THE PEPPERDINE GRAPHIC VOLUME XLIX
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ISSUE 18 | March 26, 2020
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OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS DECIDE TO STAY OR LEAVE
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ADMINISTRATION OFFERS PASS/FAIL
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‘It’s quite eerie’: Campus now a ghost town with few students and major restrictions V er nie C ovar rubias new s as si sta n t Kay iu W o n g Di g i tal Edi t or Now that almost all students have moved off campus, the university is a ghost town: buildings are completely empty, not a soul can be found on main campus and most in-person operations are closed. Students had until March 15 to move out of university housing after Pepperdine announced the rest of the semester will be completed through online classes due to COVID-19 concerns. After California issued a statewide stay-at-home order, administrators further shut down university operations March 20 by closing all libraries, graduate campuses, bookstores and allowing access only to essential personnel. As of March 25, 189 students remain on campus. “There is very little sign of humanity around campus,” senior Olivia Larkin said. “It’s quite eerie actually.” Larkin, one of the students who still live on campus, said she applied to stay in her Drescher apartment to avoid complications that taking remote classes would bring as an international student from Melbourne, Australia. “It’s going to be really difficult doing classes online at home with an 18-hour time difference,” Larkin said. “Also because I’m a senior, it’s my last five weeks to live in Malibu, and I was hoping I would be able to still see my friends as things got better, but it’s not looking like they’re getting better anytime soon.” Director of Housing Operations Robin Gore wrote in an email that Housing and Residence Life (HRL) received around “1,000 students
seeking an exception from the original move out date.” As of March 12, a total of 804 students received exceptions to remain on campus. Gore wrote that after HRL approved students to stay in their university housing, many “made other decisions in the few days it took to process the appeals,” either pulling out of the process themselves or finding other housing options. After students were required to leave March 15, only 555 remained at Pepperdine. For those who did stay, life on an empty campus has been more challenging than expected. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s been really rough,” Larkin said. “All my roommates went home. It was very lonely for a while.” Larkin got new roommates this week after HRL relocated some students to consolidate space, but the closing of campus spaces outside her apartment have made it difficult to stick to a normal routine. “The closing of the library has
been the hardest thing because I’m not great at studying in my room,” Larkin said. Ultimately, Larkin plans to return to Australia this week out of fear that travel restrictions could prevent her from getting home in the future. Australia already closed its borders to foreigners and travelers who are not permanent residents. Senior Matthew Paster, another student still at Pepperdine, agreed life on campus is no longer the same. “It’s the most quiet I’ve ever seen Pepperdine,” Paster said. “Pepperdine is usually a quiet place regardless, but it’s so empty and kind of lonesome at the same time.” Paster plans to remain on campus until the end of the semester. He initially lived in Lovernich but was moved to Drescher by HRL. Paster said he believes staying quarantined on campus is a safer alternative than returning home to South Los Angeles. “If I were to go back home, it’d be much higher risk of me catching
Vernie Covarrubias| news assistant Caution | Signs that read “Do not enter or attend if experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness, including fever or cough” are posted on all entrances to Pepperdine buildings.
Vernie Covarrubias| news assistant Empty Chairs at Empty Tables | The Waves Cafe is one of the only operations still open on campus under an adjusted schedule. The Cafe is only open for three two-hour meal pe[COVID-19],” Paster said. “I don’t really care about me getting it, but I am worried because my parents are older. If I were to give it to them, I don’t know how well they would be able to fight it off.” After Pepperdine announced new campus policies due to California’s safer at home measures, 30 students who were approved to stay on campus moved out over the weekend, Gore wrote in an email to the Graphic. Seniors Nicole Koski and Jill Butta were among those 30 students. They were roommates in the George Page Apartments and initially wanted to stay on campus to continue their internships with Malibu Pacific Church. When Malibu Pacific Church closed their non-essential offices after the statewide stay-at-home order, both Butta and Koski reconsidered their decision. Butta said part of the reason she chose to return home was the campus’s emptiness. “Although Pepperdine is this really beautiful place, it’s really the people that make it,” Butta said.
Butta said although not having community on campus felt lonely, she appreciated HRL’s efforts to offer support to students who remained in their dorms. HRL hosted a Zoom Q&A session March 19 with residential students to discuss what resources were still available on campus and what the future could look like if COVID-19 restrictions were to escalate. “They were like, ‘It might come to the point that we’re gonna have to deliver food to the rooms,’” Butta said. The uncertainty of the future led Butta to return home to her family in Brentwood, California, and Koski to pack up and drive 16 hours to her home in Corvallis, Oregon. “It seems like everything is changing daily, and I would rather be proactive about going home and being in a safe and secure environment than wait until it’s too late,” Koski said. V ER NETTA.C OVAR R UBIAS@PEPPER DINE.EDU K AYIU.W ONG@PEPPER DINE.EDU
Off-campus students face a decision: Stay put or pay dead rent while away J a me s Mo o r e N e w s E dit o r
photos Courtesy of Brittany Bryant The Big House | Four students sit on the roof of their off-campus housing at Calamigos Ranch. These students choose to remain in Malibu versus go home.
Doing Quarantine Right | Off-campus students Grace Palmer, Cori Persinger and Kelsey Harmon, who are quarantining together, bike on a trail near Calamigos Ranch during campus closure.
When campus closed two weeks ago, on-campus students packed boxes to return to their permanent residences. Meanwhile, those who live off campus mulled over a choice they had to make: stay in their apartments — and confront the uncertainty of travel restrictions, dwindling resources and LA’s health care system — or return home to their families and pay dead rent for the remaining months of their leases. For Brittany Bryant, a senior who lives in Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, the decision came down to another factor: the potential for her spreading the disease to her mother, who has health complications. “I definitely weighed in that I would like to be with my family,” Bryant said, “but I also knew that being around a bunch of 20-yearolds, staying healthy here and minimizing travel is probably safer.” Bryant lives in a house of about 20 students, colloquially called “The Big House.” Most of the students decided to stay throughout the quarantine and even offered floor space for some on-campus refugees who wanted to stay in the area. Early on into their quarantine, however, Bryant realized their system wasn’t sustainable. “If one person was quarantining in the house, but then they shared a kitchen with someone who had just gone surfing with some
people and not kept six feet apart, then that quarantine was for nothing,” Bryant said. This prompted Bryant to initiate a discussion with ranch members about enacting safety precautions. In a ranch-wide meeting Saturday, they collectively set ground rules, including limiting the amount of time occupants spend in public gatherings outside the property, as well as putting a cap on the number of guests visiting the ranch. Junior Jordan Stratton, another student who lives at Calamigos, said being in quarantine with the group felt like the safest option he had. “I wouldn’t go home until after the quarantine is up because I wouldn’t want to put my family at any greater risk,” Stratton said. “I knew that as a house, we were taking good precautions here to make sure that we didn’t expose ourselves unnecessarily.” Stratton, a Type-1 diabetic, is at greater risk of health complications in the event of contracting the virus. He said the group’s safety precautions gave him some better peace of mind. “Also just being here, having activities to do, having people to be with — it’s a lot better for my mental health than just sitting alone at home trying to crank out online classes,” Stratton said. Stratton and Bryant both said a major factor in their decision-making was a fear of wasting the rent they had paid for the semester, which is non-refundable.
Last Thursday, California’s situation got more urgent when Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-athome order. For out-of-state students like India Ingersoll, whose family lives in Washington, D.C., the order was a canary-in-the-coal-mine for impending difficulties with getting a flight home. “All of my roommates are from California, so they can drive home at least,” Ingersoll said. “My thought process was: If everything gets shut down for who-knowshow-long, and I live a fivehour plane ride away, I probably would like to deal with this in my own house with my family.” Ingersoll was also concerned with Malibu being detached from necessary resources during the time of crisis. “Malibu, as nice as it is, is isolated,” Ingesoll said. “If everything got shut down, I didn’t want to be in Malibu.” With the exception of the 189 students who remain on the Malibu campus as of March 25, students who lived on campus didn’t have the option to stay. Bryant said because of her concern for her mother’s health, if she lived on-campus, she still would have found a way to stay in the area. “I really feel for those people who lived on campus,” Bryant said. “If I was on campus, I would still try to stay in California because I would want to mitigate the risk of traveling and exposing my family and my parents.” JAM ES.M OOR E@PEPPER DINE.EDU
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PERSPECTIVES
Where Is the healthy Fear? C amry n G o rdon P er s pecti ves Edit or
COVID-19 is a virus changing the tone of a generation. It is real, and it is a pandemic worthy of being treated as such because of its unique strain and rapid spread — but it’s not. Why can one go online to see news reports of beaches in Florida and California packed with spring-breakers and watch videos of college-aged students proudly saying, “If I get it, I get it”? Why, regardless of politically mandated orders, is there still a lack of fear and preventative action from young people? To those who brush it off as another form of the flu, to those who brush it off because they believe they won’t die from it and to those who think that the time for travel and beach days is now: stop. For someone who is still trying to wrap her head around the reality and threat of this virus, there is a flare of anger inside me for those who are using COVID-19 as an opportunity to socialize. There needs to be fear, and the precautions ordered by governments across the country need to be taken seriously. This coronavirus is composed of unknowns leaving scientists, epidemiologists, health care professionals and many others in the dark about the true nature of the illness. Recent reports have emerged from major news outlets and health officials warning young people of their carelessness toward the virus, being that they are one-third (around 38%) of COVID-19 patients. While the rates of young people who die from COVID-19 remain small, it is possible. Doctors working with the WHO-China joint mission “couldn’t pinpoint what factors were leading the virus to kill some young people,” according to TIME. “This is one of the most serious diseases you will face in your lifetime, and recognize that and respect it,” World Health Organization (WHO) senior adviser Dr. Bruce Alyward said in an interview with TIME on March 19. Even if young people “don’t
Gabby digiovanni | artist get sick, the choices [they] make about where [they] go could be the difference between life and death for someone else,” according to a BBC interview with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. As more tests slowly become available, the statistics of the virus are constantly changing. While it is true that younger adults are more resilient than older people, there is an “increase in chronic health conditions among millennials,” making them “less hardy than they might think,” according to the New York Times. Why are so many Gen Z and millennials not scared? Honestly, there is no understandable answer. Amid the grocery store hoarder-types and hyper-hand-sanitizers, there seems to be a culture of young people who find the virus to be an opportune time for memes and cheap travel. These attitudes, however, do not solely involve young people. There is a fair share of Facebook moms and older people who find the virus a hoax, while at the
same time, millennials are hoarding groceries between the aisles at Whole Foods. But overall, it is the young people who are failing to flatten the curve with their idleness for action. Something that started out so seemingly normative erupted into a pandemic, taking control of lives everywhere — it will continue to do so, so long as the validity of fear and acceptance of reality lacks among young people. As someone who watched the pandemic unravel itself through the writing and reporting of fellow student-journalists, one would expect that I understand the seriousness of this virus, but that is not the case. There are days a wave of fear blows over me and days when I simply do not understand why COVID-19 is a big deal. Then I think about my parents, my friends who are immunodeficient, my professors with infants and my friends’ parents who are older. While there is a thin blanket of privilege wrapped around young people, there are others who lack
that luxury. and honestly, some young people lack it as well. Every day there is something new to learn about COVID-19. Every day there are new people impacted by its strength and its relentless attack on the immune systems and every day there is still a piece of the virus that is incomprehensible. That incomprehension is what scares me, and it should scare you, too. Young people are neither immune nor invincible. We have heard it over and over again: the longer we disregard safety orders, more restrictions will be implemented. It is inevitable that frustrations will arise for those who are not used to being told to stay home as routines are disrupted and normal daily activities are taken away. But it does not have to be like that. Stay home and take part in slowing the spread. We are the difference between life and death for those around us, including ourselves. C AM RYN.GOR DON@PEPPER DINE.EDU
It’s time to have ‘the talk’ on college campuses AJ m uo nago lu P e rs pecti ves As si sta n t Sex education is more than just teaching about sex anatomy. “Sex education is the provision of information about bodily development, sex, sexuality and relationships,” according to Advocates for Youth. Sex is an immersive topic that should be something continually discussed so that people can be comfortable and knowledgeable about their bodies. Pepperdine — and the nation as a whole — needs to adopt compre-
hensive sex education. Comprehensive sex education encompasses what it means to have healthy relationships, consent, sexual exploration and safe sex. If the sex talk is so integral, why shouldn’t colleges — and subsequently Pepperdine — teach sex education? College is an institution of higher learning, and many students before college miss out on this knowledge during their formative years of middle and high school. Currently, only “24 states and the District of
Columbia require public schools teach sex education (21 of which mandate sex education and HIV education),” according to the National Conference of State Legislature. Moreover, not every state is required to teach it truthfully or accurately. So far, “20 states require that if provided, sex and/ or HIV education must be medically, factually or technically accurate.” This means more than half of the teenagers in the United States are ignorant on sex education, and in some states, they are being taught false
information. We can see the benefits of comprehensive sex education from many European countries. Information compiled by Seeker and the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists shows that European countries are more open to teen sexuality, sexual understanding and have “fewer than 4 teen births per thousand babies born.” This is mainly due to their encouragement of sex education. Teens in these countries feel that unprotected sex is shameful instead of feeling guilty about having sex. Furthermore, teens in European countries are open and aware of the varying ways sexuality and gender contribute to healthy sexual experiences, as explained by American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists. Gay individuals are singled out since schools don’t require non-heterosexual education, and if they do, it may be false. “Only 12 states require discussion of sexual orientation in sex education, and, of those, three require the teaching of inaccurate and negative information,” according to
the Center for American Progress. Sex education is a long process and should begin at a younger age, as explained in “Sex Education: Expand the Conversation to Kindergartners.” However, since that talk is neglected, college campuses need to take the responsibility to make sure future generations of adults are better informed. Issues of consent, sexual abuse, sexual orientation and of course reproduction can all be talked about in a general education course at Pepperdine. Schools can also be more open to talking about issues of sex on campuses through seminars that are designated for specific groups or individuals, since everyone experiences sex differently. While Pepperdine holds its own views on sex, this university and the nation need to remember that sex is natural. If people remain uneducated, then future generations will have a disconnect with healthy relationships, intimacy and safe sex.
AJ.M UONAGOL U@PEPPER DINE.EDU
STAFF LIST
ex ec u ti v e ed i to r C h a n n a Ste i n m e tz M anag i ng Ed i to r m a d e l e i n e ca r r d i g i tal ed i to r k ayi u w o n g c o py c hi ef B rya n t L o n e y c r eati v e d i r ec to r n ata l i e r u l o n New s Ed i to r James Moore Ass i stant new s ed i to r s K yl e M cC a b e l i n d se y su l l i va n New s as si s tants v e r n i e c ova r r u b i a s e m i ly sh aw L i fe & Ar ts Ed i to r Sava n n a h W e l c h as si s tant L i fe & ar ts ed i to r M a r i a B e l e n I tu r r a l d e L i fe & Ar ts as si s tant Lauren Chivers l i fe & ar ts c o py ed i to r G r ace W o o d S p o r ts Ed i to r K a r l W i n te r s p o r ts ass i stant Tayl o r Gath e r P er s p ec ti v es Ed i to r Ca m ryn G o r d o n P er sp ec ti v es ass i stant A n i ti z M u o n ag o l u P er s p ec ti v es c o py ed i to r Makena Huey pag e d es i g ner s hannah lee Ali levens ellia melin Da n i e l l a Si n g l e te r ry p o d c as t P r o d u c er Kaelin mendez Ar t Ed i to r M a d e l i n e D u va l l as si s tant ar t ed i to r s A l ly A r m str o n g Ca i tl i n R oa r k ar ti s ts e l i z a b e th b r u m m e r ga b by d i g i ova n n i p ho to ed i to r m i l a n l o i ac o n o G New s p r o d u c er m a r i sa d r ag o s P i x el Ed i to r G i a n n i Co cc h e l l a p r o m o ti o ns d i r ec to r hadley biggs adv er ti si ng D i r ec to r so n i r u saga r a Adv er ti s i ng m anag er m aya m cd o w e l l Ad r ep r esentati v e b rya n m u n g u i a MISSION STATEMENT “Pepperdine Graphic Media (PGM) is an editorially independent student news organization that focuses on Pepperdine University and the surrounding communities. PGM consists of the digital and print Graphic, a variety of special publications, GNews, Currents Magazine, social media platforms and an Advertising Department. These platforms serve the community with news, opinion, contemporary information and a public forum for discussion. PGM strengthens students for purpose, service and leadership by developing their skills in writing, editing and publication production, by providing a vehicle to integrate and implement their liberal arts education, and by developing students’ critical thinking through independent editorial judgment. PGM participates in Pepperdine’s Christian mission and affirmations, especially the pursuit of truth, excellence and freedom in a context of public service. Although PGM reports about Pepperdine University and coordinates with curricula in journalism and other disciplines, it is a student (not a University) news organization. Views expressed are diverse and, of course, do not correspond to all views of any University board, administration, faculty, staff, student or other constituency.”
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‘Saturday Night Live’ Wins This Year’s Election Cycle alexis scanlon staff w riter One of the most influential media outlets during a U.S. election cycle is arguably “Saturday Night Live.” The sketch comedy show is known for its political cold opens and its unapologetically liberal agenda. From Tina Fey playing the role of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin to Alec Baldwin’s recurring role as President Donald Trump, SNL actors shape the political sphere. It can be both heartwarming and crushing to see recurrent characters take on their political acting role week after week. Yet many seem to have found encouragement in dark political times as they look for something to laugh about. The comedians who take on the weekly role of tough
politicians play an important part in bringing happiness to the American people during such a dismal time — even when the sketches are not the most politically reliable source of information. The past four years have been filled with Baldwin as Trump, Beck Bennett as Vice President Mike Pence, and Kate McKinnon as numerous political figures such as Jeff Sessions, Kellyanne Conway and Robert Mueller. One of McKinnon’s greatest, and arguably most influential, political roles was that of former Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren during this year’s presidential election. Warren’s campaign sadly ended during this election cycle on Super Tuesday after the majority of delegates were split between nominees Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. The cultural reset of McKinnon hanging up her Warren costume is a stark weekly reminder of the end to Warren’s campaign. How much do these political sketch characters affect the views of Pepperdine students who have grown up watching politics unfold on the “Saturday Night Live” stage?
These comedians have a stronghold on the personas of key political players. Their influence is at its height during an election year. While the comedians may not have a strong influence on the actual polling data and voting numbers, they do make an impact on public perception. Students attach to the idea of what a candidate represents alongside their actual proposals. Do they practice what they preach? Will they truly get things done? With this hyper-focus on personal character, students will latch on to the public perception of a candidate. McKinnon presents a strong candidate who is personable and has a detailed plan, much like Warren’s actual persona. Colin Jost portrayed Pete Buttigieg as a weaker candidate with no backbone. Chloe Fineman created a magical perception of Marianne Williamson as a candidate campaigning from the astral plane. It is easy to become attached to these characters and the laughter they bring into the lives of students faced with a looming election. It is hard to watch them go because the candidates they represent have met their
campaigning end. “SNL” is such a pivotal piece of American politics because it creates comedy out of something that incites fear. As students form their political opinions, it is important to take this comedy for what it is: comedy. “Saturday Night Live” brings a lightness to difficult times when the community needs it the most. But if their political bits are taken at face-value, there is a threat of misinformation. Remember to stay politically
engaged and informed during the rest of this election season. There is still time to vote and demand a better future. The fight is not over yet.
L EX I.SC ANL ON@PEPPER DINE.EDU
Biden’s commitment to a female VP should not be insulting C a r ol ine Shar p l e s s s S ta f f W r i t er
People on the left and right finally agree on something: their disapproval of former Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement to name a woman as his running mate and a Black woman as a Supreme Court Justice, should he win the Democratic nomination. While many applaud this decision, people from both sides of the political spectrum accuse Biden of prioritizing gender over qualifications and practicing “identity politics.” Do these critics believe there are no women in America more qualified and experienced than men to fill either of those positions? Biden’s announcement is not “shameful,” “shallow” or “insulting,” but it is proof of his confidence in America’s female politicians. If anything, accusing Biden of “making gender the only qualification for a running mate” disgraces the competency, triumphs and skills
of every woman involved in politics. Since Biden is not the Democratic nominee yet, it is too early for him to reveal the names of prospective women to fill these positions. His announcement is merely a small hint of what is to come. Nonetheless, this issue is about more than Biden — it is about America’s reluctance to abandon patriarchal norms. Why does a candidate’s decision to pick a woman have to be about “optics”? Couldn’t choosing the most qualified woman also mean choosing the most qualified person? When have candidates ever picked a running mate without trying to strengthen their image? For centuries, sexist laws and societal norms prohibited women from receiving the same level of experience as men, preventing them from becoming president and vice president. However, this year — and for many years now — dozens of women are remarkably equipped for these jobs. A record number of women ran for president this year, and Biden himself agreed opponents Amy Klobuchar and Kamala Harris are capable of being
president. As for a Supreme Court Justice pick, there are many accomplished Black women deserving of the position, such as Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson or Justice Leondra Kruger. Since many Americans still bring their sexist views into the voting booth, presidential appointments are essential in getting these deserving women into positions of influence. If our country is seriously committed to equality, why shouldn’t a woman share the stage? Women make up half the country, so it’s only fitting that they make up half of the presidential cabinet. Biden’s vow to run with a woman is a commitment to progress for women, not a betrayal. This is not about overlooking a more capable man for the sake of choosing a woman simply because she is a woman. It is about acknowledging that a woman can actually be the best person for the job. Instead of attacking Biden for tactically trying to make himself look better, take a step back and realize that this announcement would only make him look good if it were the right thing to do. Ronald Reagan made a similar move during his 1980 presidential
campaign when he vowed to appoint a woman to the Supreme Court. Yes, it was an attempt to win over female voters, but it was also a great achievement for civil rights. It should be common sense that, since
women make up half of America, candidates should make decisions that benefit women. Regardless of personal political opinions, anyone who believes in equal rights for men and women should
respect that this announcement makes our country a step closer to breaking the glass ceiling and getting deserving women in higher leadership positions. C AR OL INE.SHAR PL ESS@PEPPER DINE.EDU
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Students, professors persevere amid challenges to online course instruction L indsey Sul livan
A ss i s ta n t n e w s e dit or With the university’s recent shift to online classes, some students and professors voice concerns about how learning and instruction are being affected by the change. Eric Johnson-Greer, a fifth-year senior, said that among the challenges he has experienced — like missing the human interaction in classroom settings and interactive ways of learning such as group activities — the biggest challenge is the lack of focus he experiences at home. “It can be very distracting,” Greer said. “Some people are able to focus more at their home environment — I’m not one of those people. That’s why I never chose to live off campus because I know if I went back to wherever I was, I wouldn’t be able to [focus].” Many classes still meet during their normally scheduled times via Zoom, an online interface that allows professors to conduct class with students through a video conference call. Zoom calls offer several features such as breakout rooms, screen sharing, in-call chats and the ability to record meetings so that students in different time zones can watch later.
In addition to zoom, some professors meet via Google hangouts or offer module-style classes that include recorded lectures, allowing students to pace their own learning. English Prof. Lisa Smith said she, like other professors, has adopted a mixture of both synchronous classes through Zoom as well as recorded lectures. One positive effect Smith said she has witnessed is greater attendance overall in both her upper and lower-level courses — as high as 95% attendance — since the move to online. “I’m assuming that students are wanting the human connection, wanting the interaction or they really are just so bored now that all these states are doing shelter in place,” Smith said. “But that has been really encouraging to me because I was a little afraid that it was just going to be me and a handful of people.” Smith said although the technology is great, she has experienced some drawbacks to online instruction in general. “Even in my fairly talkative classes, discussion is definitely harder,” Smith said. “It’s just easier for everyone to go into listening mode and for me to go into lecturing
Allison Lee | Currents Assistant editor Zoomroom | International Studies Professor Amanda Rizkallah waves to her Zoom class with her husband, daughter (3) and son (1). mode.” Smith said she is trying to remain sensitive to students’ needs and remodel her classes to fit the online structure. “I feel like I need to be aware of how much coping energy is being taken up from students in other areas,” Smith said. “[Like] missing friends, ending senior year, keeping up and doing everything virtually, taking care of a little sister or brother or elderly parent.” While professors and students continue to make the best of the adjustment over the coming weeks,
university officials were prepared for the move to online since spring break. Dean of Seaver College Michael Feltner said the university equipped professors with training sessions to provide them the tools and knowledge they need to operate Zoom. Many professors have already experienced moving their classes online in November 2018, when instruction went remote for two weeks following the Woolsey Fire. Kendra Killpatrick, associate dean of Seaver College, said univer-
sity IT created a university-wide Academic Continuity Plan in the aftermath of Woolsey that has been used to make the transition as smooth as possible. The Center for Teaching Excellence provides professors with any additional support they may require. Feltner, who is also a professor of Sports Medicine, said students in his classes span six hours of time zones, so he is compassionate toward those who cannot attend class synchronously. “What we have strongly, strongly, strongly encouraged faculty to do is to lead with compassion, practice patience and extend grace to all students in this situation,” Feltner said. While Greer and other students feel the adjustment has been less than ideal, Greer said most of his professors have been understanding of his and his fellow classmates’ needs during this time. “It’s also a very unprecedented time — people our age have never seen something like this, which shocks the world,” Greer said. “Yes, we still have school, but there is a global crisis right now that is affecting all of us.”
L INDSEY.SUL L IVAN@PEPPER DINE.EDU
HRL reviews petitions to remain on campus Ky LE M c c ab e
A s s i s ta n t n e ws e d it or On-campus students were instructed to move out unless they applied and were approved for an exception when Pepperdine moved to online classes. Pepperdine’s Housing and Residence Life (HRL) department handled those applications and had resident advisers (RAs) go through the same process. Two committees reviewed the applications, one after the other. The first committee had 10 staff and faculty members, and the second had three. They reviewed approximately 1,000 applications and approved 804 of them for at least an extra one-to-two weeks. “In general, I can say that students were approved for additional time to find off-campus housing or align travel,” Director of Housing Operations Robin Gore wrote in an email. “Students also received approvals if they were international students, had unsafe homes to return to, have no home, had to complete counseling hours in the area, … were student athletes, … etc.” Gore wrote that any counseling hours students stayed to finish were canceled because of California’s Safer at Home Policy enacted March 19. Athletes
Milan Loiacono | Photo editor Packed Up | Cars line the street as freshmen scramble to move out of their dorms Friday, March 13. Pepperdine administration sent an email Wednesday notifying students of the decision to move all classes online for the rest of the semester, instructing those on campus to be fully moved out by Sunday, unless approved for an exception. lost their approval to stay on campus after the NCAA canceled all spring and winter championships March 12. Any students who applied for an exception but did not receive approval could then submit an appeal that the Student Care Team would review. Gore wrote that the two review committees determined if the original petitions should be approved for the requested time, approved for one-to-two weeks or denied. The committees also considered
whether the applicant was a graduating senior. “Initially, there was a lot of discussion (concern) among graduating seniors wanting to remain on campus,” Gore wrote. “So, early on in the process, we used it as a distinguishing characteristic when weeding through the requests. It was later determined that that would not warrant an okay for students to remain on.” HRL did not allow RAs to stay on campus unless they had a reason outside of working as an RA, according to Director of Residence
Life Maura Page. “Students were being reviewed on an ongoing basis by the board of review, and the RAs were part of that process, initially,” Page said. “Some RAs were reviewed as part of that process, and then some were just sent back to me to review.” HRL held a meeting March 11, with all RAs and spiritual life advisers (SLAs). HRL told the student workers they would be allowed to stay through the next Monday, a day longer than other students, to help students move out. Page
said HRL also informed RAs that they would be allowed to stay one to two weeks afterward as well. “[After the meeting] we started collecting information to see who was interested in staying beyond that time, so if there was need or interests and we had the ability to keep RAs on, we would know who to look to,” Page said. Junior Seaside RA Preston Gromer, one of the RAs still on campus, originally applied to stay because he runs on the Pepperdine Track team. He had to update his exception application when Pepperdine canceled its sports seasons March 12. Gromer spoke to a Student Affairs worker and told him that he could go home if necessary.” “I wanted to help out with things, because there was still work that they wanted us to do, like checking in with residents, delivering food or putting up cute posters and stuff,” Gromer said. Page said there are 21 RAs on campus, nearly 10 percent of the 189 total students Gore said were still on campus on March 25. “There wasn’t a specific target number [of RAs to keep on campus],” Page said. “It wasn’t determined by the number of students on campus, necessarily. It was more
based on RA circumstance and their need to stay on campus.” Gore’s email reiterated that message, saying that students were not allowed to stay on for campus employment, even if they were RAs. Besides running on the track team, Gromer said his reasoning to stay on campus was his desire to help and the difficulty he might have driving home to Colorado with his expired driver’s license. “When I updated my situation, I thought I’d probably get the boot, or like, the politely asking,” Gromer said. “I don’t want to stay if it was taking away from people who needed it more than I did.” Page said some SLAs remain on campus, although they are doing more than their normal SLA duties. “Basically, all RAs and SLAs have the same role right now,” Page said. “They have a small group of students they’re each responsible for connecting with.” Page said the RAs and SLAs were generally encouraged to go home if they could, and she was proud of the job they all did in clearing out the residence halls.
K YL E.J.M C C ABE@PEPPER DINE.EDU
Dean’s office announces “credit/no credit” option for students: New petition emerges Lindsey Sullivan
A s s i s ta n t n e ws e dit or In response to student outcry for academic accommodations following the transition to remote classes, the Seaver College Dean’s Office is offering students the ability to select up to eight units of coursework to receive credit/no credit (CR/NC) for the spring 2020 semester. In the lead up to the announcement, over 500 students signed a student-created petition. The petition expressed student concerns for online learning, requesting that a CR/ NC option for coursework be made available. The updated policy may apply
toward any major, minor or general education requirements; however, there are some exceptions — including senior seminars and capstones — the dean’s office wrote in an email Wednesday evening, March 25. Students must earn a grade of A, B or C to receive a CR award, as previous policy states. Grades selected for CR/NC will not apply toward that student’s semester GPA. Some students are already responding to the announcement with complaints that the policy revision is insufficient. One student created an online petition only hours after the email was sent, urging administration to reconsider the academic plan. Among several suggestions listed
on the online site, the student wrote that students should be able to select as many courses for CR/NC as needed, a C- should be the minimum requirement to receive credit, and academic probation should be suspended at this time. The student also wrote that transcripts should include a note explaining this is an “unprecedented time for our nation — educational equity is impossible to achieve.” The complete updated credit/no credit grading policy can be found under Seaver College’s academic policy section on the COVID-19 response site. L I N D S E Y.S U L L I VA N @P E P P E RD I N E.EDU
Extra Credit | A student petition circulated online after Seaver Dean Michael Feltner announced academic accommodations.
Ma rch 26, 2020
The Graphic
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Academy of Country Music equips interns with hands-on experience N ic o le W it t S taf f W r i ter The annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards showcases some of the biggest names in country music, including special performances by the industry’s top country artists. Last year’s winners include Keith Urban, Dan + Shay, Kacey Musgraves and Jason Aldean. Planning an event of this size requires months of preparation, as senior Megan Dunn has learned as an intern with the Academy. Dunn started her internship in January. As one of three interns in the ACM Marketing Department, Dunn helps with the overall preparation for the 55th awards show, originally set to air on April 5. Due to COVID-19, the show’s live air date is now set for Sept. 16. “Working with publicists and working with talent, it’s something I feel like you can’t really learn in a classroom,” Dunn said. “Writing press releases on a super strict
deadline with a lot of pressure ... it’s a whole different thing.” Dunn said she has always wanted to work in entertainment and applied for her position when she saw the posting for the ACM internship on Handshake. Working for an industry that is primarily structured around events, she has gained essential hands-on experience through her ACM experience. “I think that event-planning marketing is really cool because it’s exciting to see the project from start to finish all the way through,” Dunn said. Dunn mostly writes press releases announcing details pertaining to the show, including the nominees, host, and relevant news. As she works three days a week, Dunn said it can prove difficult at times to keep up with her classwork. Dunn arranged her schedule so that all of her classes are on Tuesdays and Fridays, allowing her to work Monday, Wednesday
and Thursday. While the balance can be challenging, the payoff has been worth it. “Everyone is so welcoming, nice and fun, and they don’t really treat us like interns, they just treat us like we’re a part of the company,” Dunn said. Dunn also said how it was nice to be given hands-on tasks that allow her to learn instead of just running errands or getting coffee. “They really trust us to get things done and do it well,” Dunn said. “If they need a press release, they might go to someone in the marketing department, or they’ll go to one of the interns.” Before the show was postponed, Dunn was supposed to fly to Vegas for 10 days at the end of March to assist with the awards ceremony. Dunn said ACM covers food, travel expenses and Ubers. While the ACM Awards is notably the largest, the ACM puts on other events throughout the year, all centered around elevating country music. “The point of [the
Senior Spotlight: Jennifer Ipe LA UR E N C H I V E R S L & A ASSI STANT Jennifer Ipe is a senior hailing from Bakersfield, California. Jennifer has pursued a degree in Biology while honing her leadership skills through her involvement in Pepperdine’s Tri Delta chapter. In an interview with the Graphic, Ipe discussed the impact of staying at Pepperdine during her sophomore year and her post-grad medical school ambitions. What made you decide on pursuing a degree in Biology?
COURTESY OF MEGAN DUNN Marketing and Music | Megan Dunn is a Pepperdine senior interning for the Academy of Country Music. Her internship includes writing press releases and working with different publicists. Academy] is to promote country music as a whole and just keep it relevant,” Dunn said. The ACM Awards will air on CBS on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. EST. However, viewers can still tune in to CBS on April 5 at 8 p.m. EST/ PST to watch a two-
hour special of acoustic performances, put on by some of the biggest names in country music. Updates are available on the ACM’s social media pages.
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The story behind Malibu’s most coveted breakfast burritos M A RIA B ELEN IT UR RALDE L& a aSS I S TANT Tucked away in Point Dume Plaza is a not-so-hidden gem of the Malibu community: Lily’s. Perhaps most famous for its breakfast burritos, the unassuming restaurant has been a staple in the community for over 30 years. Far more enticing than the scrumptious eats, however, is the captivating personality of Lily herself. Lily Castro, a 49-year-old Salvadoran, came to the U.S. at 18 with her husband, Abel, and what she described as a burning desire for success. Her journey has been all but simple, but the restaurant stands some 30 years later as palpable proof of a dream fulfilled. “The American dream,” Castro said. “That’s why I
came. I have always loved cooking, and I always dreamed of owning my own business.” The Castro couple devoted their efforts to the pursuit of “the dream” as soon as they arrived in the U.S. They acquired a donut shop from Lily Castro’s sister and turned it into the restaurant a few years later, which Castro said was no simple feat. “I used to work 14 hours a day when I started,” Castro said. “Nothing comes easy.” This outlook on life has brought Lily to where she is today. Castro opened the restaurant with her husband 31 years ago with the goal of providing people with flavorful, fresh, homestyle food. The eclectic fare, she said, does not align with the cuisine of any one culture in particular but is instead “Lily
Maria Belen Iturralde | staff writer Malibu’s Most Wanted | Lily Castro smiles proudly in front of her restaurant Lily’s in Point Dume.
style.” Castro, to this day, goes into work seven days a week with unwavering passion and enthusiasm. It is this passion for life that has carried her through the most remarkable journey in America over three decades of hard work, loss, triumphs and resilience. “I lost my daughter in January,” Castro said. “I lost my husband, too.” Castro also casually added that she battled cancer three years ago. Despite being faced with multiple hardships, her positive attitude continues to shine through. The people of Malibu, she said, have helped her move forward; to her, they are family. “After my husband passed we had to close the restaurant for a while,” Castro said. “When we re-opened, there was a two-hour-long line for our burritos.” People didn’t mind waiting, she said; they were there to support her. The community and her business have been immense sources of support in her life. “If it wasn’t for this, maybe I couldn’t [carry on]; this keeps me alive,” Castro said. This sentiment is reciprocated by her regular customers. USC alumnus Mahmoud [last name not provided], came to the US from Iran in 1972 and has been returning to Lily’s ever since he discovered it 11 years ago. “If you want to be successful and hard-working and have everyone love you, [Castro] is the perfect role model,” Mahmoud said. “She has a personality that everybody loves, and she is humble.” Other patrons, likewise,
are familiar faces at Lily’s. Pepperdine senior Jaibir Nihal Singh is another faithful customer. “I love [Lily’s],” wrote Nihal Singh in an email. “It’s good food, and the service is quick and efficient.” Castro’s devotion to hard work, good quality and exceptional service keep people coming back. The quintessential component of her work ethos, however, is staying humble. Some days one will find Castro greeting customers, but one could just as easily find her cleaning tables, serving, cooking or working the register. Tw e n t y - o n e - ye a r- o l d Guatemalan Christian [last name not provided], who has worked at Lily’s for a year and a half, said Lily’s all-inclusive work ethic is reflected in her day-to-day actions. Loosely translated from Spanish, Christian said, “Many owners stray from their workers. Instead, she is always spending time with us.” Castro is, according to her customers, the epitome of grace, generosity and resilience. Her warm personality and the diverse menu items at her restaurant keep customers coming back to this popular Malibu location. Lily’s will remain open during the shelter-in-place order until further notice.
Jennifer Ipe: My whole life I knew I wanted to be pre-med — I came in pre-dentistry, actually. Throughout high school I was involved in a lot of medical things. My dad is a doctor and everyone around me is a doctor, so I knew it was what I wanted to do. What was your experience like staying in Malibu for your sophomore year? JI: I think it was really good for me. Year Two Malibu was really shaping for me because I made my core group of friends and solidified my experience at Pepperdine — it made me excited to be here. It was also the year that I realized I loved my major. It definitely set the way for the rest of my time here. What are some ways you’ve been involved on campus? JI: I’m in Tri Delta, I also tutor for the speech lab, and I really like that. I’m also in the Pre-Med Club. It’s really picked up speed recently; the new e-board has done a lot to amp it up. It’s been fun because all my friends are in it and we all get to be together and all of us want to be in the health profession. You served as Vice President of Administration for Tri Delta. What was being part of Greek life like? JI: I never really thought I would be a sorority girl, but Tri Delt has shown me that there’s way more to Greek life than what the movies showed. I’m really thankful to be a part of Tri Delta — it’s shaped me into the person I’ve always wanted to be, especially through leadership and sisterhood. It’s definitely challenged me and made me confident in who I am. What’s something you love about Pepperdine? JI: I love how the professors really want to be here and want to get to know you. Most of my high school went to big state schools and I get to hear from them how the classes are huge and they don’t get to know their professors. But here at Pepperdine, every professor wants to talk to you and get to know you. I don’t think I would thrive if my professors weren’t there to support me. What advice do you have for younger students? JI: You are in Malibu, so enjoy it. Do as much as you can here, but don’t forget to study. These four years, you get to be at this amazing school and get this amazing education, so make sure you make the most out of it. Sometimes you need to enjoy where you are.
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M A R C H 2 6, 2 0 2 0 | L IFE & A RTS | P E P P E R DIN E G RA P H I C ME D I A
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mar ch 26, 2020
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SPORTS
Six Teams Finish Ranked in Top 20 kar l w int er s por ts edi tor Though the sudden end to athletic seasons and careers was heartbreaking for many student-athletes and coaches, Pepperdine athletic teams accomplished much during the shortened seasons. At the time of the NCAA decision to cancel the remainder of winter and spring sports seasons as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least two Pepperdine teams were in the midst of postseason runs — one was ranked No. 1 nationally, one had the No. 1 ranked individual in the nation and one was the only undefeated team in Division 1. Though it is trite to speculate about what could have been, coaches recognized their team’s achievements during the time they had together. Men’s and Women’s Basketball Both Pepperdine Basketball programs competed well at the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament, with the women upsetting Brigham Young (BYU) en route to a semifinal appearance and the men pushing No. 3 seed Saint Mary’s to the brink in a thrilling double-overtime quarterfinal loss. The two teams each finished sixth in the WCC in the regular season and with nearly identical final records: 16–15 for the women, 16–16 for the men. Men’s point guard Colbey Ross completed an outstanding junior season with an All-Tournament team appearance, while redshirt senior guard Hannah Friend earned the same honor on the women’s side. Ross finished the season just 23 points behind the Pepperdine all-time scoring record. The WCC is one of few conferences that were able to crown a conference tournament champion prior to coronavirus-related cancellations. When the NCAA canceled winter sports championships March 12, the Waves men prepared to play in the College Basketball Invitational tournament, which would have been the program’s first postseason appearance since 2016. The women hoped for an invitation to the Women’s Basketball Invitational, which was also canceled. Nonetheless, first-year Head Coach Kristen Dowling was proud of the way they team competed at the WCC Tournament. “I was glad we went out on a high note,” Dowling told Graphic staff writer Paxton Ritchey. Women’s Swim and Dive Following a strong second-place finish at the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference championships, seven Pepperdine swimmers traveled to Cleveland for the CSCAA National Invitational Championships. Despite the competition
graphics BY ALI LEVENS | page designer Swan Song | Seniors Sahith Theegala (left) and Adrian Oetzbach led their respective teams to high national rankings prior to the threat of COVID-19 ending their seasons. being held without fans due to COVID-19 concerns, the Waves started well Thursday, March 12. Freshman Julianna Birlin smashed the school record by more than a second in the 100 individual medley, swimming 59.05 seconds. “When I looked up at the board, I was pleasantly surprised,” Birlin said. “I think all of our girls who did get to swim were pretty happy.” Between preliminary heats and the finals that evening, the NCAA cancellation news broke. The CSCAA announced that Thursday night’s finals would go forward but the remainder of the meet would be canceled. The Waves remained at the Busbey Natatorium at Cleveland State University to swim the 200-freestyle relay. Then the team had to get back to Malibu to vacate their dorms within three days. “We all had varying degrees of anxiety about being able to get home,” Birlin said. They flew back early in the morning March 13. The strong showings at the conference and national meets capped off a season marred by the departure of the team’s head coach and an assistant coach. “The end of the season was much better than how the rest of the season went,” Birlin said. “We were stronger because of everything that happened.” Men’s Tennis The men were in the middle of a rain delay, prepared to take on No. 38 Arizona at home, when they received word that the remainder of their season had been canceled. When that message came, Pepperdine Men’s Tennis was 11–0 in dual matches, the only remaining undefeated team in Division 1. The team moved from unranked throughout the season up to No. 19 in the final ITA poll. Not only was it the first time the Waves were ranked in the top 20 since 2013, but it was the team’s best start since 2006, when the team went on to win the national title. “Some of the most fun you can have is when you don’t have expectations,” Head Coach Adam Schaechterle said. “That was really sort of the magic of this season — we really didn’t have expectations or significant team goals, other than to just improve every day.”
Schaechterle lauded senior captain Adrian Oetzbach, who joined the program in 2018 as a transfer when Schaechterle was hired. Oetzbach finished the 2020 spring season in the rare, perhaps unprecedented, position of being undefeated in singles, doubles and team matches in all of the team’s dual competitions. “When you have a player leaving, the best feeling you can have is this mixture of pride and also the bittersweet feeling that you’re going to miss a guy,” Schaechterle said. “That’s exactly the feeling I have with Adrian.” Oetzbach has the option to return for another season at Pepperdine, but certainly returning are sophomore standouts Tim Zeitvogel — who was undefeated in dual singles matches for an entire calendar year between March 2019 and March 2020 — Daniel de Jonge, Enrique Luque Rico and Corrado Summaria, who was ranked as high as No. 47 in ITA singles rankings this season. “We worked so hard to create a culture, and that 18 months of work on the culture really started to pay off this spring, where there was real tangible momentum,” Schaechterle said. Women’s Tennis When the 2019–2020 season began, Women’s Tennis faced growing pains, as some players returned from injury and four of the six main rotation players were underclassmen. Following a few losses to begin the spring season, the Waves began to roll, defeating four ranked teams in a span of two weeks, including a 7–0 drubbing of No. 4 Texas. “We had a couple of bumps in the beginning of the year, but that was expected, just because of the experience,” Head Coach Per Nilsson said. “And then things were really starting to come along. That was probably the most disappointing thing — knowing that we were really improving and the younger players were figuring things out.” Individually, the Waves were stellar, with three players ranked in the singles top 35, including No. 1 Ashley Lahey, a senior who only dropped one singles match throughout the fall and spring seasons. “[Lahey] was putting together an incredible year,
maybe one of the best ever at Pepperdine for anyone,” Nilsson said. “[It’s] sad to see her not being able to finish it, because I think she was by far the best player in the country.” Regardless of whether Lahey and fifth-year senior Jessica Failla choose to use their extra season of eligibility, Nilsson’s program will remain in the hunt for a national championship in 2021. Men’s Golf Men’s Golf finished the shortened season at the pinnacle of college golf: No. 1 in the country, for the first time in program history. Fifth-year senior and All-American Sahith Theegala earned medalist honors at two events, freshman prodigy William Mouw led an incredible comeback to win medalist honors at the Amer Ari Invitational, and the Waves’ stacked roster enjoyed a dream season before it was cut short. Golf Digest, Golf Channel and the Los Angeles Daily Times each documented the difficult ending for Theegala and the Waves. Though Theegala and fellow senior standouts Joshua McCarthy and Clay Feagler may depart, young guns including Mouw and fellow freshman Dylan Menante now have a taste of glory. “The bar has been set,” Head Coach Michael Beard told the Los Angeles Times. “I think that there’s so many of the guys that have experienced that that I think that they will find a way to pull everyone else along to get to that top again.” Baseball Entering WCC play, Pepperdine Baseball was off to the program’s hottest start since 2001, earning a spot in the national rankings for the first time since 2014. The team moved from unranked all the way to No. 16 in Baseball America’s rankings, starting 12–3 and taking a series from previous No. 16 Michigan. “When you compare [it] to other years of baseball that we had, this is one of the better starts,” sophomore shortstop Wyatt Young said. “To see everybody, in the locker room when we had our [final team] meeting, watery-eyed and everything, it was just extremely sad moments, especially for the coaches.” Fifth-year Head Coach
Rick Hirtensteiner’s squad may have the most volatile summer of any Waves program, as senior stars including starting pitcher Wil Jensen and infielder Aharon Modlin will graduate, while key juniors including Billy Cook and Mike Malinchak have the option to enter the MLB Draft. Men’s Volleyball Head Coach David Hunt said the 2020 season was “vastly different” than the previous two years for his Waves Men’s Volleyball team as they transitioned from a veteran group that finished No. 3 in the nation to a young group. “We saw a lot of growth throughout the year both personally and volleyball-wise,” Hunt said. “And I’m bummed that it was cut short just because that trajectory and that growth arc was moving along well.” The Waves finished ranked No. 8 in the country despite an overall record of just 8–6, as Pepperdine was beaten by powerful programs including No. 4 Long Beach State, No. 1 BYU and No. 3 UC Santa Barbara (twice). Many younger players, including true freshmen and redshirt freshmen, were able to see time on the court in 2020 and experience elite-level volleyball. The team included only two seniors, outside hitter Noah Dyer and setter Rob Mullahey, and one graduating junior, setter Ben Hancock, each of whom could theoretically return. Following the season’s cancellation, the team suited up for a final scrimmage March 13, underclassmen versus upperclassmen, to honor the seniors. “It gave our guys a nice sense of closure to the season,” Hunt said. “A lot of the families were already here, and so it just worked out perfectly, and we were able to spend time with each other and just acknowledge what those guys have done for us.” Beach Volleyball One of the most proud programs at Pepperdine, Beach Volleyball was off to a less than ideal start, just 2–5 and down from No. 6 to No. 10 in the nation. Nonetheless, following encouraging battles against No. 6 USC and No. 2 UCLA, the three seniors who had
been on the team since a national runner-up season in 2017 were confident that the team could turn it around. “Every year since [2017], we were like, that’s what we’re working for,” senior Gigi Hernandez said. “Even though our season wasn’t going necessarily in the direction of getting back to that, that was still the goal — that’s still the dream.” Though Hernandez, Deahna Kraft, Jordan Ferrari, indoor volleyball transplant Hannah Frohling and graduate transfer Carly Skjodt may all depart, the program remains in good hands with second-year mastermind Marcio Sicoli as head coach and juniors Brook Bauer and Alexis Filippone returning. Women’s Golf Women’s Golf made progress as a young team in 2020, finishing second in two fall tournaments and in the top 15 in each of three spring tournaments. Coming off a WCC championship in 2019 and having added freshman Reese Guzman and junior transfer Megan Dennis, the Waves hoped to defend their title. “You never really know when the last tournament is going to be,” lone senior Momoka Kobori said. “It was definitely a big shock because we were expecting to get into postseason and go to conference, regionals and hopefully nationals.” Kobori will graduate, and freshman Alexa Melton plans to transfer to USC, but the other four Waves will return to Pepperdine in fall 2020 for 27th-year Head Coach Laurie Gibbs. Guzman and Dennis each averaged slightly over 75 strokes per round in 2019–2020. Track and Field First-year Head Coach Sylvia Mosqueda led Men’s Cross Country to its best NCAA Regional finish in school history in 2019, and the 2020 track season provided more history. Freshman Skyler Danley broke two school records during the indoor season (women’s 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters), and the women’s distance medley relay record was also taken. In the first two outdoor meets of the season, school records were broken in the women’s mile (5:09.08), men’s 3,000 meters (8:25.18) and men’s 1,500 meters (3:53.53). “We expected all of our distance records to be broken,” senior captain Jalen Frantal said. “Everyone was on pace to PR [run a personal record] by a significant amount. It’s just really, really disappointing to have worked so hard and not even be able to see the results of our hard work.” Nine seniors will graduate from the track team, but the returning core and Mosqueda’s first recruiting class provides hope for a bright future in both track and cross country.
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Men’s and Women’s Basketball finish strong Paxt o n R it c hey staf f w r i ter The Pepperdine Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams each had a strong showing in the West Coast Conference (WCC) tournament at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, which took place March 5–10. The women’s team won two games to reach the conference semifinals for the second consecutive year, while the men pushed third-seed Saint Mary’s to the brink in a quarterfinal overtime loss that was nationally recognized as an instant classic. Waves first-year women’s Head Coach Kristen Dowling said she appreciated the tournament atmosphere. “The WCC does a great job of how they run the tournament,” Dowling said. “And to have the whole Pepperdine cohort, the cheer[leaders], President Gash being there … it was a great experience, and I’m very grateful our players got it.” Men’s Basketball redshirt senior forward Kameron Edwards has now been to five WCC tournaments, so he said he knows the importance and opportunity that going to Vegas brings. “It feels like a clean slate,” Edwards said. “No matter what happened in conference, anything can happen in Vegas.” Last year’s men’s team proved the “anything can happen” notion, winning three games in three days, including against two higher-seeded opponents, on a run to the semifinals, while the women’s team also made the semis as part of the most
successful season in team history. This year, both men’s and women’s teams finished sixth out of 10 in the regular season standings. Due to the WCC’s unique tournament structure, they both earned a bye on Thursday, March 5 and began play in the second round Friday, March 6. Friday, March 6 The women’s team got the weekend off to a good start, as the sixth-seeded Waves topped the seventh-seeded Saint Mary’s Gaels 87–72. Hannah Friend filled up the box score with 26 points, five rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks. The Gaels led by four at halftime and by as many as 11 early in the second half. But Pepperdine’s defense clamped down, holding Saint Mary’s to 39% shooting in the second half after the Gaels shot over 60% in the first half. Those stops helped Pepperdine outscore Saint Mary’s by 19 points in the second half and 12 points in the fourth quarter. Later that evening, the men’s team, also seeded sixth, took on the seventh-seeded Santa Clara Broncos and came away with an 84–73 victory. The Waves were up 18–3 after six minutes, led by as many as 21, and they were never truly threatened. “They had played the night before, so we knew they would be feeling some type of fatigue,” Edwards said. “We wanted to come out early and be aggressive.” Edwards led the charge with 21 points and 16 re-
bounds, while junior guard Colbey Ross flirted with a triple-double, notching 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Among those points was his 600th of the season, making it the second consecutive year that Ross has had a 600-point, 100-rebound, 100-assist season. Ross is the only WCC player to accomplish the feat in the past 20 years. Saturday, March 7 Both teams advanced to the quarterfinals but found themselves underdogs against third-seeded opponents. The women got a statement victory against Brigham Young University (BYU) on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Cougars 62–51 and avenging two regular-season losses. Friend led the Waves again with 15 points, while senior guard Barbara Sitanggan had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Despite facing a BYU roster that featured 6-foot-7 center Sara Hamson, the Waves out-rebounded the Cougars 43 to 33. The 51 points was a season-low for a Pepperdine opponent. The men faced off against Saint Mary’s in the final game of the night. Pepperdine erased a nine-point halftime deficit to force two overtimes, but the Gaels pulled away in the second extra period and eventually won 89–82. The night was defined by the scoring duel between Ross and Gaels senior guard Jordan Ford. Ross scored a career-high 43, including
seven three-pointers and two clutch free throws with nine seconds left to send the game to the first overtime. Ford had 42, including a circus three-pointer in the second overtime that effectively iced the game for the Gaels. Only San Francisco’s Tim Owens, with 45 points in 1991, has scored more in a single game in WCC tournament history, meaning that the second and third-highest scoring performances improbably occurred in the same game. “In the moment, you’re not thinking about what’s going on — you’re just trying to get the edge and win the game,” Edwards said. “But right after the buzzer sounded, and people were cheering and everybody was standing up, I thought, ‘Oh man, I bet the people watching were in for a treat tonight.’” Ross was named to the All-Tournament team, joining Ford and three players from No. 2 Gonzaga, who took home the title. Monday, March 9 The women’s run came to an end in the semifinals when they ran into a talented and well-rested San Diego team. The second-seeded Toreros defeated the Waves 59–44. Dowling gave credit to San Diego but believes fatigue played a role in her team’s play. “They had fresh legs,” Dowling said. “It was our third game in four days, so our kids didn’t have as strong of legs. San Diego is a very defensive-oriented team, so
courtesy of pepperdine athletics Instant Classic | Pepperdine’s Colbey Ross (No. 4) and Saint Mary’s Jordan Ford (not pictured) set the second-highest and third-highest scoring performances in tournament history in the same game. we had a hard time getting open looks, and the shots that were there, we didn’t knock down.” For the third straight game, Hannah Friend led the Waves in scoring with 15 points. Friend was named to the All-Tournament team and was the only player on that team not from a school that made the championship game, something Dowling said “really speaks to how well Hannah did.” Aftermath While players and coaches said they enjoy the conference tournament experience, it was more significant this year since many conference tournaments, along with all NCAA and professional sports competitions, were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Waves were able to complete the WCC tournament, they still lost out on some games.
The men’s team was on the verge of accepting an invitation to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and what would have been their first postseason tournament since 2016. The women’s team would have found out if they were included in the women’s version of the tournament, the WBI, on March 15. Both tournaments were canceled. Given the recent events within the Pepperdine community, Dowling said she was “very proud” of her team. “This group has been through a lot,” Dowling said. “The coronavirus, the [Borderline] Shooting, the [Woolsey] Fire, a head coaching change. What our team did in the tournament was a testament to their resilience. “We were playing our best basketball at the end,” Dowling continued. “That’s what you want. I was grateful we went out on a high note.” PAX TON.R ITC HEY@PEPPER DINE.EDU