A RT IC L E S
13
M.I.T.A.Y. and the Power of Storytelling
Annual Men’s Luncheon The term “Pepperdine Spirit” was given even more special meaning to me on January 27, 2009, when I had the honor of attending the annual GPC alumni M.I.T.A.Y. (Made It Through Another Year) men’s luncheon.
By Matt Ebeling (’99) Executive Director, GPC Alumni Affairs Photography by Hanson Williams
Warm, smiling faces, hearty handshakes, big bear hugs (thanks, Paul Perry), and genuine Wave pride consumed me from the moment I entered the beautiful banquet room of the Grand, Long Beach Event Center, a wonderful backdrop for this unique gathering. I recall asking Harry Nelson (’50) upon my arrival, “Hey Harry! So what’s the agenda today?” “No agenda,” he replied. “M.I.T.A.Y. is simply a place for all of us to gather to celebrate life and one another. Anybody can get up anytime and say whatever they’d like.” And so it went, enjoying fellowship, lively conversations around the luncheon tables, storytelling from the podium, boisterous laughter, and countless heartfelt moments of encouragement and acknowledgement to one another.
Harry Nelson ('50) rallies the Waves!
At the gentlemen’s luncheon, Sam Lagana of Pepperdine Athletics got our blue and orange blood pumping as he paid homage to the great Pepperdine football teams of yesteryear and gave us a peek at the present and future of Pepperdine Athletics and the fighting spirit of our amazing student-athletes. We remembered dear friends who have passed and celebrated new friendships forged. Dr. Charles B. Runnels, Chancellor Emeritus for Pepperdine, demonstrated his usual class in honoring each of you and what you have meant to him personally–as well as to Pepperdine University–and how very important your support over the years has always been toward strengthening our students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Those stories that you all share are so important to me and to the next generations of the Pepperdine Family. With every tale, you show us how Pepperdine came to be and how it must continue to be. You illustrate the pure values upon which this institution is still based, leading us to an even more meaningful future. You challenge us to do more, and you inspire us to carry the GPC torch with pride as we take what you started at 79th and Vermont and spread it from Malibu to L.A., Washington, D.C., Germany, Italy, China, and every other shore in our world that feels the powerful impact of our Waves. As you all celebrate “making it through another year,” I proudly celebrate how your inspiring stories and wisdom will undoubtedly shape the year ahead for me and for so many other members of the Pepperdine Family. Thank you, God bless you, and I look forward to seeing you again very soon, my brothers. †
SC0901083-Promenade newsletter_v2.indd 13
GPC Alumni: (top row, left to right) Hal Syfritt (‘63), Harry Nelson (‘50), Jim Gibson (‘58), Ted Porter (‘59), Sol Henderson (‘59); (bottom row, left to right) John Katch (‘60), Al Calce (‘57), Duane Larue (‘58), and Bill Squire (‘53).
GPC Alumni: (standing, left to right) Duane Sherman, Bayard Bartley (‘49), Sam Lagana (Assoc. Vice Chancellor, Advancement & Athletics), Val Fejtek (‘52), and Paul Perry (‘50); (seated) Dr. Jim Hedstrom, Ph.D. (‘51). 5/26/09 9:11 AM