COMMENCEMENT
School of Public Policy
Friday, April Nineteenth, Two Thousand Twenty-Four Ten Thirty in the Morning
Malibu, California
Marshal
ROBERT KAUFMAN
Robert and Kathryn Dockson Professor of Public Policy
Processional Pomp and Circumstance (Elgar)
Invocation ABBYLIN SELLERS Adjunct Faculty
Pledge of Allegiance ABBYLIN SELLERS
National Anthem
NORVASHUA COTTINGHAM Current Student, Seaver College
Presiding JAY L. BREWSTER Provost
Student Address
NOAH JACKSON Class of 2024
Presentation of Distinguished PETE N. PETERSON Alumnus Award
Dean, Braun Family Dean’s Chair Senior Fellow, Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership Class of 2007
SHELBY ELI STEELE
Owner and Filmmaker, Man of Steele Productions Class of 2011
Presentation of Commencement PETE N. PETERSON Speaker
Commencement Address
ERIC L. JOHNSON Mayor, City of Dallas, Texas
Presentation of Candidates PETE N. PETERSON for Graduate Degrees
Conferring of Degree
JAMES A. GASH President
Class of 1993, Caruso School of Law
Benediction DAYEA OH Assistant Professor of Public Policy
The audience will rise for the benediction and be seated during the recessional.
Recessional
Green Hills and When the Battle’s Over (Scottish Standards)
The School of Public Policy Alumni Office and Pepperdine University Alumni Association invite you to a reception following the commencement ceremony on Alumni Park.
SHELBY ELI STEELE
Shelby Eli Steele is an award-winning filmmaker and the owner and president of Man of Steele Productions. Serving in multiple capacities as director, writer, and producer, he has created several feature-length films including a self-penned drama and a number of feature-length and short documentaries. His work often explores current cultural issues and discussions of race, offering perspectives of those from regions across the nation.
Among Mr. Steele’s documentaries is the recently developed Killing America, which explores antisemitism in the Bay Area. He collaborated with his father, Shelby Steele, to produce What Killed Michael Brown?, which examined the death of a St. Louis-area teen that generated national debate in 2014. Other films include the award-winning 2005 drama What’s Bugging Seth?, for which Mr. Steele wrote the script. In addition to his contributions to the screen, Mr. Steele’s written work has appeared in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Quillette, and Commentary Magazine
Eli Steele received his bachelor’s degree in literature from Claremont McKenna College in 1996 and earned his master of public policy from the Pepperdine School of Public Policy in 2011.
ERIC L. JOHNSON
Eric L. Johnson is the 60th mayor of Dallas, Texas. After his initial election to office in 2019, he was re-elected in 2023 with an overwhelming majority of the vote. During his mayoral tenure, Mr. Johnson has been responsible for a number of public safety improvements, ushering his constituents through the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for federal disaster response following an EF-3 tornado, and implementing several practices to reduce violent crime in the region. Mr. Johnson is also currently a partner at Locke Lorde LLP.
Mr. Johnson served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 2010 to 2019, representing the cities of Dallas and Mesquite in District 100. In 2012 he founded and served as chair of the Young Texans Legislative Caucus, an organization that works to better elements of society such as transportation, infrastructure, and education. He is also a former member of the Pepperdine University Board of Regents.
Eric Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard University. He received a master in public affairs from Princeton University and a juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES AWARDED BY THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
Master
of Public Policy
CELESTE BEATRICE BENITEZ GALICIA
Applied Economic Policy
State and Local Policy
RYAN CHARLES BROWN
International Relations and National Security Joint MPP/JD
JASMINE MARIE CAMPOS
American Policy and Politics Dispute Resolution
COOPER ROBINSON CONWAY
Applied Economic Policy State and Local Policy
HEATHER ROSE DOUGAN
American Policy and Politics Dispute Resolution
VAFA ALI FANAII
American Policy and Politics
International Relations and National Security
KATHRYN EVE FORTENBERRY
Applied Economic Policy
International Relations and National Security
PATRICK GRACE
Applied Economic Policy
International Relations and National Security
JACKSON THOMAS BREWSTER GRASZ
International Relations and National Security Joint MPP/JD
TALAR HAIDOSSIAN
International Relations and National Security
NOAH DAVID JACKSON
Applied Economic Policy
JANETH JEPLETING Dispute Resolution
SARA JOUR
International Relations and National Security Joint MPP/JD
MADISON LESLIE LEONARDI
International Relations and National Security Joint MPP/MDR
EMMA LOTTMAN
American Policy and Politics State and Local Policy
DECLAN RYAN JACK MADDERN
Applied Economic Policy
International Relations and National Security
ALAYA A. McKINNEY
American Policy and Politics
GAETANO FRANCESCO MONTALBANO
American Policy and Politics
ANALISE NASH
American Policy and Politics State and Local Policy
DANIELLE MAXWELL NEALLY State and Local Policy
LAURYN ELIZABETH PAYNE
American Policy and Politics
GRACE ELIZABETH RALSTIN
American Policy and Politics
International Relations and National Security
McKENZIE MAREN RICHARDS
American Policy and Politics
DOMINIC EDWARD ROMANI
International Relations and National Security State and Local Policy
OLIVIA KATE SALES
American Policy and Politics
International Relations and National Security
ERIN KATHLEEN SCHRANG
American Policy and Politics
International Relations and National Security
ABIGAIL NICOLE TACKER
Applied Economic Policy
International Relations and National Security
MACKENZIE RACHEL WINTON
International Relations and National Security
This is not an official graduation list.
NOTES
NOTES
NOTES
Accessible Seating
SERVICES
Drinking Water
First Aid
Lost and Found
Reception
Restrooms
Sun-Sensitive Seating
Blue chairs indicate the area for accessible seating plus one accompanying guest. Please find posted signs or ask an usher for assistance.
Available in dispensers in various locations on Alumni Park.
Available at the first aid/information tent near the entrance of Alumni Park. If an emergency occurs, please ask the nearest usher for assistance.
Please visit the information tent regarding any lost or found items.
Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served under the canopies near the Alumni Park pond.
When facing the stage, restrooms are located to the right of the graduation ceremony area.
A small area of shaded seating is located to the left of guest seating.
To view a live broadcast of this event or a digital version of this program, scan the code or go to go.pepperdine.edu/commencement