Pepperdine Beacon Inaugural Print Edition | April 2024

ANISRAELI STUDENT?SJOURNEYOF PERSEVERANCEANDSUPPORT ATPEPPERDINE byNetaSade

TakeaSneakPeek

CHRISPRATTREVISITSAMERICAN PATRIOTISMON9/11

byAbigailChoe

ACONVERSATIONWITHPEGGYGRANDE, AUTHORANDFORMEREXECUTIVE ASSISTANTTORONALDREAGAN byCadenBenedict

Asighof relief?it hasbeen almost four yearssinceour founding Withover 100articles published;$40,000fundraised; andalegacyof successfully trainedstudent leadersnow thrivingincareersinpolicy, business,nonprofits,and graduateschools,I lookbackat theBeacon?sprogresssofar Our studentshavebeen valedictorians Theyhaveserved onstudent government,as Resident Advisors,andin Spiritual Liferoles. Theyleadin GreekLife,travel inInternational Programs,andhaveengagedwith someof themost impressivethought leadersnationallyinculture, politics,andeducationtoday Ineverymetricpossibleour students havebeenservantleaderswhohavegoneandimpactedeverylevel of our communityandbeyond

Our boardof nationallyrecognizedscholarsandalumni has expandedfromtheoriginal sixprofessors. Ourstudentshave learnedvaluablelessonsfromthem:lessonsof courage,prudence, grace,andstrategy I wishDr TedMcAllister washeretoseeall the workaccomplishedsincehispassingin2023 I hopehewouldbe proudof wherewestartedandhowfarwehavecome

Inthechaosof 2020,mypartnersandI heldmany concerns?concernswesoonrealizedmanyothersshared regardingthestateof our nationandthestateof freeandopen discourse Asamicrocosm,Pepperdinewasaffectedbysomeof theserealities

Whodowe:students,faculty,andalumni want tobeasapeople? Howdowewant theworldtoknowus?Howdowewant theworld toknowusasindividuals?Wedecidedthesequestionswere important?andneededanswering.

Webeganthisenterpriseverymuchinthespirit of EdmundBurke, thestatesman,whothought prudencewasthehighest virtueof society Noneof ussought toradicallyrestructureour community Webelievedinincremental progress,slowlybuildinganinstitution that couldstandthetest of timeandservegenerationsof students tocome. It haslastedthusfar,andthefoundationsareherefor generationstocome It hassuccessfullyunitedtogether a communityof truth?callingour universitybacktoarevival of the goodmissionandvaluesthat makeour communitydistinct

With?Truthwithout Fear?asour motto(areworkingof the UniversityAffirmationStatement),westubbornlypressedforward intotheunknown. Yearsago,I knewwhat wecouldbecomeandwe still havefar togo. But wehaveaccomplishednearlyeverythingI hopedfor inmytimehere

I wholeheartedlybelievethisendeavor wouldnot havesucceeded without what seemedlikedivineintervention Somany circumstancesneededtobejust right for ustohavetheright foundingteam,theright time,theright communitysupport,andthe right institutional innovationsforthistosucceed

WithGod,all thingsarepossible Our communitysawwhat happens

whendetermined,mission-filledstudents,faculty,andalumni unite tocreatesomethingrarelyseeninour worldtoday Weplanteda flagfor thethingsthat matter?for betterconversationssurrounding thegreat questionsof our past andpresent,foraunifyingbodyfor all fiveschools?

Andfor?Truthwithout Fear?

It wasnot easy,but ?thegoodisbetter whenit isharder?as Aristotlesaid. I havehadmanysleeplessnights,doubts,andfears. At timestheobstaclesseemedtooinsurmountable,theriskstoo high,thejourneytoolong But whenour futureseemedunsure, somehow,wereceivedtheright support at theright timeor anew boost of motivationthat kept usmovingforwardwithflagshigh, trumpetssounding,shieldslocked,resolutelyandunshakably committedtoour cause

Ourcountryisindesperateneedof help. But changedoesn? t happenfromthetopdown It happensfromthebottomup

Howwefixour countrycanbeginat our ?cityonahill?inMalibu It canbeginwhenindividualsdecidetotakepersonal responsibility forthemselvesandtheir community It requiresstandingupand takingactionwhenweseetherootsof chaosbegintotakehold. It requiressacrifice But it alsorequiresbelief I believeinour community I believewecanmakethingsbetter fortomorrowwhile preservingthegoodvaluesandinstitutionsof thepast I believe that wecantrainthenext generationof servantleaderstogoand haveanimpact,livingin?Truthwithout Fear?

IbelievethisbecauseI haveseenit AndIseethosepeoplegoing intoimpact careers I seeacampusdiscoursedramaticallyshifted towardsviewpoint diversity,empathy,andsupportiveof our Christianmission. I donot believetheBeaconaloneaccomplished theserealities. But I dobelieveour campuswouldbequitedifferent without thisgroup BecausethisgroupisPepperdine

It wouldbeimpossibletosaythankyoutoeveryonewhomadethe Beaconpossible Inshort,wecouldnot havecomethisfar without thevocal support of all of theprofessors,administrators,staffers, students,parents,andalumni whocareabout freespeech,our university,andthestateof our countrytoday. Thankyouespecially tothegiftedprofessorswhoteachus,thededicatedand passionateadministratorsandstafferswhoholdour studentsat theheart of what theydo,andtheparentsandalumni whoare supportingthe?next generation?

Thosequestionsweaskedinour foundingwehaveanswered We want tobeknownasacommunitythat pursues?Truthwithout Fear? inall wedo,aspirestoexcellenceinall wedo,andseekstohonor Godinall wedo

With?Truthwithout Fear?ringingacrossour campusandthrough ourhallsandintoour national community,I onceagainthankyou fornearlyfour yearsof support,prayers,andlove AndI lastlyask youto?not loveinwordor deed,but inactionandintruth?(1John 3:18).

Withgratitude,

Caden Benedict ('23, MPP'25) Founder&Editor-in-ChiefEmeritus

"

Throughout itstenure,TheBeaconhas shonebrightly,illuminatingthediverse voicesandvibrant storieswithinour Pepperdinecommunity. Wearegrateful forthestaff'svaluablecontributionand commitment tofosteringmeaningful dialogueat ourUniversity.

Jim Gash(JD'93) PresidentandCEO PepperdineUniversity

PresidentJimGash

SpeaksonMission, Values,andCore Issuesfor Pepperdine

Thisconversationispart1ofashortseries baseduponthe2030StrategicPlanning DraftsandthePresident?sVisionStatement.

By:CadenBenedict

Publishedoriginallyin2021,thisexcerpt providesalookatthePresident?sviewson timelessconcernsof theuniversity We selectedexcerptsfromthisinterview becausethesetimelessconcernsstill guideourcommunitytodaythroughthe now-adoptedStrategicPlan

Caden Benedict: What is your greatest hope, thething that most excites you for theuniversity in thenext 10 years?If you could only accomplish onething in the Strategic Plan what would it be?

JimGash:I?ll talkabout oneideaandone project Theideathat I hopewecan accomplishoverthenext 10yearsisto maximizePepperdine?spotential onthe twocorefoundational reasonsfor usto exist

Oneisthedeepeningof theChristianfaith inour community Andsecond,the deepeningof theacademicexcellencein our community AndIwouldnot put those inthat order,theyaretiedfor first

Becausewe?reaneducational institution. Wearenot achurch Wearenot a religiousorganization Wearean educational institutionthat hasits foundationinaparticular viewof the worldandaparticular set of foundational truths?that wearecreatedinGod?s image,andthat wearecalleduponto serveothersbecauseof our faithinChrist asour LordandSavior. Thiscompelsus tocreateandpromoteacommunity environment that valueseveryoneand pointsthemtowardGod,whileat the sametime,givingthemthehighest level of academictrainingandmentoringthat wecandeliver

I wouldliketheretobenoambiguity, internallyor external,onwhoweare?and that isanexcellent educational institution

that isgroundedinChristianfaith

Thesecondthingisacampusculturethat isgoingtobe,Ibelieve,greatlyenhanced byaparticular project That project we?re nowcalling?TheMountain,?whichis essentiallyavillagebuilt ontheRho parkinglot

It will beaplacefor gatheringthat draws ourcommunityintoavibrant relationship witheachother onadailybasis It will be thecenter of theheartbeat of Pepperdine University?scampusculture

Editor?sNote:TheMountainwouldinclude anewbasketballandeventsarena,parking garage,studentexercisefacilities,new foodandrecreationspaces,andtheRISE resilienceofficesandcampusrecreation spaces. Pepperdinehopestheprojectwill becompleteby2026.

CB: What do you think makes Pepperdine distinctivefromother Christian universities?

SomeTopicsCovered

- TwoGoals

- Pepperdine?sDistinctness

- MissionDrift

PresidentGashsaidherespectsschoolslike Stanfordwhoexcelinacademics,and schoolslikeWheatonandBiolafortheir focusontheirChristianmission.Heasks though,whichschoolsarecommittedto bothfaithandtoacademicexcellenceand haveaglobalfocus?

JG:Idonot seeawholelot of peoplein that laneaheadof us. Thereareschools that wouldcometomind,NotreDame, BYU,Baylor But I donot want tobeinany of thoseschools,I want tobePepperdine Andsowhat makesusdifferent,Ibelieve, isthat wehavefiguredout whoweare, andwearestrivingtobethebest at that Toachieveour potential,wehaveroomto grow If wethought wewereat thehighest level of potential,that wouldbethe ultimateinhubrisandlackof humility AndsoIfeel anobligationingettingthe batonfromAndy,whowassprintingthe entire19yearsandmovingusforward,to takethebatoninthesprint myself Andto sprint towardssomethingthat I don? t see

- BalancingBelongingwithUniversityValues

- International Programs

- ConvocationChanges

- AffirmationStatement andtheMission

- Viewpoint Diversity

- EthnicandIdentityDiversity

- Cultural competencyandCommunityBelonging

existsright now,inhighereducation,at least inthewaythat welookat the horizonwiththisacademicexcellencein Christianfaithandglobal reach

[Someoneshouldbeabletogoanywhere andask] ?what aretheeliteChristian institutionsintheworld??Andthenpeople say?Well,youknow,thereisPepperdine, thereis??andthenfinishthelist That?s what I aspireforustobe

CB: What if asignificant group of students wanted theuniversity?s mission to change?

JG:Wewill not compromiseour Christian missionat all,period Wewill not compromiseour academicexcellencefor anyreason,period That isthewayit is Thosearenonnegotiable,regardlessof whether acertainnumberof students want ustodosomethingdifferent Wedo not set our missionbaseduponstudent feedback,weinvitestudentsintoour communitytoexperienceour mission,to further it Theydonot havetoagreewith it,but wedon? t changeit Wearenot takingvotes

Non-Christiansareinvitedandwelcometo thishostedtableandhonoredandvalued inandacceptedat thistable But it isa Christiantable Andsothat hascertain aspectstoit Pleasecometoour table If youdonot likethisfood,well,wearestill goingtoservethat food Andwewould lovetohaveyoucome But youdonot get todecidewhichfoodweareserving It is our table

I donot evenhavethefinal sayat Pepperdineformissionrelatedthings,I report toaBoardof Regentsandoneof their mainjobsistoguardthemission I thinktheyknowthat Iamfullycommitted tothat. Andtheyarefullycommittedto that too

CB: Howdoes Pepperdinebalance belonging and themetaphor of the?Open Table?with staying trueto thefounding mission and values of theuniversity?I?ll givean example In theDraft Strategic Plan, thereis an anti-homophobia statement on page11 Howdoes the university squarethis with traditional Christian values which areagainst same-sex marriage.?

Editor?sNote:Thespecificquoteisonpage elevenof theStrategicPlanDraftwhich reads?Wearecommittedtobuildinga communitywherethereisnoracism, sexism,xenophobia,homophobia?orany

otherperspectiveorpracticethatdevalues oroppressesanotherhumanbeing.?

JG:Ithinkweneedtodefineour terms

Becausethetraditional Biblical interpretationof sexual relationships withinamonogamousrelationship betweenamanandawoman?that isnot inconsistent withusnot being homophobic

Thewordhomophobia,asIunderstandit, asit iscommonlyused,doesnot include adisagreement onBiblical principles [Homophobiais] tellingsomeonetheyare not allowedtobehere,discriminating against them,not allowingthemtohold certainoffices,etc It ishatredof andfear of theother That isnot part of Pepperdine Pepperdineisnot homophobic. Andif thereishomophobia, definedthat wayinour institution,that is not consistent withwhoweseektobe

What wearetryingtosay,andwhat we will continuetosayiseverystudent, regardlessof gender,race,ethnicity, sexual orientation,national origin,age, disability,fill intheblank,will beloved andrespectedandhonoredandcherished at Pepperdine

Wehavepeopleinour facultiesthat have verydifferent views,andour students haveverydifferent viewsonthis But neitherof themareunwelcomeat Pepperdine Thisisaplacewherewecan haverespectful civil dialogueon important issuesof our dayandlearn fromeachother But wedonot label each otherbaseduponadisagreement about important issues

CB: I think therearetwo clauses in the University Affirmation Statement that might not get as much attention as some of theothers: ?That truth, having nothing to fear frominvestigation should be pursued relentlessly in every discipline" and "that freedom, whether spiritual, intellectual, or economic, is indivisible? Howwill theseclauses informthe university?s mission strategy for thenext 10 years?

JG:HigherEducation,ingeneral,istruth seekingat itsbest Idonot believethere aremultipleversionsof truth;thereis truth Andweareall seekingthat truth Weall seethat fromadifferent perspective

But truthissomethingthat ismorethan facts Factsarewhat weseeandwhat we canascertain Truthiswhat Godseesand

what Godsays SoasIamtryingtofigure out what istrue,what doesGodsay? Becausethat isdefinitionallytrue What doesGodsee?Heseesall of us,as createdinhisimage,andasaresult,we arelovedbyhim That istrue That is truth

Whenwesay,truthhasnothingtofear frominvestigation,what wearesayingis, therearenotopicsthat areoff limits We aregoingtostudyscientifictheoriesand principlesthat heretoforehavebeenoff limitsinsomecircles[forfear] that it might leadtosomethingthat webelieve tobeinconsistent withwhat we?vereadin theBibleabout thenatureof creationor whatever. Wearecommittedtoseeking that truth,regardlessof whereit leads, becauseweknowwhereit leadsisgoing tobetoGod. Andit maychangeour understandingof GodandHistruth,but weneedtopursuethat relentlessly

Weweregivenreasonandweweregiven thecapacitytodiscover andtoco-create byGod Heisexpectingus,Ibelieve,to usethat Andlookintoeveryaspect and everycomponent of creationandevery aspect of societyandcommunity Sowe arejust not afraidof thepursuit of truth

Forthesecondstatement,Ithink,like truth,freedomisdefinedbyGod Andit is somethingthat weweredesignedfor We werealsocalledtoobediencetoGod?s truth,andGod?swill Andmysourceof truthisinGod?sword Andmybelief is God?swordiscontainedintheBible And so,amIfreetodothingsthat Iwant todo that areinconsistent withGod?struth?I wouldsayIamfreetoresist myinternal, fleshly,imperfect desiresthat are inconsistent withGod?struth Andthat is what freedomis Iamfreetoseekafter God?swill,inmylife,freetoseekHis truth ThoseAffirmationStatementshave stoodthetest of timeinwaysthat very fewthingswritten30yearsagohave And wecontinuetoembracethose

CB: Many universities havebecome monolithic in their perspectives

According to theHarvard Crimson, Harvard has only seven faculty members that identified as ?somewhat or very conservative,?compared to 183 faculty who identified as ?somewhat or very liberal ?Someat Pepperdinewould say that theuniversity?s faculty arebecoming moremonolithic in their views. Why do you think viewpoint diversity is so important, and howwill it becreated or preserved?

JG:What wearelookingfor is theabilitytohavea conversationfromevery viewpoint of legitimate thought Wearetalkingabout aneducational environment whereyouareabletobe challengedtolearnandthink becausewearetryingto teachstudentshowtothink, not what tothink Andwhen youget toofartoeitherside of theideological spectrum, thenit canbecomevery difficult for studentsto separatetheprofessor?s desirefor themtolearnhow tothinkfromsomethingthat feelsliketheyarebeingtold what tothink

Youneedthat dynamic tensionintheclassroom [wherethereisenough disagreement] where studentscansay?let?sreason together?andbetter cometo anunderstandingof thetruth [Inaclassroomwithonlyone student whoholdsan opinion] it isnot oftenthat youcanhaveconversations that advancethissearchfor truthwehavebeentalking about Becausethenyou start gettingintoorthodoxy Well,that isnot what we believe,here

I donot seethat weare monolithic Ithinkthereare timeswhenpeopleonboth sidesthinktheyarelessfree or ?safe?tovoicecertain perspectivesbecausethose viewpointsmaynot be acceptedbythecommunity Someof themhavewritten thingsfor theBeacon. And someof themhavewritten thingsfor theGraphic,and someof themhavewritten andspokeninthepolitical sphere

Weneedtoteacheachother throughconversationsthat challengeusinour fundamental perceptions about particulartopics And part of thehumilityweare calledto,istoaccept that the presuppositionsthat we comeinwitharesubject to evaluationwhenweget new

informationthat challenges thoseperspectives.

CB: TheDraft talks about how Pepperdinewill continueto enhancethediversity of the Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff, and students What does Pepperdinemean by that? Arethereways in which we?re not currently diverseenough? Arethereareas of thought and perspectives that this institution is missing?

JG:What weareseekingto doat Pepperdineisensure that for everyopenposition, includingstudent admissions, includingfaculty,including administration,that wehave awidepool of applicants Sometimeswhenyouonly fishinacertainpond,you onlycatchacertainkindof fish Andif youfishin different ponds,youwill have different kindsof fish

Andwhenwefishindifferent pondswewill enduplooking likeAmerica AndIdothinkit isimportant forPepperdine toreflect TheUnitedStates But that will not bethe overridingdecisioninmy hiring Andit will not bethe overridingdecisionin Pepperdinegoalsand policies Wewant adiverse

communitybecausewelive inadiversecountry. But we arenot goingtosettle We arenot goingtodiminishour standardsforexcellence And wedonot havetosettlein ordertohaveexcellent peoplewhofulfill the Revelation7visionthat we haveandwill continueto have

Iwill alwayschoosethe personwhoisbest fit for that job. Andthat will bewithout regardtorace,orgender,or ethnicity

InRevelation7,theBible paintsthispictureof a gatheringof peoplefrom everynationandtribeand tongueworshipingtogether in asinglevoice,praisingGod together,wherethereisnot onlyoneperspectiveor backgroundorraceor ethnicityorgender or nationalitythat isrepresented here

[PeopletoldmeI] missedthe opportunitytohireaperson of colorasprovost AndI understandwhytheywould saythat But that wasnot what Iwaslookingtodo I wasnot tryingtomeet anybody?sexpectations Iwas tryingtohirethepersonwhoI thought wouldbethemost effectiveprovost for

PepperdineUniversity And that processrevealedtome that JayBrewsterwas

CB: Do you think therecan be perhaps adanger of a professor bringing his or her own political leanings into the classroomor workplace?

JG:Ineveryaspect forall of us,there?sthat danger When youaretalkingtome,youare goingtohear myperspective comingthrough I domybest whenI teachnot tolet my perspectivecomethrough, but weareall imperfect at that

Ithinkthereisadifference betweenPepperdineteaching communismandPepperdine professorswhoareteaching political science,talking about thetheoryof communismI thinkthereisa differencebetween Pepperdineteachingcritical racetheoryandprofessors talkingabout thistheorythat ispart of theacademicand political andsocial landscape Ithinkour studentsshouldknowwhat that is Theyshouldknow what capitalismis They shouldknowwhat libertarianismis Theydonot havetoascribetoit It isnot likepart of beingastudent at Pepperdinemeansthat you?re indoctrinatedwithcapitalism orwithlibertarianismor with progressivismorwithcritical racetheoryorwith communism Youneedto understandwhat thosethings are Sowhenyougoout into theworld,youarecapableof beingpart of aconversation that addslight,andnot just heat

Progress on thePlan

Thisdraft planwasfinalized withminorchangesand becameuniversitypolicyin March2022,informingthe missionanddirectionof the universityadministrationfor theremainder of the2020s

BeingaBeacon of Faithto CollegeStudents

KatieMihalcukaoffersadviceonhowto representChristinourdailylives.

By:KatieMihalcuka

Asastudent enrolledinaChristian university,aspecificquestionconstantly circulatesinmymind:HowcanI represent Jesustoindividualswhoknow thestoryof Christ likethebackof their hand,whoattendchurchservices,and whoidentifythemselvesasChristians?

InMark16:15,Jesusstates,?Gointoall theworldandpreachthegospel toall creation?Howdoesthisverserelateto collegestudents,andwhat practical steps cantheytaketoincorporatethis instructionintotheir lives?

ToeffectivelyembodyJesusonacollege campus,studentsmust strivetoimitate Hischaracter Thisprocessbeginsinthe ?secret place,?orone?sprivatelife

Beforeventuringout torepresent Jesus,it iscrucial toestablishagenuine connectionwithHim Thisinvolves exploringHischaracter,studyinghowHe interactedwiththosearoundHim, observingHisfriendships,and understandinghowHelivedHisdailylife

Truerepresentationof Christ canonlybe authenticwhenit comesfromadeepand developedrelationshipwithHim Immersingyourself intheWordof God will helpstrengthenandequipyoufor campusinteractions.

I wouldliketoemphasizetheimportance of buildingconnections. Findafriendor a communitywithinalocal churchorsmall group Thiswill allowyoutogrowyour faithandfindlike-mindedindividuals

Asacollegestudent,youinevitably encounter challengesandexperienceboth highsandlows Havingasupportive environment andasafeplacewhereyou canopenlyshareyourstrugglesand victoriescanbeuplifting

Matthew18:20states,?For wheretwoor threearegatheredinmyname,thereamI amongthem?Whenweintentionally gather at achurchserviceor asmall groupmeetingfor thepurposeof uplifting

andencouragingothers,Godisthere amongus

Throughout Histimeonearth,Jesus gatheredwithHisdisciplesandeven peoplewhowereconsidered?sinners? accordingtoJewishlaws Nomatter whereHewasorwhoHewaswith,people left transformed,healed,andencouraged tofollowJesusfor therest of their lives

It iscrucial toapproacheverysituation withhumility Collegepresentsnumerous opportunitiestointeract withadiverse rangeof students,teachers,andfaculty, eachcomingfromdifferent backgrounds

InColossians3:12,GodcallsHis followerstolivewithcompassion, kindness,humility,gentleness,and patience Throughout yourcollege journey,youwill encounter moments whereindividualsexpressbeliefsand opinionsthat differfromyour own Our goal asChristiansistoreact andrespond inaGodlymanner Whileit canbe temptingtolet aconversationescalate, themost impactful approachistoallow thecharacter of Christ toshinethroughus insuchmoments

Prioritizebeingasupportivefriend,asit embodiesaformof serving Godcallsus tobeservants,rememberingthat those consideredlast onearthwill befirst in heaven(Matthew20:16) Bealight inthe livesof your friends. The12Apostles werenot onlydisciples,theywereJesus? friends(John15:14) Jesusguided,

encouraged,andequippedhisdisciples Christiansarecalledtoemulatethesame attitudetowardsourfriends? offering guidance,support,andempowerment

Whenit comestoyourrelationshipwith Christ,beboldandcourageous Donot hesitatetoopenlydeclareyour devotion toJesusandyour commitment toliving forHim Shareyourtestimony,engagein meaningful conversationsabout faith,and inspireothersthroughthegenuine expressionof yourlovefor Jesus Donot let anythingstopyoufromfaithfully representingChrist

Whyisit important torepresent Jesuson yourcollegecampus?Collegepresents studentswithabundant freedomtolive their livesaccordingtotheir desires Manyindividualsembarkonajourneyof self-discovery,unravelingtheir true identitiesandaspirations

However,it isimportant tobasethese decisionsonasolidfoundationof faith

Whenyouliveyour lifefor God,every aspect of your existencetransforms You arenolonger drivenbyselfishdesiresbut insteadarefocusedonglorifyingGodin everythingyoudo Yourwayof livingwill radiateasenseof fulfillment that stands out. Thiswill drawpeoplecloser toJesus.

Ourobjectiveisnot toforcefullyimpose ourbeliefsonothersbut rathertoliveour livesinalignment withGod?swill

AnIsraeli Student'sJourney of Perseverance andSupportat Pepperdine

AstensionshaveescalatedinIsraelsince October7,NetaSadefoundexceptional supportfromthePepperdinecampus community.

By:NetaSade

Asaninternational attorneypursuingmy LLMdegreeinDisputeResolutionat PepperdineUniversityCarusoSchool of Law,I never imaginedthat mystudies wouldcoincidewithoneof themost challengingperiodsinIsrael?shistory? thewar withGaza Amidst theturmoil and uncertainty,Ifoundanunexpectedhaven of support andunderstandingat Pepperdine. TheChristianuniversitythat embracedme,anIsraeli student,with openarms

Initially,myfamilyandmentorshad reservationsabout mychoicetostudyat aChristianinstitution. Theyurgedmeto consider prestigiousuniversitieslike Berkeleyor otherIvyLeagueschools However,deepwithinme,Ifelt an unwaveringpull towardsPepperdine It wasasif aninner voicewasguidingme tothisuniqueplace

Fromthemoment I steppedonto Pepperdine?scampus,I wasoverwhelmed bythewarmthandsenseof belonging DespiteitsChristianidentity,the universityexudedaremarkablediversity of religionsandcultures,withstudents representingplacesfromall over the world Thisinclusiveenvironment quickly dispelledanylingeringdoubtsIhadabout mydecision

Asthewar inGazaintensified,myheart achedfor myfamilyandfriendsback home Thenewsof arocket fragment landinginmyparents?houseandmy brother beingcalledupfor reserveduty onlyamplifiedmyanxiety Duringthis emotionallytaxingtime,Pepperdine demonstrateditsunwaveringcommitment toitsstudents?well-being

Theuniversitypromptlyorganizeda prayer serviceledbytheCarusoLaw

School Rabbi SholomEagle acknowledgingthehardshipsfacedby Israeli studentsandofferingsolaceand solidarity Thisgestureof empathyand support provedinvaluableduringthose difficult days Iwastouchedbythe rabbi?sunwaveringpresence,ensuring that Inever felt aloneduringthose challengingtimes.

Beyondtheprayer service,I receivedan outpouringof support fromvarious cornersof thePepperdinecommunity I volunteeredfor PepperdineWaveClassic, aTennisandGolf event at Pepperdine, andfoundmyself surroundedbyagroup

of genuinelycaringindividuals

Facultymembers,student bar associations,andorganizationslikeRise, Student CareTeam,ThePepperdine Beacon,theCenterfor theArts(CFA),and theStrausInstituteforDisputeResolution alsoextendedtheir support,offering wordsof encouragement,assistance,and prayers

Theoutpouringof support extended beyondthePepperdinecommunityas well JewishorganizationsliketheJewish GraduateStudent Initiative(JGSI) andthe Leadership Institute(LI) reachedout to offertheir assistance,reaffirmingthe

senseof unityandshared experienceamongthe Jewishstudent population

Theheartfelt prayersfrom theentirePepperdine community,includingthe church,furthersolidified mybelief inthe university?sgenuinevalues anditscommitment to inclusivityand compassion

Despitebeingfar from home,I felt aprofound senseof belongingat Pepperdine Surrounded bysuchunwavering support and understanding,Iwasable tonavigatetheemotional turmoil of thewar while continuingmystudies

Pepperdine?sunwavering commitment toits students?well-being,its embraceof diversity,and itsembodiment of Christianvalueshaveleft anindeliblemarkonmy life I amforever grateful for thesupport andunderstandingI receivedduringoneof themost challengingperiodsinmylife,andI wholeheartedlyrecommendPepperdineto anystudent seekinganenrichingand supportiveacademicexperience

Inthefaceof adversity,Pepperdine provedtobeabeaconof hopeand resilience,demonstratingthat true compassionandunderstandingtranscend cultural andreligiousdivides. This experiencehasprofoundlyshapedmy understandingof humanity,reaffirming mybelief inthepower of empathyandthe unwaveringsupport that onecanfindin unexpectedplaces

ThePain of Antisemitismand theHopeof Pepperdine

Amidst theturmoil anduncertaintyof the war inGaza,I foundanunexpectedhaven of support andunderstandingat Pepperdine,aChristianuniversitythat embracedme,anIsraeli student,with openarms However,Icouldnot escape theharshrealityof antisemitismthat was growingonuniversitycampusesacross theUnitedStates

Thestoriesof myfriendsandclassmates sufferingfromantisemitismweredeeply disturbing Theyspokeof professors celebratingthemurder of innocent civilians,of feelingafraidtobeon campus,andof evenleavingtheir programsaltogether Theseexperiences wereastarkreminderof theenduring legacyof hateandintolerance

Themurderof ourneighbor?sdaughter andherboyfriendinTel AvivonOctober7, 2023,wasapersonal tragedythat struck adeepchordwithinme Theirdreamsof a newlifetogether wereshatteredby senselessviolence,leavingbehindatrail of grief anddespair Myheart achedfor them,andIfoundsolaceinthe unwaveringsupport Ireceivedfromthe Pepperdinecommunity

Inparticular,twomanagers,Christineand Cindy,alongwithaPepperdinealumna andparent namedLayla,provided constant careandencouragement during thisdifficult time Their kindnessand compassionwereabeaconof hope amidst thedarkness,andIameternally grateful fortheir presenceinmylife

Pepperdine?sunwaveringcommitment to itsstudents?well-being,itsembraceof diversity,anditsembodiment of Christian valueshaveleft anindeliblemarkonmy life Despitethechallengesand heartachesIfaced,Ifoundasenseof belongingandsupport that Inever expected

Theuniversity?sresponsetothewarin Gazademonstrateditsdedicationto fosteringasafeandinclusive environment forall students Theprayer serviceorganizedbythecampusrabbi, theoutpouringof support fromfaculty andfellowstudents,andtheunwavering presenceof therabbi himself wereall testamentstoPepperdine?scommitment toitsstudents?well-being

Whileantisemitismcontinuestocast a shadowover society,Pepperdinestands asabeaconof hopeandunderstanding Theuniversity?scommitment toits students,itsembraceof diversity,andits embodiment of Christianvaluesprovidea powerful antidotetotheforcesof hatred andintolerance

Distinguished PublicServant RichardHaass Discussesthe Obligationsof Citizens

DiplomatguestspeakerdefinesAmerica?s mostdifficultchallenge.

By:ConnorMerkandNoahShifter

Dr. RichardHaass,adistinguishedpublic servant andpresident emeritusof the Council of ForeignRelations,presented ?TheFutureof AmericanDemocracy?on November7aspart of thePresident?s SpeakerSeries Healsoanswered questionsinadiscussionmoderatedby Professorof PublicPolicyLuisaBlanco andEmeritusDistinguishedProfessorof Political ScienceDanCaldwell

InElkinsAuditorium,nearlyfilledto capacity,Haasscenteredthediscussion aroundAmericandemocracy?sresilience, whichheseesindecline Heattributed thisdeclinetointernal causessuchas political polarization,social media,and howmuchof thecountryissiloedin disparateechochambers

Professional Experience

HavingservedastheUS coordinator for thefutureof Afghanistanunder President GeorgeW BushandUS envoytoboth theCyprusnegotiationsandtheNorthern Irelandpeaceprocess,Haassdrewupona deepknowledgeof foreignaffairstooffer perspectivesontoday?smost pressing global issues,fromtheIsrael-Hamasand Ukraine-Russiaconflictstorisingtensions intheIndo-Pacific

Inthecontext of hisfederal government andthinktankexperience,Haassshared withtheaudiencethat hisbiggest concernfor theUS isnot external war but internal decay Referencinghisnew book,?TheBill of Obligations,?Haass spokeonthedutyall citizensmust fulfill tomaintainahealthydemocracy

?Democracyisnot aspectator sport,? Haasssaid. ?Ultimately,thequalityof Americandemocracyisonus Rights alonedonot makeademocracy?

Keyaspectsof that dutyincludebeing informed,involved,civil,andpursuingthe commongood Healsobelievesthat everyAmericanshouldworkasapublic servant duringtheir lifetimeandthat schoolsneedtoreintroducewidespread civiceducation

TheHaass Mindset

AquestionwasposedbyDr Blanco regardingHaass?viewontheimportance of strongandstabledomesticrelations Haassrepliedthat thismindset grewdue tohistwostintsastheUS envoyto NorthernIrelandandhisinvolvement in theIrishpeaceprocess

?I sawfirsthandtheravagesof asociety,a modernEuropeansociety,wrackedby political violence 3,600peoplewerekilled inNorthernIrelandover thefewdecades knownas?TheTroubles,??Haasssaid ?What it showedmeisthat modern societiesarenot immune?

Thisrelatestohisconcernover the growingacceptanceamongAmericansof politicallyinspiredviolence He mentionedanOctober2023Public ReligionResearchInstitute(PRRI) in partnershipwiththeBrookingsInstitution poll whichfoundoneinfiveAmericans viewpolitical violenceasacceptable

?Weseethethreatsthat arebeingmade against variouspublicofficialsandpeople inthejudicial system SoIdon? t takethis for granted,?Haasssaid

Information Literacy

Haassbelievesthat educationcan improveinformationliteracy,askill he identifiedinanexclusiveinterviewwith theBeacon,ascrucial tobeingacitizenin modernsociety Inthissense,healigns hisviewwithThomasJeffersonwhosaid, ?Aneducatedcitizenryisavital requisite for our survival asafreepeople?

Toreachthisgoal,Haassproposedthat middleandhighschoolsshouldrequire studentstotakeaninformationhygiene classtoovercomethechallenges technologycreatesinfindingaccurate information.

?It?skindof oneof thegreat contradictionsof thismoment. Eachof us hasmoreaccesstomoreinformation thanhumanbeingshaveeverhadin humanhistory,?Haasssaid ?But abig chunkof it isn? t accurate?

Akeysegment of thisstrategyistohave consumersof informationseekmultiple sourcesandnot relyonsocial mediafor newsabout current affairs Haass remarkedthat it isaptlynamedsocial mediaratherthanfactual media,and recommendedusingsocial mediafor social mattersratherthannews.

?Democracy is not aspectator sport.?

Richard Haass

Roleof CollegeEducation

Whenaskedabout what studentstoday candotoprepareforalifeof service,in government or otherwise,Haass respondedthat thinkinghistoricallyand writingwell arecrucial skills

?Ithinkwhat theycanmainlydoat this stageof their livesisreadhistory,?Haass said. ?Becausealthoughhistoryisnot a cookbook,it doeshavevaluablelessons I?mreallyanadvocateof what?sknownas appliedhistory.?

Appliedhistory,adisciplinethat uses insightsfromhistorical eventstonavigate today?sworld,isvaluableforall students whethertheygointogovernment or simplyliveasengagedandinformed citizens

Haass,referencingaquoteoften attributedtoMarkTwain,remarkedthat althoughhistorydoesn? t repeat itself,it doesrhyme Theserhymeshelpstudents of appliedhistoryfindsolutionstonew problemsbystudyingoldones

AudienceFeedback

President JimGashconcludedtheevent withamessageof gratitudefor Haass? presentation

?Ithinkwecanall agreethat what was brought tonight waslight tothe geopolitical environment anddomestic environment,?Gashsaid ?We?regrateful foryouandfor your workonbehalf of this country.?

Tori Michaelian,afirst-year School of PublicPolicystudent attendedtheevent. SheagreedwithHaass?emphasison publicserviceandhowthisprioritization wouldincreaseasenseof communityand democracyinAmerica

?Hewasreallyoptimisticinsomesenses andthat wasrefreshing,?Michaeliansaid

However,shedifferedwithhisviewthat thelargest threat toAmericaisinternal striferatherthanexternal enemies

?Therearepeopleexternallywhosewhole existenceishatingAmericaandthat?s morefrightening. Right now,mymindis oninternational conflict,?Michaeliansaid

Another student fromtheSchool of Public Policy,NoahJackson,foundHaass? propositionthat rightsimplycertain obligationsmeaningful andhelpful for our time

?I?vealwaysthought that wefocusso muchonour rightsasAmericancitizens, but youcan? t haveademocracywithout a citizenrywhofeelsobligatedtogivetothe community,?Jacksonsaid ?Weneeda communitythat doesnot just take;I?ve beenthinkingabout that foryears?

Jacksonemphasizedthat although stayinginformedonforeignaffairsis helpful andimportant,citizenscanhavea muchgreater impact ontheir communitiesthroughlocal politicsand civicengagement

?Themost valuablethingthat youcould doisget involvedinlocal politicsorget involvedinyourlocal community,? Jacksonsaid ?If peoplespent half the timetheyspendreadingthenational or global newsgivingtotheir local community,investinginnonprofitsor churchgroupsoryouthsportsleagues, oursocial fabricwouldbemuchstronger?

ChrisPratt

RevisitsAmerican Patriotismon9/ 11

?Isaythistothosewhoareimmersedin theirownworlds,whothinktheircountry doesn?tneedthem Itisyourtorchtocarry Yourcountryneedsyou?

By:Abigail Choe

Eyesof students,faculty,andPepperdine communitymembersglueduponthe celebrityactorandproducer,ChrisPratt, ashetookhisseat inthe16thannual September 11RemembranceCeremony Over thecourseof themorning,special remarksweresharedandthenational anthemwassung;eachportionof the ceremonyoperatedfamiliarlytothe Pepperdineaudience All except for the keynoteaddress Thespeaker?sname seemedout of placeamongst theother namesontheroster WhyChrisPratt?Did hehaveaconnectiontotheSept 11 event that wedidnot knowabout?

Asif readingtheaudience?sthoughts, Pratt beganhisspeechbynotingthese questions ?Manyof youmight be wondering,?What isChrisPratt doinghere again?What qualifieshimtospeakina ceremonycommemoratingthelivesof the fallenon9/11?Afterall,he?snot a member of thearmedservicesorafirst responder What?shedoinghere??That?sa reallygoodquestion?Inashort sentence, Pratt revealedhisanswer:?Iamadeeply patrioticAmerican?

Invitingtheaudiencetostepintothepast, Pratt revisitedthedayhelearnedabout theSept 11attacks ?Iwasactuallyin NewZealand,of all places,ontheexact oppositesideof theplanet,filminga movie,?Pratt explained Theproduction washisfirst bigbreak,anopportunityto quit hisjobasawaiterandpursuehis actingcareer OnSept 11,2001,Pratt wokeup,elatedtostart filminginthe mountains However,whenhearrivedat work,hewastoldthat theshootinghad pausedfor amoment. Whilehewas asleep,terroristshadattackedtheWorld TradeCenter

Pratt confessedthat hewasnot familiar withtheWorldTradeCenter at thetime Thus,thesignificanceof theattacksdid not sinkincompletely ?I?mnot sayingI wasignorant Iwasjust focusedonwhat I wasfocusedon,likeall humanbeings My focuswasnot asbigastheworld,?Pratt said

Returningbacktothehotel,Pratt turned onthetelevisionandwatchedasthe tragedyunfolded ?Iwatchedinhorror as thesecondplanehit thetower. Iwatched thesmokeof thedevastation Iwatched peoplejumpingfrombuildings Icouldn? t believemyeyes,?Pratt explained. ?I steppedout,fell tomykneesinthesnow, andcried?At that moment,Pratt realized that theworldwouldbeforever changed. Hecouldfeel thetectonicplatesof the earthshiftingunderneathhisfeet

Yet whilehisheart facedanenormous change,workresumedthat day,asif nothinghadeverhappened ?I rememberedthinkingtomyself,?This doesn? t feel right?Ididn? t want tosay

anything Afterall,thiswasmybigbreak Iwasakidfromalittletown Iwas scared So,Ididwhat wasaskedof me I went backtowork,?Pratt confessed. ?The worldmarchedon SodidI?When reflectingback,Pratt notedthat hewas focusedonhimself,onhiscareer,andon tryingtomakeendsmeet Liketherest of theworld,heresumedhislife,focusingon thesmaller picture

Tenyearslater,Pratt workedonafilm whereheplayedaNavySeal Inhis training,hemet withactivedutyseals, shadowingthemtolearnhowtobest play hisrole. ?Physically,mentally,and spirituallyelite,?Pratt saidtodescribe thesemen

Headmiredthewaytheydedicatedtheir livestoserviceandhadapurposelarger thanthemselves Thesemenexpressed their lovefor their country,inawaythat deeplymovedandhumbledPratt ?I wantedtobelikethem Iwantedtobe?the called??

WhenPratt reflecteduponthesemen,he recalledthewordsof Isaiah6:8,which read:?ThenI heardthevoiceof theLord saying,?Whomshall Isend?Andwhowill goforus??AndIsaid,?HereamI. Send me??

AstimeprogressedandmoreAmericans whohadnot livedthroughtheSept 11 attackswereborn,Pratt believedit becameincreasinglyimperativeto remember thesacrificethat wasandstill isofferedupforthesafetyof US citizens.

Thisremembranceiswhat ?weoweto thoseontheplanesandinthebuildings whonever madeit homethat day It?s what weowetothefirefighters,police officers,andparamedicswhoresponded It?swhat weowetothefamilieswhohave carriedon,?Pratt stated ?I mayhave playedaguardianinamovie,but theyare thetrueguardiansof our communities andof our country All of theseguardians [serve] without reservation,knowingthey areinharm?sway. Theydoit for us? the peoplewhoarefocusedonthemselves?

Reflectingonourcurrent culture,Pratt observedmanyindividualswhowere focusedsolelyontheir ownlives,just as hewastwentyyearsago. For him,his attitudecompletelychangedwhenhewas met withthosewhowerecommittedto serviceandweredevotedtotheir country. Experiencingthechangeinhimself,he longedtoseethesametransformationin theheartsandmindsof youngpeople today Pratt addressedthemwithacall:?I saythisgentlytothosewhoareimmersed intheir ownworlds,whothinktheir countrydoesn? t needthem Isaythisto themwithurgency It isyour torchto carry Your countryneedsyou?

Pratt revisitedhisinitial question ?Still, I?msureyou?rewondering,?What ishe doingupheretalkingabout 9/11??Why me??Pratt answered,?Whynot me?Truth is,we?regoingtoneedall of ustobring our countrytogetherfor theroadahead Whenyour countryneedsyou,asit does now,noneof usaretoooldtosay,?Send me.?Changingtheheartsandmindsof youngpeopleright nowwhohaveeither forgottenor maybenever knewjust how great our countrytrulyis? that isthework weall needtodo?

OnadaywhenAmericacommemorated sacrificeandhonoredtheliveslost,Pratt spokeof hopeandcalledthecurrent generationtoaction 22yearslater,when it wouldbeconvenient tobrushawaythe Sept 11event aspast history,Pratt disruptedstagnant water andencouraged responsetothefateful event fromall US citizens

?We?reonthesameteam,?Pratt finished ?We?retheUnitedStatesof America Whenweareonenationunder God,we areindivisible Let usneverforget that, lest it belost?

YouDon?tHaveto BeanIdeologue

Dr TedV McAllisterpassedawayin2023 afterhislongbattlewithcancer Onepartof hisbroadandimpactfullegacyisthe PepperdineBeacon.Hewasthefounding BeaconAdvisorandacrucialvoiceinits strategicdiscussionsandinfaculty publishing Thefollowingarticlefrom September2022wasoneofhisfinal publishedworks.Attheendofhiscareer, studentswerestillattheforefrontofhis priorities.Wearehonoredtoincludehis voiceinourfirsteverprintnewsletter.

By:Dr TedV McAllister

Youcanbefree?freetoaskquestions, freetolearntruth,freetochallengethe ideological pietiesof yourprofessors. At Pepperdine,thedecisionisyours,dear student Youhavethreechoices Youcan beanideologue Youcanovertlyor covertlybuttressareligio-ideological culturewithout acceptingtheir belief system Or,youcanseekaliberating educationgroundedinreality

If youareanideologueandwant tobean evangelist for thewokereligion,I encourageyoutoembraceasocial justice curriculumwhere,it turnsout,the groundinghumanquestionsarenolonger asked,wherethepoint of thistrainingisto prepareyoutogoforthandtransformthe worldaccordingtoyour unexamined assertions Or,if youwishtobefreeof mind,youcanchoosetoaskthe permanent questions,oneof whichis ?what isjustice??Theformer courseis intellectuallysafeand,induecourse, teachesyouthat inquiryisunnecessary whileaction,inspiredbyblindbelief,isa moral imperative Thisreligio-ideological goal isnot tounderstandrealityor tofind thetruth(or eventohungerfor truth) but toactivatethewill of eachperson?that bit of one?sself that wantsrealityto conformtoherdesires Thelattercourse (pursuingthepermanent questions) is intellectuallydemandingandmaynot lead tocompleteor satisfyinganswers Inthe processof searchingforanswersto questionsthat arepart of thehuman condition,onelearnshumilityabout one?s ownbeliefs,about one?sowngeneration?s assertionstotruth(eachgenerationis provincial andafoundational goal of educationistobreakfreeof this provincialism),andonelearnsthat thelife of inquiryisitself formativeof character

andof amindsuppleenoughtosolve problemswithout resortingtoideological certitude

TheSocial Justiceideologyisareligion outsideof Christianitythat manyuseto transformChristianteachingsinto doctrinesthat support their will topower. Themorephilosophical inquiryispossible outsideof anyreligiousdoctrines,but it takesaspecificallyChristianforminthe famous?faithseekingunderstanding?A Christianbeginswithfaith,fullyaware that faithisnot knowledge Fromthis foundationof faith,theChristian intellectual pilgrimseekstounderstand therealitytowhichshebelongsandso thenatureof her faithisinthe ?seeking??inthequestingtoknowreality ratherthaninthelibidinousdesiretoalter reality

Youcanchoosesocial justiceasaclosed religionoryoucanchoosefaithseeking understandingasalife-longquest toknow realityandthesourceof that reality,God Thefirst iseasy,asisanyslavishbelief systemthat liberatesyoufromthehuman obligationsof askinghardquestions

Thesecondisharder becausethe freedomtopursuetruthcomeswiththe challengingrealizationthat muchremains beyondhumanknowledge,if not awarenessandunderstanding

Thefirst requiresnothingbut the righteousindignationof apersonwho asksnoquestionsbecauseshehasall the answersandthelatterrequiresthe spiritual staminarequiredfor ahumanto

realizefullyhernatureorpurposeas God?screatureonajourneytodiscover andtoloveGodandtheRealitythat issuesfromGod?snature

If youwant tobefree?andthisessayis writtenonlyfor thosewhowishtobe free?youdon? t havetoapetheopinions of professorswhoseektoimposetheir religiouscommitments If aprofessor suggeststhat youought toaffirmthe doctrineof ?diversity,equity,and inclusion,?youareunder noobligationto agreeand,if youaretobefree,youshould feel themoral pressuretodowhat free, questingpeopledo?askquestions Engageininquiryabout thosebeliefs Becomeinformedabout themgenerally andrequireof your professor explanationsandjustifications Holdyour professorsaccountabletoevidence,to logic,tohistory Askthesequestionsin earnest,withanopennesstowhere evidencemight takeyou. Indeed,you might bepersuaded,but onlybecauseyou arelearningthroughinquiryratherthanby wayof indoctrination If youpayapenalty foryour pursuit of truth,it isasmall price tobefree

If youhaveaprofessor whoisdevotedto hisreligionof environmentalismbut wishestousehispowertobecome immunetocertainkindof evidence,don? t dismisshisclaimbut persist oninsisting onyour right toinquiry,toquestioning,to yourright not tobowtohisgod It isfine tobepersuadedbyhisarguments,but it ismuchbetter tobepersuadedafterthe vigorousexchangeof evidenceand questioning Here,aselsewhere,youface

astudent conundrum If youhavea devout professor of environmentalismyou alsohavesomeonewhohasstudiedit morethanyouhaveandwhohasveryreal power over you Thiswouldbetrueof manydevout professorsof wokeismand it isquitepossible(thoughnot necessarily) that youhavemuchtolearn fromthem But what youlearnneedsto bethroughtheintellectuallyrigorous methodsof inquiryandtherewardof such aclassisnot simplywhether the evangelical professor haspersuadedyou but whether intheprocess(nomatter whereyouendupintellectually) you developbettertheskillsof inquirythat are formingafreemind?skillsthat,inthe longrun,will prevent youfrombecoming anideologueinthemoldof your professor

Thesamelessonsapplytoall mannerof doctrinal positionsheldbytheevangelical professorsof wokeism Whether it isa matterof truth-tellingabout historyor about humannatureor about theBiblical text,youdon? t needtoshyawayfromthe devout professors,but youdoneedto developthecourageof apilgrim(seeking) andtheskillsof aphilosopher(relentless inquiryinpursuit of understanding reality) Youdon? t havetowinarguments, youhavetointroducequestionsandyou havetorefusetobowtopower just becauseit ispower It isokaytodoubt becausethenatureof faithisnot certitudebut afaithful doubtinginsearch of understanding

?ThePepperdineBeacon owesitssuccessto the support of Dr. Ted McAllister. Wehopehis legacy continuesto shine through Pepperdine.?

Sheldon Fraley ('23)

?Without Dr. McAllister therewould beno PepperdineBeacon. He publicly stood against injusticewherehe perceived it, opting for thepath of courageand conviction.?

Caden Benedict ('23, MPP'25)

Alongthewayyouwill want tofind professorswhosupport youinyour questing?yourpassionatedesiretoknow that exceedsyour desiretobesocially correct Thoseprofessorswill havemany different beliefs Thecommon denominatorisnot their belief systembut their interest indevelopinginstudentsa freemindcapableof questingfor the truth

Intheend,at Pepperdine,thosewhoseek afreemindcanpursueit,but it requires that eachonetakeprimaryresponsibility fortheformativeeducationnecessaryto real freedom

?I am forever inspired and grateful for hiswisdom and advicein thecreation of theBeacon. Dr. McAllister wasa forcefor good and aman of faith, his impact and legacy isparamount at SPP and thePepperdinecommunity.?

AlexaBorstad ('22)

?The greatest teacherscontinueto teach uslong after weleavethem, or they leaveus. Asyou join thegreat cloud of witnesses, I know you have been greeted with thewords, ?'Well done, good and faithful servant.'?

Dr. Jason Ross(MPP'01)

AcademicFreedom

andthePoliticized Classroom

Alookatthehistoricdevelopmentof academicfreedomnationallyandhowto defineitataChristianUniversity.

By:Dr RonHighfield

Editor?sNote:Thisarticleiswrittenasa partof athree-partseriesaboutacademic freedomoncollegecampuses

What isacademicfreedom?Towhom doesit applyandwhere?What isits purposeandscope?What areitslimits, andwhodeterminesitsboundaries?Are academicfreedomandtheFirst Amendment right of ?freedomof speech? identical concepts?If not,howarethey related?

ThesequestionsareprobedbyDaniel Gordon,professorof historyat the Universityof Massachusettsat Amherst, inhisrecent book,WhatisAcademic Freedom?ACenturyof Debate?1915tothe Present(Routledge,2022 ) It isnot possibleinoneshort reviewtodojustice tothisexcellent study I canpresent onlya verycompressedsummaryof thebook anddrawattentiontoafewthingsI learnedfromreadingit

It painsmetoomit somanyfascinating stories,authors,andissuesaddressedin thisbook:thecaseof AngelaDavis (1969/70),whichturnedonthequestion, ?CantheRegentsof theUniversityof Californiafireaprofessor for beinga communist??Orthestoryof Steven Salaita,whichforcedthecourtstodeal withthequestion,?Cananoffer of academicemployment berescinded becauseof acandidate?spast anti-Israel statements??What about theworkof StanleyFishonacademicfreedom,the thought of Alexander Meiklejohnonthe absolutenatureof freedomof speech,or EdwardSaid?sstudyof academicfreedom andthepoliticizationof thestudyof literature?Andsomanymore!

TheCurrent Debate

Thecurrent controversiesabout the presenceof Marxism,Critical RaceTheory, gender theory,andother formsof ?radical indoctrination?inAmericancollegesand universitieswereinitiatedin2003by DavidHorowitz. Horowitzbegana

campaigntoget statelegislaturestoban (mainly) Marxist indoctrinationfrom universityclassroomsbyadoptingthe AcademicBillof Rights(ABOR) intostate law Horowitzreceivedsupport from dozensof statelegislatorsandgot huge pushbackfromsuchacademicsocieties astheAmericanAssociationof University Professors Hiscampaignsought to protect academicfreedomfor politically conservativeprofessors-?abeleaguered minoritywithinhighereducation?andto protect studentsfromcoercionor intimidationbyleft-leaning,activist professors InresponsetoHorowitz, defendersof activist professorsand politicizedclassroomsassertedtheright toteachtheir views. Bothsidesappealed toacademicfreedom Thedebate continuestodayandpromisestointensify asthe2024campaignseasonprogresses

Thegeniusof Gordon?sbookisits historical explanationof howtheconcept of academicfreedomcametobe understoodinsuchdramaticallydifferent ways I will focusonGordon?s documentationof threehistorical changes that profoundlyaffect contemporary discussionsof academicfreedom

TheAmerican Association of University Professors

In1915,Arthur Lovejoyandothers foundedtheAmericanAssociationof UniversityProfessors Inviewof the continuingpushtowardthe professionalizationof theAmerican professoriate,toforestall government interference,andtoprevent censorshipof teachingandpublication,Lovejoywrote the1915AAUPGeneralDeclarationof PrinciplesonAcademicFreedomand AcademicTenure TheDeclarationasserts theright of professorstoexploreissues withintheir disciplinaryexpertisewith great latitudeinservicetotheir noble calling However,it warnsagainst using theclassroomto?indoctrinate?(Lovejoy?s word) youngstudentswiththeopinionsof theprofessor,especiallywithpartisan political viewsonissuesof current social concern Additionally,theoriginal 1915 Declarationurgesprofessorstoexercise careinnon-academicsettings Lovejoy cautions,?Intheir extramural utterances,it isobviousthat academicteachersare under apeculiarobligationtoavoidhasty orunverifiedorexaggeratedstatements, andtorefrainfromintemperateor sensational modesof expression?

By2006,however,theAAUPhad renounceditsoppositiontopoliticizing

theclassroom CaryNelson,AAUP president between2006to2012,became thechief opponent of theHorowitz project However,longbeforetheAAUP got onboard,most Americanuniversities hadalreadymodifiedtheir understanding of academicfreedom Theshift beganin the1960swiththefoundingof programs inBlackStudies,Cultural Studies, Women?sStudies,andother identity-group studies Theseprogramswerefromthe verybeginningunapologeticadvocacy groups Bythe1990spostmodernism, inspiredparticularlybyMichel Foucault, hadconvincedmanyacademicsthat all speechispolitical Accordingto postmodernism,thosewhoclaim scientificneutralityorobjectivitymerely hidethepowerstructuresthat favor their classinterests Today,twovisionsof academicfreedomcompetefor dominance,thepostmodernactivist and theanti-political professional view

Freedomof Speech

Asecondhistorical transformationIhad not fullyunderstoodbeforeI read Gordon?sbookisthechangeinthe jurisprudenceof freespeech TheFirst Amendment of theUnitedStates Constitutionaddressestheright of speech:?Congressshall makenolaw? abridgingthefreedomof speech?.? Originally,thisrestrictionappliedtothe federal government only Stateswerefree toenact their ownbillsof rightsandlaws concerning,amongother things,speech AftertheCivil War,theUnitedStates ratifiedtheFourteenthAmendment tothe USConstitution(1868) It begins,?All personsbornornaturalizedintheUnited States,andsubject tothejurisdiction thereof,arecitizensof theUnitedStates andof theStatewhereintheyreside No Stateshall makeor enforceany lawwhich shall abridgetheprivileges or immunities of citizens of theUnited States? ?

Theboldedlinesaretakentodayas applyingtothestatesall therightsof the citizenlistedintheFederal Constitution I wasunawarethat it tooktheSupreme Court until well intothetwentiethcentury toapply?freedomof speech?tothe states

Additionally,Ididnot understandthe evolutioninthefederal judiciary?s understandingof theconditionsthat justifyimposingrestrictionsonspeech. Until theearlytwentiethcentury,the courtsagreedthat speechthat tendedto createunrest ormight reasonablybe thought todosowasnot protectedbythe

First Amendment Inthe1919case Schenckv. UnitedStates,OliverWendell Holmes,AssociateJusticeof the SupremeCourt,articulatedthe?clear and present danger?test for whenthe government maylimit theexerciseof speech Inthe1969Brandenburgv Ohio case,however,theSupremeCourt replacedthe?clearandpresent danger? test withthe?imminent lawlessaction? test Asisclear,theconditionsunder whichspeechmaybelimitedbya government entitybecamemore restrictiveasthecenturyunfolded Correspondingly,thescopeof freespeech wasexpandedexponentially

TheFusion of Academic Freedomand Freedomof Speech

Beforethe1960s,academicfreedomwas distinguishedfromtheconstitutional right tofreedomof speech Academicfreedom wasconsideredaspecial freedomto teachbasedontheuniquecallingand qualificationsof theprofessor,thenature of academia,andthespecial roleof the universityinsociety Onecanseethis distinctionclearlyinthe1915AAUP GeneralPrinciplesof AcademicFreedom

andAcademicTenure Inpublicspaces, controversiesoverspeechrightswere focusedonpolitical andcommercial issues Inthe1915statement,those activitieswereexcludedfromthe classroomasinappropriatetothe profession Moreover,aswesawinthe previoussectiononthehistoryof free speech,until the1960s,government entitiesat all levelscouldrestrict speech foranumber of reasons Hencebefore that time,appealingtotheright of free speechinanacademicsettingwouldnot havehelpedone?scase Moreover, appealingtotheFirst Amendment to protect academicspeechwouldineffect surrenderthespecial statusof teaching asaprofessionandplaceit onthesame level asapolitical rant oran advertisement for soap

But withinthelast 50years,thecourts, theprofessoriate,andthepublichave cometoassimilateacademicfreedomto freedomof speech Andsincethecourts nowprotect eventhemost outrageous andradical formsof speech,activist professorsthat wishtousesuchspeech intheclassroomincreasinglyappeal to theFirst Amendment toprotect their right

tosaywhatevertheywishinthe classroom:political tirades,recruitment drives,andvitriolic,personal attackson religiousandpolitical leaders

Academic Freedomin Christian Colleges

ThoughGordon?sbookdealswithstate educational institutionsonly,Ibelieveit canbehelpful ingrapplingwithacademic freedominChristiancolleges Ihopeto addressthissubject inafollow-upessay, but let metell youbrieflywhat Imean:(1) Gordonexplodestheideathat thereisan authoritativedefinitionof academic freedomthat must beimplementedin everyinstitutionthat claimstobetrueto thenatureof theacademicvocation. Christiancolleges,then,shouldbefreeto defineacademicfreedominawaythat fitstheir mission (2) Debunkingtheidea that academicfreedommust be subsumedunder themoregeneral concept of freedomof speechwill help Christiancollegesresist encroachments bygovernments,accreditingbodies,and rogueprofessorsthat workagainst the Christianmissionof thecollege

AConversation

withPeggy Grande,Author andFormer ExecutiveAssistant toRonaldReagan

PeggyGrandediscussesmemoriesat Pepperdine,lessonslearnedfromhertime asRonaldReagan?sExecutiveAssistant,and theimportantofintellectualdiversityin education

By:CadenBenedict

PeggyGrandewasExecutiveAssistant to US President RonaldReaganfrom1989 to1999,after heleft theWhiteHouse. Sheistheauthorof thebook"The President Will SeeYouNow:MyStories andLessonsfromRonaldReagan?sFinal Years,"whichdetailsher decadeserving thisiconicfigure

Sheisaninternational keynotespeaker, TVandradiocommentator,andwidely publishedopinionwriter. ShewasChairof Worldfor Brexit,aglobal coalitionwhich stoodinsupport of democracyworldwide, andwasnational spokespersonfor a Californiaballot initiative

Most recently,Peggylivedandworkedin Washington,DC asaPresidential appointee,servingintworoles,as ExecutiveSecretariat fortheUS Officeof Personnel Management andtheDeputy Director for thePresident?sCommission onWhiteHouseFellowships

Peggyconsidersit thehonorof alifetime tohaveworkedfor twoPresidentsof the

UnitedStatesinbothsupportiveand strategicroles.

ShecurrentlyservesontheBoardof AdvisorsforPepperdineUniversity?s School of PublicPolicyandisonthe National Boardfor theRoyal CommonwealthSocietyof theUSA She isagraduateof PepperdineUniversity withadegreeinOrganizational CommunicationsandBusinessandthe motherof fourchildren

Caden Benedict: Can you start by telling us about your timeat Pepperdine?

PeggyGrande:Backintheday,wedidn? t sendout ahundredapplicationslike studentsdonowthesedays Isent one applicationandthought if Idon? t goto Pepperdine,I?mnot goingtocollege Thankfully,Igot in AndIwantedtostayin SouthernCalifornia Thethought of going totheEast Coast andbeinginsnow terrifiedme

Ihadsuchagoodexperienceat Pepperdine. Iwasinvolvedincampus ministry,at theuniversitychurch,and student government Ispent asummer in Heidelberg,Germany,whichwasan unbelievableexperience Igraduateda semester early Ijust plowedthroughmy classes Andinmylast semester,Ionly hadoneclass

CB: Howdo you think that your timeat Pepperdineprepared you for your career after graduation?

PG:Oneof theladies,anadjunct professor,wassoinfluential,thoughI didn? t realizeit at thetime Shetaught a businesswritingclass Ithought Iwasa reallygoodwriteruntil Iturnedinmyfirst paper

Igot it backfromher andit waslikeared penmassacre AshorrifiedasIwas,I

reallytooktoheart everythingshesaid I probablylearnedmoreinthat classthat I usetothisdaythaninanyother Ididn? t knowthat I wouldspendsomuchof my careerwriting I never,Inever thought of myself asawriter,but Iwoundupwriting abook,I?maregular opinionwriter,andI workinbroadcast journalism

CB: Howdid you end up working for President Reagan right out of college?

PG:Evenasakid,Iwasalwaysinterested inpoliticsandgovernment likesomekids areintocars,dinosaurs,oranimals I studiedpresidentsandfirst ladies;I?dgo tomyelementaryschool libraryandcheck out everybookIcouldabout Washington, DC,andthepresidents

WhenIcametoPepperdine,I didn? t study political science,probablybecauseI lackedconfidencethat therewasaplace formeinthepolitical arena Backinthe day,thereweren? t that manywomenin politics,andIjust neverthought that wouldbesomethingthat Iwoulddo

RonaldReaganwaspresident whenIwas injunior high,highschool,andcollege He resonatedwithmebecauseI hadstudied thepresidencyandhistory Iwasa communicationsmajorandhewas?The Great Communicator?AndsoIfollowed himverycloselyat theendof his presidency

Thesecondpost-presidencyspeechhe madewasat PepperdineUniversity I overslept myalarm,soIwoundupwith badseatsintheFirestoneFieldhouse I cameacrossthepicturesfromtheevent not toolongago,andit?slikeoneof those Where?sWaldo?books:I?mupinthe raftersandthere?slittletinyRonald Reagandownonthestage But Iwasthe happiest personintheworld Inever imaginedthat onedayI wouldworkfor him

Inthesummer of 1989,Iwrotealetterto theofficeof RonaldReaganandaskedfor anopportunitytodomyinternshipthere inthefall I neverexpectedtohear back, but I rememberstandinginmyPepperdine dormroomwhenthephonerings,andit?s awomancallingfromtheofficeof Ronald Reagan I wasshocked,scared,and surprised. But Iwasthrilled. Iknewthat evenif I onlyinterviewed,it wouldbethat happiest,most excitingdayinmylife

After theinterview,it?salittlebit embarrassing,but I wassittinginthe lobby,waitingfor parkingvalidation And suddenlyRonaldReaganwaswalking towardmethroughthelobby AndI panicked. It neverdawnedonmethat RonaldReaganmight actuallyworkinthe officeof RonaldReagan

HewasflankedbytheSecret Service I wasveryscaredtheyweregoingtoarrest meor shoot me AndsoIjust thought about what I woulddoif theflagwas passingby I stoodup,put myhandover myheart,anddidn? t evenlookat him,just kindof staredoff inanon-threatening way But RonaldReaganwalkedright over tome,stuckout hishand,andintroduced himself tome Iwill alwaysremember that moment of lookingintothosebeautiful, sparkling,twinklingblueeyesand knowingthat RonaldReaganhadseen me What apowerful,wonderful moment that I will cherishforever

CB: What lessons did you takefromyour timeworking there?

PG:First,you?ll neverget ajobyoudon? t applyfor Youwill neveraccomplish anythingthat youdon? t intendtoset out andpursue AndsoIwouldencourage peopletorealizethat,asmyDadtoldme, "somebody?sgot tohavethejobyouwant, and[that]might aswell beyou"

Iencouragepeopletodreambig,andto leanintoopportunity Inever even dreamedof workingwithReaganbecause Ididn? t thinkit waspossible But IguessI diddreamjust enoughtoput thepaperin thetypewriter andtypealetterandsendit off

Iwouldespeciallyencourageyoung womentopursueopportunities Ididn? t reallyhavemodelsof what aworking momlookslike Iquestionedif acareer wassomethingthat awomanof faithwas supposedtohave But intheend,Ivowed that Iwasgoingtoleanintomycareer Becauseof that,I got sointerconnected withtheReagans I?dliketothinkthat I becomesuchanasset tothemthat whenI neededtimeoff tohaveababy,they wantedmetocomeback Thiswasbefore thedaysof lawsthat haveprotectedmy job That madeit possiblefor meto continuewithacareerwhilealsobeinga wifeandamother

RonaldReaganalsoshowedmesomuch about leadership Iappreciatedthefact that eventhoughhewastheoldest president that hadever served,healways connectedwithyoungpeople I appreciatedthat eventhoughI wasso young,hewasverysupportiveof me,and

wefoundnewwaystodothingstogether

Hegavemehistrust andloyalty,maybe evenbeforeIhadearnedit ordeservedit Whenyoufeel likesomebodyiscounting onyou,it empowersyou,it inspiresyou That inspiredafeelingof loyalty Iworked reallyhardfor him,not becauseIwas afraidof himgettingmadat me,but becauseInever wantedtolet himdown

CB: Reagan was involved in Pepperdine?s development Do you think his faith was oneof thereasons hewanted to see Pepperdinesucceed?

PG:Youknow,wealwaysthinkthat everythingisnewtoday,but backinthe ?60sand?70swesawtheunrest on collegecampuses,wesawthepushback against traditional values Somuchof what weseeisverycyclical Andthose werethingsthat RonaldReagan,asa personof faith,asapersonwho embracedthevaluesof theheartlandand of hisMidwest roots,wasconcerned about

AplacelikePepperdine,that wasplanting aflagandsaying,?Wearegoingtobea peopleof faith,apeopleof service,and peoplethat seetheworldaroundusand choosetogivebacktoit inpositiveand generousways?? Ithinkhecouldn? t help but bealignedwiththat.

HelovedCalifornia,soI?msurehesaw Pepperdineasaplaceinbeautiful,sunny SouthernCaliforniathat wouldpasson faithandgoodvalues

CB: So, moving on to political conversations Do you think that part of thereason peopletakeconflict so personally is that wehavelost, perhaps, an understanding that peopleareacting out of good faith when they aretalking about politics?

PG:I workinthepolitical arenaanddoa lot of media It?snot alwaysthemost warmandwelcomingplace,especially becauseI?maconservativeandaperson of faith But I alwaystrytorespondto hostilitywithcivility,andtobepreparedto defendthethingsthat Ivalue Ican? t expect anybodytolistenortoembrace thethingsthat I?mtalkingabout if I can? t articulatethemmyself.

Whenit comestosocial media,I thinka lot of peoplearethreatenedbecause beyondthethinveneerof their talking points,there?snot afundamental belief in anything,or belief inevenwhat they?re saying

Whenpeoplearejust repeatingtalking points,theyhaven? t donethedeepdivein theresearchorthehistorical context of anissue. There?sthisarroganceof thinkingthat what we?refacingnowisthe most critical,themost sensational,the most exceptional timeinhistory. It?svery arrogant,becauseit belittlesall the strugglesof thepast It?sbetter torealize that theconversationswe?reengagedin nowarethesamequestionsthat have beenaskedfor centuries,althoughmaybe theyhadn? t beenaskedonTwitter before

CB: Howdo you think that universities, especially Christian universities, play into that understanding of why webelievewhat webelieve?What do you think is or should betherolefor Christian universities today, in largely apost-religious world?

PG:I thinkpeoplewhoattendChristian universitiesknowexactlywhat theywant tofindthere,andthat?swhytheychoose togo If theywant togotoasecular university,theyknowexactlywhat they will findonthosecampuses

I thinkthat it issoimportant for Christian universitiestounapologeticallyadhereto thevaluesonwhichtheywerefounded Becauseotherwisetheyarenolonger a Christianuniversity

It?stough Youtakealot of darts But if you?renot takingfire,you?renot over the target If we?rehidingthat aspect of faith onour campusoranyothercampus,then we?velost thewholemissionfor existing

CB: What roleor responsibility do you think universities havefor thesituation in our country?Do you think that theleftist monocultureof American universities plays into thedivision that?s occurring right now?

PG:Well,Iwouldlovetoseeteacherswho cultivatecuriosity AndIactuallyfeel bad forstudentswhoaregraduatingfrom someof theseveryliberal institutions, becausehavetheyreallylearned anything?Havetheybeenchallengedin their thinking?Havetheyeverheardany diversityinwhat they?vebeentaught?

Someof thebrightest mindsIseecoming out of someof theseuniversitiesare conservativestudents,Christianstudents, whohavegonethroughtheseveryliberal placesandhadtodefendwhat they believein

Iremember ateacherIhadinhighschool whowasveryovertlyleft-leaning I appreciatedhimsomuch,becausehe wouldsay,?Tell mewhyyoubelievethat Well,don? t just givemeatalkingpoint Tell mewhydoyoubelievethat?Defend youridea?Hewouldeggmeontoget me tothinkthroughit At theendhewould say?Youjust madeagreat point Learnto articulateyourideas?

But studentsthat gotoschool ina political monoculturearegraduatingafter just kindof floatingdownstreamwiththe current,andI don? t knowwhat they?re preparedtodoat theend. So,fora Christianuniversity,Ithinkthat it?s important that theyhaveadiversityof viewpointswithout hidingtheir Christian worldview

CB: What areyour plans for thefuture? Wherecan our readers find your book and your social media?

PG:Mybookiscalled"ThePresident Will SeeYouNow:MyStoriesandLessons fromRonaldReagan?sFinal Years"I alwayslovehearingfrompeopleif you?ve readthebookandthere?ssomethingthat stuckout toyou!PlusI?monTwitter, Instagram,Facebook,LinkedIn,andmy website,Peggygrandecom

Asfor what?snext,I?mstill lookingfor my next bigfull-timejob Inthemeantime,I will continuetobeengagedinadvocating forthethingsthat Ibelieveareimportant forAmerica Ibelievethisisthegreatest countryintheworld. Ilovethisnation,and Iamared-white-and-bluebleedingpatriot AndIwill continuetostandindefenseof her,indefenseof freedom

Editor'sNote:PeggyGrandecontinuesto appearweeklyonAustraliantelevisionwith aU.S. Report,shewritesaweeklycolumn fortheUK Expressprintandonline newspaper,andspeaksregularlyto corporate,political,student,andexecutive assistantgroups

Shealsoisbeginningtoworkonasecond bookaboutRonaldReagan'smother,Nelle, called"RaisingReagan:HowNelleReagan ShapedtheManWhoChangedtheWorld." Peggyisalsoworkinginsupportof HeritageFoundation?sProject2025which isbringingtogetherabroadcoalitionof conservativeorganizationsandthinktanks tounitearoundsharedpolicygoals,and recruitingandtrainingpersonnelforthe nextconservativeadministration.

WhatI Remember

FromEast GermanyUnder Communism

SonseraeLeeseisaSeavergraduate(?84) andspentover20yearsworkingonfeature filmsandtelevisionshowsasanartistat Disneyandothermajorstudios.

By:SonseraeLeese

It waslateFall,November 1981,Isat insideaplacecalledtheReichstag The roomswerefilledwithgold-leafedobjects, expensiveartworkandwedrank champagneout of beautiful crystal goblets. Weweretheonlyuniversityasked bytheEast Germangovernment to participateinaneducationprogramon Communism,Fascism,Socialism,and Marxismtaught bytheEast German government Westudiedeverythingfrom their perspective,sixhoursadayfor weeks Theyspokeof redistributionof wealthandaUtopiansocietywhere everyoneisequal Theyboastedhowthey hadnocrime,drugaddiction,or unemployment likeAmericadid Everyone wasgivenajob?bythegovernment It all soundedsoperfect,yet,somethingwas verywrong AsIwalkedaroundtheroom tonoticeall thebeautiful andexpensive furnishings,Imademywaytothewindow. I lookedout at thedrabsurroundings towardsEast Berlin,thegrayweather,the worldreminiscent of trendsfrom40years before,andsomethingthat Icouldnot ignore I sawthesad,blankstaresof the peoplestarving,waitinginthe2-hour breadlines

Asanineteen-year-oldfilledwith curiosities,I hadalwaystriedtoobserve myworldaroundmeandquestionif thingsdon? t makesense Theinstructor boastedof thissystembeingthebest in theworld?but Iraisedmyhand I had never beenonetokeepmymouthshut whenI neededsomeconcreteanswers I askedher,?If thissystemissogreat,why isthereawall upthat noonecan escape??Shereplied,?It istokeeptheevil out?I thenasked,?Well,then,whyisthe barbedwireonthissideof thewall and not ontheotherside?If thisissucha great system,whydoyouhavetoforce peopletodowhat yousay??Needlessto say,shedidn? t havearesponseandthe roomwent silent for awhile

Wewereonlyallowedtostayinhotels called?Inter-Hotels?for all thosewho werevisitingfromtheWest Thesehotels that weredilapidatedanddrabby America?sstandards,werebeautiful bythe rest of thecountry?sEastern poverty-strickenwayof life It became clearthat theywantedtogivethe impressiontothosevisitingthat all was well

Yet,walkingaroundthestreets,the evidencetoldthereal truth Asaperson whohadtheprivilegetoseeinsidethe government?senvironment andat the sametime,eat andconversewiththe commonpeople,it wascleartomethat somepeoplethought theyweremore equal thanothersandthat wasthe government Theredistributionof wealth stolefromthepeopleandtheir hardwork andgavethemoneytothegold-lined pocketsof thecorrupt leaders

Thepeoplecouldnot seethat theywere controlledbecausetheyhadbeen brainwashedforsolong All theshops wererunbythegovernment Therewasno merchandiseout that youcouldhandleor touch Everythingwasbehindglass You hadtosubmit yourpassport inorder to enterastore If youwantedtotryon something,youwereescortedbehinda curtainwhereanumber of shopworkers watchedasyouchangedyourclothes You weremonitoredandcontrolledeverywhere youwent

Capitalismisn? t evil Corruptionof Capitalismis Capitalismisfreeenterprise andindependenceandbeingallowed,no matterwhoyouare,tocreate,sell productsandprovidejobs. Ironically, manywhosaytheyhateCapitalismare actuallyworkingfor abigcorporation

Without Capitalism,youhaveall jobs ownedandrunbythegovernment They will provideajobfor you,theywill determinewhat youget paid,andwhat youdo Thereisnoroomfor creativity, independence,or promotion,aseveryone istreatedequally Hardworkdoesn? t matteranymorebecausetheindividual neverpersonallybenefitsfromtheir hard work So,it createsasocietyof unmotivatedandminimalisticbehavior Thelowpaymakesyouaslavetopoverty andthegovernment

Myfirst experiencewithacollective workingsysteminAmericawasafterI graduatedfromcollegeandwasworking inComputer Graphics At 24,Iaccepteda newjobandwashiredbyalarge

corporationintheMidwest toset uptheir computergraphicsdivision. Theytoldme that Iwasrequiredtojointheir union

Ihadalwaysworked12-14hoursaday Duringmyfirst fewmonthsthere,I stayed focusedonbuildingandtrainingthe department,buyingandsettingupthe peripheralsandprotocols,creating policiesandprocedures,anddevelopinga workpipelinethat wasefficient andeasy toimplement

Istartedtoobservethingsthat wouldnot beacceptedortoleratedinnon-union jobs Anumber of employeescamein verylatetowork,took2-hour lunches, wereunproductive,didpersonal business at work,andleft workearly Onewoman readthenewspaperall day Therewasno motivationtodowell. Everyonegot the samepay,thesamerewards It was almost impossibletoget firedbecauseof theunionandnoonewantedtoblowa whistleonanyoneelsebecauseeveryone wasguiltyof cheatingthesystem

Iwassurroundedbypeoplewhowerenot doingtheir jobsandgettingthesame benefitsandpayasIwas Anyhuman withnormal emotionswouldstart resentingthesituation Everyonewants equalitybut at thesametime,everyone expectsthat all peoplewill equallyput forththesameeffort for thecommon good?but that RARELYhappens

Ifoundmymotivationtoworkhard startedtodiminish If therewasno personal benefit or rewardfor myhard workandtherewasnopunishment forme not adheringtotherules,then,whynot playthesamegameaseveryoneelse? There?snopunishment if everyoneis doingit Thismentality,however,creates destructioninsomeone?smoral compass. Dowhat everyoneelseisdoing,not what isright

Weall want freedombut havingthe government constantlycontrollingwhat youdoisnot freedom. Whenyouallow leaderstoholdpeopleprisoner intheir ownhomesandmandatingeveryone complywiththeir demands,not permitting themtoworktofeedtheir family,youare agreeingtogiveupyour abilitytomake decisionsforyour ownlifeandareputting thosedecisionsinthegovernment?s hands Andlet metell you,theydon? t care about your well-being Theycareabout moneyandcontrol Becareful what you wishfor Thereisalwaysacost Onceyou giveupyourfreedoms,thereisnogetting themback

ADVISORY BOARD AND STAFF

PepperdineBeaconAdvisoryBoard

DR RONHIGHFIELD

Professor of Religion, ReligionandPhilosophy Divisionat SeaverCollege

MARKS SCARBERRY

Professor of Law,Caruso School of Law

DR FIONAM STEWART

AssociateProfessorof ItalianStudies, International Studiesand LanguagesDivisionat Seaver College

DR ANDREWYUENGERT

Professor of Economics, Social ScienceDivisionat Seaver College

DR TOMASBOGARDUS

AssociateProfessor of Philosophy,Religionand PhilosophyDivisionat SeaverCollege

DR JASONROSS(MPP?01)

AssociateProfessor and AssociateDeanat Helms School of Government, LibertyUniversity

DR ROBERTP GEORGE

McCormickProfessorof JurisprudenceandDirector of theJamesMadison PrograminAmericanIdeals andInstitutionsat PrincetonUniversity

DR NICKCUMMING

Assistant Professorof Humanities,Humanities andTeacher Education Division,SeaverCollege

CLAUDIASANGSTER(?76)

President &Founder C SangsterLLCFamily Education&Governance andEstateandTax Planning

HABI ZHANG(MPP?17)

Doctoral student inpolitical scienceat Purdue University Writer for Law& Liberty,theImaginative Conservative,theAmerican Mind,andtheWall Street Journal

PepperdineBeaconStaff

FOUNDER& EDITOREMERITUS

CadenBenedict

MANAGINGEDITOR

SophieCollins

TOPICEDITORS

Laurel Allen

DarrenBorsini

Connor Merk

PaigePotts

AnnaSmith

SOPHIAHAMILTON(JD?11)

Directorof TitleIX

Compliance,LomaLinda University

TERRYBENEDICT(?82)

Filmmaker (HacksawRidge, ConscientiousObjector, Terminator)

DR BRYANGIVENS

AssociateProfessorof History,Humanities/Teacher EducationDivision,Seaver College

ALEXABORSTAD(?22)

Beaconfoundingmember

AdvisorsEmeritus

DR. TEDV. MCALLISTER

EdwardL GaylordChair, Professorof PublicPolicy Schoolof PublicPolicy (1998?2023)

DR J STANLEYWARFORD (GPC'66)

Professorof Computer Science andPhysics

SOCIAL MEDIASTAFF

RileyBenedict

EuniceChung

MilenaD?andrea

HaileyEmmons

JoyHarris

JuliaKetcham

NoelleKim

KatieMihalcuka

RyanRegis

WRITINGSTAFF

NateAlpern

KalebAuxier

Abigail Choe

KailyEcheverria

CarolineFleenor

RomanLange

KatieMihalchuck

NetaSade

NoahShifter

AriaSummers

BraedenWicker

RichardZamora

OUTREACH& EVENTSTEAM

Mallori Bland

GiancarloDeFabiis

CarolineGraham

SultonbekKhamidov

JuliaScheibe

SeahYoon

TO OUR DONORS

ThePepperdineBeaconextendsitsdeepest gratitudetoour donors for their unwaveringsupport andgenerouscontributions Their dedicationtoadvancingthevisionof our journalisticendeavor,as inspiredbyGeorgePepperdineinhis1937DedicatoryAddress,has beeninstrumental inshapingthefutureof TheBeacon

Usingoperational fundingraisedover thepast twoyears,wemade significant stridesinachievingour goals Thisyear,wehirednearly twodozennewstudentstojoinourstaff,atestament totheimpact of your support Weaimtofurther expandtoastudent staff of 50 studentswithyour continuedgenerosity TheBeaconalsoaspires tocreateadditional print publicationsandestablishapodcast centeredonstudent life Thesesignsof continuousgrowth demonstratetheBeacon?slong-termcommitment tobeingavoice for students,alumni,andtheentirePepperdinecommunity

Ascollegecampusesbecomeincreasinglydividedover international anddomesticpolitics,it isintegral that theBeacon remainsaninstitutionwherediverseperspectivesarewelcomed. Navigatingconversationsabout contemporaryissuesis challenging,makingtheBeacon?sopenspaceforcivil and thoughtful discourseall themorecrucial

Thecombinationof your support andour team'sleadershipwill continuetofosterunderstandingandunitywithinthePepperdine community Wethankyouforyour dedicationtothepursuit of truth inatimecharacterizedbydivisionandfor your commitment to creatinganenvironment whererigorousdebatecanthrive