G
Volume xLVIII | Issue 17
PEPPERDINE-GRAPHIC.COM | march 14, 2019
ji m gas h di s c u s s es g oals
the pepperdine
GRAPHIC
s ee A4
LARRY KIMMONS
Kaelin Mendez | Photo Editor Portrait Tribute | A portrait of Larry Kimmons hangs on the wall next to the stairs in Payson Library. The photo also has a plaque which remembers the life of Kimmons.
Students wore black for 50th anniversary M akena h uey copy editor Dozens of Pepperdine students and faculty members wore all black clothing Tuesday, March 12 to honor the life of Larry Donnell Kimmons and remember the 50th anniversary of his tragic death. On March 12, 1969, a Pepperdine security guard shot
and killed Kimmons — an unarmed, 15-year-old African-American — when he tried to use the gymnasium basketball courts on the original George Pepperdine College campus in South Los Angeles. "[Kimmons] did not deserve to lose his life that way, and I think it's really, really important to his memory, to his leg-
acy and to his family that we continue to remember him and continue to spread awareness to what happened to him so history won't repeat itself," said Shanelle Wilkins, a junior and member of the Black Student Association (BSA) who chose to wear black. Kimmons, whose mother had received permission for him and his friends to use the basketball facility, was an honors student at Washington High School in Westmont, CA. Now, a painting of him hangs on the first floor of Payson Library. "When I look at Larry Donnell's [Kimmons] portrait in the library, I see my brother, I see my father, I see my cousin, I see people who are members of my family, my friends," Wilkins said. Wilkins, who finds the Kimmons shooting especially personal since it occurred in her hometown, said although many students and professors are aware of Kimmons' death, it is still "hidden" from many. "People should be aware that all of us are kind of benefitting from this campus and from this space as a result of what happened to him," Wilkins said. In a letter posted to social media and spread throughout
the Pepperdine community, the BSA defined its decision to encourage everyone to wear black "as an act of memory, solidarity and mourning" for a life cut short and as an invitation for students to reflect on "how we of the best intentions also participate in injustice." Reactions to Kimmons' death ranged from violent revolts among students to a list of demands from the Black Students Union. Just as the horrors of March 12 fueled racial conflict in the surrounding community during the late '60s, sources agreed that the 50th anniversary of one of the darkest days in Pepperdine's history reminds us that racism is still present in today's society. "I wore black to serve as a visual reminder of the freedom struggle that began way before I was even born — that began way before Larry Kimmons was even born and killed — but a freedom struggle that exists today," Rahje Branch, alumna and former BSA co-president, said. Although many people say they want to return to "the good old days," Branch said remembering this anniversary serves as a reminder that for many black students, doing so would be highly disadvanta-
geous. She said she hopes this act of solidarity will remind Pepperdine administration and faculty of their obligation to remember and inform others about Kimmons and the countless others who have been killed as a result of white supremacy. "I think it's important for professors to think about Larry's legacy and how it connects with certain Black students today in their classrooms and things that they say, things that they do, things that they teach," Branch said. Professor Paul Contino, who wore black and dedicated the first few minutes of his classes to raising awareness about the anniversary, wrote in an email that students and faculty can continue to honor Kimmons by following God's command to not be afraid. "If 'perfect love casts out fear' (1 John 4.18), we are called to reject the fear that difference or 'otherness' can sometimes elicit — a fear that some these days, sadly try to manipulate and fuel," Contino wrote. Contino emphasized that, in light of this past event, faith calls members of the community to foster deeper relationships with each other and be
SEE Kimmons, A3
Expert shares tips to snag an internship M adiso n Nichols Soci al Medi a Ma n age r One of the biggest competitions that college students face is securing an internship. The race consists of resume writing and tailoring, cover letter coherence and cleverness, as well as the ability to show skills over experience. Yeneba Smith, an industry specialist at Pepperdine Career Center who has over eight years of professional resume writing and 10 years of career coaching experience, gave the Graphic an inside look into the resume-vetting process and what students can do to make it to the finish line. Where and When to Start The process for applying to internships really depends on the industry for which one is applying to, Smith said. However, the student should give themselves about three-to-six months before the internship
this week in SGA the waves report
would begin in order to prepare for the application process. “Students should take the time to research the company they are applying to work for, and understand who the company serves and what their goal is to bring to the industry that they are in,” Smith said. But ultimately, Smith said the internship application process really begins with understanding what a students wants to do and what they want to learn. Smith encourages individuals who may be unsure what industry or job type they are interested in pursuing to speak with someone at their school’s Career Center. As for Pepperdine students, the Seaver College Career Center staff consists of various industry specialists, like Smith, who can assist students according to their interests and/or major. Smith noted the center uses the Career Exploration process as the model for guiding stu-
1.
dents to find the internship and/or job opportunity that will best fit and educate the individual. The process, which is detailed and found on the Career Center’s website, goes through four steps that are implemented to help a student explore what their options are and how to achieve them. 1. Engage in Self-Assessment: This step is a self-reflection that allows the student to assess their interests, strengths, the values they bring and what skills they would like to develop. This step also recommends taking a Career Assessment test to help refine the talents a student may have that are beneficial and successful for a specific career. These tests are especially helpful for the student whose major is undecided, as stated on the Career Services website. 2. Evaluate Majors and Careers: This step consists of analyzing the university’s academic programming catalog to learn more about the classes
SGA discussed the new recreation/event center and how it will change parking. The new center will be built in Rho and parking will be an under/ above ground parking structure.
fri: 1-2 FT
2.
sat: 2-3 ft
that are required for the student’s chosen major of interests. It also includes speaking with professors and students within that major and gaining further knowledge about what is expected in that particular industry. Lastly, this step also consists of understanding what career options result from the chosen major of interest. 3. Research Careers: This step involves going beyond the classroom and reaching out to industry professionals who obtain positions or can provide the student with further insight on what is required for that career and/or what is required to work at their company. Reaching out is a great way for the student to start establishing a network within their field of choice. The Career Center also encourages the student to request a job shadow, which allows him or her to step into the shoes of that particular role and gain a first-
SGA discussed making music practice rooms available to the student body, regardless of whether or not they are a music major.
sun: 1-2 FT
3. mon: 2-3 ft
hand knowledge of what that position’s day consists of. 4. Gain Experience:This step entails the student obtaining experience and skills to showcase on their resume. Whether that means getting involved in an on-campus organization that relates to the student’s industry of interest or obtaining a job off-campus, both provide the student with the ability to express how their skills and values were utilized in a formal setting. The Career Center also provides a links events and programs such as PeppConnect, Handshake and HIRE Pepperdine for which members of the Pepperdine community can utilize for networking events, resume and cover letter workshops and job opportunities. Smith said once a student knows what they are interested in, the process of applying is much easier as the student can now highlight certain qualities in their resume and cover
SE E I n te r N sh i p, A3
Jim Gash spoke at the meeting about updating Brock House and "enhancing Pepperdine's international footprint" in Africa and south Asia.
TUES: 2-3 ft