PEPPERDINE RESPONDS
Pepperdine community reacts to fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk
The Office of Emergency Services emailed a statement addressing the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and plans for the 9/11 remembrance ceremony Sept. 10. Several politically oriented student clubs mourned Kirk’s death on social media.
Eating with dietary restrictions can be difficult. Perspectives Staff Writer Noah Burton argues the options for students at Pepperdine with dietary restrictions are lacking.
As the court proceedings for the 2023 PCH crash continues, the best friends of Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams speak about they way the four girls continue to live on in the lives of those they loved.
Pepperdine Men’s Water Polo season is in full swing, and the Waves are ready to make an impact. They’ve started the season off with a strong win over No. 20 Navy but are ready for more success.
Design and Photo by Betsy Burrow | Creative Director
Sept.
13
Worship Summit 2025
The Worship Summit returns for another year of Christ-centered worship with Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Francis Chan headlining the event. The event begins at 5 p.m. at Alumni Park.
Sept. 17
Founder’s Day
Faculty, staff, alumni and students celebrate Pepperdine’s founding. Founder’s Day will be held in Firestone Fieldhouse at 10 a.m.
Sept. 23-27
Bright Star
Pepperdine Fine Arts presents their fall play “Bright Star” in the Lindhurst Theatre from Sept. 23-27. “Bright Star” is a love story set from the 1920s to 1940s.
Oct. 3-5
Waves Weekend
Good News: Storytelling through design
Betsy Burrow Creative Director
Graphic design has played a huge role within my life. Ever since I was a child, I have been praised for my creativity, yet I felt traditional art was not the avenue for me. I began searching for a way to express myself.
My world changed when I found graphic design.
In my first year of high school, I needed to sign up for an elective class. While looking at the class offerings, one class stood out to me: Introduction to Graphic Design. I immediately signed up for it, and to this day it has been one of the most life-changing decisions I have ever made.
Graphic design gave me an outlet to express myself. Through it, I could create anything my mind could think of. From logos to posters, graphic design handed me the ability to stretch my creativity and express myself in a way I never thought possible.
goal in mind of telling a story, design and journalism work together to draw in audiences to inform the world about what happens around them. Being creative director has given me the opportunity to show others how to design. I get to witness writers and editors gain the ability to display their written narratives through layouts and imagery. Design is all around us. It is incorporated throughout our everyday lives. Once you unlock an understanding of design, you are free to explore life in a whole new way. U p c o m i n g e v e n t s . . .
Pepperdine families and alumni return to Malibu for a celebratory weekend. Activities will include Blue and Orange Madness, an Alumni Picnic and more.
Since then, I have designed sweatshirts, posters, birthday cards, maps and even created my own font. Through these projects, I learned new tools and techniques. I discovered a new way I could communicate with the world around me.
Design is more than layout and aesthetics; it tells a story. Design communicates to the viewer by drawing on emotions to convey meaning.
Understanding use of color, typography, layout and image making enables designers to create the best possible work. While I sometimes struggle to communicate through written word, design enables me to communicate through imagery. I can tell a story through graphics and branding. I can describe a narrative through color and typography. Design gives me an avenue of self-expression and enables me to tell stories about others and their lives.
Designing for Pepperdine Graphic Media enabled me to explore a different area of visual communications: the intersection of design and journalism. With the same
Caught you fizzin’!
“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.”
betsy.burrow@pepperdine.edu
Email: peppgraphicmedia@gmail.com peppgraphicadvertising@gmail.com
Phone: (310) 506-4311
Address: Student Publications Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Photo by Betsy Burrow | Creative Director Pages of the Graphic’s print edition are spread out to show the award-winning designs.
Pepperdine reacts to Charlie Kirk killing
Henry Adams News Editor
Members of the Pepperdine community responded to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk Wednesday afternoon. Kirk was hosting a college speaker event when he was killed, according to the Associated Press.
“We are deeply saddened by today’s horrific event at Utah Valley University that resulted in the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Emergency Services wrote in a Sept. 10 email. “As we process and pray for those affected by this tragedy, we want to assure the Pepperdine community that your safety is our highest priority and that the University has resources available for those who need them.”
Pepperdine’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony, planned to be held near the Waves of Flags display at Alumni Park on Thursday, Sept. 11, was still set to take place as of Wednesday, Sept. 10. Actor Dennis Quaid was scheduled to speak at the event.
“Security plans for upcom-
Left: Three flags fly at half-staff in front of the Thornton Administrative Center on Sept. 10. President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags be flown at half-staff to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk after he was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon. Right: Kirk speaks at Turning Point USA’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit in June 2023. Kirk was 31 years old when he died.
ing events, including the 9/11 Memorial and the Worship Summit, had already been developed,” Emergency Services wrote. “Those plans are being reviewed again and will be en-
hanced as appropriate. Attendees can expect a visible security presence and staff on-site to provide assistance.”
Student groups at Pepperdine, including the Pep-
perdine Beacon, Pepperdine College Republicans, Pepperdine College Democrats and Pepperdine’s Turning Point USA chapter, made Instagram posts mourning Kirk’s death
Wednesday afternoon.
“His passing is a significant loss felt by countless people across the country,” the Beacon wrote. “Our thoughts are with his wife, Erika, and their two children during this difficult time.”
After President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff, flags across campus, such as at Brock House and the Thornton Administrative Center, were set to half-staff.
Local conservative group 805 Patriots, which had already planned a flag-flying motorcade to honor the first responders and victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, is now set to host a remembrance ceremony for Kirk on Malibu Canyon Road near Alumni Park, according to the group’s Instagram.
Other events hosting high-profile political activists, such as a scheduled appearance for conservative Ben Shapiro at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, were also postponed or cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.
henry.adams@pepperdine.edu
IP plans Kyoto abroad program launch
Alicia Dofelmier Associate Editor & Assistant News Editor
Beginning in fall 2026, Pepperdine International Programs (IP) will host an academic year program in Kyoto, Japan, according to Pepperdine’s IP website.
In its first year, the program will be semester-based, meaning that students can either apply to the fall 2026 semester or the spring 2027 semester, according to Pepperdine’s IP website. Pepperdine will partner with a local Japanese institution for both residential and classroom options.
“The goal of the inaugural year of the program is a successful first year,” Charlie Engelmann, senior director of International Programs said. “Success is defined by the student experience and whether students are able to learn, grow and come away with a deeper understanding of Japan, themselves and a closer relationship with God.”
Engelmann said this new program is an expansion of the current summer program, and there is a smart plan in place to help develop the program.
“This program has basically been in the works since the University decided to close the Shanghai program in 2021,” Engelmann said. “There was immediate discussion that when the time is right and the process warranted it we would transition to another program in Asia. The summer program was part of the process of building a presence in Japan and has been connected to this residential program.”
Senior Brantley Holladay said she participated in the Japan summer program in 2024.
“I had an amazing experience in the
Japan summer abroad program,” Holladay said. “I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Japanese culture through visiting historical sites in Kyoto, eating delicious food, discussing Shintoism in my religion class and taking walking tours around the city.”
Holladay said her experience in Japan positively shaped her, and the group of students she was with were all welcoming.
“My study abroad experience in Japan helped grow my global perspective and my open-mindedness,” Holladay said. “Japan is a vastly different culture that I am used to, and I was so honored to be able to experience their beautiful culture, history, cuisine and cities during my month there with Pepperdine IP.”
Engelmann said he has already heard about an immense amount of interest in the Kyoto program.
“I definitely foresee it being a popular option as Japan is such a beautiful place and different from the European study abroad programs,” first-year Amelie Lopez said. “I have already heard many of my classmates are interested in the program and how they’re looking forward to applying for the program.”
Lopez said she is interested in participating in the summer program and learning more about the academic year option. She has always wanted to visit Japan and thinks it would be a great opportunity.
“I think it’s important that Pepperdine has an International Program in Asia because it’s creating a diversity of programs that are being offered to students,” Lopez said. “I know many students have wanted a program in Asia, therefore this new Kyoto program is an amazing opportunity for students.”
Holladay said this program will be
of
Senior Brantley Holladay and junior Jillian George at the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan in May 2024. Visiting historical landmarks such as this temple was a highlight of Holladay’s experience.
beneficial for Pepperdine students because Japan has so many unique things to offer.
“I hope that this is a program where students really experience growth,” Holladay said. “I hope that after their time in Japan, students return with a more open mind, with more empathy, with more critical thinking skills and with a higher desire to travel around the world to learn more about the people we share this Earth with.”
Engelmann said during the first year, Kyoto will have about 30 students per semester.
“We’re not sure what the visa situation will be like, so that’s one reason for a semester,” Engelmann said. “Second, we will be repeating the same classes each semester.”
Engelmann, who was also the Shanghai program director, said that IP has a very European-centered variety of program options.
“We talk about being a global university and having a global education, and we have been able to access parts of the world with our summer programs to help achieve that presence,” Engelmann said. “To now be able to have that year-long presence in a continent like Asia will help students to have more perspective to contribute to greater indepth conversations.”
alicia.dofelmier@pepperdine.edu
Photo by Betsy Burrow | Creative Director
Photo courtesy
Brantley Holladay
Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Judge denies reduced bail for Bohm
Tony Gleason Managing Editor
Melissa Houston Photo Editor
Judge Thomas Rubinson denied Alan Jackson’s, defense attorney for Fraser Michael Bohm, motion to reduce Bohm’s bail from $4 million to $2 million at a pre-trial hearing at the Van Nuys Courthouse on Friday, Sept. 5.
Bohm is charged with four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in connection with the Oct. 17, 2023 crash that killed four Pepperdine seniors: Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Deslyn Williams and Asha Weir.
Bohm hired Jackson as his new attorney in June, replacing Michael Kraut, according to journalist Michele McPhee on X. Jackson is a Pepperdine Caruso School of Law alumni (‘94) that has prosecuted Phil Spector and previously represented Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein and most recently, Karen Read, according to Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP.
At the start of his argument in Friday’s hearing, Jackson said Bohm’s family’s assets
shouldn’t be considered in the amount set for bail. Bohm’s family sold their home, drained their retirement funds and relied on help from others to pay Bohm’s bail, meaning reducing bail would help Bohm’s family more than it would help Bohm himself, Jackson said.
Jackson said a reduction in bail would allow Bohm to better defend himself and the other terms of the bail — such as turning in his passport and not being able to drive — would remain.
Prosecutor Nathan Bartos had a short response to Jackson’s argument. He said Bohm has already posted bail, so regardless of the means, he has shown he is capable of affording bail. Thus, there is no need to reduce bail to $2 million.
Rubinson said after reading through Jackson’s argument, it appeared the defense wants to lower bail so Bohm will more likely be able to pay Jackson. Rubinson then reminded the defense that if Bohm is unable to afford Jackson’s services, he can hire a different attorney or receive the services of a public defender.
When Bohm was first arrested in October 2023, his bail was set at $8 million, before being reduced to $4 million, Rubinson said. The standard for a murder charge is $2 million
Fraser Michael Bohm (left) and defense attorney Alan Jackson (right) exit the Van Nuys Courthouse after a pretrial hearing Sept. 5. Jackson said Bohm’s bail should be reduced because Bohm’s family’s assets should factor into the amount.
bail per charge, so a $4 million bail is already lower than what is standard. For these reasons, the motion was denied.
“There are many, many defendants sitting in the county jail right now who would love me to reduce their bail so they can hire Alan Jackson or other private counsel,” Rubinson said. “That’s not the way it works.” Jackson told the court both the prosecution and defense are working on getting access to Bohm’s phone so they can create a scan of it. Jackson then requested another 30 days for them to work out this issue before further proceedings, which Rubinson approved.
The next pre-trial hearing
will take place Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m. at the Van Nuys Courthouse where the court will set realistic expectations of the trial.
anthony.gleason@pepperdine.edu melissa.houston@pepperdine.edu
Pepp hosts 37th Step Forward Day event
Henry Adams News Editor
Over 550 members of the Pepperdine community came together to serve those in need across Malibu, Ventura County and greater Los Angeles on Sept. 6 for the 37th annual Step Forward Day, said Christin Shatzer Román, director of Community Engagement and Service (CES) at the Hub for Spiritual Life.
Started in 1988 by alumnus Scott Pitts (‘88) and alumna Christy Hogan (‘88), Step Forward Day is an opportunity for the Pepperdine community to get involved with dozens of service projects both on- and off-campus, according to Pepperdine’s website. Most projects are done in partnership with local nonprofits.
“We know that a member of the Pepperdine community is likely a pretty busy person, so we want to remove as many barriers to participation as possible,” Shatzer Román said. “So we’re going to do the logistics planning, we’re going to provide the transportation. Essentially, we just want folks to show up and come alongside and serve with us.”
Volunteers gathered in the morning to grab complimentary breakfast, brown Step Forward Day T-shirts and listen to a pep-rally-like send-off, which included a performance by WAVES WORSHIP and a message from senior Izzy Koo, the undergraduate student minister.
After connecting with their respective service project groups, volunteers
went their separate ways. On-campus projects included packing art kits for Hand in Hand, creating reusable pads for Days for Girls and managing the Waves Food Cabinets for Pepperdine students.
“I think it’s such a blessing for everyone who’s involved and for those who are receiving,” said senior Jessica Lopez, who volunteered for a project that assembled around 300 food kits for homeless locals.
Over 200 of this year’s participants helped install the Waves of Flags display on Alumni Park, an annual memorial commemorating the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Alumnus John Bossler (‘80), a 9/11 survivor who escaped the World Trade Center’s Tower One after the first plane struck, planted the first flag. Hung Le, the vice chancellor for Alumni Affairs, President Jim Gash and First Lady Joline Gash also planted flags.
“We really like doing that — supporting our veterans and supporting our old coach Marv Dunphy,” said Ryan Barnett, Graziadio student and Seaver alumnus (‘25), who volunteered on the Waves of Flags display alongside fellow Men’s Volleyball teammates. Dunphy — who retired from Pepperdine in 2017 — is a Vietnam War veteran, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Most of this year’s projects were held off campus, according to the CES project calendar. Volunteers helped survivors of domestic violence at the Jenesse Center in Jefferson Park, served lunch at three Hope the Mission temporary
Students cut liners for reusable pads as part of the Days For Girls service project in Smothers Lot on Sept. 6. The nonprofit works to increase access to menstrual products and health education across the globe.
housing facilities and participated in a weeding project in Point Dume. A service project at the Best Friends Animal Society’s pet adoption center in West LA filled with sign-ups “immediately,” Shatzer Román said.
Although Step Forward Day itself is over, there’s still more to come from CES, Shatzer Román said. The next major event, partnered with around 200 nonprofits and local Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin, will take place Sept. 27 at
Alumni Park and include about a dozen service projects. Beyond that, a typical semester has around three to five service projects each week, which are posted on the continuously updated CES project calendar.
henry.adams@pepperdine.edu
Photo by Melissa Houston | Photo Editor
Photo by Tony Gleason | Managing Editor
A timeline of the Oct. 2023 PCH crash
8:30 p.m.
The fatal crash occurred on PCH near Carbon Canyon.
3:10 p.m.
SGA invited students to a candlelight vigil and prayer service at the Amphitheatre on Thursday night.
The University announced a prayer service at
on Thursday morning.
Authorities rearrested Bohm and charged him with four counts of murder, with bail set at $8 million.
Oct. 25
Bohm pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder, and his bail was reduced to $4 million.
Jackson requested for Bohm’s arraignment to be delayed since the new defense team was hired 48 hours prior. Edber granted the request.
Pepperdine Public Relations sent an email to the community of a fatal accident on PCH, possibly involving Pepperdine students.
President Jim Gash sent a statement to the Pepperdine community, stating “In the days ahead, we will come together in meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the lives of the remarkable individuals lost to this unthinkable tragedy.”
Connie Horton, thenvice president of Student Affairs, sent an email to the community inviting students to a prayer service at Firestone Fieldhouse.
The University sent a follow-up email to the community, writing the University “has reason to believe the four individuals who were killed on the Pacific Coast Highway were Seaver College students.” Classes resumed as normal.
The University released the names of the victims: Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference at the
Hills
identified Fraser Michael Bohm as the driver suspected of killing the four students.
The University held a memorial service at Firestone Fieldhouse.
The LA County Superior Court held a preliminary hearing. Bohm did not appear in court.
SGA hosted a candlelight vigil at the Amphitheatre.
Bohm was charged with four counts of manslaughter.
The University held a prayer service at Firestone Fieldhouse. The University canceled classes from 10 to 11 a.m.
Family members of the victims and another person injured in the crash filed four separate lawsuits against the State of California, LA County, the City of Malibu Caltrans and the Coastal Commission.
After three days of preliminary hearings, Judge Edber ordered Bohm to stand trial.
Bohm pled not guilty to four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter during his arraignment.
The LA County Superior Court held a second preliminary hearing.
Michael Kraut, Bohm’s then-defense attorney, motioned for the murder charges against Bohm to be dropped. Superior Court Judge Diego H. Edber denied the motion.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson denied motion for bail to be reduced to $2 million.
Lost
Sheriff’s Station. Captain Jennifer Seetoo
Firestone Fieldhouse
Bohm hired Alan Jackson as his new lawyer, replacing Kraut.
Form 990 reveals toppaid employees for 2024
Henry Adams News Editor
Pepperdine released its 2024 Internal Revenue Service Form 990, a financial document all tax-exempt organizations are required to file annually and publicly disclose, according to the IRS. The document contains information about Pepperdine’s finances between Aug. 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024, including its toppaid employees.
The University’s total revenue for the fiscal year ending July 2024 was $705,484,656, a nearly $5.5 million increase from the previous year, but a decrease from three years prior, where it brought in $724,218,664.
Expenses increased to $664,734,965, in line with the continuous upward trend the University has maintained for decades. The fiscal year ending July 2023 saw $649,440,096 in expenses.
On the other hand, the University’s net income has been dropping since the July 2021 fiscal year, where Pepperdine made $164,645,667. The July 2024 fiscal year ended with $40,749,691 in net income. However, this number is still
greater than the July 2019 fiscal year, the last period entirely outside of President Jim Gash’s tenure, where Pepperdine had a net income of $22,081,893.
Top Paid Employees
As with previous years, Gash came in as the top earner between 2023 and 2024, earning $793,965 in compensation from Pepperdine and an estimated $407,584 in other compensation, which includes retirement and other benefits. Combined, Gash made $1,201,549.
Provost Jay Brewster came in second with a total compensation of $892,831, surpassing former Head Basketball Coach Lorenzo Romar for the first time. However, Romar still had the highest base compensation of any Pepperdine employee: $762,012. Romar left Pepperdine in March 2024, according to previous Graphic reporting.
Kiron Skinner, a School of Public Policy professor, appeared in the top-paid employees for the first time as the eighth highest earner, making a total of $523,081. Skinner was appointed as the Taube Family Chair of International Relations and Politics at SPP in fall
2024, a position endowed by the Taube Family Foundation. She authored the State Department chapter in the ninth edition of the Heritage Foundation’s “Mandate for Leadership,” which provides the policy agenda for Project 2025, according to the book.
Pepperdine employed 5,165 individuals — including student workers — during the July 2024 fiscal year.
Other Figures
Pepperdine made $31,484,848 in contributions and grants, a decrease from $44,076,355 in the July 2023 fiscal year and $71,538,193 in the July 2022 fiscal year. The University made $5,287,365 in government grants.
The University made $507,785,567 in student tuition and fees and $49,847,099 in room and board, which combined add up to about 79% of its total revenue.
Expenses related to student services, which include a wide range of items such as transportation, financial aid and the maintenance of housing facilities, added up to $230,250,328. Expenses related to academic support services such as the li-
Pepperdine implements Canvas
Oliver Evans News Staff Writer
Pepperdine has adopted Canvas as its new learning management system, replacing Sakai Courses, starting in fall 2025, according to the IT Department’s Pepperdine Canvas LMS webpage.
The University decided to switch to Canvas with the best intentions and student experience in mind, said Jordan Lott, senior manager of the Technology and Learning Team (TechLearn) and IT training. His team was focused on ensuring the software works and faculty know how to use it so instructors could better guide students in its use.
“We need to have a tool that is both modern, continues to be innovated and developed to really advance our operations, teaching and learning,” Chief Information Officer Jonathan See said.
The Decision-Making Process and the Switch
The TechLearn team of Pepperdine’s Department of Information Technology (IT) was the one to kick off research into a new Learning Management System (LMS), Lott said.
The Learning Management System Study is a report by TechLearn in the years leading up to the contract renewal of the University’s LMS, according to the TechLearn webpage.
Sakai — the LMS on which Courses was built — is an open-source platform ing and sharing it with the community,
Lott said. That community is shrinking.Canvas takes up around 41% of the LMS market share, while Sakai takes up less than 2%, according to TechLearn’s LMS Study.
“Our main focus is what is going to be a good option for us 10 years from now,” Lott said. “And that’s how we landed on Canvas.”
The decision to move to Canvas was not out of dislike for Sakai; some functionality was lost in the decision to switch, Lott said. Sakai sacrificed simplicity and efficiency.
The two features of Canvas that really stuck out during the LMS Study were the mobile app and familiarity, See said. Another factor was the need to unify faculty on which LMS was being used, as many had already stopped using Courses in favor of other tools like Google Classroom.
The transition began as soon as University leadership made the decision, Lott said. It started with town hall sessions sponsored by University leadership and concluded with collaboration between TechLearn and the makers of Canvas on faculty training.
Duke University made a tool to automate the transition of data from Sakai to Canvas, See said.
That tool was used during the transition, and with every migration from Sakai to Canvas, a counseling session was available to faculty, Lott said.
“If I were to guess, it’s 95% or higher of faculty that have already made that switch,” See said.
braries and the Student Health Center cost $136,491,340. Instruction and research expenses cost $121,726,825.
Pepperdine also raised its advertising expenses to $8,193,423, an increase from the previous fiscal year, where it spent $6,735,929. The University’s U.S. News & World Report ranking dropped from 55th to 76th two months into the July 2024 fiscal year, according to previous Graphic reporting.
As for independent contractors, Pepperdine paid $11,901,564 to food ser-
vice provider Bon Appétit, $67,990,412 to e-learning corporation 2U and a combined $33,902,867 between two construction groups.
The Transitional Period So Far
The IT Department’s website was revamped to give students and faculty access to step-by-step guides on Canvas, Lott said.
“Canvas would be good overall, for professors, in general,” Religion Professor Nicholas Zola said. “For me, it has caused some inconvenience.”
Zola said Duke’s conversion tool was not very useful in his case because of the way he had used Courses. The drop-down menus created for his class did not have an equivalent, leading to all his material being placed into a single page on Canvas.
The migration tool successfully transferred quiz questions to Canvas, but numerous extra steps were still required to make them usable, Zola said. It saved him some time, as steps he would have had to do on his own were already completed.
“I think Courses was often clunky,” Zola said. “I think Canvas is probably easier to use for most professors, and I used Courses at a level of detail that
normal people probably didn’t do.”
Zola said TechLearn set up a meeting with him after he migrated the course to walk him through the process, and he showed them the parts that worked and those that did not. He was able to locate the quiz evquestions even though the quizzes had not fully transferred over with their help.
“I have one class still on Courses, two on Canvas, another professor still struggling to get onto Canvas and another one who is fed up,” senior Ella Fay said. “The divide has been a little hard to keep track of.”
The Music Department has had difficulties in transferring over certain software, like those used to record performances, said sophomore Kirsten Villa, a music major with an emphasis in vocal performance.
oliver.evans@pepperdine.edu
A student in Payson Library reviews his classes on Canvas on Sept. 4. One Seaver student said they lamented the University’s switch to Canvas did not come sooner in their academic career, according to the 2023-2025 LMS Study.
henry.adams@pepperdine.edu
Infographic by Betsy Burrow | Creative Director
Photo by Melissa Houston | Photo Editor
Art by Cara Tang | Art Editor
Staff Editorial: The Pepp Graphic spotlights our girls
Graphic Staff
Editor’s Note: PGM staff members decide on the topic of a staff ed together. The staff as a whole provides opinions and content included in this staff ed to provide thoughts about and shed light on solutions for happenings at Pepperdine.
On the night of Oct. 17, 2023, four Pepperdine students — Asha Weir, Deslyn Williams, Niamh Rolston and Peyton Stewart — were killed in a car crash on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).
Following the deaths of Asha, Deslyn, Niamh and Peyton, the Pepperdine community rallied together in loving memory of our girls.
These four women have morphed and changed the Pepperdine community for the better. From their active work in their sorority Alpha Phi to excelling in their majors, we are better because of their impact.
Asha was wise beyond her years. She had a grace and maturity that surrounded all of those she loved. She was a talented writer and wanted to pursue that passion in London.
Deslyn was the laughter that filled every room. She was known as the ‘campus celebrity’ and she made everyone
she ever met feel like her best friend. She loved animals and had aspirations to step into the veterinary field.
Niamh was the sunlight that filled even the darkest of times. Her bubbly personality made everyone’s mood instantly turn up. She was studying business at Pepperdine and had an extremely bright future in the field.
Peyton was the calm in every storm. She was present in every moment and allowed everyone a safe space for authenticity whenever they were with her. She had an internship at TikTok and chased her ambition wherever it called her.
The Four Lights Memorial for the girls was built on main campus to ensure the four girls are seen as the light of Pepperdine for many years to come.
The Graphic has valued and cherished the opportunity to share who our girls were. From their special edition to our One Year Later stories, we have been honored in spreading their light.
As a community, we value sharing the stories of these four women and will continue to do so.
The Graphic is committed to providing cohesive coverage of any pre-trail hearings for Fraser Michael Bohm, the driver in the fatal crash who is charged with four counts of murder and four counts of
vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Daily updates from the courtroom will be shared across The Graphic’s social media platforms, with a commitment to accurate and thoughtful reporting throughout the trial.
While other news outlets will center their coverage on Bohm throughout the legal process, The Graphic will highlight the lives of our four girls lost in the crash.
Although the details and outcome of the trial remain uncertain, we continue to hold the four women in our hearts and stand in support of their families throughout the proceedings.
At the center, these girls were beautiful human beings and the light they shared with everyone around them will forever be remembered and cherished in the Pepperdine community.
Whether or not you personally knew the four women, the Pepperdine community stands united in their memory and in support of their loved ones. These women deserve justice. They deserve peace. And their legacy will continue to shape the strength of our community.
Haylie Ross
Nina Fife
Betsy Burrow
Melissa Houston
Cara Tang
Faith Siegel
Lauren Brown
Shalom Montgomery
Christine Park
Alyssa Williams
Jonathan Jimenez Soliel Lara
Alicia Dofelmier
Christine
THE PGM STAFF
Opinion: Students with dietary restrictions need more options
Noah Burton Perspectives Staff Writer
Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
With new and returning students on campus after the summer break, this means a departure from home-cooked meals for many students. Eating at the Waves Café, known as “the Caf,” is the main food option available to students, but for some students, this option is unreliable.
Similar to 33 million people in the United States, I was born with food allergies. A food allergy is when the body’s immune system has an overreaction to a food or ingredient that you eat, according to Food Allergy Research & Education.
Approximately 1 in 13 children and about 1 in 10 adults in the United States have food allergies. Pepperdine has an average of 19 undergraduate students in a classroom, according to Pepperdine’s website. So, mathematically, this means that each class has at least one or two students with a food allergy.
Pepperdine’s Caf has the Minus 9 station for students with special dietary needs. This is not enough for students, and Pepperdine needs to work on being more inclusive for students with dietary restrictions.
When looking for food in the Caf, students can find television screens with menus for each meal station. These menus depict the name of the station, the names of dishes, the prices and a general description of what’s in the dish, such as sides.
Bon Appétit Management Company, the company responsible for the food available at Pepperdine, calls this “descriptive menu naming.” Pepperdine writes that descriptive menu naming makes it so “students and guests of our cafes can easily identify foods that contain their allergen or dietary restriction,” according to Pepperdine’s Dining website.
Descriptive menu naming is surely helpful for many students, but it might overlook certain students. While this technique makes it slightly easier to identify foods, it does not specifically require naming the food allergens present in a meal, such as “eggs” or “milk.”
Students who are unfamiliar with words used in the descriptions or who do not speak English as their first language may have difficulty recognizing that allergens or certain ingredients are present.
Bon Appétit did acknowledge this when they wrote, “this [descriptive menu naming] does not capture all information regarding the sub-ingredients in purchased products such as bread,” according to Bon Appétit’s pamphlet. For example, the company gives an example of a menu item with
the word “havarti” in the description, only indicating that there is milk in the dish if you are familiar with the name of this cheese.
Without allergens or ingredients being explicitly identified, people with dietary restrictions are at risk of accidentally eating food with allergens in it. I suggest implementing another strategy to help students.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) utilizes allergen symbols on the menus for its dining services. These are simple, clear symbols placed next to each menu item indicating what the allergen is, according to the UCLA website.
The allergen symbol system is easy to implement, considering Pepperdine’s Caf already has menu icons indicating categories like “vegetarian” or “locally crafted.” Allergen symbols would give a more convenient and more foolproof point of reference for those with dietary restrictions.
Pepperdine also has the Minus 9 food station, which “features entrées that celebrate fresh, simple, whole ingredients while avoiding all of the top-9 allergens + gluten,” according to Pepperdine’s Dining website.
The “Big 9” food allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame, but food allergies are not limited to the “Big 9,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While Minus 9 is beneficial for students, it has comparatively few options. Other service stations in the Caf include Show + Tell, Warm + Soulful and Global, each of which provides two meal options.
Students with dietary restrictions
then have only a guarantee of two options for each meal compared to eight for other students. In some cases, this is effectively one option because it may be two versions of the same meal to accommodate vegan or vegetarian options.
This lack of meal variety for students disincentivizes eating at the Caf and might even feel exclusionary for students with dietary restrictions. Making your own food is not an option for all students, especially since firstyear students do not have access to a kitchen.
I understand that working around dietary restrictions can be difficult, so I wanted to learn more about how it works at Pepperdine. I reached out to Pepperdine’s Bon Appétit manager, Darren Wise, via email once on Aug. 20 for an interview about options for students with dietary restrictions and the limitations the company faces, but he could not be reached.
Increasing food accommodations for students with dietary restrictions will
require more of a monetary investment from Pepperdine or Bon Appétit. It involves more training, additional options, adaptability in recipes, increased safety practices and more resources spent on communication with those with dietary restrictions, as illustrated by the Allergy & Asthma Network.
Despite the costs, creating a more inclusive and accommodating dining experience for all students would be worth the costs. Creating allergen symbol indicators and increasing the allergen-free meal options at the Caf would work towards giving students with dietary restrictions more variety and confidence in their dietary choices.
noah.burton@pepperdine.edu
Crossword Answers
Art by Cara Tang | Art Editor
Rant and Rave: Syllabus Week
Syllabus week is the perfect transition
Caitlin Murray Perspectives Editor
Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
Returning to campus for the beginning of a new semester can be a stressful experience. Moving in, catching up with friends and getting classes settled can feel overwhelming at times.
During this chaotic transition, syllabus week can feel like a breath of fresh air. It gives students a chance to get back in the rhythm of classes, clubs, jobs or anything else the school year may entail.
Syllabus week is often classified as the first week of classes at the beginning of a semester. It is a slower period of the term where students are introduced to course material and their professor.
Taking the time to read through an entire course syllabus gives context for what the semester will look like. Students have time to prepare themselves for the assignments they must complete.
I take advantage of the slower pace of syllabus week by inputting all major assignments and exams in my Google Calendar. I also input this information into my planner to ensure I do not forget any critical dates.
Syllabus week also gives students the opportunity to see if they are happy with the classes they have enrolled in. Perhaps they want to switch their schedule around or take a different
professor for a course they are already enrolled in.
Fortunately, syllabus week aligns with the add/drop period, the set amount of time students can drop and enroll in courses without penalty. At Pepperdine, the add/drop period is the first week of classes, according to Pepperdine Academic Calendar.
Once students decide they are content with their schedule, they need time to purchase their textbooks and required materials for the course. Not having assigned reading for the first one or two classes gives students time to purchase their textbooks and come completely prepared for the second week of classes.
I love the peace syllabus week provides during the start of a busy term. Knowing that I have the freedom to move my schedule around, get my calendar set and purchase my textbooks gives me peace of mind.
caitlin.murray@pepperdine.edu
Syllabus week is not a thing at Pepperdine
Karla Suzuki Perspectives Staff Writer
Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
The first week of classes is commonly thought of as a time of relaxation, teacher introductions, ice breakers with classmates you most likely already know, lectures on class policies and word-forword readings of the syllabus.
This nationwide tradition has come to be known and loved as syllabus week or ‘sylly week’ by college students.
Yet, contrary to popular belief, Pepperdine is not so big on celebrating this particular tradition.
As time goes on, I’ve noticed some professors prefer to stick to quicker introductions and skip the ice-breakers all together, shifting the student-crafted sense of relaxation during this time, to a harsh reality check.
Professors plan their content to fit the short 16 weeks of instruction and actually use the first week of school to teach important class content.
Although some professors might use syllabus week to discuss expectations, explain class resources and share grading breakdowns, for most professors at Pepperdine, the real work has already started.
I was guilty of believing the ‘sylly week’ myths when I first started college, convincing myself the first week is just a redundant over-explanation of what is to come. I was quickly humbled into realizing that ‘sylly week’ is
more ‘read the syllabus for homework.’
The sooner we let go of the ideas we, students, have created around syllabus week, the sooner we will start using that time efficiently and for what it is actually meant: schoolwork.
Now that syllabus week is over and add/drop has passed, people who believed the myth will start taking their classes seriously and realize they are probably behind. Don’t worry, there is always spring semester to try again.
karla.suzuki@pepperdine.edu
Opinion: Say no to things more often
Caitlin Murray Perspectives Editor
Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
My natural inclination is to say yes. I want to be helpful, involved and I never want to miss out on an opportunity.
However, as I have progressed through college, I have recognized that my time is a scarce resource.
I simply do not have enough time to be a part of all of the classes, clubs, on-campus jobs and internships that appeal to me. While this was difficult for me to grasp, accepting the reality that I cannot participate in everything has drastically improved my quality of life and focus.
Due to my tight schedule, I say no to the majority of clubs and activities that I am presented with. Instead, I focus my energy on the things that I have made the priority to say yes to.
Now, I can give 100% of my time and energy to things that I have committed to.
The power of saying no can influence both professional and personal opportunities.
The science journal Nature had a 2021 study where four women agreed to collectively turn down 100 work-related requests. The study found that despite worries that they were letting colleagues down, the women kept their jobs. Additionally, the women had no concerns of missing out on building professional experience, according to Forbes.
I had a similar experience this past summer when I was offered to return to a previous internship.
I was tempted to accept the offer because it aligned with my career goals and I would be able to stop searching and applying for other internships, which was taking a significant amount of time.
However, as I considered the offer, I realized I was looking for something better. This internship only required 12 hours a week of work, significantly limiting the amount of money I would earn that summer. Additionally, I already had made those important networking connections and had the experience on my resume.
Even though it was hard, I turned down the offer. I continued with my ongoing quest for internship opportunities.
In the end, I acquired a full-time paid internship and I made a number of lasting connections that I anticipate will benefit me in my future professional endeavors.
Saying no can also have tremendous benefits for personal relationships. Being selective with the relationships I invest in has given me stronger friendships.
I prefer to have a few close friends over many surface-level friends. I am able to give my time and energy into long-lasting relationships when I prioritize who I spend my time with.
However, saying no comes with some downsides. Sometimes I frustrate others because I cannot commit to attending their event or helping with a project.
Other times, I have to say no to some genuinely good opportunities that would likely benefit my career, enrich my relationships and improve my quality of life.
That being said, I have found that saying no to a lot of good opportunities has given me the freedom
and flexibility to say yes to some great opportunities. Although it may be hard to say no initially, I am almost always at peace with my decision once I realize that my time is better spent somewhere else.
caitlin.murray@pepperdine.edu
Art by Cara Tang | Art Editor
Art by Cara Tang | Art Editor
Art by Cara Tang | Art Editor
LIFE & ARTS
‘Our 4 Angels’:
Their lasting impact on those who love them
Haylie Ross Life & Arts Editor
Editor’s Note: The Graphic chose to refer to Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams as girls. While they all were over the age of 18, the Graphic chose to use the term girls because “our girls” is how the community has lovingly referred to them.
We are mosaics, made up of pieces of everyone we’ve ever loved. Although gone, the beauty they left behind lives on through every heart our four girls touched.
This is what friends of Asha Weir, Deslyn Williams, Niamh Rolston and Peyton Stewart have said about these four girls after their lives were tragically taken due to a high-speed collision on Pacific Coast Highway on Oct.17, 2023.
Although taken by the tragedy, their presence is alive and active through the loved ones they left behind. Alumna Georgia Puckett (‘25) was a sorority sister and close friend to the four girls and said there isn’t a day that goes by where she doesn’t feel their impact.
“I’m just so grateful I had the years that I did with them,” Puckett said. “Because they changed my life in so many ways that they’ll never know, but they changed my life for the better.”
Our Four Lights
Alumna Bridget Thompson (‘24) was the roommate and best friend to Asha, Niamh
and Peyton. Throughout their time as sorority sisters and best friends, Thompson said all four girls were the greatest people she ever had the pleasure of knowing.
“We shared such an amazing bond,” Thompson said. “They were truly the best people I ever met and I don’t think that I’ll ever find another bond like that — like they were literally angels on earth.”
Alumna Charlie Robinson (‘25) was Peyton’s sorority little, and the moment Puckett introduced Robinson to Peyton, Robinson said they were practically inseparable.
“She had this really contagious fullness of being,” Robinson said. “She was always very present and excited to be wherever she was.”
During Puckett’s adventures abroad, she said she left her program in Switzerland to meet with Asha and Peyton in London.
“It’s my favorite memory I have of both her and Peyton,” Puckett said. “It was just such a fun day being in a different country with them, and catching up about how different our lives were becoming.”
Puckett is now preparing to pursue her masters degree in London, where she said she is living out Asha’s dream.
“I know that Asha wanted to go to London after graduating from Pepperdine,” Puckett said. “So now London just holds such a special place in my heart, because it just feels to me that it was her city.”
Alumna Hannah Allen (‘25) was the best friend of Deslyn. Allen said the duo would joke
that they were an old married couple because they were constantly together and would plan out their lives with each other.
“We just hung out all the time, and we just got closer and closer,” Allen said. “And I remember one day we were like wow, like we just got close so fast, we’re gonna be best friends, and we did.”
Puckett said Niamh was the sunlight in every room.
“She was just so kind and it was infectious,” Puckett said. “You wanted to be like her because she was just pure light and just pure goodness.”
In the Quiet Moments
In every moment, the girls are living through the ones that they loved.
When the sun’s rays shimmer in the sky, Puckett said she knows Niamh is with her. When a Taylor Swift song plays on the radio, Puckett knows Asha is with her. When Puckett looks down at Deslyn’s necklace she wears, she knows Deslyn is with her. When Puckett watches Robinson drink her tea, she knows Peyton is with her.
“I see them everywhere I go, and I don’t think there’s going to be a time that stops, because they’ve just become a part of me,” Puckett said.
Thompson said when she is sitting in hardships, she feels her four best friends holding her up.
“It’s in the hardest moments that I really see them,” Thompson said. “Because I remind myself that they are what keeps me going.”
On Deslyn’s 23rd birthday, Puckett said she and Robinson went to drop flowers off at Deslyn’s lightpost on the Four Lights Memorial on main campus. The two were talking until a first-year Puckett had never seen before came up and asked them about Deslyn.
“She was telling Charlie and I that she couldn’t imagine what it must feel like, but she just wanted to offer her love and support to us,” Puckett said. “Then she gave me this hug, and she just felt like she was radiating all that love and all that warmth that all of the four angels did.”
When Allen first moved into her new apartment in New York City, she said she saw a Jo Malone perfume bottle sitting on the counter and realized it was Deslyn’s signature scent.
“She’s like an angel over me and like, when things happen, I do believe it’s her somehow,” Allen said.
The Hopes For The Trial
The next phase of the legal proceedings for the PCH crash was the Sept. 5 hearing for Fraser Michael Bohm, who will stand trail for four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, according to the Pepperdine Graphic. At the hearing, Judge Thomas Rubinson denied a motion to reduce Bohm’s bail.
With an incredible loss, Robinson said she is attempting to lend forgiveness to Bohm although it feels like an unimaginable feat. Robinson feels he will be shown justice
even if he walks free.
“Even if we don’t see him go to jail, he has to wake up every morning and look in the mirror and say ‘I killed four people,’” Robinson said. “And that is a burden that is incredibly heavy to bear.”
Puckett said the best friends and family members of the four girls are preparing for the trials the best they know how, and they are hoping justice prevails.
“Nothing will ever bring them back,” Puckett said. “But there is something to be done about taking accountability for the actions that had happened on that night.”
At the core of the court process, Thompson said she hopes the girls’ light will forever shine through and that they are remembered for who they were, not what happened to them.
“The fact that they were beautiful young women with such bright futures ahead of them,” Thompson said. “It’s really important to me to keep that at the forefront.”
Puckett said her greatest hope is that the girls’ stories live on through the people that surrounded them.
“They deserve to tell and live their stories themselves, and the fact that they’re not able to,” Puckett said. “But we have the ability and drive to do it for them and I think it’s just living every day for them and living to keep their memory alive.”
Photos courtesy of Bridget Thompson, Charlie Robinson and Georgia Puckett
The collage above shows close friends and sorority sisters of our four girls — Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams. Alumna Bridget Thompson (‘24) said the girls would spend every moment they could surrounded by each other.
Album Review: Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Man’s Best Friend’ is actually ‘Girl’s Best Friend’
Alexa McGlathery Assistant Life & Arts Editor
Transparency item: A review provides an informed and opinionated critique. These informed critiques are published to make a recommendation to readers. This review is the opinion of the writer.
Following her massively successful “Short n’ Sweet” album released Aug. 23, 2024, Sabrina Carpenter’s anticipated “Man’s Best Friend” had big shoes to fill.
“Manchild” is the debut single released June 5 and was the first song Carpenter released from the album. It sets the tone for the album and what was to be expected on the Aug. 29 release of “Man’s Best Friend.”
With lyrics in “Manchild” such as “If I’m not there, it won’t get done, I choose to blame your mom,” Carpenter is no stranger to adding
comedy into her lyrics and embracing her girl power side.
“Man’s Best Friend” features 12 songs, most of which are steamy and attimes-raunchy. Carpenter told TV personality Gayle King in a preview Thursday, Aug. 28, “the album is not for any pearl clutchers,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The album has already shattered records, earning 64.4 million streams on Spotify within its first 24 hours and securing Carpenter the 2025 title for the most single-day streams of an album by a female artist, according to Billboard.
The most streamed song from the album so far is “Tears,” with 9.2 million first-day streams, according to Digital Music News.
“Tears” stands out for its inventive structure: the chorus relies entirely on minor chords (G minor, A minor, D minor), while the verses shift to major. This deliberate contrast is an
uncommon choice in pop, where choruses are typically major, giving the song a nuanced and sophisticated edge that sets Carpenter apart. Layered over this is a disco-pop sound that channels the glittering energy of ’70s dance floors while still feeling sleek and contemporary.
That retro influence continues in “House Tour,” the album’s 11th track, which leans into a disco-funk pop groove. With playful synth chords and a punchy bass line, the song radiates a carefree, danceable energy.
One of the most memorable songs in the album is “When Did You Get Hot?” It shines through its bold honesty, infectious groove and confident playfulness, feeling both fun and unexpectedly biting.
Some of the most notably honest and funny lyrics include “You were an ugly kid, but you’re a sexy man,” or “When did you get hot? All the sudden, I could look you
up and down all day.”
Carpenter’s lyrics push boundaries with explicit candor. As if “Short n’ Sweet” wasn’t raunchy enough, “Man’s Best Friend” truly pushes even further.
The unfiltered nature of her songwriting, while captivating for many fans, makes clear that her music isn’t crafted with younger audiences in mind as she steps fully into her role as pop’s newest global powerhouse.
What’s next for the pop diva? Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 8-10. This will be her first
scheduled concert after the debut of the album.
And while she may call it
“Man’s Best Friend,” fans will likely agree it’s actually “Girl’s Best Friend” — the soundtrack to unapologetic confidence and playful chaos.
alexa.mcglathery@pepperdine.edu
Malibu embraces secondhand style
Cristal Soto Life & Arts Staff Writer
Malibu’s thrifting scene is rewriting what style means in a luxury town.
Secondhand shops have become places not just to save money, but to build community, embrace sustainability and discover personal style, said senior Jaycee Cox.
“It’s very eclectic,” Hidden Treasures Associate Harrison Styles said. “No one’s looking for the same things. Everyone’s looking for something unique to them and their style.”
Identity and Community
Thrifting is both practical and personal for many students. Cox said secondhand shopping has been part of her life since middle school.
“It’s something I bonded over with friends,” Cox said. “You have fun with it.”
Upon moving from her hometown in Florida to Malibu, Cox said she realized thrifting also made financial sense.
“Not only can I get more for less, but the style out here is so different,” Cox said.
Cox said she had found practical pieces she can use for her professional style as well as clothing she wears on rotation.
Accessibility in Thrifting
Accessibility is a key shopping experience at Agoura Hills’ Goodwill.
Associate Carlos Vallejo said he views the store’s role as community-based.
“A lot of people don’t really have access to certain brands or even just wanting luxury clothing,” Vallejo said. “It makes things more affordable for families and students, especially with the new semester beginning.”
Vallejo said their customers come are all ages and backgrounds, although he has noticed a spike in younger shoppers.
“It’s so open for everybody here,” Vallejo said. “It’s very beginner-friendly. There isn’t just one group that our store caters to.”
Beyond the racks, Vallejo said the relationships keep people coming back.
“Our regulars are really nice and very familiar with the staff,” Vallejo said. “It makes things a lot more community-based. People build relationships with us, and it makes things easier and more fun.”
Shifting Thrift Scene
Customer demographics have changed in recent years, Styles said.
“Since the fires, less people are going to the beach.” Styles said. “We’re getting a lot more regulars and a little less touristy crowds.”
Seasonal demand also plays a role.
Festival season draws costume hunters, while cooler months bring a rush for statement jackets and layers, Styles said.
“Come here every two or three weeks and most of these pieces will be gone,” Styles said.
Vintage pop-up events add a layer to
Hidden Treasures vintage shop in Topanga sets up a sales rack outside Aug. 22. The building is nearly 100 years old and has been the home to vintage selling since the late 1980s, according to Hidden Treasures’ website.
Malibu’s thrift scene, Cox said. Many shoppers get eager for curated finds and a way to support small resellers. The hunt itself is part of the appeal.
“It’s a really good chance to explore your own style,” Cox said. “Why not mix it up a little? Thrifting opens up a whole new world of clothing.”
Vallejo agrees that the key to vintage shopping is keeping an open mind.
“Try something outside of your comfort zone,” Vallejo said. “You never really know when you’re going to want that piece later on.”
cristal.soto@pepperdine.edu
Photo courtesy of Island Records
Photo by Cristal Soto | Life & Arts Staff Writer
Potential new members crush rush
Alexa McGlathery Assistant Life & Arts Editor
Sorority recruitment began Sept. 4 at Pepperdine. While platforms like TikTok and Reddit often highlight recruitment practices at large Southern “SEC” schools, Pepperdine’s process has notable differences in structure and schedule.
The University’s Panhellenic Council oversees a shorter, more centralized process tailored to campus life.
“It’s not like the South at all, and I think we really need to advertise that,” said Rosemary LeBlanc, sophomore and Kappa Kappa Gamma member.
All Things Recruitment
The sorority recruitment process at Pepperdine is a process that introduces potential new members (PNMs) to the seven National Panhellenic Conference sororities on campus: Alpha Phi, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi.
All of the sorority events and meetings take place on main campus and registration is open to all female students on the Seaver undergraduate campus. Students must register in advance and pay a $20 fee to participate, according to Pepperdine Panhellenic.
Nearly 30% of undergrad-
uate women participate each year, according to Pepperdine Community. The process includes orientation, open house events, sisterhood activities, preference night and bid day, said Niccie Jamitkowski, senior and Tri Delta President.
Recruitment can bring a mix of emotions, especially for those unfamiliar with the process, Jamitkowski said.
How to Rush
To foster authentic connections and fully embrace the recruitment process, Panhellenic President Bella Bonfante said she advises participants to remain true to themselves.
“We want to see your authentic personality shine through,” Bonfante said.
Keeping an open mind is also crucial for the recruitment process, Bonfante said.
“A PNM might go through the social media of a certain sorority and think, ‘They might not be my vibe or I might not get along with these girls,’” LeBlanc said. “But seriously, you go into recruitment and meet all sorts of people.”
Pepperdine’s sorority recruitment includes three main days of conversations with chapter members, as participants move between campus locations to meet members and learn about each sorority, according to the University’s Panhellenic Council.
“After all my conversations my face hurt from smiling, but just getting to know all these different girls and feeling so empowered by all the females I talked to was the best part,” LeBlanc said. “Like I left recruitment not anxious, not scared, but excited.”
When engaging in conversations during recruitment, avoiding the “five B’s” can help create a strong impression and allow you for the opportunity to find your place, according to American Threads.
The “five B’s” include: Booze, Boys, Bible, Ballots and Bucks.
These are sensitive topics best avoided in conversation – dating, politics, substance use, religion and finances – as they can lead to uncomfortable situations or inappropriate discussions for the active member, according to American Threads.
Above all, the health and well-being of a PNM comes first, Bonfante said
“You are trying to put your best foot forward every conversation, every minute of the day,” Bonfante said. “Remember to take care of yourself first, as you are our number one priority.”
We want to see your authentic personality shine through.
Bella Bonfante
Panhellenic President
Forever Friends
For many students, recruitment becomes more than a weekend of events — it marks the beginning of friendships that last for years.
“I look back on rush really fondly because I met some of my best friends in Tri Delta,” Jamitkowski said.
The bonds formed during the process, Jamitkowski and LeBlanc said, extend from casual campus encounters to the milestones that define college life.
While the process may seem tedious, students describe the experience as more than just joining a sorority. For them, recruitment serves as the starting point for relationships.
alexa.mcglathery@pepperdine.edu
Photo courtesy of Rosemary LeBlanc
Then-first years Kate Foster (left) and Rosemary LeBlanc (right) celebrate their bid into Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) during Bid Night on Sept. 10, 2024. LeBlanc said she enjoyed all her conversations with KKG throughout the recruitment experience.
Photo courtesy of Niccie Jamitkowski (Left to right) Niccie Jamitkowski, Angelee Valdez, Alex Zink and Nicole Defelice celebrate Bid Night on Sept. 8, 2022. Bid Night is when PNMs will open envelopes to find out which sorority they have received a bid from.
A look at 2025 Pepperdine recruitment
Photos by Tony Gleason | Managing Editor Design by Betsy Burrow | Creative Director
Women’s Volleyball gets set for season
Nina Fife Sports Editor
Some would be satisfied with an overall conference preseason ranking of No. 2 — but not the Pepperdine Waves.
“It’s nice that the conference thinks very highly of us,” Head Coach Scott Wong said. “We also have a little bit of, ‘We want to be number one. We want to be champs.’”
After tying for second place in the West Coast Conference last season, the Waves are ready to work for the No. 1 spot this time around — and they might have the tools they need to do so.
Along with being ranked No. 2 in the WCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, a trio of Pepperdine players was named to the WCC Preseason Team, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Sophomore middle blocker Ella Piskorz and graduate middle blocker Vanessa Polk are the two returning Waves to be given this honor. Piskorz and Polk are both expected to be huge threats on the court, building on the success they’ve already had as Waves, Wong said.
“I was really grateful to receive that honor,” Polk said. “I came off of an injury last year, so I’m getting back into the swing of things, and I feel like I owe it to my team for helping me and pushing me to be better every single day.”
Piskorz had a standout freshman year last season, according to Pepperdine Athletics. The Canadian earned All-WCC First Team and AllWCC Freshman Team honors. She also earned WCC Defensive Player of the Week and WCC Freshman of the Week on Sept. 16 after racking up
12 blocks against top-5 teams Stanford and Pitt.
Polk redshirted her 2024 season but is ready to make a triumphant return to the court for Pepperdine. She is stepping up to serve as one of the team’s captains this year alongside junior setter Brynne McGhie, Wong said.
“They’ve been around for a few years each, and they understand the level and standard that we need to be great,” Wong said. “So, I think it starts with them.”
Polk also has an impressive resume she’s looking to build upon this year. In 2022, Polk earned WCC All-Freshman Team and WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll ‘Silver’ Honors alongside being a Pepperdine Scholar Athlete, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
The accolades continued in 2023, as Polk earned All WCC and WCC All-Academic Honorable Mentions, WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll ‘Silver’ and CSC Academic All-District first team honors as well as being a Pepperdine Scholar Athlete.
“[Polk] is definitely someone I aspire to be as a leader and as a teammate,” freshman setter Tristen Raymond said.
Sophomore outside hitter Chloe Pravednikov is a returner that will play a bigger role on the squad this year, Wong said. Pravednikov already had an impressive debut season as she earned All-WCC Freshman Team honors.
“She’s growing into a much bigger role, and she has just been wonderful — brilliant at times — with her new role in scoring points,” Wong said.
Piskorz, Polk and Pravednikov will be part of an important set of returners look-
ing to bring more success to the Women’s Indoor Volleyball team, Wong said.
“The core group that are returning understand what Pepperdine Women’s Volleyball is about,” Wong said. “Our theme is one team, one heartbeat.”
While these returners will play a huge role on this year’s squad, Wong also said there is a lot of change with the program this year. The Waves lost some huge names last year, such as All-WCC First Team selections Grace Chillingworth and Birdie Hendrickson.
“We like where we’re at, but we have some room to grow into in terms of who we are as a team,” Wong said. “There’s a need to reestablish who we are.”
One of the newcomers that will be stepping up this year will be senior outside hitter Iva Popovic, Wong said. Popovic was one of just three newcomers to the league who made the All-WCC Preseason Team, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
“Really excited about her [Popovic] and what she’s added to the program,” Wong said. “She’s got the tenacity and fire to her that is just awesome.”
Wong said the standard Chillingworth and Hendrickson left behind is still there, and he is looking to his new players to fill these roles. Another fresh face for the Waves that is looking to make an impact will be Raymond, the freshman setter from Peoria, Ariz.
“Tristen Raymond, talking about her ability just to impact the culture of our team as a freshman,” Wong said. “[She] will have a big role with us as a setter and hitter and another just game changer in terms of play but also just attitude.”
As the team prepares for the season to officially get underway, they have been working hard – both on and off the court. Raymond said the double practice days have been very competitive, and every workout takes them one step closer to achieving their season goals.
“We are staying hard and disciplined in our workouts, in the weight room and at practice,” Raymond said.
Polk said she feels good about this year’s team, especially with the dynamic they have between the classes. The Waves want to be No. 1, but Polk has also seen firsthand that rankings hold little to no weight in what actually happens.
“We try to go into every game with a fresh mindset and kind of a nameless,
faceless opponent, just taking it one step at a time and trying to win,” Polk said. “That’s the goal at the end of the day.”
The Waves have a 3-3 record on the year so far, including an upset against No. 19 UCLA on Sept. 2. The Pepperdine Asics Classic will take place in Firestone Fieldhouse on Sept. 12 when the Waves take on Lipscomb.
nina.fife@pepperdine.edu
Photo by Olivia Schneider | Assistant Photo Editor
Sophomore libero Ella Irwin gets ready to serve in Women’s Indoor Volleyball’s home opener against USC on Aug. 30, 2024. The Waves won their 2025 home opener in an upset against No. 19 UCLA.
Photo by Griffin Pilcher | Staff Photographer
Women’s Indoor Volleyball comes together for a huddle in Firestone Fieldhouse during their home opener against No. 19 UCLA on Sept. 2. The Waves sit at an even 3-3 record to start the 2025 season.
Hotshots: NFL season award predictions
Shane Stephens Assistant Sports Editor
Transparency Item: This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
The NFL season is underway as week one comes to an end. Last season had some incredible narratives, with rookies taking over the league and a very close MVP race.
Here are my predictions for the 2025 season.
Super Bowl Pick: Ravens vs. Packers
With the addition of one of the best defensive players in the league — outside linebacker Micah Parsons — the Green Bay Packers are poised to make a deep playoff run.
Adding weapons for quarterback Jordan Love, such as wide receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, on top of having Josh Jacobs, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs, the Packers have become the third favorite to come out of the NFC, according to ESPN.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is coming off one of the most efficient quarterback seasons ever and was the 2024 MVP runner-up behind quarterback Josh Allen, according to Pro Football Reference.
Safety Malachi Starks looks to fill the gap the Baltimore
Ravens had on defense last season, while their front seven is debatably the best in the league, led by linebacker Roquan Smith.
Super Bowl Winner: Green Bay Packers
Love played well two years back in the playoffs, proving to fans he has the talent to win big games, but he needs to control his turnovers. With two years starting under his belt, this is a make-or-break year for Love, and I think this is the year where he shows he can be elite.
The Jeff Hafley-ran defense was among the top 10 in his first season as defensive coordinator. Despite the questionable cornerback group, cornerback Nate Hobbs was a solid pickup this offseason, and their strong safety core can easily make up for the gaps.
Most Valuable Player: Joe Burrow
Quarterback Joe Burrow put up an unforgettable season last year, but Allen and Jackson overshadowed him completely. This year for Burrow looks to be the same, now with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on new contracts.
Despite the Bengals’ lackluster defense, Burrow and his offense can be the deciding factor when it comes to winning games, and this is the year the
Bengals return to the playoffs.
Burrow looks hungry to win and ready to bring back their 2021 season magic and return to the win column.
Offensive Player of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase
After signing his four-year, $161-million contract this offseason, Chase looks ready to dominate the league after having a great preseason.
Chase is a prime candidate
for OPOY after having a triple crown season last year, according to ESPN, leading the league in receptions, touchdowns and yards.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jared Verse
Edge rusher Jared Verse just had a historic rookie season and took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2024. Verse was a menace against both the run and pass
offense, making a huge impact in all 17 games in 2024.
Pro Football Focus gave him an 89.3 grade last season, which ranked ninth amongst all edge rushers, as he was ahead of names like Will Anderson Jr. and Trey Hendrickson. I predict Verse to lead the league in tackles for loss and quarterback hits this season.
shane.stephens@pepperdine.edu
Pepperdine Golf swings into 2025 season
Nina Fife Sports Editor
The Pepperdine golf teams took some early September swings as they make their way through another season. Both the Men’s and Women’s teams hit the road for their tournaments. The men’s team moved up the coast to compete in Washington, while the women had a longer journey to Minnesota.
Men’s Team
The men competed first at the Shahalee Players Championship in Sammamish, Wash., on Sept. 6-7. While the team placed seventh out of 12 competitors, there was a lot of shine on some individual Waves.
Senior Brady Siravo was the most successful Pepperdine representative. Siravo finished with a three-round score of 213 (73-68-72) (-3) at the par-72,
7,003-yard course, according to Pepperdine Athletics. These numbers propelled him to the individual title, making it his second collegiate tournament win.
It was a close race for Siravo, golfing against his teammate, senior Mahanth Chirravuri. Entering the final three holes, Siravo and Chirravuri were in a four-way tie, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Siravo’s final-round birdie proved to be the difference-maker, as the two non-Pepperdine golfers finished one stroke behind, and Chirravuri finished tied for sixth place. Chirravuri’s top 10 placement gave Pepperdine two representatives in this group, a statistic only matched by team champion Arizona State and runner-up Texas, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Women’s Team
The women’s team kicked off their fall 2025 season with the ANNIKA Intercollegiate at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minn., on Sept. 8-10. Pepperdine faced some tough competition in this tournament, as nine competing teams were ranked in the top 25 nationally, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
A younger team represented the Waves in the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. Out of the five players, three returning Waves and two freshmen made their collegiate debuts, according to Pepperdine Athletics. Even out of the returners, only one of them is a senior, Jeneath Wong, with sophomores Eunseo Choi
and Grace Anderson filling in the other spots.
Wong and Choi were named to the All-WCC Team this spring, and Choi was named the WCC Freshman of the Year, according to Pepperdine Athletics. Choi was also named to the ANNIKA Award Watch List and as a Golfweek Preseason All-American ahead of this tournament.
Even with being one of only three teams not nationally ranked by Golf Channel, the women’s team had a successful outing in Minnesota, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Overall, the Waves finished in seventh place out of 12 competing teams. This placement was above No. 5 Arizona State, No. 6 Duke and No. 25 Cal. They finished 15 over par as a team, and Choi was the Waves’ top golfer. The sophomore placed 10th individually and finished one under par with a 74, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
The Waves will keep rolling on with more tournaments approaching. The men will compete again Sept. 15-16 in Ooltewah, Tenn. at the Invitational at the Honors Course. The women will get a little more of a break before they return to action Sept. 22-24 at the Golfweek Red Sky Classic in Wolcott, Colo.
nina.fife@pepperdine.edu
Art by Cara Tang | Art Editor
Photo courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics
Senior Brady Siravo wins the individual title at the Shahalee Players Championship in Sammamish, Wash., on Sept. 7. Siravo finished with a three-round score of 213.
Water Polo to make waves in 2025 season
Nina Fife Sports Editor
Men’s Water Polo is ready to make waves this season — and they’re in the perfect position to do so. Pepperdine entered the 2025 season ranked No. 7 nationally and No. 2 in the West Coast Conference, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
This is the second consecutive year the Waves came in the top 10 teams across the nation. It’s also the second year of the Merrill Moses era.
Moses was a Wave himself and represented Team USA as a three-time Olympian, All-American and national champion before becoming the head coach for Pepperdine, according to Pepperdine Athletics. Since Moses has plenty of experience under his belt, he said he knows rankings aren’t the end-all be-all.
“It’s a good start for sure but bottom line is you got to be the best at the end of season,” Moses said. “That’s nice, but we’re looking towards getting better every week to be at our best in November.”
Last season, Moses said his squad sat as the No. 4 nationally ranked team for multiple weeks, but his returners learned those rankings don’t last. He will certainly be looking at his team captains to carry his team’s momentum, which will fall to senior attackers Adam Csapo, Sandor Gal and junior utility Jon Carcarey.
“We’re honored that we have those rankings, but we are focusing on just being ourselves and working hard and proving that we are worthy of those rankings,” Gal said.
Csapo earned All-WCC Second Team honors last year, while Gal and sophomore attacker Erik Ionescu earned AllWCC Honorable Mentions.
Ionescu was also named the WCC Freshman of the Year, which led the way to him and Csapo earning All-WCC Preseason Honors this year, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Gal said the honor of being captain is not one he takes lightly. The senior wants to support his team in any way he can, and sometimes that starts by simply showing up.
“I’m more of a lead by example kind of guy,” Gal said.
“Showing the guys you have to work hard every day — I just want to help my teammates.
I’m always trying to be there for them and help them.”
This year’s squad is a unit, not just a group of individuals, Moses said. Even with his captains, Moses knows every
player on his team will make an impact this year. Not only does the team have some big threats in the water, but these players can move around the pool and help the team in multiple ways.
“We are a very deep team, and I think that’s going to be a big part of our success,” Moses said.
His players have been training hard over summer, with some of them representing their countries on the national stage. Carcarey won a silver medal with Team USA at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships in Croatia, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
There are young athletes seeing the same national recognition, with freshman utility Csanád Bella having represented Hungary at the European
U18 Championships in August, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Bella isn’t the only freshman that will be important on this year’s squad, Moses said. In their first tournament down to San Diego for the Triton Invitational, Moses took five firstyears with him – something that adds to the team’s threatening depth.
“It’s rare to have that many freshmen that are going to make an immediate impact,” Moses said.
One of these freshmen is center Max Burstein. The freshman said his team has been extremely helpful in making his transition pretty easy, and this camaraderie translates into the pool.
“This is truly like a family, a brotherhood,” Burstein said. “I’ve been truly lucky to be a part of this program. We’re working together, and we’re all working toward the same goal.”
For this team, that goal starts with the WCC. Even with the honor of being nationally recognized, Moses said he wants his team to take each day as it comes. After his first year at the helm, he learned that his team can peak too early and wants to make sure that doesn’t happen this time around.
“We’re modifying some things to make sure we peak at the right time,” Moses said. “We want to win every game we play, but our first goal is to take it step by step, game by game.”
The players said this means showing the teams how hard they’ve been training. Moses
said his squad has been here all summer, and he’s not sure any other program has been working as hard as the Waves have been.
“We want to show everyone what we’re about and what’s going to happen this season,” Burstein said.
We want to show everyone what we’re about and what’s going to happen this season.
Max Burstein Freshman
center
The Waves started the season off strong with a 14-12 win over No. 20 Navy on Aug. 30, according to Pepperdine Athletics. Their next matchup will be Sept. 13 when they travel to take on No. 1 UCLA.
nina.fife@pepperdine.edu
Photos by Olivia Schneider | Assistant Photo Editor
Freshman attacker Brian Barnuevo defends against USC senior utility Andrej Grgurevic on Sept. 7 at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. The Waves hosted the Trojans for their 2025 home opener.
Graduate attacker Dane Howell goes for a shot against the USC Trojans on Sept. 7 at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Head Coach Merrill Moses said Howell’s experience is crucial for this team.