PROMENADE THE GEORGE PEPPERDINE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER
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In This Issue 3 9
GPC V to Feature Music and Drama Casts in Special “Curtain Call” This year’s Grand Pepperdine Celebration theme will have you applauding out of your seats!
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Music Man’s Willson “A Show”
An old rumor confirmed about The Music Man creator, Meredith Willson.
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On Stage and in Life, Paul Woods Performs Well
Paul Woods (’62) looks back on his days as a student performer and its impact on his life.
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GPC Photo Album
A glimpse of GPC student life through the eyes of Tom Lathrop (’60) and Paul White (’68).
Ray Mossholder – From Castaway to Boomerang
Alumnus Ray Mossholder’s (’59) journey from introverted student to DJ, author, and evangelist.
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Oly Tegner Award Nomination
Recognize a great GPC servant leader.
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Rettberg Named to
Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame
GPC basketball star, John Rettberg (’59), honored among other Pepperdine athletics greats.
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GPC Student Body Presidents – Where Are They Now?
Alumnus Wayne “Jack” Schlatter’s 19571958 presidency of the GPC student body.
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Phil Nash Continues His Acting Career
Thespian Phil Nash (’64) artfully combines his gift for stage acting with his desire to share God’s Word.
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Bobby Warlick Scores Big in Basketball and Beyond
GPC basketball great, Bobby Warlick (’63), and his passion to help children succeed.
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Class Notes
Brief updates in the lives of our fellow Waves.
In Memoriam Remembering the lives of fellow alumni recently passed.
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Upcoming Events
A look ahead at opportunities for alumni to stay connected to Pepperdine.
We want to hear from you! The Promenade newsletter needs your stories! If you are an alumnus of George Pepperdine College, please submit articles about your personal memories of days at the original campus at 79th and Vermont. We are also interested in hearing the interesting stories of your activities since graduation. Share these precious memories with your fellow alumni by sending your story of anywhere between 300 and 800 words to the GPC Alumni Affairs office at the following address:
By e-mail:
gpc@pepperdine.edu
By mail: GPC Alumni Affairs c/o: Promenade Newsletter, TAC 311 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263-4348
Please also send along any photos you have to compliment your story. We will gladly scan the photos and mail the originals back to you upon completion of the publication.
Promenade Staff
Editor • Matt Ebeling Graphic Designer • Gabriela Moreno Production Manager • Jill McWilliams Copy Editor • Vincent Way Contributing Writers • Jon Washington (’63), Norma (Wade) YoungMahaffey (’61), Bob Andrew (’58), Ray Mossholder (’59), and Paul Wolfe (’65)
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GPC Vto Feature
Music, Drama Casts in Special
Curtain Call
“
3
”
By Norma (Wade) Mahaffey (’61) and Jon Washington (’63)
Many of George Pepperdine College’s best known music and graduate, answered the call. Young, who was head of the speech drama performers will be introduced (and some will perform) and dramatic arts department, expressed in a note: in a special “Curtain Call” Saturday evening May 8 as part of the fifth Grand Pepperdine Celebration (GPC V) at Pepperdine “The students we knew at Pepperdine would certainly lure us to the Malibu campus. Working with the students in the theatre University’s majestic Malibu campus. program was among the most satisfying days of our lives.” Dean Dennis (’60), Norma (Wade) Mahaffey (’61), and Jon Washington (’63) have envisioned featuring performers for their One response that may inspire others from the ’50s decade to “Curtain Call” encore that would have leading men like Profes- attend is from Elling Sagen (’54): sor Higgins (Phil Nash, ’64) from the 1964 production of My “Your notice unleashed a flood of happy memories, and I rememFair Lady sing with leading lady Eliza Doolittle [Marie Barlow] bered Dr. Russel Squire (GPC professor of music) and his inMartin, SC ’90) from the 1989 production at Seaver College. sistence that all music majors participate in all aspects of musi“We are working hard to make this ‘vision’ happen and we believe cal activities.” Sagen continued, “I came on a music scholarship it will make this GPC reunion weekend one you won’t soon for- to be in orchestra and was one of the rare flute specialists in Pepperdine history. I was soon ‘recruited’ for band, men’s chorus get,” Dennis said. (Mikado), madrigals, and musicals working in the pit orchestra Washington and Dennis, coordinators for the “Curtain Call” (Marriage of Figaro and Oklahoma!). program, have been working with Mahaffey and the manager of homecoming and reunions, Michael Sprague (SC ’04), collect- “I have never seen the Malibu campus, and even though I lost ing information and making contact with directors, musicians, my flute embouchure 30 years ago and finger dexterity 10 years cast members, artists and technical crews who participated in ago, and although I am in a wheelchair, I still sing a little but have to sit.” productions of years past. “After the ‘save-the-date’ announcement card was sent out, we heard from people representing four decades,” Mahaffey said. “The earliest so far is from the Class of 1943!” For example, Dr. James D. “Jim” Young (’43) and his wife Dorothy, also a GPC
The ’60s sparked memories for Kaye (Novak) Price-Hawkins (’66), and she recalled the memorable 1963 production of Oklahoma! because the Friday night performance was cancelled as a result of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas earlier that day: “Saturday night, we opened to a polite, quiet
Oklahoma!, a familiar beloved journey back to the Cimarron country where the farmer and the cowman should be friends.
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Marv Kirshman as Curly in Oklahoma!
Smiles break the tenseness of The Barretts of Wimpole Street dress rehearsal. Gathered about Linda Wigger are (from left) Dave Doty, Arnie Mates, Oscar Miles, and Don Roberts.
audience still in the throes of grief.” Hawkins, who played Aunt Eller, continued, “When the boys and Aunt Eller were singing and dancing, Doyle Barnes (’66) whirled me around and the wind caught up under my heavy skirt and I landed on my face rather than my feet, but my next line—which I sang without missing a beat—was ‘and that’s about as far as I can go!’”
will include a praise team of reunited “Choraliers” and song worship led by Doyle Barnes (’66).
Ted Starnes (MA ’61), Speech and Drama professor at Pepperdine and director of the Oklahoma! production, asked Hawkins if she was OK, and when she said “I think so,” Starnes said, “Good! You can do that again tomorrow night!”
According to Barbara (Davis) Sexson (’67), “We are looking forward to performing. The “Choraliers” who went on the 1965 USO Tour have had a reunion on Labor Day weekend every two years beginning in 2004, so we’re ready.”
“We hope this grand moment will be the beginnings of an established Theatre Hall of Fame, much like the school’s longstanding Athletics Hall of Fame,” said Jon Washington. The Malibu campus has organized a “Friends of the Theatre” support program which will hopefully lead to permanent theatre recognition.
Steve Lemley (’66), former provost at Pepperdine University, will be speaker and coordinator of the worship service. Rounding out the Chapel service planning are Bob Andrew (’58), Rich Dawson (’70), Robyn (Winn) Hall (’61), Peggy (Winchell) Huffman (’62), Phil Nash (’64), and Don and Kay Koontz (’58).
GPC V will begin as the 67th Annual Bible Lectures winds down, and registration will begin on Friday evening, May 7, 2010, in the Hahn Fireside Room in the Tyler Campus Center—temporarily renamed the “Oasis” for the weekend. The main GPC events take place all day Saturday, May 8. Lorraine (Hill) Brinton (’60) and Hasty Arnold (’61) are putting plans together for the evening dinner program.
The writers of this story also wish to acknowledge contributions from:
Melvin Dennis (’69) assisted Giboney and her committee locating members of the “Choraliers,” sometimes known as the University Singers.
As of press time, specific details as to what buildings will be Grand Pepperdine Celebrations started in 2001 to bring gradu- utilized is unknown, but watch for future mailings. Addiates from the Vermont and 79th campus together for a casual tionally, updated information will be posted on the Seaver weekend of reacquainting with college classmates, teammates, and George Pepperdine College Alumni Affairs Web site at sorority sisters, fraternity brothers, Graphic and Promenade staff, seaver.pepperdine.edu/alumni. You can also call the Alumni Office’s toll free number at (800) 767-2586 ext. 5. and other special interest groups.
Sunday morning, May 9, we will celebrate Mother’s Day with breakfast and a “Chapel assembly” worship service. Susan (Huff ) Giboney (’62) says that the tentative plan is in place and
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Dave Rice (’61), for the names of cast members from GPC music and drama productions from 1953 through 1957; Darrell Mathews (’61), who sent his personal collection of original programs for productions like Danforth, My Fair Lady (1964), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1968), and The Lark (1969); Mike Vantine (’69), for the names of cast members and productions gleaned from the Graphic and Promenade annuals for 1965 through 1969. †
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67th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures May 4 - 7, 2010 Stay after the Lectures for the GPC Reunion!
For more information or to register, visit us online at www.pepperdine.edu/biblelectures or call (310) 506-4270.
G e or ge Pe ppe r d in e C ol l e ge
Gr a nd
P e ppe r di n e C e l e b r at ion
May 7–9, 2010
Make plans to visit the Malibu campus, to reunite with your GPC classmates and faculty, rekindle old memories, and catch up on what’s new. This weekend of fun will culminate with the GPC V dinner and “Curtain Call.” See performances by past musical greats you won’t want to miss! Spend a week in Malibu—Come for Bible Lectures and stay for GPC V. Interested in carpooling? Contact Don Aston at (951) 318-4198.
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Friday, May 7: Check-in and social hour
in the “Oasis”
Saturday, May 8 : Campus tours, club, Greek and Sports Team reunions, GPC V Dinner and “Curtain Call” Sunday, May 9: Mother’s Day breakfast and Chapel
For more information, call (800) 767-2586 or visit seaver.pepperdine.edu/alumni/gpc/ reunions.htm
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Music Man’s Willson
“A Show” By Jon Washington (’63)
Erasing a long-standing controversy, the Promenade has discov- “We heard rumors, but no one was ever able to confirm that Mr. ered that The Music Man creator, Meredith Willson, did attend Willson was at opening night,” said Rita Sears (’64), who was opening night of Pepperdine’s production of The Music Man on the female lead as Marian the Librarian. February 7, 1963. “The only big star we did meet,” said Woods, “was Pat Boone, and I was somewhat involved in the controversy, having, as a member he attended our final dress rehearsal and came backstage afterof the Knights, ushered a man down the left aisle to seats in first ward to congratulate us for a job well done.” row center. The man didn’t want to reveal his name. There is a music department scholarship under the name of For years after that, in fact until early 2009, I still wondered, Meredith Willson. † “Was that man Meredith Willson?” “Yes, it was Meredith Willson,” confirmed Ted Starnes (MA ’61), who directed GPC’s production of The Music Man. Starnes explained that Glover Shipp (’48) and a Pepperdine development official sent Meredith Willson some complimentary tickets for opening night. In a thank you letter to Shipp, Willson wrote, “Please apologize to the cast that I wasn’t able to be backstage after the wonderful opening night show. My congratulations to all. A great show. However, I had a family emergency and had to leave just before the final curtain.” “We never knew he was there,” said Paul Woods (’62), who played the male lead of Dr. Harold Hill in the first-ever college production of Willson’s ultra-successful Broadway and movie musical. Alpha Gamma Jeanne Bankey ushers at the “Iowa State Line.”
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On Stage and in Life,
Paul Woods Performs Well
By Jon Washington (’63)
Paul Woods (’62) knew the life of a salesman, having peddled ads for the Graphic newspaper and original Promenade.
Teena White, Evie Campbell, Paul Woods, Linda Harbertson, and Kaye Novak wear some of the 140 costumes in the show.
Even so, his role as Professor Harold Hill in Pepperdine’s 1963 “Yes,” he said, “I was a member of the barber shop quartet along production of The Music Man, elevated him even higher as a with two other teachers and the principal. It was a real blast.” salesman and more importantly, his appreciation for Meredith Willson’s classic musical. At Pepperdine, Woods was chosen for The Music Man lead role by director Ted Starnes (MA ’61) after four days of auditions. “I think I improved my sales skills as a result of ‘conning’ River City, Ioway, into 76 trombones and such, despite the opposition “There was strong competition for the part, but Paul really stood of, among others, Marian the Librarian (Rita Sears, ’64) and de- out,” Starnes said. bunking salesman (Art Prickett, ’63) dedicated to ending Hill’s “I never knew who else auditioned for the part,” Woods said. career,” Woods said. Everyone played his or her role to the max, “And, the audience seemed to appreciate it (both shows were sellouts).”
Woods’ only “sour” note in his Music Man experience came in the final dress rehearsal.
As for his real life selling efforts for the Graphic and Promenade, “I really feel badly because singer Pat Boone was in the audience. Woods said, “I know Professor Hill had a great influence on me He came up to me after the rehearsal, shook my hand and, with that classic Pat Boone smile and voice, said, ‘Every singer hits a and my sales.” sour note once in awhile. I thought your performance was great.’” Wood’s clients included such stores as Ida Ks, Michael’s Jewelers, Balboa Theatre, Kite Restaurant, Chalon’s, Wave Shop campus Ah, Shi Poo Pi! † bookstore, and Aloha Florist, among many others. Hill meanwhile concentrated on River City’s main street, among them the library, pharmacy (full selection of Sen-Sen), and the Wells Fargo stagecoach station. Woods was a Sub-T, choir president, and a top student spending an additional year to earn his secondary teaching credential. He went on to a lifetime teaching career at Orange High School in Orange, California. “Yes, my students did The Music Man three different times, and I tried to make it fun. High school theatre is—at least should be—designed to let kids have fun, to learn life skills. The serious decisions about pursuing singing, dancing, and acting should be part of a college experience,” Woods said. The third production of The Music Man at Orange High School included a performance by Woods.
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Winthrop receives his cornet from Professor Harold Hill (Woods).
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PHOTO ALBUM 8
GPC
P
hoto
A lbum
This ongoing Promenade section showcases your GPC memories told from your own eyes, with a little help from your camera! This issue features alumni, Tom Lathrop (’60) and Paul White (’68).
Now it’s your turn! Send in your favorite snapshots from your days at George Pepperdine College! Tell your GPC story through these cherished images. “Candid” shots are preferred. Black and white photos are sufficient. All you have to do is mail your photos to us at the following address: Pepperdine University, GPC Alumni Affairs, Attn: Matt Ebeling – TAC-311 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263 We will then scan the photos and promptly mail the originals back to you. You may also opt to scan the photos yourself and e-mail them to matt.ebeling@pepperdine.edu. Please ensure that you scan at a high resolution (at least 300 dpi). Be sure to include with each photo an explanation of whom or what appears in the photo and its significance to you and your personal experience as a Wave! †
I took these photos on the highway somewhere in Oregon on chorus tour in April 1964. -Paul White (’68)
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It was the ’59-’60 Waves Ba sketball season, and Sterlin g Forbes is coming down wi th a rebound and no one wi ll snatch it from him. Dave Hancock is the Wave with a bandage on his forehead, and already racing downcou rt is the ever-vigilant Bobby Blu e. I was a freshman [journ alism student], and my boss was Bill Nash, a sophomo re. He queried why I was photo graphing the defense. ‘This is why!’ I said.” -Tom Lathrop (’60)
The Promena de made me re member that Dolores did ge t off campus once in a whil e. - Paul White (’68)
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Ray Mossholder–
From
Castaway to Boomerang By Ray Mossholder (’59) and Bob Andrew (’58)
Ray Mossholder’s (’59) closest friends say his middle name should be “Laughter!” They don’t think of this former radio news director turned evangelist as slaphappy. But, he explains, “I see life now at 72 as a Christian who knows Romans 8:28 is true. ‘ALL things do work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.’ My life is very good!”
“Acting is in my DNA,” Ray quips. “I started at the age of five, kept it up in high school, and have never stopped.” Ray’s most recent role was as Pontius Pilate at the Riviera Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the week before Easter 2003. He explains, “All the churches of Las Vegas have a huge audition to do the Passion Play, and the Riviera gives them a massive ballroom for the nightly performances leading up to Easter. Tons of people gave their lives to Christ that week.”
Ray also performed at a dinner theatre in Las Vegas during that time in a mystery comedy called Marriage Can Be Murder! Ray Ray wasn’t always as happy as he is now. When he entered Pep- plans to do more acting at Pepperdine’s Fifth Quarter next May perdine on the old Vermont campus in September of 1954, Ray with his friends, Jack Schlatter (’61) and Joanne Watson (’57). was depressed by being 50 pounds overweight and feeling “like a nerd.” His parents paid for his tuition, boarding, and cafeteria At Pepperdine, Ray was in Carousel, The Merry Widow, You Never Can Tell, Light up the Sky, and Macbeth. He was also exmeals, but Ray did not like the food there. tremely active in psychodrama, doing impromptu skits with “It wasn’t like Mom’s fabulous home cooking, and so I poked at other actors as the audience suggested what they wanted to see. the food instead of downing it like I always had when I’d been Later that led Ray to impromptu acting at the Hungry Eye in home in San Jose, California. I went to Ralph’s market every San Francisco, California, with some of the people who became lunch hour and drank a quart of nonfat milk. Otherwise I just the original cast of Saturday Night Live. Ray was married and teaching high school by then, so he did not go with them. ate what would get me by,” he said. At Pepperdine from 1954 to 1959, Ray learned from friends as well as teachers. “Pepperdine wonderfully prepared me for the many different roles I’d play in life,” he said. After teaching for six years, and a year of attending Fuller Theological Seminary, Ray became a rock–and-roll disc jockey! He was on KKIS in Pittsburgh, California. Soon KCBS in San Francisco asked him to become a freelance news reporter for them. Then KEAR-FM in San Francisco hired him as news director and communicator to teens. From 1966 to 1970 he did half-hour newscasts twice a day, wrote and delivered commentaries, talked to teens on air, Ray was recreational hall chairman during his junior year and interviewed everyone from Dr. Billy Graham to Simon and and was elected student body vice president his senior year. Garfunkel. Then a tragedy elevated Ray’s position when student body president Dick Bachus (’58) could not serve his term because he “Then in 1970,” Ray says, “God called me to go unto all the world. I left radio to become a national representative for Youth with had leukemia. a Mission, then an associate pastor to Dr. Jack Hayford at the Ray was a member of the Tri Phi Fraternity, the Honor Society, famous Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California. He trained and appeared twice in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Uni- me as an evangelist. Jack and I still have a very warm relationversities. In his junior year as a speech and drama major, he won ship.” a scholarship to play summer stock in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He credits Dr. James Young, his drama director at Pepperdine, Later he was staff evangelist for Dr. Tommy Barnett in the largfor his scholarship. “We did a different play every three nights! est Assemblies of God church in America and did more than 50 marriage seminars for Dr. Pat Robertson and The 700 Club at It was fabulous.”
“One February day that year in the guy’s dorm, I looked in a mirror and was suddenly in shock. I’d lost the entire 50 pounds!” Ray’s was the classic Ugly Duckling story, and he suddenly saw a swan in that mirror! He told himself, “I don’t look half-bad! In fact, I look pretty good!” That incident gave Ray far greater confidence than he had ever known. “I still had a lot of personality traits I needed to change, but I became more at ease around girls as well as guys. By my sophomore year, I had friends that I warmly remember to this day.”
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CBN. In 1977 Ray and his family were invited to New Zealand for a year where Ray ministered all over both islands. Since then he has ministered there on 20 different trips, another 19 trips to Australia, 20 other countries, and all over America.
In the ’90s, Ray wrote three best-selling books on family and singleness. He just released his favorite book, Being Goober Boober, a charismatic Christian novel for kids 10 to 15. It’s available at accentdigitalpublishing.com or Amazon.com.
He had his own radio ministry program, and two weekly halfhour television programs—Marriage Plus and Singles Plus— during his final six years of ministry. They were seen in more than half the states and eight foreign countries over Cornerstone Television Network and Sky Angel.
Last October, Ray and Georgia flew to Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss an invitation for major ministry there. Ray says, “I’m extremely humbled by this invitation, but the apostle Paul told all Christians, ‘He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.’”
Then in 2001, Ray burned out. He divorced his wife of 43 years and was nearly entirely out of ministry for four and a half years, living the life of a castaway. In 2006 Pastor Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Redding, California, offered Ray restoration. Ray brought his new wife Georgia to Redding. He says, “The last three years have been awesome.” After careful ministry to him for two years, Bill and the leaders of Bethel have fully endorsed Ray and returned him to ministry. He teaches a weekly Bible study for Bethel now.
Ray has a very close relationship with his two sons, Tim and David—a pastor and a chaplain in Portland, Oregon, respectively— and with his daughter, Beth. “I have eight magnificent grandchildren,” Ray delights in saying. “And Beth has given me two sets of twins!” Is it any wonder that Ray’s middle name should be “Laughter”? This former castaway has become a boomerang! Ray would love to hear from you. His e-mail address is ray@holyhugs.com. †
NOMINATIONS FOR THE
Oly Tegner AWARD
In honor of a popular teacher, Dr. Oly Tegner, an award was es- meet the stated criteria. Give as much detailed information as tablished in his name many years ago and is presented on a peri- you can regarding your nominee’s service to GPC, to their comodic basis. The most recent award was presented to our beloved munity, and to others. director of alumni affairs Chris Sangster in December 2007. We appreciate your participation in properly recognizing our Nominees for the Oly Tegner Award will meet the following outstanding GPC servants! criteria: The Oly Tegner Award Committee, Hasty Arnold (’61, EdD ’85), Susan Giboney (’62), Paul Perry (’50), and Allie Tegner • Alumnus of George Pepperdine College and (’47, MA ’68). † •H as continually demonstrated outstanding service to community or church, to profession, and/or to George Pepperdine College The committee is planning to present another Oly Tegner Award at the GPC reunion in May 2010, and is seeking nominations. Please submit your nomination to the GPC Alumni Affairs office by February 26, 2010: The nomination must include your full name and contact information, the name of the nominee with contact information (if possible), and your reasons for the nomination with details that
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By Mail: GPC Alumni Affairs c/o Oly Tegner Award Nominations, TAC 311 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263-4348 By E-mail: gpc@pepperdine.edu
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RETTBERG Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame
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Named to
By Jon Washington (’63)
His athletic and leadership skills were widely known. John Rett- orable Mention Squad twice. He averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 berg (’59) was a three-year starter for coach Duck Dowell’s bas- rebounds as a senior; 9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds as a junior; ketball team and student body president in 1958-59 while at the and 9.0 points and 3.6 rebounds as a sophomore. same time earning all As and Bs in the classroom. Rettberg spent 33 years with the Northrop Grumman Corp., But John’s faithful volunteer work for Pepperdine and his life- rising to vice president and treasurer. He is a past president and time commitment to helping Coach Dowell as he lived out his current member of the Pepperdine Alumni Association, and years are major reasons why John Rettberg was inducted into also has served on several boards and committees. the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame. Rettberg, along with six Malibu-era athletes, was officially welcomed into the Hall of Fame Sunday, October 25, 2009, at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, California. Joining Rettberg were Doug Christie (’93), men’s basketball; Geoffrey Clark (’93), men’s water polo; Bob Ctvrtlik (’85), men’s volleyball; Katherine Hull (’03), women’s golf; Kelly Jones (’86), men’s tennis; and Rod Wilde (’80), men’s volleyball. “It’s a big highlight of my life to be named to the Hall of Fame,” Rettberg said. “I’ve been honored by the University with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Oly Tegner Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, among others, but this Hall of Fame Award is so special. I came to Pepperdine as a basketball player. Basketball and golf always have been passions.”
John R. Rettberg (’59) accepting his induction into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame, October 25, 2009.
His longtime efforts to help the University and provide mon- On his helping Dowell, Rettberg says: “Coach did a lot for me. I etary and human comfort to persons in need have also been a don’t think I did that much. A lot of the guys helped too.” major part of his life. Among other things to help Dowell, Rettberg was responsible “I’ve been blessed with professional and domestic good fortune,” for raising funds for the Duck Dowell Basketball Floor Memorial in Firestone Fieldhouse. He also visited the coach almost on ever-modest Rettberg said. a weekly basis in Yucca Valley, California, and helped with yard As a basketball player, Rettberg played three seasons (1956-57 work and the like. through 1958-59). A 6-foot-3 guard from Los Angeles who lived near Pepperdine and attended Washington High School Even more than his efforts on the court, these acts of selflessness (“I used to ride my bike to Pepperdine to watch the Waves play make Rettberg an All-Star. † when I was 11 and 12”), he was named to the All-WCAC Hon-
MAKE WAVES IN VEGAS! Thursday, March 4 - Monday, March 8
Cheer on Pepperdine Men and Women Basketball teams as they play in the exciting West Coast Conference Championship, the dramatic finale to the 2010 basketball season! Enjoy an anthem of alumni activities including pep rallies and tailgates. Relax at the “Pepperdine Zone” headquarters, located at the Lively Orleans Hotel, equipped with 24-hour hospitality service. This Las Vegas weekend is the perfect game plan for an unbeatable rate!
Visit www.pepperdine.edu/alumni/travel/wcc.htm or call (310) 506-6982 for travel information. SC0908069 - Winter Promenade_v2.indd 11
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GPC Student Body Presidents –
Where are they NOW?
JOHN WAYNE “JACK” SCHLATTER’S 1957-58 PRESIDENCY By Jon Washington (’63) When his mother spoke, Jack Schlatter (’61) listened.
He was a constant figure on the Pepperdine stage, be it Our Town ( Jack’s “all time favorite”), Androcles and the Lion, The Mer“Son,” she said, among other things, “It’s nice to talk to people, ry Widow, Macbeth, Queen Elizabeth, and The Curious Savage. but it’s even greater to listen, appreciate, and learn.” Jack recalled. In addition to advice from his mom, Jack recalls a meeting with This down-home South Los Angeles philosophy from his mom, Dean E. V. Pullias after winning the student body presidency. along with a challenge to meet enough people to make a new friend every day, eventually powered Jack in 1953 to follow three “‘I noticed, Jack, that you are a fighter for what you believe in. older brothers: Bob (’51), George (’49), and Allan (’58). He went Keep it up but know this: a man is only good for so many battles, on to star in numerous plays and musicals, as well as become an so choose your battles; never waste time slaying lizards while outspoken, successful, campus government leader. dinosaurs roam the earth.” He reached the pinnacle in the spring of 1956, beating out baseball player, Dr. James “Jim” Brinton (’57) for student body president “for whom I had tremendous respect. It took four days for me to realize I had actually won! Jim was one of the most popular people on campus and eventually married the campus queen” (Lorraine Hill, ’60).
“One of the great days of my life, as were so many of my days on that fun campus,” said Jack. “But the greatest experience of my life was just being part of Pepperdine. How fortunate we were to know the wonderful professors, take part in chapel, theatre, sports, student government, etcetera.”
“It must have worked, because I was elected president and we got our recreation hall!” Jack said.
even if I didn’t have to get paid. Thanks to his advice, I really have never worked a day in my life.”
After college, Jack taught high school drama and speech in the His campaign manager was his “roomie” and Sub-T brother, Los Alamitos and Anaheim school districts. He directed over Ken Rice (’57), now a member of the GPC Alumni Steering 200 productions and was listed in Who’s Who Among American Committee. Other student body officers that year included Teachers (1991 edition). Ruth (Anderson) Berkey (’57), Don Patterson (’57), and Dr. Ray Mossholder (’59). Mossholder went on to author sev- “The most influential man in life outside of my family was and is eral books and hosted a radio talk show in the San Francisco Dr. James Young,” who was head of the drama department until 1957. Every year, Jack produced Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Bay Area. which taught an appreciation of life, a tradition Jack followed For president, Jack campaigned for, among other things, estab- during his teaching career as he produced it 22 times. lishment of a weekend recreation hall (using the cafeteria) for Friday and Saturday nights where dorm students could meet “Seven of my former students have named their daughters Emily and play checkers, Monopoly, Ping-Pong, flirt, and be able to as a tribute to the life lessons they learned from that show.” buy a soft drink or coffee. “Dr. Young taught me to find a profession that I would practice
The man he beat, Dr. Jim Brinton (’57), went on to be a In 1991 he became one of the first contributors to the Chicken medical doctor. “I did lose,” Brinton said, “but it was close. Tre- Soup for the Soul series and went on to write his own book, I Am a Teacher, which can be purchased on Amazon.com. mendously close!” Before stepping up to the big chair, Jack was sophomore class He says he would never have been able to write if it had not been president, Baxter Hall president, rally chairman, produced one for Pepperdine English professor Dr. James Smythe (’45), who show a week after chapel, and among others, headed up two “set me straight on English grammar.” award-winning campus-wide projects. First, a record-setting Jack grew up not too far from Vermont Avenue and 79th Street, blood drive and then a Bill of Rights competition that earned attending Horace Mann Junior High School and Manual Arts Pepperdine a First Place in competition among all Los Angeles High School where he was also student body president. area colleges and universities, including UCLA.
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A RT IC L E S “My earliest impression of Pepperdine was when I attended a play in 1949 or 1950, and Darwin Horn (’49) said hello to me when I was standing around with some of my 8th-grade friends. They were tremendously impressed that this Pepperdine legend (which Dar was then and continues to be to this day) actually knew ‘me’. “My older brother Bob was a good friend of Dar’s. Darwin’s courtesy and consideration for others made an impression on me that’s lasted a lifetime. Then my buddies and I went into the theatre and watched my brother George’s hilarious performance in Yeoman of the Guard. I made up my mind right then that I would someday go to Pepperdine.”
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countless workshops among students and teachers throughout Colorado and the Western States, stressing the advantages in learning to appreciate life and people, “the big lesson I learned from Dr. Young and Our Town,” he commented. Two of his stories, “I Am a Teacher” and “The Simple Gesture,” which appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Volume One, have been quoted nationally and been reprinted throughout the country. Jack still substitute teaches when he has the time. When Jack thinks of Pepperdine, he is reminded of the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said, “Every institution is the lengthened shadow of one man.”
John Wayne “Jack” Schlatter retired in 2004 and moved to Grand “Thank you, George Pepperdine, and thanks to all of the great Junction, Colorado. He is an inspirational speaker and conducts souls with whom you shared your dream!” †
PHIL NASH Continues His Acting Career His contemporaries remember Phil Nash (’64) as a commanding figure in dramatic productions at Pepperdine, including Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady.
By Paul Wolfe (’64)
The result has been a lifetime that intertwined teaching, writing, and directing with performances of one-man dramas drawn from the Bible. He retired as a professor of theatre at Azusa Pacific University and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Full-time retirement is out of the question as he teaches speech in a community college and continues his performance schedule. “I take what comes up,” he says.
Following the expected pattern, Phil would earn his master’s degree and begin teaching in public schools. Then something different hap- His characters include the Apostle Paul writing letters from pened; he started thinking about combining his acting talent prison; Noah; Gideon; Simon the Zealot; Matthew, the dewith the Bible message. spised tax collector; Bartholomew; John, the “beloved disciple”; Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father; and even the innkeeper in BethleIn 1969, he had a meeting with a talent agent who worked with hem. Each time he walks onstage, he transforms himself into a Christian entertainers—mostly Gospel singers. “We met and he different character and draws his audience deeper and deeper asked me, ‘Where are the scripts?’” Phil recalls. “I said, ‘I think into the story. it’s the Word.’” Visitors to his Web site, www.dramaticword.com, find That was the beginning. Phil took off from a scheduled job di- this explanation for his work: “In the medieval ages, the church recting a summer play. “I got a gift that was the same amount of used drama to instruct, encourage, and enliven interest in scripmoney I would have made that summer,” he says. “I believe that tural principles. Drama has returned to the church… Once was God’s message that I should do this.” more the promises of scripture are created before us through Phil traces the beginnings of the idea to his years at Pepperdine. the people who heard them or were inspired to give them. The “I had a drama person, Ted Starnes (MA ’61), who had a heart drama of God’s Word comes to life.” for the Lord. He caused me to think about how it was possible to share the truth through drama. “I didn’t train to be a minister, but my Pepperdine years schooled me in the pursuit of truth.”
Besides his one one-man shows, Phil keeps busy leading church drama seminars that include classes in acting, directing, creative dramatics, and oral interpretation. He also offers private acting classes. †
His first performance was at Rolling Hills Covenant Church, and Phil recalls sitting in a small room, “scared to death.” But prayer got him through that performance and hundreds more since then.
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A RT IC L E S
14
Bobby Warlick Scores Big
in Basketball and Beyond
By Jon Washington (’63) with input from Paul Wolfe (’65)
It was a perfect setting, since the library was part of a complex that included a “Bobby always told us he was a ‘rec-ur-ation’ major,” said Ben complete recreation Arellano (’63). “He was friendly and was always ready to laugh, center. and loved to dine at Art’s Chili Dogs.” “Hundreds of kids, On the record, Bobby, a 6’4” shooting guard, earned All-Amer- from ages 6 to 15, ican honors and was named the National Junior College Player were included in this of the Year after leading Pueblo Junior College in Colorado to program with full endorsement of the local schools that prothe national championship. vided transportation (cost paid for by Bobby) after school to the Ridgeview facility,” Miller said. “Full parental permission was Transferring to GPC after being recruited by coach Duck Dowgiven, and Bobby even provided the kids snacks after an hour of ell, Bobby sparked the Waves to an overall record of 34-18, including a 20-7 mark during the 1961-62 season, in which supervised recreational activity and before the reading sessions the Waves captured the West Coast Athletic Conference in the library.” As a basketball player and good all-around guy, Bobby Warlick (’63) provided George Pepperdine College with many good times from 1961 to 1963.
(WCAC) title.
One time, Miller recalled, she received a phone call from Bobby That same season, Bobby earned All-American honors, averag- from California, and he was concerned that a local store was ing 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds and helping the Waves ad- providing the kids with doughnuts. vance to the NCAA tournament. “I’m sending money today to make sure the kids are eating His collegiate career was followed by six seasons of professional basketball with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons (1965-66), San Francisco Warriors (1966-67), Milwaukee Bucks (1967-68) and Phoenix Suns (1968-69). He also played one season with the ABA’s Los Angeles Stars (1969-70).
healthy foods—and not doughnuts,” Bobby said.
A 1980-inductee into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame, Bobby began to involve himself in programs to help children from all walks of life to develop educational skills. Bobby chose to support these projects completely anonymously.
is now Youth Sports Federation, established to continue funding the “Cyberspace After-School Computer Learning Center” at Franklin Middle School, also in Long Beach.
“I want to help youngsters in the community where I grew up to take better care of themselves,” Bobby said as he began funding a program in the early 2000’s called “Books ‘N’ Balls Reading and Tutoring Center Program” at Ridgeview Library.
For those interested, Civello’s Restaurant, located near Long Beach City Hall, features a photo of Bobby and his brother Ernie. †
“That’s Bobby,” said his older brother Ernie, a former professional football defensive end (Buffalo Bills of the American Football League and Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League). “He loved helping kids in developing emotional, physiAfter his playing days, Bobby went to work for former GPC ad- cal, and mental skills.” ministrator, Bill Teague, at Purex Corporation in Long Beach, Ernie also spoke highly of a former California State University, California. He served as assistant to the president and was later Long Beach basketball player, John Sears, who helped Bobby elected vice president, civic and government relations, by the with establishing a program in Long Beach, California. This Purex Board of Directors. program became the anonymous charity Star Child, Inc., which
“Bobby was liked by everyone,” Sears said, “and you know what? “My parents had always stressed education when my two sisters, I never saw a basketball player with bigger hands! He made a two brothers, and I were growing up literally across the street basketball look like a tennis ball.” from Ridgeview Library in my hometown of Hickory, North Bobby’s generosity continued to support the programs even afCarolina,” Bobby told Ridgeview librarian Scottie Miller. ter his sudden death in Long Beach on September 6, 2005.
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CLASS NOTES & IN MEMORIAM
15
Class Notes
1953
Take a peek at what a few of your fellow alumni are up to!
Robert M. House serves as the vice president of site development for the Environmental Nature Center, a 3.5 acre wonderland of 15 California native-plant communities (ranging from a desert, to an oak woodland, to a freshwater marsh, to a redwood forest), wildlife habitats, and walking trails. Robert and his team are doing amazing work in pursuit of their mission “to provide quality education through hands-on experience with nature” and become the premier center for natural science education in Orange County. (Newport Beach, California)
1957
Barbara (Paulsen) and Stanley Harvey’s grandson, Daniel Roberts, has been accepted into the United States Naval Academy. (Fullerton, California)
1958
Don Mazen is in semi-retirement after 39 years as a reporter and many roles as an editor for various publications. He is currently the editor of the La Crescenta American Legion Post 288 monthly publication. Don has authored two books, including The History of La Cañada Flintridge. (Glendale, California)
1956
Don H. Gifford is enjoying his retirement with his wife of 51 years. They are very involved in their community and church and spend a great deal of time serving underprivileged children through the Trinity Foundation. (Redlands, California)
1969
Richard C. Graham and his wife, Elma, were married in May 2009 and are celebrating this happy new chapter together. (Walnut, California)
What are you up to? Any news to share? Please send your class notes to us anytime: By mail:
GPC Alumni Affairs c/o: Promenade Newsletter, TAC 311 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263-4348
By e-mail:
gpc@pepperdine.edu
In Memoriam
We take this time to remember those Waves who have recently passed, and we celebrate the impact they made on fellow alumni and the world around them. Mrs. Tommie (Derrick) Boles (’45)
Ms. Geraldine A. (Woodbury) Gill (’51)
Dr. William D. Mellert, D.D.S. (’51)
Mr. John C. Bonner (’51)
Dr. Lloyd “Jim” J. Hedstrom (’51, MA ’54)
Mrs. Virginia A. (Fore) Peck (’49)
Mr. Larry W. Carmichael (’73)
Mr. Dale W. Hines (’50)
Mr. John R. Radcliffe (’62)
Mrs. Julia “Mozelle” Derrick (’54)
Ms. Karen A. Igarashi (’66)
Mr. Richard L. Reeve (’55)
Dr. Robert J. Downey (’49)
Mr. Windell W. Jones, Sr. (’50)
Mr. Robert M. Schneider (’52)
Mr. David C. Drake (’48)
Reverend Wayne E. Kyllingstad (’63)
Mr. John H. “Coach” Scolinos (’50)
Mr. Chester “Chet” T. Elford (’43)
Ms. Evelyn W. Lindstrom (’44)
Mr. Warren J. VanderSchuit (’57)
Mr. Harvey W. Flatt (’49)
Mr. Warner “Ray” Lumpkin (’60)
Mr. Hanson A. Williams, Jr. (’50)
As you learn of the passing of George Pepperdine College alumni, please contact GPC Alumni Affairs at (310) 506-4348 or gpc@pepperdine.edu.
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PROMENADE
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
THE GEORGE PEPPERDINE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER
Pepperdine University Malibu, CA
24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263
Upcoming Events FEBRUARY
2/11 W. David Baird Distinguished Lecture Series: John Paul Lederach: “The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace” (7 p.m., Elkins Auditorium)
MARCH
MAY
5/1
Seaver College graduation and “Waves of Success” luncheon – Join us as we welcome our newest alumni with a special gathering following commencement.
5/4 - 5/7 67th Annual Pepperdine Bible
3/5-3/8 WCC Basketball Championship
Lectures
events for alumni (Las Vegas)
5/7 - 5/9 Fifth Grand Pepperdine Celebration (GPC V) (Malibu campus)
3/16 W. David Baird Distinguished Lecture Series: Lester Holt: “The Democratization of Journalism” (7 p.m., Elkins Auditorium)
We are also pleased to announce that the new and improved Pepperdine Homecoming will take
3/27-3/28 Hang 10 Dinners – Host a dinner
place October 15 - 17, 2010 at the Malibu campus. It will be a wonderful time to reconnect
in your home for some current students!
APRIL
Early April Admitted-student receptions (regional) – Meet prospective Pepperdine students at a gathering near you, and share your love for the school.
4/8
Alumni reception and show for Pepperdine theatre production of the play, A Flea in Her Ear (7:30 p.m., Smothers Theatre)
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with former classmates and meet other alumni and current students. Mark your calendar now, and we will see you in Malibu!
For additional information on these and other alumni events and opportunities, contact us at (310) 506-4348 or gpc@pepperdine.edu.
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