los Angeles, California

29. Richard Montano (’03) CEO, LIV Capital Group, Inc. San Diego, California

Describe your success: After graduating from the School of Law, I clerked for two of the most prominent federal circuit judges in the country: Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. I currently work for one of the largest and most successful law firms in the country, and next year I will clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas of the United States Supreme Court.

Describe your success: I cofounded and grew social media advertising agency McBeard from startup to acquisition and beyond, now 250 people with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. We get to work with great clients from both the entertainment and brand worlds.

What does being one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 honorees mean to you?

Pepperdine forges individuals who instill high levels of moral aptitude, academic excellence, work ethic, and community service. To be listed among some of the greatest who have graduated from such a prestigious school is humbling and inspiring all at once.

What’s next?

I look forward to clerking for Justice Thomas next year. After that, I plan to return to work at a firm and ultimately hope to serve my community in some way—either through undertaking significant appellate pro bono work, educating young lawyers, or working in a public service position.

What is your secret sauce?

Four cups hard work, four cups support from friends and family, a prayer, and a dash of luck.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

As a student, Pepperdine prepared me with lots of opportunities to lead, both in and out of the classroom. After graduation, I worked for Pepperdine alumnus (and future McBeard business partner) Alan Beard (’94, MPP ’99) and then enjoyed five years of working for Pepperdine in the alumni and marketing departments. During those years as a Pepperdine employee, I learned what great company culture can look and feel like, which directly impacted what I later built with McBeard.

What is your secret sauce?

I spent years studying improv and writing comedy after graduation. It left me with the confidence to stand up in front of an audience of any size.

26. David Mansdoerfer (MPP ’11)

Deputy Chief of Staff, California State Senate Mission Viejo, California What does being one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 honorees mean to you?

When I graduated from the School of Public Policy, I can remember thinking that I wanted to be able to return one day to prove to those who invested in me, through both scholarships and their time, that they made a good investment. In receiving this honor, I know that I’m on the right path to honoring those who invested in me.

Describe your success: This year, I was named chairman of the Mission Viejo Planning and Transportation Commission.

I’ve also had the opportunity to work on several great projects including SB 1273, which resulted in Proposition 63 (Mental Health Services Act) money being able to be used for crisis stabilization services for those in mental health crisis; having the month of May designated Lupus Awareness Month via California Resolution SR 65; and labor negotiations reform through the Civic Openness in Negotiations (COIN) ordinance.

Describe your success: Success for me is defined by my ability to serve.

I have worked hard my entire life and feel the most fulfilled when I am able to give and serve others.

Service has many forms, and we each have our unique way of giving it, but what’s most important is the gift of service.

What’s next?

I believe in building a legacy that has longevity, integrity, and value. As a child I was homeless and had very little education until the seventh grade, and because of these hardships, I feel as though I was born without a legacy. So it is my intention to create one for my family and to provide a foundation for many generations to build upon.

28. Valerie Neumark Mickela (MA ’03) Cofounder and Brand Strategist, Rootid, LLC El Cerrito, California

Describe your success: As a cofounder of my own communications strategy firm, I am driven to build genuine relationships and leave the world better off than I found it. As long as Rootid has a thriving and cohesive company culture and our clients feel understood, well taken care of, and a part of building something important, then I will feel successful.

What’s next?

For a smaller/lean company, we have a pretty unique set of skills on staff and would like to help build technological capacity in the nonprofit sector as a whole. Since we have a unique perspective and see issues arise across the organizations we work with, there is a huge opportunity for coalition building to solve some of our clients common issues in more impactful ways.

Who’s your inspiration?

My wife of nearly 10 years, Megan. Megan, who has lupus, an autoimmune disease, in having the ability to overcome the constant pain and discomfort that she lives with on a daily basis, consistently shows the best in humanity in her joy, compassion, and endurance that I could only dream of achieving.

There is no one I admire more.

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32. Merrill Marc Moses (’99)

Assistant Water Polo Coach, Pepperdine University Thousand Oaks, California

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

My critical thinking professor, Michael Magasin, once said, “The key to life is finding your bliss.”

Graduating from Pepperdine and creating a foundation that will leave an impression in people’s hearts brings satisfaction in my life, and so as long as I continue to lead from my heart and passionately move forward, I believe I am moving towards reaching bliss.

What is your secret sauce?

A smile and running shoes.

Favorite quote?

“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.” –Ray Goforth

31. Margaret Moodian (MA ’08, EdD ’11) Board Member and Governance Chair, Blind Children’s Learning Center Rancho Santa Margarita, California How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine has a great reputation and has opened several doors for me. Several faculty members were active in the fields they taught, and the knowledge they brought with them was invaluable. My husband and I had our wedding celebration at Heroes Garden and the Villa Graziadio, so Pepperdine plays a significant role in our successful marriage.

What is your secret sauce?

A guest in one of my doctorate programs, who I believe was a superintendent, shared that you should always treat everyone you meet as if they are having a terrible day and you want to make them feel better. You never know what they might be encountering in life. How you treat others has a ripple effect, so why not make a positive difference with each interaction? This is my philosophy.

Describe your success: While I was at Pepperdine from 1995 to 1999, we won the 1997 NCAA Championship. I was voted as one of the MVPs of the game. This propelled my water polo career to the national team level.

I represented Team USA in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games. In 2008 we won the silver medal, and I was named to the all world team.

What’s next?

I plan to continue coaching water polo at Pepperdine University for the next 20 years plus.

I would like to have coach Terry Schroeder by my side for that whole time and help bring another NCAA Championship back to Pepperdine for water polo.

33. Ben Murrie (’02)

Director of Contracts and Client Relations, Catharsis Productions Raleigh, North Carolina What does being one of Pepperdine’s 40 Under 40 honorees mean to you?

It’s a recognition of the various ways in which we all try to do some good for this world and an acknowledgment that there is no perfect prescription. It’s exciting to see how our alma mater plugs into their graduates years down the line and truly looks to understand how the ethos they cultivate early on plays out in those people’s lives.

Describe your success: I work on programs that prevent sexual harassment and assault. Success, in this setting, is about reframing the discussion so people can focus on the big truths like honor or equality instead of on the small roadblocks like dogma or stereotypes. When people realize that their small belief is keeping them from remaining true to their big belief, that’s when learning occurs.

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Senior Manager, Global Brand Marketing, 20th Century Fox Los Angeles, California Describe your success: After graduating from the Graziadio School, I accepted a position at the Walt Disney Studios on their home entertainment global brand marketing team. My strengths in applying strategy, building relationships, and executing across all levels of business on a consistent basis were quickly recognized, and I was soon promoted into a role with more visibility and higher stakes, leading marketing campaigns for tentpole titles that went on to break home entertainment industry records.

I began a new role in January 2016 at 20th Century Fox where I am currently a senior manager of global brand marketing in their home entertainment division.

What’s next?

My 10-year plan is about merging my professional and educational experience with my personal passion. Animals hold a very special place in my heart, and I’d like to open an animal sanctuary for the many brave, homeless animals who deserve a home—a place where cats and dogs can live their days freely in a safe, nurturing environment or potentially meet a loving, adoptive family who can’t wait to welcome them into their home.

35. Nduka Nwankwo (’13)

Fixed-Income Analyst, Wells Fargo Bank San Francisco, California Describe your success: I serve on the boards of Alternatives in Action and Grow with Nigeria, two purpose-driven organizations looking to transform the lives of young people.

I use my financial services background to ensure these organizations remain financially sustainable.

Success for me is every young person having the tools to be a change agent in her or his community.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine taught me that the only life worth living is that of service to others. I have the words “purpose,” “service,” and “leadership” on a sticky note by my bed; those have become my watchwords and the lens through which I view my life on Earth.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Astrophysics because there is so much beyond Earth that fascinates me.

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34. Talia Eytan Nosrati (MBA ’10)

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I would love to be a talk show host. I studied creative writing at Pepperdine and uncovered my love for telling people’s stories.

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36. Ashley Rhame (’14)

38. Ryan Sawtelle (’09)

40. Amanda Wickramasinghe (EdD ’16) Director and Vice President of Educational Programs, Einstein Group, LLC Ladera Ranch, California

Describe your success: I attribute my success to two things: my faith and my parents, both of which have shown me that even the impossible can be made possible.

I am incredibly passionate about my career and making it one of purpose, which is why I have intertwined my career in marketing with philanthropy. I currently work for HoyleCohen LLC, a rapidly growing wealth management firm with approximately $1 billion in assets under management, as the head of marketing and communications for all HoyleCohen offices.

Describe your success: To me, success is not necessarily determined by financial self-worth. Rather, it is determined by selffulfillment. I’m most fulfilled when helping others, and I have an opportunity to do that through my foundation. To date, we have been a part of helping heroes walk again, building specially adapted homes for amputees and purchasing life-enhancing rehabilitation and mobility equipment.

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine University has given me a strong foundation for leadership, academic excellence, purpose, and service. The faculty and my fellow peers have been so influential in my life and encouraged me to make a difference in the world. My dedication to academia will continue to grow, and it is my hope to enlighten my generation and future generations through education. The University has encouraged me to follow my heart and stay true to my values.

Head of Marketing and Communications, HoyleCohen LLC, A Focus Financial Firm San Diego, California

Founder and Executive Director, White Heart Foundation Los Angeles, California

Who’s your inspiration?

Malala Yousafzai. When I first heard Malala’s story, I wanted to share it with everyone I knew. I felt truly inspired that this child was able to overcome an evil and unjust attack, emerging from it stronger than ever. She did not let her traumatic experiences put her down, but instead used her experience for good and has continued to be an incredible advocate for women’s education all over the world.

37. Clare Rice (MDR ’13)

Director of Care, Encounter Bible Fellowship Executive Director, Ventura Center for Dispute Settlement Ventura, California

What’s next?

My hope is that five years from now White Heart will have changed the military charity landscape as we know it. The ability to give directly to a warrior without operating costs being deducted will bring a level of transparency to charity that will hopefully force the rest of the nonprofit market to follow suit.

What’s next?

My husband and I want to own and operate a hospital one day. We want to emphasize patient care and provide the best treatment for the patients and the community. We want to continue to travel the world and learn from other cultures.

Favorite quote?

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

–Nelson Mandela

39. Brad Tatum (MBA ’12, MS ’13)

How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Earning my master of dispute resolution from the Straus Institute sharpened the gifts and skills in my heart while giving them academic credibility.

I continue to look to my mentoring advisor for encouragement and advice and I welcome opportunities to mentor undergrad and graduate students as they travel their own journey.

What’s next?

In the next five years, I look forward to growing and learning from the teams I work with at VCDS and Encounter. In 10 years, I hope that I will be running my own nonprofit specializing in faith-based conflict resolution and teaching at the university level.

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How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Had I had not been allowed to establish the Waves of Flags display on campus, the White Heart Foundation never would have been created. In addition, Pepperdine has a great nonprofit program led by Regan Schaffer. The partnerships and great nonprofit minds that she brings into the program are invaluable resources.

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Mechanical/Fluids Department Manager, National Technical Systems Santa Clarita, California How does Pepperdine play into your success?

Pepperdine gave me a wonderful gift in my education and supported me through the Yellow Ribbon Program and the GI Bill. Without the University’s commitment to veterans, I would not be where I am today. As an Iraq War veteran, transitioning into the civilian world and returning to school was a challenging task, and I was afraid that I would not be welcome among my peers and the faculty, but within the Pepperdine community the exact opposite was true.

Who’s your inspiration?

My friend, Ademola Fabayo, a Marine officer who is currently in Iraq, and who has never met his 3-month-old daughter. Major Fabayo is a true war hero, having been awarded the Navy Cross in Afghanistan, but more importantly he is a humble man of morals and principles who demands the absolute best from everyone around him.

What is one of your favorite hobbies?

I play softball every Tuesday night on a team in my town. It’s such a great release from everything to get out on the field and compete with a group of guys who don’t take themselves too seriously but still want to win every week.

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By Sara Alamdar

A clinical psychology program at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology has graduated its first cohort of students trained to work with Latina/o families and communities.

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Latina/o cultures have historically valued traditional institutions such as family and religion, promoting a strong sense of respect in the home, both between husbands and wives and parents and children.

Yet as wholesome as these traditions may seem, they also prevent families from addressing any private issues they may be facing. Individuals often suppress their pain, as openly expressing grievances could consequently generate a new set of problems to resolve.

While many groups seek counseling from mental health professionals such as a licensed psychologist or marriage and family therapist, Latina/o communities often associate therapy with “being crazy” and shame.

Latinas/os who would otherwise benefit from mental health services miss opportunities to reap the benefits of treatment and instead remain in emotionally challenging relationships and situations.

For licensed psychologist Miguel E. Gallardo, this is an all too familiar scene. In his private practice in Lake Forest, California, Gallardo specializes in helping adults and adolescents overcome depression, grief, domestic violence, and trauma.

As a founding member and past president of the California Latino Psychological Association and California Psychological Association, and former chair of the American Psychological Association’s Committee of Ethnic Minority Affairs, Gallardo has particular expertise in working with Latina/o families.

Throughout his years in the field, Gallardo has noticed a huge discrepancy between the large number of Latina/o communities in Southern California and the number of programs that

train mental health professionals to handle Latina/o-specific issues. As an associate professor of psychology at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP), Gallardo was determined to develop a practical curriculum for psychology students that would train them specifically to work with Latinas/os.

“When you look at the demographics of training programs, and then you look at the demographics of the student population, there is a real disparity between the student demographic and the demographic that they’re going to be working with. We developed a program to address and reduce that disparity in some ways,” he says.

With support from the Pepperdine leadership team, in 2013 Gallardo became a founding member and director of Aliento, a training facility and research institute located at the University’s Irvine Graduate Campus that offers the master of arts degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy with Latinas/os.

Aliento, which translates to “breath” in Spanish, familiarizes GSEP students with the unique needs of Latina/o communities through hours of handson training, Spanish language courses that expand their mental health vocabulary, and community service projects. Students thus learn how to approach Latina/o clients through culturally respectful and responsive methods—particularly the theoretical orientations of liberation psychology and liberation theology.

“Our context and the environments in which we find ourselves often influence how we see ourselves and how we think about ourselves,” Gallardo explains. This includes “the language that we use to

describe what we might be experiencing and feeling, particularly from a mental health or mental illness perspective.”

First, liberation psychology is used to teach Latina/o clients that their views of themselves and others are influenced by their surroundings. This approach helps remove self-blame from those who have been oppressed for so long that they now believe there is truly something wrong with them—as though any endured abuse was somehow deserved or destined.

Our context and the environments in which we find ourselves often influence how we see ourselves and how we think about ourselves.

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feature For example, Gallardo points out, “if someone says Mexicans are not as intelligent as other ethnic groups, eventually they may start to ask, ‘Are we not as intelligent? Am I not as intelligent? Am I not as good as other people?’ Oftentimes the individuals are made to feel like the problem is inherently within them [rather than their social surroundings].”

messages—that might be contributing to how you feel and think about yourself?”

Yet, as Gallardo notes, liberation psychology challenges people to ask, “Is there something going on with you, or might there be other things that you find yourself always surrounded with— like situations, dialogue, discourse, or

Derived from Catholic teachings, Gallardo maintains that liberation theology views the poor as being privileged of God’s grace and that society should make an effort to relieve and liberate them of their hardships.

The second component of making the program relevant to Latinas/os is through liberation theology. An interpretation of Christianity, liberation theology focuses on helping the most needy populations in society and promotes social justice and human rights for disenfranchised groups.

which seeks to reduce the stigma of mental illness and teach people how to express their emotions through the use of art.

Aliento is also working with these same agencies to host a training program for religious leaders—whether they work in church, mosque, temple, or synagogue congregations—to educate them on mental illness and mental health issues.

As Gallardo explains, “Oftentimes church communities and religious communities are the gatekeepers for people when they have a need. They’ll go to their religious entities before they go to a mental health provider. So we decided to go to the religious communities and

Being Latina did not immediately qualify me to fully understand the roles that culture, environment, and social context play in the lives of Latinos/as in the U.S. Pilar Gomez-Marmolejo (MA ’16) Gallardo explains that while this theory emerged in response to a lack of assistance for the poor, the basic notion serves as an appropriate component of the program.

“The theology of liberation made sense for me because that’s really who I wanted our students to learn how to work with,” he says. “It is centered on those who oftentimes have the least power and no voice in society and combines our Christian mission and philosophy with psychology.”

Students in the program have the opportunity to apply these schools of thought to their community service projects. For example, one cohort is currently partnering with several different mental health agencies to provide a stigma-reduction arts program,

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work together with them to train them on what to think about, what resources are available to them, how to better serve their congregants, and how to better reduce the stigma in some ways.”

The program also offers Spanish immersion courses that send students to different Latin American countries. There, they gain a deeper understanding of the mental health terminology that is required to accurately explain psychological concepts and diagnose Latina/o clients in ways that will resonate with them and form strength-based perspectives.

With the program’s first class having graduated this past May, Aliento’s unique education models and training approaches have left strong impressions on the students in the program.

“I learned from Aliento that being Latina did not immediately qualify me to fully understand the roles that culture, environment, and social context play in the lives of Latinos/as in the U.S.,” reveals Pilar Gomez-Marmolejo (MA ’16), a graduate of the program’s first cohort.

“On a more personal level, it helped me realize that I was not exempt from having stereotyped ideas about mental disorders.”

Alumna Susan Arias Klenk (MA ’16) was particularly surprised at how effective the Spanish language courses were for communicating professionally in Spanish.

“I found that presenting our clinical cases in Spanish fostered my understanding about mental health issues,” shares Klenk, who also participated in Aliento’s immersion program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “I gained the skills necessary to become a culturally competent therapist in working with Latinas/os.”

Current student Dawn-Marie Luna is also passionate about offering Spanish-language therapy to Latina/o clients. After working with a youth-led nonprofit organization in California’s San Joaquin Valley centered on LGBTQ support and learning that the number of LGBTQ suicides are at an all-time high, she realized the desperate need for clinical interventions in Spanish.

According to Luna, “It became crystal clear that Latina/o youth and their families lacked access to culturally congruent mental health resources, as well as psycho-education in their native Spanish.”

As Aliento’s founder, Gallardo believes that training students to help the most vulnerable, marginalized, and stigmatized populations promotes spiritual growth in addition to mere academic development.

“I feel like our program truly embodies our Christian mission at the University—of purpose, service, and leadership,” he says. “I think we’re really tapping into all three of those domains with this program.”

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Derek Muller was in the midst of earning his law degree from the University of Notre Dame when he found himself fascinated by the rapidly growing area of election law. Excited to be in front of this field, he focused his research An associate professor of law at the Pepperdine University School on federalism and the role of of Law, Muller teaches in the of civil procedure, complex states in federal elections. Now, areas civil litigation, and evidence, as as election law. During this nearly a decade later, his passion well year’s particularly polarizing and contentious election climate, for the political process drives his expertise provided students with a behind-the-scenes look at his frequent contributions to American politics. national news media, opinion Pepperdine Magazine sat down with Muller to discuss federal laws, pieces, and scholarly articles the American political system, that analyze election law. and the 2016 presidential election.

PEPPERDINE MAGAZINE: What do you find most fascinating about politics and federalism?

PM: Is there anything about politics or elections in general that you wish people understood?

DEREK MULLER: I am most interested in the process behind elections. There is always going to be a winner and a loser, and people will get excited or disappointed from time to time.

But we have this set of rules that is supposed to govern the process neutrally and fairly in all circumstances. Studying those rules before the big contest, or the fight about who is going to win or lose, fascinates me.

DM: I think a lot of times people get really upset with the process. Any time something goes wrong in an election, we tend to blame a conspiracy or voter suppression or an effort to thwart the will of the people. In reality, many things that happen in our elections are being administered by people of good faith who do want the right outcome in these disputes, but may have some disagreements about what the end ought to be. Sometimes there are bad actors, but many times these are people acting in good faith.

We have a unique government system in the United States where the state and federal powers often overlap. So, we vote for the president and for members of Congress, but those elections are largely administered at the state level. This system of federalism means big national issues are regulated at the state level, which creates complexity.

Sometimes there is a disconnect between what people want to happen and the process behind how it happens, and thinking that they always have to line up. But that might not always be the case. At the local level, it’s usually community

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PM: What do you want people to know about the 2016 presidential election?

DM: People should recognize that the rules politicians and citizens come up with affect the outcome of votes. For example, regulating which groups are allowed to vote in primaries, when the elections are going to be held—and in what order—for presidential primaries, and deciding how many candidates can appear on the ballot all have dramatic consequences at the end of the day.

DM: People need to be aware that presidential elections are the ones that get the most media attention, but there are many things on the ballot that are fairly significant, especially at the local level.

Therefore, election officials and government agencies need to be very careful in thinking through the potential consequences of these decisions to avoid the suggested notion that the outcome may not have necessarily been what people wanted.

volunteers who are helping at the polls or county clerks who are setting up the polling stations. These are low-level officials who are doing their best to administer how we vote and how we go about the political process.

In California, residents voted on 17 ballot initiatives.

Those were opportunities to change the law, in some ways pretty dramatically. That’s something that people need to keep in mind—that there are many things to be voting for and it takes a lot of work to think about those things in advance and come up with your own decisions about what ought to happen.

Don’t get lost in the presidential election that everyone might be talking about. Instead, also focus on some of the other issues that might affect you much more directly in the long run.

PM: Has anything about this current election surprised you?

DM: There were many instances where people projected some potential catastrophes that could happen in terms of changing election laws, voting hours, polling places, and registration. Additionally, there was a lot of worry that the presidential primaries—which typically shake out in such a way that results in many questioning their legitimacy— would be closely decided or deeply divisive, and that the conventions would play out the same way.

We’ve had a relatively ordinary process, even if a lot of people might not be happy with the outcome. That’s sometimes just what happens in elections. There have certainly been some hiccups along the way, but nothing that has been so catastrophic that it’s been insurmountable.

PM: What should government officials be aware of during elections?

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PM: Which of your scholarly works or political contributions are you most proud of?

DM: A few years ago I started writing about the procedures to challenge President Obama’s eligibility. [It focused on] who can bring these lawsuits in court, and whether or not they are able to bring these lawsuits [in the first place]. It also suggested that candidate litigations were a relatively new problem and would happen again in the near future.

Sure enough, here we are in 2016 and have seen the same kind of dispute over Ted Cruz’s eligibility for the presidency.

It’s less about determining whether somebody is a natural-born citizen and more about the procedures that should or should not be in place, if the decision to remove a candidate from the ballot should be in the hands of voters or courts, and whether a citizen can bring litigation to federal or state court.

These sound like picky details that might affect only a few lawyers who care about these things, but setting up these rules can dramatically impact whether a candidate appears on the ballot. I’m pleased with work that focuses on trying to think about the best ways to design a fair election system that provides the greatest opportunity to voters while at the same time maintaining the integrity of our process.

PM: How has Pepperdine influenced your work?

DM: It’s exciting to be at a place where I’m able to pursue this area of research and for it to have a broad impact in the legal community and in the public policy sphere. The opportunity to flourish here has been really valuable.

People need to be aware that presidential elections are the ones that get the most media attention, but there are many things on the ballot that are fairly significant, especially at the local level.

It’s always great to speak to my colleagues about my work and get their feedback because in the field of law—despite the fact that it might not be your niche area—you are generally able to understand legal arguments and some of the concepts that are at play, and to challenge and tease out the issues. I’ve had a lot of support from colleagues here to sharpen my writing and my arguments.

PM: Would you ever run for office?

DM: I don’t think so. There is an off chance I might run for a local type of office, but it’s not really in my blood to be a politician. I’m much more of a policy wonk, thinking about what the laws ought to look like and maybe advising lawmakers about how they would go about changing that, rather than being the politician myself.

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In the second edition of her co-authored book, Graziadio School of Business and Management professor Bernice Ledbetter examines leadership from a perspective of faith.

BY GAREEN DARAKJIAN

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As far as corporate buzzwords go, leadership has been at the top of many lists for the last few decades. Headlines implore us to consider the morning rituals of effective leaders and analyze the traits, best practices, and values that determine a person’s success in the workplace.

Leadership became an academic course of study in the post-World War II era, when soldiers returned home from service overseas, decorated, distinguished, and a little different than when they left. Their new confidence, bravery, and commitment to country established them as leaders, a term that at the time emphasized a heroism that was mostly transactional and by and large male.

As time moved forward, leadership—by definition and discipline—evolved to suggest a transformative impact on a group as opposed to its traditional interpretations.

“The heroic model of leadership doesn’t work anymore,” says Bernice Ledbetter, director of the Center for Women in Leadership and professor of organizational theory and management at the Graziadio School of Business and Management.

“Current generations believe leadership is vested in the group, that diversity is normative, and that everyone’s voice needs to be heard. Everyone has a role to play and everyone can be part of both the conversation and also the enactment.”

This trend shift, a systematic move towards more distributed or shared models of leadership, thus became a gleaming opportunity for academic institutions to ensure that their faculty, staff, and students gained the necessary knowledge and capabilities to lead effectively in each of their roles. For Ledbetter, pursuing leadership in an academic setting, particularly at faith-based

institutions, gave her the opportunity to explore where culture and values intersect.

In 2000 she was invited to contribute to an initiative spearheaded by Baker Books, a Christian publishing house that was proposing a series of books that examined multiple aspects of culture through a faith lens. Partnering with Robert Banks, a biblical theologian with expertise in practical theology, Ledbetter provided an academic and disciplinary perspective to the book Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches.

Over the course of a decade, as the concepts outlined in the book—such as ethical foundations of leadership and leaving a legacy— continued to evolve, readers became more and more interested in how faith shapes leadership and how the constructs of different faiths may influence the conversation. The second edition of the book, which emerged in response to increasing social and intellectual discourse on the cultural importance of leadership, was released this year.

“The assumptions of Christian leadership suggest there ought to be something different, better, or more than transactional understandings of leadership,” says Ledbetter. “Leadership must be informed by strong moral values, and many times those values come from a person’s faith perspective. As people of faith, we hold ourselves to an even higher standard of alignment of values with our leadership expressions. What we believe informs how we lead.”

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feature Servant Leadership

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As Reviewing Leadership notes, Christian leadership is inherently rooted in scripture, namely in Christ’s mission on Earth to not only be served but also to serve. Ledbetter and Banks also introduce the apostle Paul’s impact on the study of Christian leadership, especially in his ability to develop others into leaders who then continued the transformation trend. The authors note the key characteristics of Paul’s influence: “displaying boldness amid opposition; influencing motives rather than asserting authority; being affectionate and emotional, vulnerable and transparent, authentic and sincere; and exemplifying a follower-centered, not self-centered, approach.”

Ledbetter notes, “Paul understood that in order for the church to grow and spread, leadership had to be dispersed, which led to a greater sense of shared responsibility and community. Paul was Jesus’ spokesperson, but he held people accountable for taking the message and sharing it with the people in their communities.”

In modern business practice, those in managerial roles achieve greater success through serving those they manage. As employees feel encouraged, supported, and enabled to participate in the success of the organization, they tend to become more energized and produce higher quality work.

“It’s not about giving up your power or status,” explains Ledbetter.

“It’s about motivating front-line workers to align with a set of values that are at the core of a business and take deep responsibility for making that mission a reality.”

This “service first” philosophy evolved into the idea of servant leadership, a concept first coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in an essay he penned in 1970 titled “The Servant As Leader.” According to Greenleaf, “Servant leadership is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world.” In the essay Greenleaf also asks, “Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?”

The type of servant leadership imagined by Greenleaf can be seen in modern business-to-consumer relationships, in which those serving organizations take ownership for creating a shared vision within the business and assume responsibility for designing a culture of service with the customer.

Ledbetter references fast casual food chain Chipotle and how a company-wide crisis tasked front-line workers at each of their 2,000 locations across the U.S. to demonstrate the company’s strongly-held value of service—bringing fresh food to customers—on a daily basis.

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“People want to know that their leader is capable and competent, but they also want a say in how and why things get done,” says Ledbetter. “When we as leaders serve those who report to us, they in turn serve the customer. If you want satisfied constituents, you have to have really satisfied and well-cared-for staff. You can’t have one without the other.”

In the classroom Ledbetter imparts the same concept of servant leadership to students in her management courses.

“I believe we’re in the business of serving—both the students and the community at large,” she explains. “We’re there to guide and shape and direct, and students want to see us as partners in their development. Involving students, inviting their input, being honest with feedback, and empowering them is a form of service. Servant leadership is not about surrendering power or status. It is about a shift in mindset as to the role and responsibilities associated with leading.”

plans—purpose and meaning must be infused in everything,” says Ledbetter. “Time puts pressures on all of us. Performance puts pressures on all of us. By being part of a faith community that helps us grow and learn, my hope is that we help each other become better in our leadership.”

Reviewing Leadership also emphasizes that nurturing, enhancing, and supporting employees also contributes to feelings of belonging and inclusion, which lead to higher job satisfaction, better job performance, and a sense of community.

“Am I satisfied in my work? Is there a sense that we’re all members of the same team? This is the model that informs leadership, which informs the way we go about doing our work,” says Ledbetter.

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The increasing interest in the topic of leadership, Ledbetter notes, is due in part to the growing need for people to step into such roles in response to our world asking for better models of influence.

This need has engendered broader and deeper conversations about effective leadership that have resulted in a shift in the modern work environment.

AS

people of faith ,

W E ARE GO I N G TO HO LD

Everywhere you look, consumers today are longing for values alignment and are closely observing organizations to determine that their core values and what they stand for align with their own. Thus, there is mounting pressure on companies to express their values authentically.

While in the past companies could get by on rhetoric, today’s corporate ethical standards require transparency and demand authenticity.

“We have a great opportunity today in our world to lead with integrity, values, clarity, moral purpose, and a sense of alignment between what we believe and how we express that belief through our leadership,” says Ledbetter. “As people of faith, we are going to hold ourselves to an even higher standard of alignment between our values and our leadership expression.”

O URSELVES TO AN EVEN Beyond longing for more distributed models of leadership, modern professionals are seeking meaning in their work and pursuing avenues to OF ALIGNMENT BETWEEN more seamlessly integrate work and personal life. Ledbetter notes that, OUR VALUES AND OUR historically, people have kept their personal lives separate from their work lives. This duality, especially for “Leadership requires a good deal of millennials in the workforce, can be self-reflection and self-knowledge—who exhausting. The concept of living an integrated life has its roots I am, what I stand for, what my strengths and challenges are. in scripture, particularly in the notion that faith informs life and But it’s not possible to do it alone,” Ledbetter maintains. “We vice versa. need people around us to help us understand how we’re

higher standard

leadership expression.

This integration has become increasingly necessary particularly because people are spending more time at work than ever before and, as a result, are seeking a sense of purpose while maintaining and exceeding fiscal performance.

“True Christian leadership means leading a team with a sense of purpose with respect to our responsibility to our fiscal goals and

perceived and how we can strengthen our leadership practices.

It’s something we need to be constantly working at. We do have exemplary leaders in biblical text and in our workplaces who embody what we admire most in leadership. We are all working towards an ambitious goal of fine tuning leadership to its highest expression. The hope is that the book creates a dialogue about values-based, faith-informed leadership.”

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alumni

The Pepperdine Perks® Program

Cha-ching! Pepperdine Alumni Affairs is helping you save money.

The Pepperdine Alumni Association is now offering alumni the opportunity to join the new Pepperdine Perks program. When you register for the program, you’ll be able to save money at thousands of local and national retailers on things you buy every day. These everyday purchases include movie tickets, video rentals, restaurants, toys, car repairs, and even professional services! Plus, you’ll receive a discount on your special-occasion purchases including gifts, travel, and entertainment.

Your Pepperdine Perks® membership allows you to save six ways: 1. Show and save: Show these merchants your card or smartphone at the time of your purchase. Once you verify that you’re a Perks member, you will be able to redeem the discount.

4. Cashback rewards: Perks members will now be able to shop online at more than 1,000 retailers and earn cash back just for doing so. No points, no rewards, no gimmicks. Just cash!

2. Mobile: Use your smartphone and download the PerksConnect™ Application to view various discounts in your neighborhood. This user-friendly app will help you find deals on the go.

5. Gift cards: Your discount will be on the purchase price of the gift card. The gift card(s) will arrive in the mail within seven business days, and you will be able to use it just like cash.

3. Online savings: Discounts are available from over 100 Internet-based vendors. These discounts are accessed through a link on the PerksConnect™ website or using a value code.

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pepperdine.edu/alumni/perks

To all of our Step Forward Day volunteers:

Thank you!

Pepperdine alumni, parents, family, and friends arrived in droves on Saturday, September 10, to celebrate Pepperdine’s mission at Step Forward Day. This year the Pepperdine alumni community served with 28 nonprofit organizations around the world. Volunteers as young as 5 years old pitched in to assist with tasks such as gardening, sorting food donations, providing much-needed maintenance, and more. Decked out in orange bandanas and Pepperdine gear, each Wave represented the University with pride, connected with his or her local community, and impacted the lives of others, all while celebrating the Pepperdine mission of purpose, service, and leadership.

Thank you to each and every Wave who used their Saturday to make a difference and serve their local communities.

Leaves are falling, the air is crisper, and Christmas tree farms are beginning to pop up everywhere…

the holidays are just around the corner!

Celebrate the season and connect with Pepperdine alumni, parents, family, and friends at a holiday party near you. Pepperdine holiday parties have become a treasured tradition for Waves. Join your fellow Waves to mix and mingle— and jingle! To find an event near you, please visit: pepperdine.edu/alumni/holiday

alumni@pepperdine.edu • pepperdine.edu/alumni

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community | scholarship

Wild Thing A biologist’s encounter with a wild animal leads to the exploration of a species new to New York City.

By Sara Alamdar

In the heavily populated boroughs of New

York City lives a hybrid animal that emerged in the early 20th century as industrialization and agricultural development in the American Northeast and Upper Midwest altered the environment. At that time, those regions were largely deforested and the government launched an aggressive campaign to exterminate wolves.

That’s when coyotes, which are smaller and competitively inferior to wolves, seized the opportunity to move eastward, expanding their historic range in the open grasslands of the Midwest and the deserts of the Southwest. When the coyotes encountered small pockets of remaining wolves around Canada’s Southern Ontario region, female coyotes began to interbreed with male wolves that were having trouble finding female mates within their own species.

Javier Monzón, assistant professor of biology at Seaver College, is a pioneer in the study of these wild, hybrid carnivores that some call “coywolves.” He first became interested in Northeastern

coyotes after coming face to face with one just outside of New York City. He was hiking through the New Jersey Palisades when one unexpectedly jumped out of the bushes and ran towards him.

With only three feet between them, the scientist and animal locked eyes for a brief moment before the coyote turned and ran off in the opposite direction. As Monzón recovered from the frightening encounter, he began to wonder about the coyote’s ecology since its habitat neighbored a prominent metropolis.

coyote, 25 percent wolf, and 10 percent domestic dog.

“Every healthy ecosystem needs a top predator,” Monzón explains. “Coyotes are actually filling in a niche that was left vacant from the extermination of wolves and cougars, which were there before the 19th century.”

“There are genetic markers that are specific to Western gray wolves, Eastern wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs,” says Monzón, who took a sampling of 63 of those markers and genotyped them in the sample of 437 coyotes to determine each one’s ancestry. He also found that coyotes living in areas populated with many deer tended to be more wolf-like genetically.

Following the encounter, Monzón, who had previously studied pumas and jaguars due to a longtime fascination with mammalian carnivores, shifted the focus of his doctoral research to the hybridization and genetics of Northeastern coyotes. He first learned of the coywolf during this time and began to examine the rapid microevolutionary changes that occurred in this new type of animal.

Now that these mysteries have been uncovered, Monzón is collaborating with other coyote biologists and a Pepperdine biology alumnus to write a synthesis of the body of knowledge of Northeastern coyotes, summarizing what is known about their genetics, morphology, paleontology, ecology, interactions with prey, and recent colonization of New York City.

His initial interests were to explore how many animals within the Northeast population were indeed hybrids and to determine the ancestry percentages of individuals within that population.

By 2013, after genetically testing 437 Northeastern coyotes through a process similar to human ancestral testing, Monzón discovered that 100 percent of his sample were hybrids, with an average DNA makeup consisting of 65 percent

“The last body of knowledge about Eastern coyotes that was synthesized was in 1995 and a lot has happened in the last 21 years, especially in genetics,” Monzón notes. “Eastern coyotes have evolved rapidly. They have been in the Northeast for only about 100 years and are so different than Western coyotes.

They are also new to New York City, and it’s important that New Yorkers understand the animals that live in their

Every healthy ecosystem needs a top predator.

Coyotes are actually filling in a niche that was left vacant from the extermination of wolves and cougars, which were there before the 19 th century.

backyards—especially this one, because it is a top predator.”

Monzón is also currently working with biologists from the National Park Service to collect coyote scat (droppings) throughout select areas in Los Angeles.

He is teamed up with Rodney Honeycutt, professor of biology and divisional dean of the Natural Science Division, and two Seaver College students to investigate the genetic relationships of coyotes inhabiting various parks and cemeteries throughout Los Angeles. Monzón also hopes to help the National Park Service tag coyotes with GPS collars, which he thinks will reveal how these mediumsized carnivores are able to navigate the second largest metropolis in the United States.

“My hope is that, by gleaning insight from experienced biologists well-versed in animal GPS tagging, that I will pass along that knowledge to students who may make significant strides in this important research.”

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community | spiritual life

Doctor Wi thout B O R D E R S

by Sara Alamdar

After watching his dental office burn to the ground, a George Pepperdine College alumnus started a new career in the Third World and widened his own worldview.

Life in scenic Whitefish, Montana, was predictable and comfortable for dentist Jerry Golphenee (’62), until the day in 1992 an oil rag caught fire at a neighboring suite and set his office ablaze. Once the smoke cleared and Golphenee assessed the irreparable damages to the structure, he seized the opportunity to reevaluate his professional goals and considered making a change that would alter the course of his life.

The George Pepperdine College alumnus relocated to Saudi Arabia for two years, during which time he treated locals and royalty alike.

Yet he could not avoid the fact that, despite living among great wealth, he was not fulfilling a more personal desire. In 1996 he signed another two-year dentistry contract after responding to an ad in a medical journal, only this time in one of the poorest places in the world: Kathmandu, Nepal. While Golphenee did not intend to stay longer than the contract required, his involvement at a local church and the strong call to minister to the people of Nepal inspired him to remain in the primarily Hindu nation longer than expected.

In 2009, after 14 years of working with the church, Golphenee was contacted by Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, “I went to Nepal with a Christian attitude,” he shares. “I was Colorado, about the possibility also making good money and had an easy life, but after of establishing a foreign extension getting involved with the church, I couldn’t leave.” school in Nepal to train future Nepalese At Church in Nepal, a local congregation, ministers to spread their Christian Golphenee, who was raised in a family knowledge among their own people in steeped in the Church of Christ tradition, surrounding villages. Golphenee agreed to collaborated with Nepalese preachers the international partnership and by January to teach Bible study sessions and 2010, Kathmandu became home to the Nepal Center translated classes to further educate for Biblical Studies, which offers a two-year training the congregation about Christian program that prepares Nepalese Christians to preach the history and doctrine.

Gospel at churches and towns throughout all of Nepal.

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They see GOD WORKING in ways where there is LOVE even in hardships.

It’s a message they NEVER KNEW existed. And for those that are interested, IT TOUCHES them in a beautiful way.

“By training the native Nepalese people, they will be the ones to impact their own society and grow the church,” Golphenee explains.

The logic behind this philosophy is simple: foreign missionaries do not possess the cultural understanding and experience to preach in a way that resonates with Nepalese people, and they lack the necessary credibility and relationship to leave a lasting impression. For this reason, Golphenee prefers to increase the number of Nepalese preachers, rather than foreign missionaries, to speak to the locals about Christianity. This method is particularly strategic in bringing hope into the poverty-stricken communities, demonstrating that if one of their own members is able to rise above oppression, receive an education, and live joyfully, they can, too.

Upon graduating from the Nepal Center for Biblical Studies, students return to their hometowns and begin reaching out to their neighbors.

“People see the change in them, and that speaks head and shoulders above all the words any foreigner could say. They preach in a way that their people will understand. It becomes real, believable, and attainable when they see it in their own people,” he shares.

Christian concepts are entirely new to a society completely overpowered by the caste system, which, by definition,

discourages people from acting charitably toward one another.

According to Golphenee, “Hinduism and Nepal’s culture teach you to accept whatever you’re told. And within the caste system, you have to accept that you’re either born in a high caste or low caste, which determines your whole way of life, and you never think about changing it.”

Yet even this rigid mentality is profoundly challenged when Nepalese people hear about God’s love for the first time.

“They see God working in ways where there is love even in hardships. It’s a message they never knew existed. And for those that are interested, it touches them in a beautiful way,” Golphenee says.

The fall of the Hindu monarchy in 2008 and the rise of a more secular republic has also brought greater freedom of religion to the country, which has led to Nepal becoming one of the fastest-growing Christian populations in the world. The outreach of various international secular organizations following natural disasters, most notably the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the country in 2015, has also introduced the Nepalese people to God’s charity and love.

“The 2015 earthquake hit people that didn’t have much to lose, but they lost everything,” he says. “Now we’re in a rebuilding program, and we’ve been able to bring in money and help with food, tarps, and blankets.”

With Golphenee’s help, the program, which raised funds and sent teams of hikers to aid hard-to-reach villages, has successfully raised over $400,000 for the affected Nepalese in the last year.

Golphenee admits that the last two decades have had tremendous influence on his own spiritual journey, making his relationship with God stronger, deeper, and more personal. These experiences have shown him that he can do more good in Nepal than back at home because he is able to fill a need that others cannot.

“If I were in a congregation here with many people who could teach a class, there wouldn’t be the urgency for me to be active,” he explains.

Despite all the years that have gone by, Golphenee still looks back at the day he decided to leave the United States and restart his dental practice in a new world.

“I’ve heard the Christians in Nepal say, ‘God burned down your office so you would come to Nepal.’ I am thankful that the office burned down because of the changes it brought in me. I thank God for having a hand in these things.”

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community | athletics

Executive A Pepperdine volleyball player becomes the national voice for NCAA Division I studentathletes of the West Coast Conference.

By Sara Alamdar

F

reshman student-athlete James “Jimmy” Gehrels was sitting through a first-year sports administration seminar entitled “Why Sports?

Understanding Its Impact on Society” when he realized his interest in sports was much more vested in athlete advocacy than the business of the industry.

Once class was dismissed, Gehrels approached his professor, former Pepperdine athletics director John G. Watson (’72, MA ’75), about the types of activities he could become involved in that would allow him to explore his passion for college sports.

Watson introduced Gehrels to Pepperdine’s StudentAthlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a group of about 30 athletes consisting of two to three representatives from each sports team that acts as a liaison between student-athletes, the athletics administration, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

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Gehrels enthusiastically applied to join the committee, and by his sophomore year, the volleyball player had scored a position within SAAC to represent Pepperdine’s studentathletes on a national level.

Now a senior and copresident of the Pepperdine Waves Leadership Council (formerly SAAC), Gehrels has spent the last two years working with the University’s leadership team and athletics administration staff, as well as NCAA authorities, to ensure that the thoughts, opinions, and concerns of all student-athletes are being properly addressed and resolved, and that any relevant news from the NCAA is appropriately shared with the University’s athletics community.

Gehrels’ management of these relationships extends to Division I (D-I) student-athletes attending any of the 10 schools with membership in the West Coast Conference (WCC), a collegiate athletic conference that currently involves private, faith-based institutions throughout California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

In November 2015 Gehrels helped produce a survey to determine how D-I student-athletes across the nation feel about the time commitments required to play on a college sports team. The research survey, which received the highest response rate in NCAA survey history, revealed that most student-athletes struggle with time management. Between rigorous workout routines, practices, and games, they often miss engaging in non-athletic campus activities, social interactions with their peers, and rest.

“The NCAA has a pretty tight definition of the [non-athletic activities] that are enforced by hourly limits, and so I think that was the reason why there

were some student-athletes saying they were spending 40 hours a week on their sport,” Gehrels shares.

as well as NCAA staff, really do value our opinions and voices as student-athletes.”

“It was brought to the attention of my committee, and some other NCAA groups, the need to really work on defining what counts toward playing [sports], and what might not necessarily count but would still be good to track, to have a better understanding of how much time student-athletes are really spending on their sport, as well as on other aspects of their college lives.”

To that end, Gehrels encourages all fellow student-athletes to share their opinions with Waves Leadership Council members in an effort to influence the changes they wish to see. As he mentions, “It’s hearing all these sorts of thoughts and ideas that have helped the [Waves Leadership Council] come up with some of these concepts that are working through the legislative process. A lot of that comes down to us as student-athletes being educated on the issues.”

Gehrels points out that this is an indication of a lack of education provided to potential D-I studentathletes during the recruitment process—an issue that can be solved by informing them ahead of time about the realistic time demands and commitment requirements of D-I players.

Gehrels also notes that his participation in these committees is partly due to the encouragement he receives from men’s volleyball head coach Marv Dunphy (’74), who deeply believes in Gehrels’ abilities to improve the nature of college sports through his involvement with the NCAA.

It was important to see how much the different administrators, as well as NCAA staff, really do value our opinions and voices as student-athletes.

In addition to his Waves Leadership Council responsibilities, Gehrels also attended the 2015 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C. “That convention was one of the first times when we as student-athletes not only had a voice, but a vote on all these different matters,” he says. “It was important to see how much the different administrators,

“Jimmy Gehrels is impacting the way a few things will be done down the road with our sport and with other sports.

I’m just really proud that he’s having this wonderful impact,” Dunphy says.

“He has this great vision of where he wants to go, and even more so, plans for how to get there … he is solid in every way. He is going to do well.”

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community | athletics

the

MAN BEHIND the A lifelong sports enthusiast leads fellow fans as the voice of the Los Angeles Rams.

BY GAREEN DARAKJIAN

It’s 11 AM at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and a firework lets the crowd know that something 37 years in the making is about to begin.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the doors to Los Angeles Rams football are now open,” booms an enthusiastic, effusive voice through the speakers, welcoming 91,000 fans into the nearly 100-year-old stadium. That Sunday morning at 8 AM, while both new and lifelong Rams devotees dusted off classic jerseys and caps to prepare for the first Rams game in greater Los Angeles since 1994, Sam Lagana was at church worshipping in anticipation of his first time behind the microphone as the Rams’ public address announcer.

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Pepperdine Magazine sat down with Lagana, Pepperdine's associate vice chancellor for athletics, to discuss what it really means to be the stadium voice of the city’s highly anticipated football team.

What is the energy like inside the booth?

You can feel it building before a game.

There’s nobody in the stadium except for the security guards, and you can just hear a roar from the outside when the doors open. Within minutes, you see people coming in, you see the bowl start filling up, and we can feel it in the booth. We’re up on our feet, jumping up and down, ready to go.

It’s an excited anxiety, but you have to stay calm—like a quarterback.

You hear the roars, but can’t get too caught up in what’s happening in the stands. It’s show time!

What do you hope to accomplish in this role?

My job is to give the facts in a way that helps motivate the crowd to realize the important moments of the game.

I have an enthusiastic style, so my goal is to inject that energy into the crowd’s experience. To see those dads and sons and mothers and daughters united under Rams football is very awesome.

My hope is that they walk away feeling good about Rams football. I want them to leave with the feeling that they were in a safe, happy place with their family and friends. I want that experience to reign.

How did you prepare for your first time in the booth?

It was important to get acclimated to how the words I was saying were going to sound. When I speak, the crowd hears it about one-and-a-half to two seconds later, and you hear it again when it’s bouncing off the peristyle.

It’s easy to get garbled.

We made sure I had retained a spotter so that they can help me decipher what’s happening on the field. It’s hard to tell who’s in a tackle

from my perspective because we’re so high up and far back in the stadium. These players are new to the city, so I prepared by learning their numbers, knowing who is on the field, and figuring out their normal cadence.

What have you discovered about the Rams fan base in L.A.?

The Rams fan base is excited to be here. Angelenos are excited for this team to be back. They want a great product and they want to be winners. When you look at how many championships this city has won in every major sport, the Rams want to be back in that mix. I think fans want them to be back in that mix.

You also get to see the diversity of the city. Families, people of all different socioeconomic backgrounds—you can see that this is meaningful to them. Everybody is in this big bowl, and everybody is sharing the experience together.

Do you have personal memories with the Rams?

I was a Rams fan growing up. My dad took me to my first Rams game against the Chicago Bears in the late 1960s, and I remember it vividly.

A friend of mine tweeted out a nice note of congratulations for my first game and reminded me that we used to go to games with his dad after my dad passed away. I was disappointed when the Rams left L.A. I’m really glad they’re back.

Do you think the Rams will make it to the Super Bowl?

If this ball club can get to the position of real prominence in the next couple of years, the Super Bowl is doable. We have top talent: Todd Gurley is stellar, and we have a defensive team that is

probably the best in the NFL. The last Rams team that played at the Coliseum got to the Super Bowl in 1980.

How did you come up with the battle cry “Rise with the Rams?”

We want people on their feet at the beginning of the game and at halftime.

I’ve always personally subscribed to that in whatever sport it is. After we score, we rally the crowd with “Whose house?” and everyone responds “Rams’ house!”

How does this job relate to the fundraising work you do for the University?

When the fans respond to what I’m saying, it gives me the same rush as when someone makes a gift to the University that makes a sizeable difference in the lives of our students. There’s no personal gain for me in either of these experiences, but there is gain for others. To see other people benefiting, whether it’s victory, whether it’s feeling good as a family, whether it’s a student getting a scholarship—it’s really very special and rewarding.

What does this opportunity mean for Pepperdine?

It’s fun to connect with Rams people, but Rams people also want to know about Pepperdine. People ask me about Pepperdine, so I have an opportunity to introduce them to the University. It’s a door opener for us as an institution.

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community | the arts

’ SOCIETY S

By Gareen Darakjian

In Edinburgh, Scotland, Seaver College theatre students engage in a cross-cultural exchange to address a universally tragic yet hopeful topic.

Stage

“Tell the story,” reminded director Cathy Thomas-Grant to the group of 18 theatre students who had traveled to Scotland to share a powerful message about preconception, distortion, and manipulation.

Four months prior, the group known as Pepperdine Scotland, the award-winning cultural and artistic program comprising members of the Pepperdine theatre department and leading members of the Scottish theatre community, had taken part in workshops led by renowned Scottish playwright Lynda Radley, who, along with Glasgow-based sound designer Michael John McCarthy, had visited the Malibu campus to share a first draft of a play that explored the tragic yet timely theme of sexual assault on university campuses.

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The Interference examines the ways in which a university community reacts when a female track athlete comes forward about being sexually assaulted by the quarterback of the football team. While the play demonstrates the extraordinarily complex way that all of the pressures intersect on the victim, it largely misses the young man accused of the rape, a circumstance that is all too familiar to those involved in similar real-life cases.

The onus, then, falls on the victim to prove the accuracy of her story and to combat the resistance from the community.

“There wasn’t a part of the show I couldn’t connect to, because these are issues I face or talk with my sister or best friends about constantly,” says Seaver College senior Sarah Barney, who stars in the production as a journalist who takes up the cause of the victim. “I appreciated the opportunity to talk about such a hot-button topic in a way that was not condemning or victimizing, but intent on telling the story of travesty experienced by thousands of individuals worldwide.”

As part of the Edinburgh Summer Program, Barney, along with her fellow cast and crew members, spent eight weeks under Thomas-Grant’s direction, beginning with a week in the Scottish Highlands, then moving on to Glasgow, and finally culminating in performances at the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, the world’s largest arts festival, on August 12. For more than 25 years, generations of alumni have described this trip as the most transformative part of their Pepperdine experience.

In their first week in Scotland, the company stayed in Glenelg, a village of 235 people on the country’s west coast.

Hosted by Donna and Eddie Stiven, the students toured the Scottish Heights and learned about the mythology and history of the Highlands.

During their residency, students rehearsed around the clock and worked alongside some of the leading individuals in Scottish theatre. They also took two general education classes: Religion 301, a course that studies the interrelationship between religion and theatre in Scotland, and English 380, which examines Scottish theatre.

In Glasgow, the company participated in master classes with top Scottish theatre professionals and wrote one-person shows, which they performed in front of a panel composed of members of the local theatre community.

“Interacting with the Scottish theatre community is life changing,” says ThomasGrant. “There are actors who also write and produce and playwrights who direct.

It’s such an eye-opening experience for students to realize how much power you really have in a theatre career.”

“We were so lucky to be part of a program that associates with the best artists Scotland has to offer,” echoes Barney.

“Their words and teachings on creating honest and impactful art will stay with me in my performances forever.”

After just one dress rehearsal, the cast and crew put on a performance of The Interference—one of eight plays performed that evening—that earned them the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First award, an honor designed to recognize outstanding new theatre work and celebrate the very best new writing. It was the second time that Pepperdine Scotland had won the award; the first was when a performance of Why Do You Stand There in the Rain? earned the company the accolade in 2012. The group was also awarded the Broadway Baby Bobby Award and earned a series of four- and five-star reviews.

“I firmly believe one of the reasons The Interference was so successful was that every person involved in creating it believed in it fully,” says Barney. “Everyone who came in contact with the production took on the responsibility to tell the story in the best way possible. In addition to the excitement of winning an award, the Fringe First was a means to spread an important message to a broader scope of people.”

the project included discussing legal, governmental, and educational responses to sexual assault in different communities with the cast and crew.

“I think that it is one of the great causes of our age,” says Baker. “It has a direct impact on all of us, men and women, teachers and students, on university campuses and beyond. To explore these issues in a really critical way makes us a better university, a better country, and it helps us seek justice.”

“One of the great dangers of sexual assault and dating violence is that there is a tendency for the victim to feel ashamed, crazy, or that no one will believe them,” Baker continues. “The more we tell these stories, and the more that people interact with these stories, the more victims will recognize that they’re not alone. And they can become empowered by that.”

Students also benefited from the guidance and expertise of Connie Horton, associate vice president and senior director of counseling, health,

When an audience is confronted with societal truths through the firsthand experience of someone’s story, there is an undeniable connection made with the content. –Sarah Barney To provide nuance and clarity about American law and how American universities react to situations of sexual assault on campuses, Thomas-Grant called on Jeff Baker, director of clinical education at the Pepperdine School of Law. Throughout his legal career, Baker has advocated for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and dating violence and has coordinated community responses to these phenomena in cities, communities, and universities. At Pepperdine, Baker is on the SaVE committee composed of representatives across the University who come together to address issues of sexual assault on campus. His contribution to

and wellness at Pepperdine, who talked to the group about how to approach the difficult topic, research it, and be actors in a related scenario and still take care of themselves as human beings.

“Theatre is an incredibly powerful medium for social change,” says Barney. “When an audience is confronted with societal truths through the firsthand experience of someone’s story, there is an undeniable connection made with the content. I hope pieces with strong messages about how we relate and treat each other are able to initiate proactive and meaningful urges in audience members to fix a broken system and a warped culture.”

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community | the arts

I

n the Denver, Colorado, home of music enthusiast Jim Mueller, each of his five children was required to study piano for two years under his guidance as part of their homeschool curriculum. As an industry professional, he chose piano for its ability to introduce young musicians to foundational elements of music education, such as notes, keys, and chords.

Following his comprehensive instruction, the children were encouraged to explore a musical instrument of their choosing with the ultimate goal of glorifying God through music.

His second-born daughter Hope showed immediate interest in pursuing guitar lessons after being drawn to its portability and melodic sound. Today, she is the first woman in the guitar program at Pepperdine, where she studies and performs under the tutelage of renowned classical guitarist Christopher Parkening.

The road to Pepperdine was both adventurous and arduous. In search of a suitable instructor who would nurture their daughter’s passion, Mueller's parents contacted Serena Eads of Colorado’s Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra about the possibility of private lessons. While Eads did not usually work with children, she was so impressed by Mueller’s natural talent on the halfsize guitar that she agreed to teach her as long as she promised to practice between sessions.

Although Mueller had originally wanted to play folk music and sing along, Eads recommended beginning with classical guitar to help improve

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Inspired by Christopher Parkening as a child, a musician sets a record for the Pepperdine classical guitar program.

By Sara Alamdar

the young musician’s technique. Her first lessons were derived from The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume I: Guitar Technique lesson book, which she diligently completed through the last page. So began her love for classical guitar, to which she dedicated most of her free time over the next few years.

While planning a three-day surprise family vacation to celebrate her 16th birthday, Mueller’s parents asked which guitarists she liked in order to gather clues about where to take her. When Mueller mentioned Parkening’s name, her parents began researching upcoming concert dates.

Though the master guitarist had recently retired from the stage, they learned that Parkening was the Distinguished Professor of Music at Pepperdine. After contacting him with Mueller's birthday wish, Parkening

It took a lot of faith and trust to not give up. But I knew that this was God’s calling for my life, and that the meeting when I was 16 was a divine appointment.

– Hope Mueller invited the family to visit the University’s Malibu campus to attend one of his master classes and to hear her play guitar in person.

The trip, which Mueller calls “the best experience of my life,” ignited her desire to attend Pepperdine after high school. When she discovered that a woman had never

before been accepted into the University’s classical guitar program as a music major, she knew she had to work harder than ever to surpass the competition. “I hit the ground running,” she recalls. “I needed a new guitar instructor, so Professor Parkening recommended a former student of his that lived in Colorado, which was a miracle because he lived five minutes from our house.”

Under the direction of her new instructor, Linus Dambrava, Mueller's skills grew tremendously over the next two years.

But when she applied to Pepperdine as a first-year, the University offered her the music minor rather than the major she needed in order to study classical guitar under Parkening.

“Hope is a fine young guitarist who is very disciplined and hardworking,” says Parkening of the first student to diversify his namesake program. “She gets a very beautiful sound on the guitar and plays with a lot of musicianship and emotion.

I really enjoy teaching such a devoted guitar student.”

This unexpected twist led her to attend the University of Denver, where she spent hours each day rehearsing for recitals and practicing at home—believing that eventually she would play classical guitar with Parkening at Pepperdine.

Off stage, Mueller passionately shares her message of remaining faithful during times of heartache.

The following spring, she re-auditioned for Parkening’s program and was granted a scholarship to attend Pepperdine as a music major.

“I worked really hard to get from playing under freshman level to playing above sophomore level,” Mueller reveals.

“Professor Parkening was impressed by the growth I had shown in the last year … and I became the first woman to ever be admitted into his program.”

Now a sophomore at Pepperdine, Mueller continues to receive high praise from her childhood hero.

“When you have a dream and a desire, you really have to lean on God,” she says about the hurdles she faced throughout her journey to Pepperdine. “It took a lot of faith and trust to not give up. But I knew that this was God’s calling for my life, and that the meeting when I was 16 was a divine appointment.”

She also happily uses her personal experiences to offer words of encouragement for those facing similar trials.

“I really want to reach out to other people and show them that they don’t have to give up on their dreams—that there’s hope, and that there’s nothing they can’t do with God’s help.”

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in focus SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1958, ASSOCIATED WOMEN FOR PEPPERDINE (AWP) HAS DILIGENTLY DEDICATED NEARLY SIX DECADES TO RAISING SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR STUDENTS. Founded by Pepperdine first lady Helen Young in an effort to form a women’s group to support Pepperdine College, AWP has become famously known for serving pies and coffee late in the evenings during the week of Pepperdine Bible Lectures each spring, with all the proceeds going directly to funding student scholarships.

The tradition began in the mid-1980s, when former Church Relations director Jerry Rushford combined his great love for pie with his night owl tendencies.

He suggested that AWP members serve homemade pies to lecture attendees immediately following the late-night sessions, providing the community with the opportunity to visit old classmates and colleagues in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

AWP members at the 1963-1964 annual conference at President Norvel Young’s home on the Los Angeles campus.

Vanilla Pecan Pie (pictured below)

Apple Pie Goody

3 eggs, beaten ½ cup light brown sugar 1 cup light corn syrup 3 tablespoons butter 1½ teaspoons vanilla 1 cup chopped pecans 1 tablespoon flour 1 nine-inch (9") unbaked pie shell Pecan halves (for topping)

Combine eggs, brown sugar, and corn syrup. In a separate bowl, melt butter and add vanilla. Mix all ingredients together. Blend chopped pecans with flour and stir into the mixture. Pour into a nine-inch, pastry-lined pie plate.

Place pecan halves over top.

Bake in a 375-degree, preheated oven for 40 minutes or until firm.

Garnish with whipped cream.

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1 can apple pie filling 2 tablespoons flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and pour into a large baking dish.

Topping: ¾ cup brown sugar ¾ cup oats ¾ cup flour ¼ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ cup melted butter

Combine all ingredients. Mix and crumble over top of apples.

Bake in 350-degree, preheated oven until bubbly and brown (approximately 30 to 40 minutes).

More than three decades later, hundreds of guests continue to gather at Waves Cafe during Pepperdine Bible Lectures to enjoy the delicious pastries with friends and family.

This holiday season, you can share these delicious pie recipes from your family at Pepperdine with your family at home.

From the A Woman’s Paradise of Recipes cookbook

ONE EXTRAORDINARY DAY. AN ENDURING GIFT.

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Learn more: Give2Pepp.com

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