Pepperdine Graphic 4-4-19

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Volume xLVI, Issue 20 APRIL 4, 2019 This is the last print edition of the Graphic for the semester.

S tay t u n e d o n l i n e at pepperdine-graphic.com

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the pepperdine

GRAPHIC Gash family Looks ahead m a ry c ate lo n g m anag i ng e d i t o r President-Elect Jim Gash anticipates his presidency merging the top three most important facets of his life: faith, family and Pepperdine. As the community looks ahead into the unknown following the completion of President Andrew K. Benton’s last academic year of leadership, Gash says these three core values provide insight into the direction that the university will head under his presidency.

Women’s Beach Volleyball Takes Down No. 2 USC

Faith

Courtesy of Lawrence Cottrell

Sandy Success| The Pepperdine Women’s Beach Volleyball team beat University of Southern California 3-2 at Zuma on Saturday, March 30. The win by Pepp was a large upset, as USC is no. 2 and Pepp is no. 5.

CROSSROADS HOSTS 1ST CONVO As hley Mo w r eader new s as si stant Crossroads and the Pepperdine community explored tough questions about the LGBTQ+ community and Christianity at Crossroads’ first convo.

Crossroads, Pepperdine’s LGBTQ+ and allies club, hosted their first convocation event Tuesday, April 2, in hopes of starting a conversation on the “intersection of faith and sexual identity,” according to the convocation website. The event featured producer and host Grace Baldridge’s show “State of Grace,” which aims to explore the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and faith.

The event began with an introduction by Baldridge about the inspiration for the show, followed by a viewing of the pilot episode and an anonymous question and answer session with Baldridge and Crossroads President Grace Ramsey.

“We’re trying to really bridge that gap and make people know, especially in light of what happened on

t h is we e k i n SGA

the Freedom Wall, that being Christian and being in the community are not mutually exclusive,” Ramsey said.

In order to keep the question and answer session anonymous, attendees were able to submit questions through the app sli.do. The subject matter ranged from Bible verses and what they mean in relation to LGBTQ+ members, to how to be involved in the LGBTQ+ community at Pepperdine, to what kind of support Baldridge would recommend for those with families who do not support their sexuality.

In “State of Grace,” Baldridge talks to an anti-LGBTQ+ protestor named Rueben who said his message is a message of “tough love,” to the LGBTQ+ community. Ramsey asked Baldridge for her opinion on “tough love” and the intolerance shown to the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think we don’t really need to look much further than the example set

by Jesus ... in terms of how to love our neighbors as we should love ourselves,” Baldridge said. “It’s tricky

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because I disagree with so much about him [the protestor], but I can’t be mad or angry at him because I don’t feel like as Christians we’re called to be that either.”

Another question was, “what does the LGBT+ community need from their allies?”

“I think a huge part of allyship is just being active,” Baldridge said. “It’s great if you like ‘Queer Eye’ on Netflix, but if that’s where your allyship begins and ends, that’s probably not enough.

Just making sure that the people who are members of the LGBTQ+ community in your life or in your circle know that you are an ally to them and that you support them, I think that’s huge.”

Ramsey said she felt the event went well, overall, and she would like for Crossroads to continue to host events like this in the future.

“I feel like it was a real great learning opportunity,” Ramsey said. “I was happy that some people who had kind of a different perspective did end up asking some questions. I think [providing]

SGA passed a resolution

Freshman Town Hall will be Feb. to add more trashcans, 9 at 4 p.m. in the Sandbar. Chik recycling bins and pizza Fil A will be served.

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anonymity is a great way to kind of breach that barrier to begin with. I liked that there were some questions that weren’t comfortable and were hard.”

Students who attended the event, part of the LGBTQ+ community or not, shared their enjoyment of the convocation.

“I really enjoyed the convo,” freshman Crossroads Member Sophie Miller said.

“I’m glad we have it. I want more of it. I think previous discussions I’ve had with people about this topic have been a little unproductive and I think after this I’m more prepared with different perspectives and resources to have future discussions.”

Other students said they enjoyed the challenging subject matter and felt it was important for campus life.

“Grace [Baldridge] is amazing,” freshman Raymond Rider said. “I would absolutely love to [see more events like this on campus].

Things that are challenging for certain people are important. I am a major proponent for intellectual

Gash said faith is the No. 1 priority of his life and that this value developed starting from a young age. Gash went to church with his family ever since he could remember.

“It started off as something we did as a family,” Gash said. “Then, it became something that I owned and I have never had any major crises of faith. This is who I am and what I believe and it’s always been part of me.”

Since his childhood days in the pews of Sonoma Avenue Church of Christ in Santa Rosa, Gash’s focus on faith has led him across the world. In a massive leap of faith, the Gash family sold their house and moved to Uganda for six months in 2012.

The decision came after Gash’s first trip to Uganda in January 2010. Gash said he went at the prompting of Pepperdine law students and spent a week doing legal work at a juvenile prison.

During his time there, Gash met a Ugandan boy named Henry who had been falsely accused of murder.

“His case, his character, his faith was so compelling that I was like, ‘OK, I can’t just do this as a one-and-done [trip],” Gash said.

After several more trips dedicated to this particular case, Gash said the community judges began to ask him for assistance in improving the shaky local justice system as a whole. Gash said he turned to prayer and felt urged to answer the call for help.

“I felt like God had placed this in front of me,” Gash said. “So I’m going to take the next step and each step led to another step, then another step. Then pretty soon it was, ‘Hey family, what do you think about moving to Africa for six months?’”

Gash said his family saw God

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SGA passed a resolution to allow athletic teams, Sophomore Town Hall will be the Debate Team and Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. Chipotle will be acapella group Won by served and attendees will receive One to have access to bracelets. note takers and notes through the Office of Student Accessibility.

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SGA passed a resolution SGA to is working on “Late scheduling help fund Night a tailgate for a Women’s Breakfast” April 20, Basketball givinggame. $8,000 from the SGA general fund to pay for food.

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P E P P E R DINE GR A P HIC M E DIA | N E W S | AP RI L 4 , 20 1 9

THE DPS REPORTS

Thanksgiving, round II

MAdeleine carr N e ws e d i t o r I didn’t have a Thanksgiving this past fall.

Sure, I had turkey and pie, but I was spending so much time thinking about what I’d lost – what those around me had lost – that I forgot to reflect on what I had to be thankful about.

I slept through the time of thanks and spent the winter processing my fears and frustrations as those around me dealt with the loss of homes or a friend.

However, with the recent change in daylight hours and weather, my mindset has shifted.

Spring has become my season of thanksgiving and I’d like to finally express the gratitude that has built up over this past year.

Thank you to the rain for the thick, green grass that covers the black scars of past tribulations.

Thank you to the flowers, who remind me every day of the strength required to grow from hardship.

Thank you, professors and staff, for your constant love and understanding.

Thank you, President Benton and the Pepperdine administration, for demonstrating how to carry myself when the world turns its often-unsympathetic spotlight in my direction.

Thank you to the firefighters for your bravery in the middle of tragedy.

Thank you, Sgt. Ron Helus, for your courage and sacrifice.

Thank you to my parents for everything — a last-minute flight home, hours of discarded sleep and countless hugs, among others things.

Thank you, Malibu, for teaching us the flames can’t consume us, but only temper the metal of a community.

Thank you, Pepperdine community, for the compassion shown during the Graphic’s coverage throughout November, for telling your stories and for supporting our reporting.

Thank you, Alaina, for your endless inspiration and spirit. You’re on our hearts and minds every step of the way.

While it may seem weird, I’d also like to express my gratitude for last November for showing me the extraordinary resilience of my community and for bringing me closer together with my peers and professors.

The month – actually, this year – may have tested our abilities, our emotions and our faith, but it has reminded me of all of these incredible things and people that I’d taken for granted. It’s brought me through tragedy and all of the stages of grief, but for that, and more, I’m thankful.

Check out pepperdine.edu/publicsafety for the DPS Reports every week

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Crimes: Fire/Hazards - Gas Leak, outside Location: Payson Library

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Crimes: Crimes Trespassing Location: Stotsenberg Track

Drescher (North)

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Crimes: Crimes - Assault/ Battery - Simple Battery or Fighting Location: Lovernich Apartments 3/28/19 10:57 a.m.

Crimes: Crimes - Larceny/ Theft - Petty Theft - Misc.

Location: HAWC

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Crimes: Alcohol related/ non-criminal - individual(s) drinking or intoxicated on campus Location: J. Pengilly

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UPCOMING EVENTS THIS SEMESTER What: Pac ifico Dance co mpa n y when: 4 / 14 Wher e: S mo th er s Theatr e

Wh at: Jim Gash: P epper dine’s Footpr int in the devloping wor ld Wh e N: 4/16 Wh e re : Elkins Auditor ium

What: P epper dine C hamb er choir and the pickf ord ensemble Whe N : 4/16 Whe re : stauffer c hap el

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What: Ta m in g of the Shr ew WheN: 7:30 P.M. Wher e: S mo ther s theatr e

Wh at: Dr ugs and the Human Body Wh e n: 7 P.M. Wh e re : Elkins Auditor ium

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Wh at: P epper dine jaz z ensemble Wh e N: 7:30 P.M. Wh e re : Smother s theatr e

What: Technology and R elation ships Whe n: 7 p.m.

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GRACE: Crossroads sparks conversations FR OM A 1

things like this that challenge people.”

State of Grace Baldridge said she was inspired to produce “State of Grace” after asking an old friend to be her bridesmaid.

The friend told Baldridge gay marriage went against her faith. Baldridge, as a Christian lesbian, was taken aback and, after having several different conversations with friends, decided to shoot “State of Grace” with Refinery29.

“I realized that I was ignorant to the struggle of so many queer people of faith, or just queer people with the regards to the treatment they received from Christians,” Baldridge said. “When I came out, my dad’s an episcopal priest, it wasn’t even a thing. … I was sheltered, and that’s a point of privilege and I wanted to get out of my bubble and I wanted to understand where [my friend] was coming from.”

The pilot episode focused on different people from Atlanta, Georgia, and their relationships with Christianity and the LGBTQ+ community. Baldridge spoke to a pride protestor, a gay man who endured conversion therapy as a teen, a non-binary Baptist and a woman who feels

same-sex attraction in a heterosexual relationship.

“For me, the whole point of ‘State of Grace’ is breaking it down on an interpersonal level and having discussions one-on-one – because I feel like that’s really how you really impact change – and having discussions with people you disagree with,” Baldridge said.

“State of Grace” is still in the developmental phase, Baldridge said, but the goal is to continue to explore the intersection of faith and the LGBTQ+ community in the United States.

“That’s part of the idea, moving to different states, if you will, states in the different United States of Grace and seeing what stories we can find in different locations and different representations and interpretations of faith,” Baldridge said. “Not just with regards to Christianity but also different religions or people that subscribe to no religion – I want to learn about all of it.”

One of the unanswered questions that was posed during the Q&A section of the convocation pertained to Islam and the LGBTQ+ community. When asked about it after the event, Baldridge she would be comfortable broaching that subject on “State of Grace.”

“It’s hard for me to imagine a subject that we wouldn’t be in-

terested to learn more about on ‘State of Grace,” Baldridge said.

“We really want to go there and engage in conversations that we think are important and I also think are largely ignored.”

Crossroads and the Freedom Wall

Ramsey said she was driven to organize a convocation event after someone created a display talking about the LGBTQ+ community at Pepperdine on the Freedom Wall around the time a radical church group protested Pepperdine.

“One of the major complaints on the Freedom Wall was ‘no LGBTQ+ themed convo,’ which is what motivated me,” Ramsey said. “I was like, ‘You know what? That would be really impactful to be able see that sort of thing,’ which is why I worked so hard to get it approved.”

Ramsey said the Freedom Wall display did not seem to result in more people sharing dissenting opinions. While a debate was hosted by the Pepperdine Debate club about Christianity and the LGBTQ+ community in February, Ramsey said the people who were in attendance all shared the same opinion.

“I don’t think [campus culture] changed in terms of people being more open [in sharing

dissenting opinions],” Ramsey said. “I think it’s just people are woken up a little bit that it’s been three years [of Crossroads], but it’s only been three years and that only so much change can happen in that time.”

Members of Crossroads felt more motivated to “push back” against the hate on the Freedom Wall, Ramsey said, and create a bigger space for the club on campus, but the club is limited in what it can do.

Crossroads, like all clubs at Pepperdine, falls under Pepperdine’s jurisdiction and must follow Pepp’s Christian message. This means that in order to follow Pepperdine rules, Crossroads cannot advocate for any change in school policy.

“Crossroads holds on to the firm belief of respecting Pepperdine policies and ethics and will not advocate for any change other than the inclusion of LGBTQ students,” according to the Crossroads constitution. “Crossroads is not a political club but instead a space for support and understanding.”

Ramsey said because of the wording of the Crossroads constitution and their bylaws, the club can only do so much.

“I think a lot of people have wanted us to host protests and to do stuff but we can’t because we cannot be an advocacy club,”

Ramsey said. “That’s why we’re trying to host events where we can get conversations. Even though we can’t advocate we can create a space for people to advocate, so that’s the goal.”

Moving Forward “State of Grace” does not have a timeline moving forward, but Baldridge said those interested in staying updated can follow her on Twitter @gracebaldridge.

For those interested in Crossroads, Ramsey said the club is a place for everyone, regardless of orientation, where people can build relationships. She said she would invite anyone with questions to talk to her or Crossroads Vice President David Kellogg. Those looking to be a part of Crossroads can stay updated on their Instagram, @peppcrossroads, or email Ramsey or Kellogg to join the Crossroads mailing list.

“We hope that people feel comfortable just being themselves, whatever that means,” Ramsey said. “Sexually, politically, religiously, we just hold that everyone deserves that have a space to be who they are, and that includes people who don’t agree with us. We can’t acknowledge you and respect you if we don’t know who you are.”

ASHL EY.M OW R EADER @PEPPER DINE.EDU

GASH: Family talks about future FR OM A 1 remove all of the initially perceived barriers to the move, strengthening their faith and resulting in a transformational trip.

The Gash Family As his second core value, Gash said family plays a massive role in his dayto-day life and will have an impact on his presidency as well.

“Part of what we’ve agreed is that we are going to invest in Pepperdine as a family and ensure that it’s going to continue to be a family thing,” Gash said.

Gash’s wife of 28 years, Pepp Alumna Joline Gash, is a marine biology teacher at Oaks Christian High School. She said that she will be retiring from this role at the end of the academic year.

Gash has two children who attend Seaver College: junior Joshua Gash and freshman Jennifer Gash. His eldest child, Jessica Gash, received her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine last spring.

“We moved as a family a lot of times and when we were abroad, our only friends were each other,” Jennifer said. “We grew up very close. That was very important to our parents when they were raising us.”

Moving into this transition, every family member said they are “excited” for what is to come.

“I think this change will stretch and challenge my family in new ways, and really give them an opportunity to put their talents to maximum use,” Jessica wrote in an email.

“I know my mom is very excited to get involved in the presidency, and that my dad is extremely thankful to have her by his side.”

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Gash made it clear that his wife won’t be taking a backseat during his presidency.

“She’ll be by my side, and not as someone who is just there for support – [Joline] is a power player in this,” Gash said.

Joline said she has many aspirations for her time as first lady at Pepperdine.

A self-declared extrovert, she said she is most excited for meeting students, hearing people’s stories and hosting events at the Brock House.

Her primary focus will be to promote well-being on campus.

“Health and wellness of our students is the most important thing to me,” Joline said. “I’ll probably spend the first year getting to know people, finding out what the needs are and seeing how I can be helpful in any way in the spiritual lives, mental health and physical health of our students.”

Another interest Joline said she looks forward to shedding light on is the perspective of the first-generation college student. She herself was the first person from her family to earn a college degree.

The youngest of seven children, Joline said she never could have attended Pepperdine as a junior transfer student like she did without the help of university scholarship and financial aid.

“For me, I feel like I could never repay what I got from Pepperdine,” Joline said. “If I could help anyone like I was helped, then it’s all worth it.”

The Gash Kids Gash said before he ran for president, he sat

down with each of his children and talked about what the prospect of the presidency could mean for their family.

“I told them, ‘You have veto power,’” Gash said. “‘If you say no, then I won’t run’ … All three of them were very encouraging.”

Joshua and Jennifer both said while being thrust into the limelight has been a little intimidating, their prevailing emotions are excitement and conviction that their father is the right man for the job. “[My dad] is the most equipped person for the job and I’m so excited to see him thrive in that role,” Jennifer said. “As a family, we decided this was the best decision for him to apply.”

Jessica agreed.

“He loves Pepperdine the way Leslie Knope loves Pawnee,” Jessica wrote. “I don’t think the University could have picked a candidate that loves Pepperdine more than my dad.”

The kids said they foresee an opportunity to impact the university for the better in their roles as part of the presidential family. Both Joshua and Jessica mentioned a particular interest in their mother’s vision for improved student wellness.

“I’m really excited for my mom’s vision and push for mental health,” Joshua said. “I’m a Psychology major and my passion is health and wellness, specifically mental health. I’m hoping to get involved with her mission for the next couple years.”

Jennifer said her dad is apt to ask his children’s opinions on various matters before meetings or speeches.

“He wants to see how things will be perceived by students and that’s

important to him,” Jennifer said.

Many have begun to ask the Gash kids if they are excited to live at the Brock House, Jennifer said, however there are no plans for any of them to move in soon. Joline said the house will be undergoing renovations for an undetermined time once the Bentons move out.

Joshua currently lives with Gash and Joline at their Malibu home but plans to spend his senior year living with friends in George Page.

Jennifer plans on attending Pepperdine’s Buenos Aires international program in the spring of her sophomore year and will be living in Seaside Hall in the fall.

Gash’s Vision for Pepperdine “Besides my mom and Jesus and [my siblings], Pepperdine is the most important thing in [my dad’s] life and it always has been,” Jennifer said.

The university’s first alumnus president, Gash has seen the university through nearly every possible perspective: as a law student, as a law professor and as an administrator in his current role as the law school’s associate dean for Strategic Planning and External Relations.

Furthermore, Gash comes from a legacy of familial Pepperdine ties.

He said his grandfather once worked at Pepperdine and both his parents are alumni.

At a community welcome event hosted in Elkins for Gash a few weeks after the announcement of his upcoming presidency, the president-elect presented his three “pillars”: faith, fundraising and footprints.

Fundraising & the Rec Center Gash said the fundraising aspect will be “a very high priority.”

“In order to do more of the things that we want to do at Pepperdine, we need more resources coming in on a regular basis,” Gash said.

Some of the things that Gash mentions fall under that list of things the university has been wanting to do for a while – like building a student recreation and event center.

“The university hasn’t yet decided to break ground and in order to build something you need to count the cost first,” Gash said. “My hope is to work closely and collaboratively with Andy [Benton] and the rest of the fundraising team and with the financial team to come to a decision as to what and when we are trying to accomplish. But my strong hope is that we will move forward with this.”

New Abroad Programs Another area of Pepp Gash said he has a vision for stems from his experience in Uganda. Gash plans to start a conversation with Dean Feltner and the new dean of international programs, Beth Laux, about abroad programs in developing countries, he said.

Gash said while studying in a place like Europe or even Asia is a transformational experience, making the jump from a developed world to undeveloped can be even more life-changing.

Plus, he said, it could be an opportunity to further Pepperdine’s already premier international programs.

“There are virtually no schools that are doing study abroad programs in the developing world,”

Gash said. “There is an opportunity for us to be, yet again, distinctive.”

Vision for Faculty Gash said he wants to value teachers that go beyond the simple transfer of information and invest in the experience of students.

“The deep dedication to excellence in teaching is non-negotiable,” Gash said. “We have to have people who are excellent and making the content accessible and exciting.”

Gash also detailed a hope to continue to promote faculty involvement in the outside world of academia through valuing research and providing more opportunities for students to partner in that as research assistants.

Conflict Management In the past 19 years of his presidency, Benton has navigated multiple controversies on campus including backlash against the university’s shelter-in-place policy to the beginnings of Pepperdine’s first LGBTQ+ club.

Gash said he plans on maintaining a conversational attitude when faced with conflict during his presidency.

“My leadership process will be relational first,” Gash said. “When someone has challenges with something, let’s sit down and get to know each other.”

Once a conversation is had and trust built through mutual collaboration, Gash said his legal training taught him to evaluate issues from every angle of how Pepperdine will be affected.

“My job is to make decisions in the best interest of the school,” Gash said.

M ARY.L ONG@PEPPER DINE.EDU

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Debby Benton reflects on time at Pepp as hley mo w r eader new s as si stant Sitting with Debby Benton on a sunny Thursday afternoon on main campus, the first question of the interview wasn’t mine.

“Birthday cake or chocolate?” Debby asked, revealing two small brown bags.

“Chocolate,” I said and she smiled and handed me a bag containing a Starbucks chocolate cake pop.

The interview was off to a great start.

This wasn’t the first time the Graphic has had the opportunity to sit down with Pepperdine’s longest serving first lady.

Debby participated in a Q&A back in 2012 and talked with senior Nicola Wenz, reporter, earlier this year, but she seemed just as happy to chat to me as if I was the first to ever reach out.

Debby sat poised in her seat, sunglasses on, seeming happy to just be.

She said she intentionally chose a spot in the sun and I agreed it was a perfect pick.

Debby said if she had to sum up her experience at Pepperdine in one word, it would be “exciting.”

“We have just done all kinds of different things,” Debby said. “It’s been very interesting and we got to do things we didn’t ever think we’d ever do.”

And the list of things Debby and Andrew K. Benton have done during their 19 years as first lady and president at Pepperdine is long.

“

The people we've met and gotten to really know as people have been really special. debby benton, first lady

The Bentons first moved to Pepperdine in 1985, as Andrew had just taken a job on Pepperdine’s law team battling the California Coastal Commission, Debby said.

Debby was a stay-athome mom at the time, raising their 2-year-old daughter and 1 1/2-yearold son. In 2000, the Board of Regents chose Andrew to be Pepperdine’s seventh president.

“It was big,” Debby said. “It felt a little daunting at first, but we soon made a lot of friends.”

Throughout her time at Pepp as first lady, Debby has served on numerous boards, including the University Athletics Committee, the Art Guild board and the Boone Center for the Family. Debby said she’s partial to the Boone Center for the Family.

“Fourteen or fifteen years [ago], Norvel and Helen Young wanted to start the Boone Center for the Family to help Christian families in several different ways and I thought, you know, Pepperdine is the perfect place to do this and it’s just kind of evolved from there,” Debby said. “I think it just came because I naturally just gravitated towards it and like what they do.”

One of the fundraisers the Boone Center for the Family puts on is called Savvy Chic. Savvy Chic, Debby said, is a fashion show in which students participate as well as a live and silent auction and a luncheon. Debby was honored at the 2018 SavvyChic event in November for her “support, advocacy and leadership,” according to the event’s website.

Debby tells a story, however, not of leadership and orchestration, but of service and assistance. She spoke about food tastings with friends to pick out the luncheon menu, shopping for items for baskets to maximize the amount of money raised and coordinating the fashion show with designers. It was becoming a theme in the interview for Debby to remember funny moments or anecdotes rather than listing her accomplishments.

One of Debby’s responsibilities as the first lady is organizing and hosting events and lunches to connect with donors and other notable guests.

Some of the prominent people the Bentons have met are Margaret Thatcher, Barbara and George Bush and Gerald Ford, Debby said.

“The people we’ve met and gotten to really know as people have been really special,” Debby said.

Though she did share, a little exasperated, that Andrew invited Gerald Ford over to Brock House to nap before a board meeting without giving her enough time to clean up beforehand or telling her who was coming over.

“It was when our kids were young, the house was a disaster,” Debby said. “[Andrew] said, ‘Oh no big deal, it’ll be fine,’ and then here comes Gerald Ford and I was like, ‘Really?’”

When asked about her legacy, one thing Debby said she hopes students will remember is the time they spent at Brock House. Students are invited over to Brock House for several different events during their time at Pepperdine, from the President’s Reception during New Student Orientation to Senior Sundays, Rock the Brock and the Etiquette Dinner, which is hosted the final Sunday of spring semester.

“We try to have a lot of students in our home [for] different things,” Debby said, “I just hope people think ‘Oh it was fun, they let us come to their home a lot and we did things.’

But I also want the Brock House to be special.”

Debby said the Eti-

Photo Courtesy of Mallory Holcomb

Madeleine Carr | News Editor Power Couple | (above) First Lady Debby and President Andrew Benton pose for a photo during the unveiling of Benton Way, previously named Via Pacifica, March 11. The road leads up to Drescher campus, a project President Benton helped make possible. (below) The Bentons smile together during the 1989 Palm Springs Pepperdine Associates Trip, while Andrew was executive vice president.

Courtesy of Pepperdine University quette Dinner was started after, during one Senior Sunday, a student shared that her family did not sit and eat together for meals and so she never learned the proper way to eat. Students had also expressed to the Bentons that they were being asked to do lunch interviews for jobs, so the Bentons took it upon themselves to teach proper dining etiquette – from first dates to formal interviews.

But the Brock House is also a home and has been home to the Bentons for almost two decades now.

Debby said she loves interior design and decorating Brock House, but it can be hard to maintain a look that everyone will enjoy.

“I love decorating,” Debby said. “Everything I did in the Brock House, I’ve had to think, ‘Will everyone love it?’ because the next people may be stuck with it for years and years. So I’m looking forward to having our home done exactly the way I would choose whether anyone else likes it or not.”

But other than Brock House, Debby said she would want the Bentons to be remembered as “being good” with the students, staff and faculty.

“I like to think that we’ve made it better than what we found it,” Debby said.

Both of the Bentons are dedicated sports fans and attend every game they can, Debby said.

“If there’s a game and we don’t have something we have to do, we’re there,” Debby said.

“Andy teases that I’ve never heard a call against our team that we like. He can sit and watch a game very quietly and I cannot.

It just drives me nuts. It takes me a lot of water to get through sporting events.”

“

Some schools, I feel like they see the worst in the kids. But I feel like Pepperdine just gets the cream of the crop.

Debby Benton, first lady

The couple’s support of sports spreads far beyond home games.

“We had always decided when he became president, if one of our teams made it to the national

championship, we would try to both go or at least one of us,” Debby said.

“And it seems like normally he’s been tied up and I’ve gotten to go and that’s been a lot of fun for me.”

The Bentons were inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 for their “leadership and support of the program,” according to the Pepperdine Athletics website. But when asked, the Hall of Fame seemed to ruffle Debby’s normally humble composure.

“It was really kind of embarrassing,” Debby said “Neither of us have done anything athletic except go and cheer.”

As for the Bentons’ future plans, Debby said she’s looking forward to having more opportunities to travel. Andrew has wanted to do a tour of the South called “Civil Rights, Barbecue and Blues,” but hasn’t had enough time, Debby said. So that will be a trip they plan to take.

“Only I’m going to change it a little,” Debby said. “Cause when he does it, he wants to stay .... in some really cruddy places because they’re authentic. But when I do it, I want to stay in some nice places; the beautiful Southern hotels, because we’ll be more in the South.”

The family will be moving and taking their

12-year-old dog Scout with them (named after the family’s favorite protagonist of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Debby said). Debby said the Bentons are excited to “be on [their] own schedule.”

“I’m looking forward to ... not having to worry about what next week holds,” Debby said.

But this doesn’t make leaving easy. When asked if there was anything she would miss about Pepperdine, Debby immediately said the students.

“I think you guys keep us young, or make us really old,” Debby said. “It’s nice to learn what you enjoy and what you like.

And you give us hope.

Some schools, I feel like they see the worst in the kids. But I feel like Pepperdine just gets the cream of the crop.”

After 19 years of experience, Debby’s advice for the next first lady of Pepperdine, Joline Gash, is simple and honest.

“Just make it your own,” Debby said. “Enjoy. I think this is really a great job to get closer to your husband. I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been fun.”

Editor’s Note: Nicola Wenz contributed to the reporting of this story.

ASHL EY,M OW R EADER @PEPPER DINE.EDU

P E P P E R DINE GR A P HIC M E DIA | N E W S | AP RI L 4 , 20 1 9

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Pepp men discuss defining masculinity kiley dist el r ath s p or ts copy edi t or Strong. Dominant. Buff.

Protector. Emotionless.

Never asking for directions.

These are ideas some Pepperdine men said they felt characterize masculinity.

In a world talking about toxic masculinity and male stereotypes, interviews with 12 Pepperdine men found more complex and sincere definitions of manhood. The men, who included staff and students in athletics, leadership positions and fraternities, generally agreed that toxic masculinity exists but said social constructions of masculinity did not necessarily mesh with their definitions.

Toxic masculinity is a term that defines a “form of gendered behavior” that The Good Men Project characterizes as violent, aggressive, power-driven and sex-driven, Colleen Clemens, director of Women and Gender Studies at Kutztown University, wrote in a December 2017 article on Teaching Tolerance.

David Humphrey, associate dean of Inclusion and Diversity, said society has done a thorough and damaging job of telling men who they are supposed to be.

“The typical masculine ideas are based in modes of dominance ... strength, lacks vulnerability, lacks emotion,” Humphrey said. “There has to be a proper temperance on emotion because too much emotion is feminine. I think those are the ideas of masculinity — hyper-sexualization.

It’s our goal to dominate the earth and all its inhabitants, even women.

That’s what it ‘means’ to be a man.”

Harmful messages, including toxic masculinity, affect men but have also shaped some of their characteristics, interviewees said. Masculine pressures are present in sports and fraternities but most Pepperdine men agreed there is not a generalization for men at Pepperdine.

What are stereotypical ideas of masculinity?

Pepperdine men were quick to list male stereotypes: emotionless, independent, strong, womanizer, fearless, competitive and provider, tall, muscled and having a deep voice and a beard.

“And also I think a really deep-rooted [stereotype] that a lot of people struggle with is being the provider, having to be the provider,” senior Ben Huyard, Pepperdine Graphic Media’s Advertising director, said. “The concept of having a partner or a wife that makes more money than you as a guy is like so challenging for a lot of guys.”

A Pepp Post poll of 46 men found that a high majority identified masculinity with being strong, confident and protective.

Often, the men said they felt that being emotionless or having emotional toughness characterized masculinity.

While these traits ex-

ist in some men, they are “falsehoods” and not representative of the majority of men, said Student Government Association (SGA) President Austin Welch, a senior.

What does it mean to be a man?

When Coleman Carpenter, a sophomore water polo player, turned 13, he said his parents had him complete a right of passage to manhood.

Carpenter followed a trail where he would pick up large rocks his parents had written negative character qualities on. His load got heavier as he trudged on. Along the way, Carpenter ran into important male figures in his life, whom were stationed along the path. They would trade his heavy, negative rocks with smaller rocks that wore virtuous words.

By the end of the hike, Carpenter said he figuratively learned the weight of vices and the reward of embodying honest qualities of a “good man.”

Pepperdine men said they have nobler definitions of masculinity compared to what they see portrayed in society.

For Carpenter, a man is honest, has integrity and respect, is responsible and cares for and loves family.

Huyard said manhood comes from emotional maturity, not from external qualities, like a man’s build.

“I think when a boy learns to humble himself and be vulnerable with with his own feelings and the feelings around him and take responsibility for his own life, then he really progresses into manhood,” Huyard said.

Although men are seen as being emotionless — as brick walls — being a man is about vulnerability and humility, said Aaron Lee, freshman and academic chair for Alpha Tau Omega (ATO).

Junior Jared Lee included the stereotypical notion of male strength in his understanding of a man, however.

“I think there’s a certain mental and emotional fortitude that is needed,” Jared Lee said. “Sometimes that is crying when you need to do, but it’s also having the emotional and mental support to be strong for others when others are having a tough time. Can you take care of them? Can you be there for them?”

Jared Lee said gender labels are sticky and said what is expected of a man should be expected of every human being.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of things men need to do in particular that others shouldn’t do,” Jared Lee said.

Does toxic masculinity exist?

All 12 men and two female faculty members said toxic masculinity exists in the world. The Pepp Post poll found that roughly 94 percent agreed that the toxic masculinity that Clemens defines exists.

Bernice Ledbetter, director of the Center for Women in Leadership at

the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School (GBS), said she experienced toxic masculinity early in her career when two male colleagues at GBS told her she did not belong. She agreed with Clemens’ definition.

The interviewees also had additional elements to their definitions of toxic masculinity.

Jared Lee had a broader classification of the term.

He said it was any form of traditional masculinity, defined by the American Psychological Association as embodying “anti-femininity, achievement, eschewal of the appearance of weakness, and adventure, risk and violence,” used in a detrimental way, involving both actions and words.

“You see it all the time,” Jared Lee said. “I think it’s unfortunate.”

Simon Pilato, a junior and president of Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp) fraternity said he could recognize toxic masculinity in fraternities, and Huyard said he saw it in most men.

Humphrey said he recognized toxic masculinity as reinforcing the systems of oppression, such as sexism, that have permeated society’s understanding of gender. He said toxic masculinity and femininity is created when men and women internalize these dominant ideals, i.e. when men and women embody gender roles.

Toxic masculinity is not representative of men, though, said Adam Williams, sophomore and member of Psi Upsilon (Psi U) fraternity.

“I think it exists but not on the scale or magnitude the media gives it attention to,” Williams said. “I would say it’s probably the minority of ... the aggressive, frustrated men that just don’t know how to handle emotion properly.”

Does toxic masculinity stereotype men and masculinity?

Half of the 14 interviewed said toxic masculinity did or could stereotype masculinity. Those who agreed, however, differed on whether it was for better or worse.

Williams said he thought the idea of toxic masculinity generalizes men and negatively affects masculinity.

“I just feel like the term masculinity has been under attack recently with the whole toxic masculinity movement,” Williams said. “And so, I would just say everyone defines masculinity in their own way, but what I see as masculinity would be being a good father, a good leader, a boss or a good husband.”

Pilato, on the other hand, said he viewed the stereotype as a benefit, since it raises awareness of negative male behavior.

Jared Lee, however, said it did not stereotype men, but the matter was subjective.

“I don’t think toxic masculinity is addressing all forms [of masculinity] ...” Jared Lee said. “It all depends on who’s using that word.”

Ledbetter said she did not know for certain if toxic masculinity mis-

characterizes men.

“I don’t think the term is being misused, and I hope that it’s not stereotyping men in general, but I do wonder if that’s what men feel like is happening,” Ledbetter said. “And if they do, we need to talk about that out in the open and have a conversation.”

The poll found that about 41 percent of male students said it did stereotype men.

One thing is for sure: society teaches and reinforces the toxic masculinity stereotype to men at a young age, Psychology Professor Jennifer Harriger, who is developing a study to learn how masculine images affect young boys, said.

“I think it’s just so engrained in our culture and the way we treat little boys versus little girls that a lot of men don’t even realize they’ve kind of been just conditioned to think this way about themselves and other men,” Harriger said.

Whether or not Pepperdine men and women think it stereotypes men, the term is a sounding alarm to men, Ledbetter said.

“I think that toxic masculinity for some men, that term is probably a cause for concern because they might be afraid they’ll be accused of that,” Ledbetter said.

She said society sends men unclear signals on how they are supposed to behave.

“I think that women have been overly simplistic in giving coaching and guidance by simply saying, ‘Just don’t be a jerk.

It’s really clear.’ But that’s really not helpful,” Ledbetter said.

The Pepperdine male image Overall, male students said they felt there was not a typical male image at Pepperdine because there are too many groups on campus to generalize the men.

Welch, however, found a typical image of Pepperdine men. He said he characterized them as SoCal beach boys with blond hair who surf, work out and are in a fraternity.

Additionally, Christian Lee, senior and member of the Board, said that if there is an image, it is male Pepperdine students being more genuine than college males on other campuses.

“And I think, at least from my experience, knowing that there’s a lot of guys who are pretty down to earth ... You can get on a deeper level with [them],” Christian Lee said. “I think that it might be easier to embrace that personality because there’s other people like that here.”

When it comes to toxic masculinity, the majority said it was not on Pepperdine’s campuses.

Doug Hurley, associate dean of Student Affairs, said he did not see it in the students he worked with or the men he has worked alongside. He works with students who are orientation leaders and who are a part of the SGA Executive Board, the Inter-Club Council and the Student

Wellness Advisory Board.

Harriger described instances of traditional masculinity on campus, though.

“I think just muscular, opinionated, loud, kind of dominant, aggressive but I think there are just as many if not more males at Pepperdine that don’t adhere to that at all,” Harriger said.

The harm of masculine ideals

have these conversations at Pepperdine. This semester, they created “The Shop,” short for “barber shop,” as a communal event for Pepperdine men to come have their hair cut by barbers and to have conversation about manhood, Humphrey said.

“We especially want to welcome men because we feel like men need to have this conversation,” Humphrey said. “So we’re not stopping women from coming to this space, but we would strongly encourage men to come to this space because we think that there’s a conversation that only men can have when it’s just men.”

Humphrey said he hopes it will occur every semester.

“Feminists have long argued that traditional gender roles harm women ... It’s also possible, though, that received expectations of men hurt men,” author Noah Berlatsky wrote in an opinion piece on CNN published Jan. 15. He cited the “Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Boys Athletes and the male and Men” that the APA re- image leased in January.

The APA created these Masculine pressures guidelines because “tra- are alive and present in ditional masculinity is Pepperdine Athletics, psychologically harmful.” three Pepperdine athletes Men face gender stereo- said. types from psychologists, Pepperdine Men’s Tenaccording to the guide- nis players Pawel Jankolines. They also have wiak, a sophomore, and higher death rates, across Corrado Summaria, a all ages, than women in freshman, said coaches many of the leading caus- reinforce masculine idees of death. als with comments they Teasing for being emo- make. tional or being ‘feminine’ “When we train hard is common among boys, the coach says to us, ‘Come Christian Lee said. Wom- on, do more. You are men. en chime into the jokes to- You can do more. Work ward men as well, Welch harder, or harder weight, said. harder lift, run more, run “But I do think that’s faster,’” Summaria said. probably one thing as far Carpenter said many as toxic masculinity goes people play into the masthat I’ve definitely expe- culine pressures. rienced more,” Christian “It comes from players, Lee said. “I’m sure if I it comes from coaches, it cried over something, my comes from spectators,” friends would give me a he said. hard time. It’s sort of an expectation.”

Fraternities and the male Teasing is hard on men, image Huyard said, especially since it is hard for men to Pepperdine fraternity show emotion. members said they are “I think a lot of guys are aware of the standing imworking on that and may- pressions of fraternities be don’t get the credit that as disrespectful, macho they deserve for working and competitive groups of on that stuff or are just men. They acknowledged maybe totally misper- this, but they do not think

by Ashleyfraternities Chavez ceived because they Photos don’t Pepperdine know how to communi- embody these images. cate what’s going on in“I don’t see that [toxstead, in a way that makes ic masculinity] nearly as sense to other people,” much as I thought in a Huyard said. fraternity, so that’s me Huyard said he hopes kind of having that wrong to see being called “femi- opinion coming in and renine” change to a compli- alizing it’s not true,” Pilato ment. said.

Women push mascuAs president of SigEp, line ideals as well because he said he sees mostly they speak of manliness positive, confident male standards and physi- leaders on campus. But Pical qualifications a man lato said toxic masculinineeds in order to be at- ty behavior still arises. He tractive, Welch said. He and his fraternity work to said it is hypocritical combat it. though, because when a Aaron Lee (ATO) said man lists physical quali- his fraternity promotes ties he wants in a woman, respect and acting like a it is considered objectify- gentleman. ing but when a woman “That’s what we define says a man is “out of her as masculine,” Aaron Lee league,” that is OK. said. “Treat people right.

Chivalry is even under I don’t think they give attack. Welch said he was off the toxic masculinity cursed at by a woman for vibe.” whom he held the door Pilato said people often open. She said it was de- give too much weight to grading. the toxic image and forEven though Welch get the good his fraternity thinks holding the door does. open for people is respect“There’s not a group ful, Jared Lee said he sees out there in the world that chivalry as part of toxic I would rather or be more masculinity because only comfortable being vulnermen are expected to be able in front of than my chivalrous. fraternity and that I think Humphrey and Asso- most people wouldn’t ciate Chaplain Eric Wil- think,” Pilato said. son have taken steps to K IL EY.DISTEL R ATH@PEPPER DINE.EDU open up spaces for men to

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aprril 4 , 2 0 19

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STAFF

⇧ THINKS about Operation Varsity Blues

Caitlin Roark | Art Editor

STAFF EDITORIAL wealth doesn’t belong in college admissions

Fifty people were indicted in a college admission bribery scandal Tuesday, March 12. The case concluded that parents involved in the scheme paid a total of $25 million to William Singer, a college admission consultant, between 2011 and 2019.

They used a private college test preparation organizer to arrange for another individual to take the exam or for a proctor to correct answers. Prosecutors also alleged that those organizers were bribing college coaches into recruiting students who were not actually athletes.

Schools included Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, University of Southern California and UCLA. It is unacceptable for wealth to guarantee a student’s admission into college, as the majority of qualified students who are more qualified do not have the same resources. Not only should colleges solely admit students based on merit, but they should have stricter processes to ensure that they know exactly what is happening while considering student and athlete admissions.

Furthermore, parents should not assume elite schools are the best option

for their children. Doing so teaches them that only the best is acceptable.

This scandal has greatly affected college students everywhere, including Pepperdine students, because there are many people who should have gotten admitted into elite schools but were instead denied in favor of children of celebrities and wealthy people. These students are left wondering about their alternative futures if they had been admitted.

It is known that wealth influences decisions — it turns people into less compassionate individuals driven by self-interest, according to social psychologist Paul Piff in a TED Talk. These wealthy people have blatantly abused their privilege and, in doing so, have broken the law.

In general, the college application process, although it claims to be based solely on merit, favors those with money.

This can be seen by the fact that 38 colleges, including five Ivy Leagues, have more students from the top 1 percent for income than in the bottom 60 percent, reported a January 2017 New York Times article.

Parents with affluence can afford to use bribes to

get their children admitted into schools. Students with those parents have an easier time paying for college counselors or SAT/ ACT tutoring, which helps them craft better essays and raise scores.

There is a large difference between paying for a tutor and paying for bribes, but both show the application process is different for those with wealth. USA Today offered students tips for getting into Ivy Leagues, one of which was to get professional help.

They noted, though, that professional help was “pricey,” ranging anywhere from $1000 to six-figure numbers over the course of high school.

There are also students who are not able to apply to their dream schools because of the unnecessarily high fees associated with some of the applications.

The application fee, which adds up over the course of applying, averages at about $50, according to a CNBC article published in January 2018.

The scandal goes on to prove that there is an unacceptable amount of pressure that parents and schools place on kids to be successful, according to a Washington Post article

published Jan. 25, 2018.

Outside sources, including parents, are partially to blame for children’s stress.

It seems that today there is no distinguishing between happiness and success. In many parents’ eyes, success equals happiness, and happiness for their children is graduating from a big-name school and working in high-paying jobs.

Faking SAT scores and hiring people to take their exams tell those students that they are not good enough to get accepted on their own or that they don’t have to work hard for what they want.

Parents are not taking the time to realize what truly makes their kids happy. A lot of the time, young people do not need the pressure of going to a school like Yale when local or smaller-scale schools will serve their personalities and capabilities better.

Not every student’s dream is fulfilled by going to an Ivy League school. In the 2016-2017 school year, 8.7 million undergraduates attended community college, according to the Community College Research Center

by Columbia University.

Admissions teams need to shape up as well.

THE 'BU YORKER

Colleges need to be more transparent with their processes and need to be stricter with their athletics programs. Schools need to combine academic, talent and athletic recruitments.

Overall, there needs to be a change in visibility of admissions processes so wealth can be stopped in its tracks.

Pepperdine students should be proud of where their efforts have taken them. Each student usually ends up at the school that fits him or her the best.

Success is subjective — students are their own measures of it. Hopefully, one day parents and society will stop encouraging “unhealthy perfectionism” and push for happiness.

This doesn’t mean students should take the easy highway through life; in fact, each individual needs to work endlessly for his or her goals. Money, if it even is an option, only leads a short distance. Cheating in general leads people to be unhappy with themselves.

Similarly, university officials need to remember the merit of students over their economic background when admitting people, and Pepperdine is not exempt from that.

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CONTACT US

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SGA passed a resolution to fund a portion of Late Night Breakfast put on by Student Affairs scheduled for Sunday, April 23 from 9:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Waves Cafe.

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STAFF LIST M anag i ng Ed i to r m a ry c ate l o n g So c i al M ed i a M anag er m a d i so n n i ch o l s P i x el Ed i to r ella gonzalez o nl i ne p r o d u c er o m a r m u r ph y G New s p r o d u c er a r ace l i c r e sce n c i o c o py c hi ef rya n h a r d i n g s p ec i al ed i ti o n ed i to r ch a n n a ste i n m e tz as si g nm ent ed i to r k ayi u w o n g New s Ed i to r Madeleine Carr Ass i stant New s Ed i to r r o wa n to k e New s As si s tant a sh l e y m o w r e a d e r S p o r ts Ed i to r sa m fi n n e ga n Ass i stant Sp o r ts Ed i to r s K yl e m c ca b e k a r l w i n te r P er s p ec ti v es Ed i to r ga r e n ko soya n P er sp ec ti v es ass i stant a r e e ya ku n awa r a d i sa i L i fe & Ar ts Ed i to r k at n a n ce as si s tant L i fe & ar ts ed i to r julia donlon l i fe & ar ts seni o r r ep o r ter c a r o l i n e e d wa r d s L i fe & Ar ts As si s tant pi pe r w r i g h t P ho to Ed i to r Kaelin mendez as si s tant p ho to ed i to r m i l a n l o i ac o n o Ar t Ed i to r c a i tl i n r oa r k ass i stant ar t ed i to r a l ly a r m str o n g C o py ed i to r s k i l e y d i ste l r ath makena huey ga b r i e l l e m ath ys adv er ti s i ng d i r ec to r b e n h u ya r d Adv er ti s i ng m anag er ca r o l i n e h e r r o n D i r ec to r o f P ep p er d i ne G r ap hi c M ed i a E l i z a b e th Sm i th As si s tant D i r ec to r O f P ep p er d i ne G r ap hi c M ed i a Co u r te n ay Sta l l i n g s MISSION STATEMENT “Pepperdine Graphic Media (PGM) is an editorially independent student news organization that focuses on Pepperdine University and the surrounding communities. PGM consists of the digital and print Graphic, a variety of special publications, GNews, Currents Magazine, social media platforms and an Advertising Department. These platforms serve the community with news, opinion, contemporary information and a public forum for discussion.

PGM strengthens students for purpose, service and leadership by developing their skills in writing, editing and publication production, by providing a vehicle to integrate and implement their liberal arts education, and by developing students’ critical thinking through independent editorial judgment. PGM participates in Pepperdine’s Christian mission and affirmations, especially the pursuit of truth, excellence and freedom in a context of public service. Although PGM reports about Pepperdine University and coordinates with curricula in journalism and other disciplines, it is a student (not a University) news organization. Views expressed are diverse and, of course, do not correspond to all views of any University board, administration, faculty, staff, student or other constituency.”

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AP R IL 4 , 2 0 1 9 | PE RS PE C TIVE S | P E P P E R DIN E G RA P H I C ME D I A

Use summer effectively Ar e e ya Ku n awa ra d isa i per s p e c t i v e s A s sistant As the school year nears the end, students can almost taste the sweetness of crossing that finish line and leaping into their hardearned summertime of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Many students will drive or fly home, rest, hang out with their family and friends and spend most, if not all, of their free time doing whatever pleases them. After all, summer break here at Pepperdine lasts for almost four months.

With that much time on their hands, students should also consider spending a part of their break doing something productive, whether it be participating in an internship, volunteering for a cause, working a part-time job, going on a study abroad program or learning a new set of skills.

By spending their time wisely, students will not only gain valuable experiences and useful skills but grow academically, professionally and personally as well.

By interning, students will get a chance to learn more about the field of work in which they are interested and to apply the knowledge that they have learned in the classroom to real-life situations. They will also gain work experience and a wider

Caitlin Roark | Art Editor network of connections. New graduates who have taken part in an internship program are more likely to receive a job offer than those who did not, according to Heather Huhman’s article “Why You Should Get a Summer Internship” published by U.S. News and World Report on April 29, 2011.

Nowadays, many organizations also offer college students a chance to participate by volunteering with them.

Some of the examples of these organizations include the United Nations, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Habitat for Humanity, Peace Corps and American Red Cross.

Besides these, students can also choose to volunteer at their local church, school or club. By volunteering, students will learn more about the world around them as well as give back to their communities in tangible ways.

On the other hand, students may want to try picking up a new set of skills at home, whether it be learning how to speak a new language, skate, knit, paint or play an instrument. If students wished to have a change in scenery, Pepperdine also offers study abroad programs in many different locations during the summer break.

While traveling, learning and immersing themselves in a new culture, students will also be receiving credits toward graduation.

While it is important and necessary for students to spend time resting and recharging after a long, exhausting school year, they should consider spending at least a part of their summer break engaging in something valuable as well. Students should plan to utilize these upcoming four months well so that they can gain practical experiences and grow as a student, a young professional and a person.

Don’t waste the whole summer doing nothing worthwhile. Instead, choose to spend it wisely and productively.

AR EEYA.KUNAWAR ADISAI@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Rush International Programs C a mry n G o r d o n S ta f f W ri t e r Pepperdine University prides itself on its ability to offer students an opportunity to live and travel the world, and rightfully so. The formativeness of Pepperdine International Programs is a defining factor for the institution and the lives of the students who decide to leap out of their comfort zones and globalize their understanding of the world.

Every year, hundreds of Pepperdine students spend some portion, if not all of, their sophomore year studying and living in one of the seven International Program locations: Shanghai, Buenos Aires, Florence, Lausanne, London, Heidelberg and Washington, D.C. Pepperdine International Programs is a tradition that encourages and supplies life-changing experiences that cannot be found on the Malibu campus, and Pepperdine students should take advantage of these

opportunities to travel the world and discover themselves.

The Pepperdine study abroad experience is like no other. With a hands-on International Programs Office that guides each student through the process of applications, interviews, travel preparation and the capability of the faculty and program directors in each location, Caitlin Roark | Art Editor the experience is truly something that can often vides an opportunity themselves. seem unreal. Howevfor growth.

One of the major er, as dreamy as living From the highest of highs of studying abroad for an entire highs to the lowest of abroad through Pepyear or even just a lows, studying abroad perdine, aside from semester sounds, there truly forces many to immense personal are challenges that realign themselves growth, is the relationcome with studying with the veracity of the ships that will form. abroad. world.

As someone who has Regardless of which The greatness that studied abroad both program one is enrolled surrounds Pepperdine in Washington, D.C. in, struggles will occur. IP lies in the authenand Florence, Italy, the As incredibly helpful ticity provided in each people are the highas the International of the transformative light of the program.

Programs Office is in locations throughout There are few people preparing students the world. For some, in this world who will to go abroad, there this great self-transfor- share and understand are some things that mation lies in leaving the challenges and students will never be the United States for extraordinary experiready to tackle until the first time. For ences that come with they confront such obothers, it is the forced abroad, and those peostacles. These hurdles adjustment to an unple are found within can range from missing familiar environment. each abroad program. a train, to struggling Most students who Pepperdine students with adjusting to a new study abroad return to are unique, incredible city. However, every Malibu with a greater forces of change and challenge that one understanding of the energy that make the faces while abroad pro- world, its peoples and best life-long friends.

There is something exceptional about Pepperdine University’s international programs and the numerous opportunities students have to learn about the world. As a university determined to educate students on the importance of understanding cultures and worldviews different from what is commonly known, Pepperdine’s commitment to student success provides brilliantly structured abroad opportunities. Take the opportunity, travel the world and rush IP!

C AM RYN.GOR DON@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Explore the unknown

C ar o l i ne Ar c her Sta ff W r i te r In the predictable rhythm of day-to-day life, it is easy to grow complacent. This complacency causes the days to rush by in a monochromatic blur.

People tend to settle into comfortable ruts, which consequently diminishes their productivity, according to Amy Morin’s article published April 21, 2015 by Forbes.

Students should add variety to their lives by intentionally exploring the unknown. This will make their college years more memorable and equip them to be more self-assured adults.

At Pepperdine, a predominant way that students experience the unknown is through study abroad programs.

Pepperdine’s International Programs are intended to equip students with “new cultural perspectives and diverse relationships,” according to the IP website.

Time spent abroad is a transformative experience for many students.

The discomfort of the unfamiliar is often a conduit for deeper knowledge, and study abroad is an excellent example of this.

There are many organizations that students can join. Participating in a club “will help [students] make lifelong connections, advance [their] career, learn about [themselves], and maybe even have some fun,” according to Liz Wessel’s article published Feb. 7, 2018 by Forbes.

Students should put themselves in positions to meet new people, according to Kristina Hipolito’s article published Dec. 6, 2017 by the Huffington Post. Joining a club is an excellent way to do this, as is attending events the Board’s or simply talking to an unfamiliar face in an Elkins class.

Ultimately, all of these experiences pay dividends later in a student’s life. When students step out of their comfort zones and explore the unknown, “time [becomes] much more memorable,” according to Matt Cutts’s TED Talk presented in March 2011.

By entering the unknown now, students are ready for the working world. They need to be comfortable being uncomfortable, according to Jeffrey Selingo’s article published by the Washington Post on May 13, 2015.

Students should escape their comfort zones and embrace the unknown. Ultimately, this will fill their college years with invaluable memories and lessons.

C AR OL INE.AR C HER @PEPPER DINE.EDU

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Pepp announces new executive director of International Programs c hanna st einmetz s p e c i al edi ti on ed it or Pepperdine announced Beth M. Laux will succeed Charles Hall to lead International Programs (IP) at Pepperdine, according to a press release from Pepperdine University Public Relations.

Laux, who will become the executive director of IP, is the current director of Learning Abroad at the University of Utah. She has participated in international programs as a student, faculty and administrator. Laux said in the press release that her commitment to international education stems from the benefits it has on students.

“Studying abroad was the most powerful experience I had in college,” Laux said. “It influenced me academically, personally and spiritually, which made a career in international education a natural fit.”

As an undergraduate at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Laux traveled to Costa Rica and Spain. After earning a degree in Spanish and Public Administration, she returned to Aquinas to serve as the director of international education and programs.

Leaving her position at Aquinas in 2004, Laux spent two years as a missionary in Guatemala and El Salvador. She has also interned for the United States Department of State and has worked

Courtesy of Pepperdine Public Relations Ready to Lead | Pepperdine announced Beth Laux as the new executive director of International Programs through a press release April 1.

She will officially take up her position August 1. with nonprofit, government and education entities in over 18 countries.

Laux received a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Toledo and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Dean of Seaver College Michael Feltner spoke of her high qualifications in the press release.

“I am excited to work alongside her to advance our existing programs and to explore new opportunities that provide students with opportunities for intellectual, social, personal and spiritual transformations,” Feltner said. “Beth [Laux] follows two prior deans, Dr. William Phillips and Dr. Charles Hall, both of

whom are exceptional leaders ... I am confident that from this foundation, Beth will lead International Programs to even greater heights.”

Hall will continue in his role as executive director through July 31, 2019. A celebration commemorating his 14 years in the role will be held May 17.

Laux’s title of executive director is new for this position. Hall’s current title is dean of IP. The university did not comment on the difference.

Laux will officially take the position August 1.

CH A N N A .S T E I N ME T Z @P E P P E RD I N E . E D U

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The Graphic

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LIFE & ARTS

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Photos by Julia Donlon Performance Ready| The students practice on the stage during dress rehearsal. Performers said they’re excited to showcase this Shakespearian play with a twist.

‘Taming of the Shrew’ debuts in Smothers t ig er Asht i ani g u est w r i te r The Pepperdine Theatre Department puts a thought-provoking twist on William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” opening Wednesday, April 3 and running until Saturday, April 5 at Smothers Theatre.

Scott Alan Smith, professor of Theater and director of the show, decided to swap the genders in this Shakespeare classic.

This version of the show differs from the original Shakespeare version, which would feature men playing both the male and female characters in the show.

“The gender-swapping directional decision helps amplify the performativity of gender roles,” said Tatum Shackleford, the dramaturge of this production.

Modern-day, traditional pro-

ductions of “Taming of the Shrew” feature men playing male characters and women playing female characters. Now, many theaters are performing this show with swapped genders to encourage a conversation about gender.

“A friend of mine was doing it this way, and I was able to go see it with one of our former students playing the lead, Petruchio,” Smith said. “It just made perfect sense. It resonated in such a great way.”

This production usually portrays a struggle between the two main characters, Petruchio and Kate.

“The play done originally is about a woman being obedient to a man,” Smith said. “I just found that to be an irredeemable message.”

Shackleford said she believes that this gender-swapped version of the show will present a greater question of gender and its influence.

“Audiences are made uncomfortable by the scenes in which Petruchio appears to be taming Katherine by starving her, not letting her put on fresh clothes and by not letting her sleep,” Shackleford said.

Shackleford said she hopes to use this modern take on this show as a critique of gender.

“Swapping the gender reframes the narrative and draws the audience’s attention away from the perceived misogyny and redirects the conversation toward a fresher interpretation of what gender means,” Shackleford said.

Sophomore George Preston plays Kate, the shrew, and senior Christine Galyean plays opposite of him as Petruchio. The actors have to work on adapting to the use of stereotypes.

“It has truly been a time of open mindedness,” Preston said.

“Specifically, [this is a time] of me uncovering stereotypes of both genders and dissecting the root to find a deeper truth, rather than me ignoring the obvious stereotypes.”

Assistant Professor of Theatre Hollace Starr is the Linklater Voice and Movement Coach who helps cast members with their portrayal of gender.

“Her specialty for this pro-

duction is gender discussion and helping with physical and vocal placement,” Smith said.

“We meet once a week with her to try to get people into their bodies in different ways.”

Starr instructs the cast members to watch people of different genders complete simple tasks, then asks those cast members to perform them.

“I’ve found little subtleties that are so helpful through this process,” Preston said. “This is my favorite part so far.”

Preston said this gender swap not only allows actors to face new challenges in their capabilities but also provides both men and women opportunities for roles.

“When we gender swap, we break down barriers and allow everyone to become a contender for one main goal for each production,” Preston said. “That is, to find the life and breath of each character regardless of their anatomy.”

Pepperdine’s production features 12 women, which differs from the traditional way it was written.

“There will be people saying, ‘Why didn’t you do it the way it was written?’ Well, with the way it was written, I would have 16 men on stage. Nobody wants to

see that,” Smith said, laughing.

“The Taming of the Shrew” often faces backlash in these turbulent times of gender politics. Many theaters have presented this play in various ways: gender-swapping, men playing all characters, completely female cast.

Preston said he believed this show is important to see because of its powerful message.

“People can see that these roles we’ve assigned didn’t form on their own but were taught by institutions and people in power,” Preston said.

Pepperdine is not the first company to produce this show using women as the dominant roles. The Royal Shakespeare Company has made this decision under the direction of Justin Audibert.

For more information about future Pepperdine Theatre Department productions, follow them at Social Media at @pepptheatre or check out their calendar.

TIGER.ASHTIANI@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Practice Makes Perfect| Students practice playing their opposite gendered characters. Performers said this gives the play a powerful message for viewers.

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Photos Courtesy of Julia Sneden Express Yourself | Senior Julia Sneden’s smiles confidently with and without her wig. Sneden said she wears her wig on special occasions.

Living with Alopecia: Bald is beautiful c ar o l ine edwards s eni or r e p orte r Senior Julia Sneden no longer spends time worrying about how to style her hair in the morning.

At 8 years old, Sneden said her parents noticed she was losing coin-sized clumps of hair. By 2017, she had lost roughly 90 percent of her hair. Today, she is bald and has no body hair, all due to the autoimmune disease alopecia areata.

“A lot of people will hide behind their hair because it’s kind of a security blanket,” Sneden said. “It’s a different way of living without hair. … Day-to-day life — it’s not all that different. I just kind of have to be more open and more confident in who I am and recognize that the blanket isn’t there, but I don’t need it.”

Alopecia areata affects 6.8 million people in the U.S. and causes hair to fall out in patches, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Sneden said it can be genetic but can also be caused by stress, and it typically appears before a person is 30 years old.

“It’s an autoimmune condition where your body’s cells attack the fatty molecules around your hair follicles,” Sneden said. “Basically, what’s holding your hair in is the anchor and your body attacks that. When you look at it under a microscope — or what I have been told that it looks like — it’s like bees swarming the hair follicle and kind of making that anchor go away, so there’s nothing to hold the hair follicles in.”

Sneden said alopecia areata is different for everyone who experiences it and that it’s unpredictable. She said there is a possibility her hair will grow back but there’s no way of knowing.

“Some people lose little patches of their hair and some people lose all of

their hair on their head, but nothing else,” Sneden said. “Some people lose it all, like me. It really depends on the severity of your own condition, and there’s not really a whole lot of research on it because it’s not a life-threatening condition. You could have it your whole life and be totally fine in every other aspect. There’s not really a cure.”

While junior year is typically the hardest in terms of classes and adjusting from abroad, Sneden also had to deal with losing her hair.

“My friends pointed out another spot that was falling out on the side of my head,” Sneden said. “[After applying creams,] it would grow back but then other spots would appear. Then the spots became big patches and the patches connected. Five months after I first noticed it, I had probably five or 10 percent of my hair left. That was around spring break of my junior year, and at the end of my spring break, I had probably enough hair to fit inside of a straw.”

Sneden said when her parents first noticed her hair loss, she went to Duke University Hospital and got treatment and creams that supported hair regrowth. When her hair started falling out again over a decade later, she said she expected it to grow back again with a similar treatment. When it didn’t, Sneden decided to shave her remaining hair off.

“It was kind of a Britney Spears moment,” Sneden said. “I felt kind of crazy.

I would say that was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It kind of teaches you that it doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside, it doesn’t matter whether you have a bad hair day, if your makeup is on point or whatever. There’s no reason to care about what you look like on the outside if you aren’t a pretty person on the inside.

I believe much more in having a beautiful soul than having beautiful hair or the perfect cheekbones.”

Although Sneden said

she is confident in her skin there was a period of time when she was afraid of losing her hair.

“There was a point in time where I was losing my hair that I would be scared to shower or brush my hair,” Sneden said.

“In the shower, I would pull out softball-size clumps of hair, which is gross to think about. I was scared to shower or brush my hair because I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to lose that much more hair every time.’”

Sneden said once she shaved her hair, she didn’t “rock the bald eagle” on campus right away. She showed her swim and dive teammates first because she “didn’t want to be running around, sweating in the wig.” She slowly began to progress toward going without a wig and now often doesn’t wear anything on her head, even though she said she knows people think she has cancer.

“I am very aware that a lot of people think I have cancer and a lot of people would ask my friends, ‘Oh, is Julia going through chemo right now?’” Sneden said. “That’s a very uneducated guess.

I don’t want to relate myself at all to people who have cancer or are going through that because it’s such a different experience. What they’re going through is nothing like what I’m going through.”

Senior Emma Stenz became friends with Sneden after they were in the same Rho Chi group during rush and joined Tri Delta together. Sneden said Stenz is one of her closest friends and has known her with and without hair.

“She’s so confident,” Stenz said. “She interacts with people the same way. She’s able to not wear a wig on campus, and I think she still at least exhibits beauty in the same way and acts as confident as she did when she had all her hair.”

Sneden said her biggest worry is that she doesn’t want to make people uncomfortable with how she looks, as Sneden said that she doesn’t “look normal.”

“If people have something to say, they can say it,” Sneden said. “I’m not really going to let other people affect what I’m thinking about myself. I’m living my life and I’m doing what I can. I still go to school and I’m not putting my world on hold for this. You just have to keep on going forward. I think that’s all you can do.”

Senior Marissa Davis joined Tri Delta

at the same time as Sneden but said the two only became close this year.

“I’ve definitely noticed that she’s had to do a lot of self-growth in terms of selflove,” Davis said. “I think it’s been hard for her vulnerabilities to be so much on the outside. With losing your hair and your eyebrows, there’s not really anything you can do to hide that. I definitely have noticed that when she has bad days she tries to put on a happy face, but at the same time, I know it’s been really tough on her.”

Despite having no hair and no need to spend money on shampoo or styling products, Sneden said her four wigs, which are made of real hair, cost between $5,000 and $6,000 while microblading her eyebrows costs $500 the first time and $150 for a refill every six months. Microblading is a semi-permanent technique for eyebrows in which pigment is scratched into the skin from a hair tool made of tiny needles that creates short strokes that resemble hair, according to Today.

“If I could spend my money on one thing for the rest of my life from this whole experience, it would be microblading for sure,” Sneden said. “I think everyone should get microbladed because then you never have to fill in your eyebrows ever again. If my eyebrow hair has grown back, then I’ll just have fierce brows.”

Although Sneden has no hair, Stenz said she remains confident and positive.

“Even in the face of a lot of hardship, she always finds a reason to smile and kind of look at the bright side of life,” Stenz said.

Sneden said she likes control but has been trying to accept the unpredictability and live life to the fullest.

“All of this is out of my control,” Sneden said. “There’s nothing I can do to stop it or to reverse it. The hardest part for me is to learn to trust something bigger than me and know that there’s a reason why it came through these experiences at the right time.”

C AR OL INE.EDWAR DS@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Always Smiling | Sneden smiles for the camera by the pool. She said she’s learned not to let other people’s opinions affect how she lives her life.

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Health and Wellness: ‘no makeup’ makeup look ya s mi n k a ze m in y s ta f f w rit e r If you learn one thing from me when it comes to beauty, it should be to take care of your skin. That doesn’t mean caking yourself in makeup so no one can tell you haven’t. It means putting in the work now so your 50-year-old self will thank you later.

Part of showing your skin love is saying no to heavy makeup and letting your skin breathe, shine and do its thing. Don’t try to make it something it’s not. If you’re oily, embrace the glow; if you’re dry, let’s get you some hyaluronic acid, stat. Work with what you’ve got and don’t waste your time fighting your body. Chances are, you’ll only further aggravate the situation.

No amount of makeup, with its pretty packaging and plentiful promises, is going to give you the satisfaction you feel at the end of the day when all is said, done and wiped off and your skin is happy and beautiful beneath it all.

OK, back to our regularly scheduled programming after a brief (but necessary) rant. Solid skincare is the first step to a flawless finish.

Regardless of your desired look, always start with a great moisturizer. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentrate is a favorite amongst models and makeup artists for a matte finish. But if you’re going for glow, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream is super nourishing and will get the job done.

Next up is a tinted sunscreen.

Elta MD UV Clear is my go-to base.

I’ve never gone through so many bottles of one product, and I’m crazy particular, so you know it’s good. The coverage is super light,

but it evens you out, gives a little glow and offers major protection; I’ve literally turned “fair” since using it. But for more options, check out Slather Up: Sunscreen 101.

I follow the sunscreen with a little concealer under the eyes.

Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer is a classic, but lately, I’ve been using Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fusion Ultra Long Wear Concealer. A great drugstore option is Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer. I’m happy to report that all three offer solid coverage and are the real MVPs after a long night studying — or not.

PSA: When it comes to under eye darkness, you don’t need as much concealer as you think. Try three tiny dots, tap them into your skin lightly with your ring finger (using your hands will warm the product up for better absorption and a more natural finish) instead of mindlessly smearing it on. Less product equals less creases and cakiness as well.

If you’re one of the lucky few who doesn’t deal with dark circles, first off, I’m jealous and annoyed, but I’ll still let you in on the YSL Touche Eclat. This is the lightest of the light when it comes to concealer — essentially invisible but undeniably brightening — and you definitely won’t crease.

I like to use this one on super light makeup days just to brighten things up and bring light to the face. The tubes last forever and double as a non-sparkly highlighter if you feel like going the extra nine. I like to apply it down the bridge of my nose, above and below the eyebrows and on the chin and cupid’s bow. If that doesn’t wake your face up, I don’t know what will, and you have my permission to get back in bed and call it a day.

For a little definition and contour, my ride or die is the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. I have the little $25 contour duo from Sephora and it has lasted two years and is still going strong. Yes,

Art by Caitlin Roark I know, products expire, that’s gross, I should throw it away. But I love it too much and am too cheap to buy another; sorry not sorry! A little of that in the hollow of your cheek bone, around your hairline, down the sides of your nose and your jawline et voila, she has no puffiness! Honestly, any bronzer you have will do for this — Nars Laguna, Hoola Lite, you name it.

Just make sure the undertone isn’t too orange or too red.

Finish your face with a little blush. Nars in Amour or Gina does the trick for me. Then it’s on to the eyes! I like to line my lash line with a brown shadow, usually Sepho-

ra’s Coffee Break. I curl my lashes (Tweezerman makes a great curler) and follow up with Glossier’s Lash Slick, the most natural mascara of all time. Think of it as a lengthening and darkening tint. Then tie it all together with your brows. I love L’oreal’s Brow Stylist Plumper, as it is cost effective and not too heavy.

If you want to seal the deal with a little face mist, be my guest (Caudalie Beauty Elixir comes in a mini). But otherwise, you should be set to go and glow. xx

YASMIN.KAZEMINY@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Australian emerging artists take on LA piper wright li f e and ar ts a ssista n t The Faim is a new, emerging poprock band from Australia. Since its debut in February 2018, the band has sold out tours and shows all over Australia and Europe. The Faim is coming to Los Angeles with Andy Black of Black Veil Brides to play at The El Rey on April 14.

Stephen Beerkens, bassist and pianist for the band, spoke about their journey so far.

“The band formed in November 2014, just over four years ago now,” Beerkens said. “Me and Josh, our singer, went to high school together. We were in the same music class, and we just thought, ‘Hey, we should start jamming some songs.’ So we just started jamming, putting a few things together and all of a sudden we started writing and putting songs out there for people to hear.”

Because of the diverse range of music the members listened to growing up, Beerkens said there are many different influences on their music.

“We have all these different influences coming into the band, which is great for writing,” Beerkens said.

“We are basically getting the best from all the worlds we live in.”

The Faim has even been able to write with some of the songwriters and bands its members look up to, such as Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy), Mark Hoppus (blink-182) and Josh Dun (Twenty One Pilots).

“Each songwriter that we’ve worked with brings their own unique perspective,” Beerkens said. “It’s really great to be able to work with so many different artists.”

The band’s music is the product of the diverse genres the members love and relate to. Beerkens said the band’s genre is alternative pop rock at the moment, though it is probably going to head to more of an alterna-

tive rock genre. “[The genre is] very broad, and that’s what we’ve wanted to do since the get-go,” Beerkens said. “We’ve wanted to release music that isn’t set in one straight genre. Genre is becoming so fluid these days. With every new band that’s coming out, it’s an amalgamation of two or three different genres all in one.

And that’s what we want to do. [We want] each and every song to showcase a different side of who we are as musicians.”

The band’s name is very unique.

When debating between names they were “playing with different ideas of the word ‘fame’ but didn’t want to spell it f-a-m-e,” Beerkens said.

“We found that if you spell the word f-a-i-m, it means ‘hunger’ in French.

And that’s something that instantly connected to us because of our hunger to succeed.”

Recently, The Faim has been working on releasing new music.

“The music is going to be diverse,” Beerkens said. “It’s going to be in a more rockin’ direction which we can’t wait to showcase. And then those songs are going to translate very well live.”

The Faim will be performing in LA with Andy Black April 14, showcasing some of its brand new music. The band members said they are very grateful for all the support they have seen so far in the past year.

“A good ol’ thanks for everyone that is reading this and everyone that has supported us in the US so far,” Beerkens said.

Courtesy of BMG Records PIPER.WRIGHT@PEPPERDINE.EDU

Boy Band| The four members of the Australian band pose for a group photo.

The Faim has been working hard on releasing new music since last February.

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Pepperdine attracts Instagram influencers c ar o l ine edwards senior reporter

Pepperdine is home to the beach, SunLife and, more recently, Instagram influencers.

Instagram influencers are people who have a large enough following and engagement to influence their followers, according to USA Today.

Influencers from all over make the drive to Malibu to pose at Nobu, Malibu Farm or El Matador State Beach for content, but at Pepperdine, students are fortunate enough to use the natural scenery and close proximity to Los Angeles on a daily basis as the perfect background for any Instagram picture.

“I feel like everywhere I go, every corner of Malibu is beautiful, and it’s the easiest thing to snap a photo,” senior Mary Ralph Lawson said. “Go grab SunLife and you can take an Instagram photo across the street in front of that wall... It’s super easy here.”

From humble beginnings A quick Google search allows people to learn how to become full-time Instagram influencers, but for four Pepperdine seniors, who all joined Instagram during their freshman year of high school, Instagram began as a hobby.

“I really enjoyed [Instagram] more than my peers in high school,” Matthew Garcia said. “For whatever reason, it was just how all the photos looked kind of like a collage ... and how you could do different things and post different things in an arrangement. … I just thought that was a really cool thing because you could illustrate your life in a particular way and that, for some reason, was fun to me.”

Garcia said his Instagram has changed from being trendy to more positive in its depiction of everyday life. Amelia Edmondson agreed, saying her page is less trendy than when she started it and now portrays a “carefree lifestyle that focuses on sustainable living as well as living a mindful life.” She originally started her Instagram to be creative and share that creativity with others.

“I was in the modeling industry before I did Instagram and I did not like the way that I was being objectified,” Edmondson said. “I also didn’t like the way that they were able to tell me what I needed to fix about my body. By doing Instagram, I’m able to be the creative director as well as the model and kind of the eye behind the image. It’s because I’m passionate about photography and creative directing, I get to do everything, aside from just kind of being a model and letting them tell me what to do and kind of all on my own terms.”

Garcia and Edmondson said they had over a thousand followers when coming into Pepperdine, but that they’ve grown their following in more recent years.

Becoming influencers People follow one another on Instagram for many reasons, whether they like the feed or editing style, know them or want inspiration. Garcia said he gained followers by doing the #100HappyDays challenge in which he posted an Instagram photo every day for 100 days. He also said his Instagram fits into a new niche of a lifestyle living that’s focused on minimalism, gratitude and organic things.

“I think as a guy, I fit more into that kind of category and there aren’t many guy influencers who do that,” Garcia said. “So I think that’s another part of why someone gains popularity on social media, is if they’re the only one doing this type of thing.

People get tired of only seeing girls do this type of thing. There are guys out there who are like, ‘I’m into sustainability. I’m into like minimalism, but I’m not a girl.’ And then they find a guy doing it and they’re like, ‘Oh, OK cool.’ So then they follow the dude and that’s just kind of how it works.”

Savannah Wix said she gained followers when she became Miss Arizona Teen USA in 2014, Miss Malibu in 2018 and, most recently, Miss Arizona USA. “I didn’t know people were actually into pageants; it wasn’t a thing I grew up doing,” Wix said. “But there’s

definitely still a particular interest about it in the general public. I was just interested in it. Even if you don’t know a lot about it, you’re like, ‘I wonder what that is,’ you know?”

Having a niche and posting frequently increases popularity, Garcia said.

“The more you post, the more followers you get from the more you post,” Garcia said. “The more you engage with the app itself and then also Instagram, their algorithm … on the explore page, the more frequently you use their app, the more likely you are to end up on the explore page.”

Instagram as a business Instagram started as a platform to share photos but quickly grew into a business opportunity for people to build careers off their social media page, according to Forbes. The NY Post reported half of millennials have a side hustle to earn money or follow their passions, and Instagram is how influencers can build a brand, share aspects of their lives and make money.

“I never thought of it as a business, but it’s such a fun and easy and engaging way to make money and live on your own,” Lawson said. “I think it will never be my full-time [job]. I mean, that would be awesome if it would be, but I’m creative and I like to have other outlets. I think it’ll always be a part of business post-grad, [but] I don’t think it would be the only thing I do.”

Edmondson said her Instagram took off once she started Pepperdine, and she now plans to do it full-time after graduation. She plans to move to Hawaii and live with other content creators and take photos. She said she was able to grow her following by collaborating with well-known photographers and reaching out to brands, and she spends at least five hours per day either creating content or scrolling through her feed.

“It’s kind of a 24/7 job, especially being a student because you have to post on your stories, you have to plan when you’re going to create the imagery, you have to plan what outfits you need, the concept of the shoot … and you also have to answer emails,” Edmondson said.

Instagram influencers are able to make a living through paid sponsorships and advertisements, which can include getting paid in money, exposure or free items from the company. A person’s following determines how much they will make on an advertisement, which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per post. To stay transparent, influencers often use #ad or the paid sponsorship feature to let followers know they are being paid for the post.

“I care a lot about ethical brands and sustainability, and when it’s your career and it’s a really high paying job, it doesn’t necessarily align with what you do,” Edmondson said. “That’s when things become tricky. I think most people that follow me would know that I’m doing an ad, it’s a paid job, but for every ad I do, I try to share six posts that are really close to my heart.”

Edmondson said she’s picky about the brands she works with and tries to collaborate with sustainable companies. Similarly, Lawson said she tries to stay transparent and pick brands that align with her own.

“The easiest way is just to put #ad and I think people understand that by now,” Lawson said. “I limit my advertisements on Instagram to a certain amount a month so that I’m not oversaturating my feed with that because no one wants to see that. I only do sponsored content with brands that I actually like and if someone else were to post, I would be interested in it.”

Balancing Instagram and school On top of a full course load, Pepperdine’s influencers have to find time to create content, work with brands and engage with the app.

Edmondson travels on the weekends for photoshoots and content creation and said she finds it difficult to balance her course load with her full-time job.

“I don’t really know how I’ve been able to figure it out,” Edmondson said. “I just know that there’s a lot

Photos courtesy of Kara Tyler

Photos courtesy of Savannah Wix and Amelia Edmondson Bold and Beautiful | Influencers Wix and Edmondson pose for the camera. Wix said she spends most of her weekends traveling for photoshoots. of all nighters that are pulled, and I have to get help from a lot of people. I have a lot of really nice creative friends who will help me take photos and help hold me accountable.”

Wix said she also uses weekends to travel to create content.

“On the weekends, I’ll go do photo shoots in Arizona, New York or in Texas — wherever it takes me,” Wix said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this any other semester to the extent that I’m doing it right now. I just worked out my schedule to make it so I only had class three days a week so I’m able to travel and get all this content and stay up with socials.”

Meanwhile, Garcia said he has been focusing less on Instagram this year, as he is preparing for law school and doesn’t have as much time.

“I have a job and I also go to school, and I also am trying to go to law school,” Garcia said. “So I sadly had to prioritize what things I care about most. To me, my after-graduation plans were more important, so I had to prioritize that over like creating content.

For me, personally it’s been a struggle because it’s hard to be a student and also do Instagram and also have a job.”

Although Instagram can be time consuming, Lawson said creating content isn’t her “strong suit,” and she doesn’t put an overwhelming amount of energy into her page.

“I think people think that’s what your life is consumed of and that’s what you do every day — you create content,” Lawson said. “I just laugh when I say the word ‘create content’ because I take a picture and just put an editing app on it and just edit it in Instagram. Maybe sometimes [I] use VSCO or another app. ... I don’t put that much thought into it, but that’s not my brand.”

Being influencers at Pepperdine On top of balancing content creation and school, Pepperdine’s influencers are aware of their classmates and strangers recognizing them.

“I try not to think about that because I really don’t like that kind of stuff,” Lawson said. “I think that they might have seen me on Instagram or whatever, but at Pepperdine, I never

really felt that, which is — I think — a good feeling. It’s flattering obviously when people follow you on Instagram.

I would rather them say, ‘Oh yeah, I have seen you on Instagram before,’ rather than be weird and hide it.”

Garcia said he has been recognized at the mall and by mutual friends. He said it can be annoying when people try to use him and only want to hang out to take pictures but that it’s mainly messages from people from his high school and not an issue at Pepperdine.

“You can kind of tell when people are using you because there have been times where this girl from high school DM’d me,” Garcia said. “We were friends maybe just freshman year of high school and then never again after that. In college, she messaged me and was like, ‘Hey, like I love your Instagram blah blah blah, like we should like hang out soon and take pics.’ It’s like, ‘Dude, you don’t really care about my life, like no.’ So then I don’t respond.”

For Edmondson, the hardest part isn’t being recognized — which she said doesn’t happen often and when it does she’s flattered — but being judged based on her Instagram before people meet her.

“I think for me, that sometimes when people see me or they see my Instagram before they meet me, that they’re under the impression that I’m a very much extra human or maybe into myself,” Edmondson said. “I feel like it’s something that I do but it’s not who I am. It’s something I have used as a platform to share what I create. But it really sucks sometimes when you meet someone and you know that their idea of who you are is skewed based on their perception of you via your Instagram.”

Although the seniors said they try and hope to be authentic on their pages, it’s a highlights reel and it’s just social media, not real life. Wix said she wants to be known on campus for more than just her Instagram.

“I hope people know me for my kindness,” Wix said. “I only drive to class and so I try to give people rides a lot. I just try to do random acts of kindness, so I hope they know me from that.”

CAROLINE.EDWARDS@PEPPERDINE.EDU

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Art by Peau Porotesano Photos courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics Big League Dreams | Draft prospects Brandt Belk (far left), Quincy McAfee (far right), Wil Jensen (middle right) and Easton Lucas (middle left) pose for their 2019 roster photos on media day. (Below) Matt Kanfer awaits a pitch.

Baseball players consider: draft, degree, or both?

Aust in Hall Staff W ri t er

Most students dream of graduation day. Pepperdine baseball players dream of the draft.

If draft comes first for the player, they have a tough decision to make.

Pepperdine is no stranger to the annual Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. They took a total of 161 Waves in the team’s history, including 10 players the past three seasons.

This season, major league teams are looking at five Pepperdine Baseball players. And while there is little to no offseason for players trying to make a roster, the players, Head Coach Rick Hirtensteiner and Sport Administration Professor John Watson agreed on the importance of coming back to finish their degree during or after their career.

“Even for the guys that do make it to the big leagues, there has to be something after baseball,” Hirtensteiner said. “That’s really what they’ve put that work in the classroom for.”

Slim chances The chance of any college player getting their shot in the major leagues is marginal. There are over 1,600 college baseball programs and 299 are Division I. That’s a span of over 50,000 players across all levels, according to the Athletic Scholarships website.

With such a big talent pool to pull from, only so many of these players get on a professional radar. The National College Athletic Association research group estimates that 7,773 are draft eligible any given year. Out of the 1,200 annual draft picks, only about 735 players played in college. And out of those drafted, less than 10 percent make it to a major league roster.

The number of players selected is very different when compared to the National Football League draft that has seven rounds with 32 teams. The National Basketball Association draft has two rounds with 30 teams total, along with many undrafted free agent opportunities. MLB is a different animal, having about 40 rounds among the 30 teams.

In Minor League Baseball, or MiLB, there are six different leagues. They range from a rookie team league that plays 80 games to develop the players, all the way up to Triple A, which is the highest minor league level and best chance to get called up to the major leagues. There is a total of 256 minor league teams.

Pepperdine has produced steady talent in the draft the

past three seasons. Three players went in 2016, five in 2017 and two in 2018. Of the 10 players, only two currently have their names attached to a team’s minors affiliate while the other eight are bouncing around freelance Single-A teams.

Right-handed pitcher AJ Puckett will play this season for the Double-A affiliate of the the Chicago White Sox, (a step below AAA). Right fielder Jordan Qsar will play for the Class-A short season affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, a step above the rookie league. The minor league system is a changing one and Puckett’s and Qsar’s roster status will inevitably change at some point in the season.

The prospects One of the players getting looks from MLB is Brandt Belk, a redshirt sophomore infielder and Business Administration major. Belk, who plays first and third baseman, partially tore his hamstring in a game March 1 versus University of California, Santa Barbara, but it isn’t affecting his draft stock.

Belk said he remembers when scouts came into the picture.

“Last year after we played LMU, I got some calls,” Belk said. “I hit well in that series.

Since then, they’ve come in, they’ve watched our practices and they see me do what I can do. So far I’ve been in communication with the Rays, the Blue Jays, the Oakland A’s, the White Sox and the Cubs.”

Belk is content giving the sport his all if he is drafted in April. What he isn’t clear on is when he would come back to complete his degree.

“I’m gonna dedicate all my time to baseball when the time comes,” Belk said. “But I definitely think about how baseball doesn’t last forever, so after baseball I’ll definitely come back and graduate at some point.”

Another player that’s fairly new to the recruiting process is Quincy McAfee, a junior shortstop and Sport Administration major.

McAfee said he doesn’t put a large emphasis on his draft stock at this point in the season.

“Recruiting has died down a little bit since the fall,” McAfee said. “This spring I’ve just done a few things here and there with looking at the next level. I haven’t really focused on that. Instead, I’m focusing on baseball and school here ... As they come, I speak with them before getting back on the grind for this season.”

McAfee said he’s always wanted to play professionally and the goal seemed attainable when he knew he would play in college.

“It’s always been a dream to play professional base-

ball,” McAfee said. “I felt like once I was able to play college baseball, the next step is to play baseball professionally.

Although none of my family members have played, I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of support from them.”

McAfee played a variety of sports growing up. He said it was an injury that took him away from other sports.

“Baseball didn’t really affect any of the sports I wanted to play growing up,” McAfee said. “Sophomore year of high school I was playing baseball and football. I tore my ACL in football and that made me focus primarily on baseball from that point on.”

McAfee said that if he were drafted in April, he doesn’t know if he would dive into the major leagues.

“That’s definitely going to be something to talk about,” McAfee said. “Right now I don’t know. But there’s always a life after baseball.

And especially when you hit 40 or so. I’d make sure I can get school handled after baseball or even come back one more year and finish off school before playing professionally.”

Pepperdine has one player who’s been getting looks long before he put on a Pepperdine uniform.

Easton Lucas is a redshirt junior pitcher and Liberal Arts major. As a senior at Grace Brethren High School in Simi Valley, California, he had the opportunity that many high schoolers only dream of as a left-handed pitcher.

“I did talk to some scouts in high school,” Lucas said. “I talked to the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers. They wanted me to come play minor league ball. It was tough sort of laying out my options in terms of what was better. I obviously chose college.”

While he’s a senior by academics, he would have the opportunity to come back as a fifth-year player on the team due to being redshirted his freshman season. If he were drafted in April, he said he thinks he is ready to be a professional.

“If I’m taken in the spring I’ll be able to focus on baseball full time,” Lucas said.

“This past summer I pitched well in the Cape Cod League and that’s what has really put me on the map. Since then, I text a couple scouts every week. The past year or so I have met up with around 10 to 15.”

The major leagues are also eying senior outfielder Matt Kanfer. His scouting began last season but he is in contact with four scouts this season.

Had Kanfer been selected last season, his decision on returning to school or immediately pursuing professional baseball was an easy one.

“I definitely would have

come back and got my degree,” Kanfer said. “That’s something that I value and has kind of been instilled in me since I was a kid from my parents. And also I value a degree.”

Wil Jensen, a redshirt sophomore Business Administration major, is recovering after Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow.

Similar to Lucas, he was in talks with pro scouts in high school.

“The first time I was contacted by scouts was in high school but I didn’t really have any intention of getting drafted,” Jensen said. “It was this year at the beginning of the fall that I started talking regularly to scouts. There are eight to 10 that I talk to often.”

Even before Jensen heard his name among draft circles, he said he believed he was MLB material.

“In high school when people told me that I had a projectable body and a live arm I finally realized that there was a legitimate chance that I could play professionally,” Jensen said. “But for me, I have always believed that I could make it, even as a kid.”

Jensen was a multisport athlete in high school before choosing baseball to be his main focus.

“I was a huge sports player and growing up I played basketball, tennis and golf,” Jensen said. “The only other sport I played competitively was basketball, so in high school I had to give it up for baseball. I would still play a ton recreationally but now that I am injured I’ve realized that these other sports need to be put on hold for awhile.

They put my arm and body in jeopardy.”

Jensen said he does not rule out completing his degree during his rookie season but leaves the door open for waiting until his career ends.

“If I am drafted I would either try and finish my last two semesters during the first year of pro ball or I would come back once I’m done and grind until I finish,” he said.

Head coach’s and professor’s experience The Pepperdine Men’s Baseball players have the opportunity of playing for a head coach that’s been in the same situation.

Hirtensteiner, a former two-time All-American for Pepperdine, was drafted three times as a player; as a senior in high school, junior in college and senior in college.

While it would have been easy for Hirtensteiner to sign any of the first two contracts, he had his own reasons for staying.

“As a senior in high school, I knew I just wasn’t ready, physically or men-

tally,” Hirtensteiner said. “I knew I had a long way to go.

As a junior, the money didn’t make sense. It would have been better financially to come back to school and be better set up later. I loved college baseball so much I wanted one more year of it.”

Hirtensteiner played five seasons in the minor leagues. He played for several independent leagues and in big league farm systems like the Los Angeles Angels and Florida Marlins but never cracked an MLB roster.

Watson was the athletic director at Pepperdine from 1998-2011 and is now a Sport Administration professor. During his time overseeing Pepperdine Athletics, he made it a point to educate players on what they were getting with the draft.

“I would always encourage our coaches to help our players who were considered as prospects,” Watson said.

“While everybody has that dream, to be certain that the athletes understood the importance of finishing their education at some point in your career.”

Watson said pursuing the MLB is important but leaving one’s options open is essential.

“You don’t want it to interfere with the responsibility and the dream of playing professional baseball,” Watson said. “For a lot of our players, they get drafted at the end of their junior year.

And so for a lot of these players, in my opinion, they’re sacrificing a lot to leave and follow a dream in that such a small percentage actually make it to the major leagues.”

A caveat of being drafted is being able to negotiate one’s contract in more ways than just a dollar amount.

Watson said he always wanted his players to discuss their contracts to have ways that help them in the future.

“While you’re an active player, there’s not much time, if at all, to finish your degree,” Watson said. “We counsel them to always be certain that as they negotiate their contracts to have an element in there where the Major League Baseball team that drafts them will ultimately pay to complete their

education whenever they can. In the past some have included that, some have not found it very important. It’s all individual choice.”

Hirtensteiner believes that players should ask teams to pay to complete educations when the player is ready.

“I think that in a contract it’s ideal,” Hirtensteiner said.

“Anytime you’ve gone three years here and put in the hard work in the classroom and are three-quarters of the way through to getting a Pepperdine degree, you definitely want them to finish it off. It always makes sense to finish it, no matter when you finish your minor league or major league career to come back and get it.”

Watson also said that for the players who didn’t plan on finishing school, he wanted them to be sure they would be financially stable for years to come.

“I frequently would tell individuals that had allowed themselves to be drafted, to make sure they get at least a million dollar signing bonus,” Watson said. “Because the difference between an earned degree and not having one is about a million dollars in a lifetime. So you might as well get the money up front.”

For reference, Beyond the Box Score research found that top five picks receive signing bonuses of around $7 million while picks in the advanced second round, or 60-75 range, will receive bonuses of $700,000 to $1 million.

Hirtensteiner also has advice for all players going through the draft process.

“I mean it’s important for them to know how difficult it is,” Hirtensteiner said. “It’s such a great opportunity to play professional baseball.

Not many people get to do it.

But the guys need to know that it’s a complete grind.

Players come here so they can make it to the major leagues.

But in case that doesn’t work out, there has to be something else that they’re gonna do. That’s why a Pepperdine degree is so special.”

AUSTIN.HAL L @PEPPER DINE.EDU

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Kuczer searches for success on and off the court Sawa Yam akawa Staf f W r i ter

The No. 7 nationally-ranked Women’s Tennis team welcomed a new international hopeful to their roster at the beginning of Spring 2019 semester. Daria Kuczer is the latest addition to the team, coming to Malibu from Poland.

“Sports came into my life naturally,” said Kuczer, who was born to an athletic family.

Kuczer said she was heavily influenced by her father, a former polish professional soccer player, and her older brother, a former Division 1 tennis player at Southern Methodist University in Texas. She said her brother helped her a lot with her posthigh school plans.

Picking up the racket at the age of three, she said she began to enjoy playing tennis so much that when she tried to search for a passion in other sports, she always came back to tennis.

With four national titles under her belt and as the No. 1 ranked player in three age categories in Poland, Kuczer said her decision to play for Pepperdine primarily came from her brother’s advice. She said, however, she was initially very hesitant to do so.

“I always wanted to go abroad after high school

but for financial circumstances, I wasn’t sure,” said Kuczer, who was willing to pursue her tennis career in Poland.

While suffering from an injury that kept her out of the sport for almost two months, however, Kuczer said she turned to her brother, whom advised her to play tennis in America.

Ultimately, she narrowed her options down to two schools: Pepperdine and the University of Texas. The final deciding factors came down to Pepperdine’s scholarship and its academic prestige.

Transitioning into college seemed difficult since Kuczer said she felt lonely at first. As a spring admit student, she said she barely had time to settle down into the new environment because classes, matches and a lot of other things happened as soon as she arrived in Malibu.

However, her slight feelings of isolation eased off immediately after meeting her teammates.

“Literally new doors opened,” she said.

Back in Poland, in a small town called Szczecin, she said her training group consisted of many boys and just her.

Because she had never trained with female athletes back home, she said she originally had mixed

Photo by Kyle McCabe Polish Power | Daria Kuczer reaches back to hit a forehand March 13 against UCLA. feelings.

However, her teammates supported her fit into a new environment.

The 19-year-old said, “I’m in a team and there are girls on the court!”

Since they spend most of the times together throughout the day, she said she has naturally grown closer to everyone on the team.

“Even if I have a tough day at school, they motivate me and I didn’t have that kind of support back then,” Kuczer said.

Kuczer said she loves and is motivated by the

new team atmosphere as she said, “Now I am not working for myself, but for them.”

Kuczer said her life in Malibu is very stimulating both athletically and academically. In the past, she said tennis was her only priority, but now things are starting to change.

Along with building her own study schedules and keeping a healthy diet, Kuczer said she is enjoying her life as a student-athlete. Because success in academics is equally important for

student-athletes, Kuczer said she enjoys the liberal-arts curriculum offered at Pepperdine.

“In Poland, you cannot balance tennis and school so I am happy to be here,” said Kuczer.

She is yet to declare a major and is looking forward to exploring where her intellectual curiosity lies.

With the end of the season just around the corner, her aim for the remainder of the season is to win the WCC Championships as well as the NCAA Championships.

Just as the other two international freshmen, her post-collegiate goal is to play as a professional.

“Being No. 1 in the world with many grand slam titles would be nice,” she said.

Kuczer is heading into the rest of the season with a positive outlook.

“Smile, and go forward,” Kuczer said.

“That’s my motto.”

SAWA.YAM AK AWA@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Denmark leads Men’s Volleyball over UCLA Kar l W int er A s s is tA NT S por ts Edi tor Senior outside hitter Kaleb Denmark smashed a career-high 18 kills on a .593 hitting percentage to lead national No. 4 Waves Men’s Volleyball to a 3-1 victory over No. 5 UCLA on Wednesday, March 27 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Coupled with Friday’s 3-0 triumph over Grand Canyon, the Waves are now a perfect 10-0 at home this season, and they control their destiny in the race for a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) regular season title.

“It’s a big night,” Denmark said. “We’re fighting right now for first place in the league, so it was a big deal to come in here and be able to take care of business.”

Six of Denmark’s kills came in a back-and-forth first set, which included two that gave Pepperdine a 23-20 lead. Redshirt sophomore setter Robert Mullahey won a joust at the net after a long rally on the very next point.

The Waves were then able to close out a 25-21 first set win.

Denmark also added six of his kills in the third set, a wire-to-wire 25-16 set victory for the Waves. For his efforts against UCLA and Grand Canyon, Denmark was named American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Week and MPSF Offensive Player of the Week.

“I don’t know if impressed is the right word,” Head Coach David Hunt said. “ ... [Denmark is] in here working his butt off every day. I’m

just glad that he’s reaping the fruits of his labor.”

Another senior outside hitter, Michael Wexter, also had a monster game, contributing 17 kills on a .536 hitting percentage and leading the team with 15 digs.

Six of Wexter’s kills came in a wild second set. Pepperdine fended off three set points and a no-call that agitated Hunt before UCLA eventually won the set 31-29.

“There can be bad calls and good calls,” Wexter said. “No matter what, you’ve got to be ready to play. One of the things that we’ve been working on is our mindfulness ... I think that’s really helped us as a team with just going to the next point every single time.”

The Waves did move on to the next point, completely dominating the third set and holding the Bruins to a .103 hitting percentage.

The Waves’ advantage at the net became apparent, as fifth-year middle blocker Kevin Vaz contributed four of his match-high seven blocks in the third frame.

“Kevin [Vaz] and [middle blocker] Max [Chamberlain] did an incredible job of running the blocking scheme and they were telling us what the coaches wanted,” Denmark said. “We had a really good plan and we executed it pretty well.”

The Waves rode the momentum into the fourth set, beating the Bruins 25-17 to close out the match. After an unusually quiet start, senior outside hitter David Wieczorek knocked down six of his ten kills

in the final set. “[UCLA was] really preoccupied with Dave [Wieczorek] and that kind of freed me and [Wexter] up to do our thing,” Denmark said.

“All credit to Rob [Mullahey], setting us great balls all night.”

Mullahey finished with 45 assists, one more then Bruins’ setter Adam Parks.

Micah Ma’a led UCLA with 10 digs and 13 kills, but the Bruins hit only .316 as a team for the match, compared to Pepperdine’s .485.

“I think we were passing lights out,” Wexter said. “[UCLA] rips serves; they have a few guys that hit 70 plus [mph]. The fact that [we] could pass the ball and put it in a place where [Mullahey] could put up good sets made all of us play great.”

The win not only avenged a 3-2 loss at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion a month earlier, in a match in which Pepperdine won the first two sets, but it also put the Waves in the driver’s seat in the MPSF. Pepperdine now owns the tiebreaker over both UCLA and No. 11 Brigham Young, both teams with which the Waves split the season series.

“With the condensed conference, [MPSF play] is not 22 matches, it’s 12,” Hunt said. “We know that every match counts, every match is important.”

The condensed conference schedule came as a result of the addition of Men’s Volleyball to the Big West Conference in 2018, which caused six teams to leave the MPSF. Two days after the

UCLA victory, Hunt’s team won another conference match at home, annihilating Grand Canyon 3-0, with set scores of 25-16, 25-10 and 2517. Wieczorek led the team with 13 kills and Vaz added eight blocks.

Vaz was later named MPSF Defensive Player of the Week, completing a Pepperdine sweep of the conference weekly awards.

“I think all wins are nice,” Hunt said. “ ... I’m proud of the guys.”

The Waves have two regular season matches remaining: Thursday against No. 6 Southern California and Saturday against Concordia-Irvine, both conference matches at home. Should Pepperdine win both, they will earn the right to host the MPSF semifinals and finals at Firestone, which would be critical for seeding in the NCAA tournament.

“As [Head Coach Emeritus] Marv [Dunphy] always says, ‘The most important match is the next one,’” Wexter said.

KA RL .W I N T E R@P E P PER DINE.EDU

Photos courtesy of Lily Dyer Super Seniors | (Top) Kaleb Denmark prepares to pass against UCLA. (Bottom) Michael Wexter elevates for a serve near teammate David Wieczorek.

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Sweet 16 | (Left) Senior guard Yasmine Robinson-Bacote drives around a Cowgirls defender. (Top right) The Waves’ bench jumps up to celebrate. (Bottom right) Redshirt junior center Megan House looks to pass against Wyoming.

Wyoming ends Women’s Basketball’s historic run ky le m c c a be a ss i s tant spor ts e dit or

Women’s Basketball lost to the University of Wyoming in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) Sweet 16 Thursday, bringing their season to an end.

The 2018-2019 campaign was the Waves’ most successful season in recent history. Their third place finish in the West Coast Conference was their highest since 2010-2011, and their 22 wins were their most since 2002-2003. They made their seventh WNIT appearance and won their first and second postseason games in the tournament.

“I think we definitely exceeded our goals,” senior Yasmine Robinson-Bacote said. “We never thought that we could be where we were, playing in the semifinals against BYU and being so close, or getting an automatic qualifying bid to the WNIT and winning two games there. We knew we would make noise but we didn’t know how much noise we would make.”

Pepperdine played three road games in the WNIT. The Waves faced deficits at half time in all three games. California Baptist led by four points at halftime of the first-round game, as did Saint Mary’s in the second-round game. In the third round, Wyoming led by six going into the locker room.

Head Coach Delisha Milton-Jones said that the team remained confident without halftime leads.

“We pride ourselves on being well-conditioned,” Milton-Jones said. “That’s why we’ve been able to make the runs that we’ve made when we’ve been behind in many games, be it in the first half or late in the fourth.”

The Waves came back to take the lead 42-41 with 29 seconds left in the third quarter, but the Cowgirls reclaimed the lead 21 seconds later. The fourth quarter remained close, with Pepperdine tying the game twice. With 20 seconds left, Robinson-Bacote hit a jumper to tie the game at 60. Wyoming made one of two freethrows with nine seconds left to reclaim the lead.

After a timeout with three seconds remaining, the Waves took one last shot as time expired, but it was no good.

“Even though that one mo-

ment was hurtful, it was everything that we went through that year to get to that moment [that] should be celebrated,” Milton-Jones said. “And for [the team] to make history within the program, and the seniors to be able to go out the way that they are, that in itself [is] so satisfying for any player to leave on top and leave something better than you found it.”

Playing on the road for all three WNIT games was difficult for the Waves, especially in Wyoming.

“The court is the highest [elevation] court in the land,” Robinson-Bacote said. “That was insane and it was something that everyone was conscious of because it was written everywhere … The atmosphere was crazy and the fans were involved in the game.”

Milton-Jones said the atmosphere at Wyoming likely affected the younger Pepperdine players.

“It was like playing at Gonzaga,” Milton-Jones said. “They just have a rich tradition there, and that’s something that you don’t see every day in the women’s game.”

Pepperdine will have plenty of returners next year to build on this season’s success, but they are losing two key contributors: redshirt junior Megan House and Robinson-Bacote. Robinson-Bacote led the team in total points, points per game, total rebounds and rebounds per game.

House was second in both rebounding categories and led the team in blocks.

“Those two definitely brought elements within the game that were important and vital for our success,” Milton-Jones said. “Megan [House] being the mainstay in the paint, she was able to be the utility one ... Yasmine [Robinson-Bacote] is a different beast, because she is this the walking bucket. She can go and be so explosive in her scoring prowess.”

Robinson-Bacote said the end of her Pepperdine career will not be the end of her basketball career.

“I’m looking to play professionally overseas,” Robinson-Bacote said. “It is a big step for me to know that I no longer have school and I will be playing the game that I love for a livelihood.”

Robinson-Bacote said that she is optimistic for next year’s Waves.

“I’m super excited to see where they go because I know they have a great system put in place where pretty much everyone on the team can succeed,” Robinson-Bacote said. “They are going to come back better than ever.”

Milton-Jones said that she is glad Robinson-Bacote and House got to be part of such a

successful season.

“They definitely left here better than they found it,” Milton-Jones said. “And I take great honor in knowing that I played a part in that because it means something to me for them to be able to walk away with a head held high.”

According to Robinson-Bacote, she and House will leave

Pepperdine with more than just memories of their basketball career.

“Even when the ball stops bouncing, there will always be those friendships that we built on the court but carry off the court too,” Robinson-Bacote said.

K YL E.J.M C C ABE@PEPPER DINE.EDU

Photos by Kyle McCabe

Freshman Phenoms | (Left) Tim Zeitvogel follows through on a backhand against Saint Mary’s. (Right) Enrique Luque Rico delivers a serve.

Men’s Tennis gets third straight win k y l e mc c a be a s s is ta n t s po r ts e dito r Pepperdine defeated the Saint Mary’s Gaels 4-1 at RalphsStraus Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Waves’ fifth win in the last six duals brings them to 8-8 on the season and 2-1 in the West Coast Conference.

Pepperdine started off the dual by battling hard to win the doubles point. Freshmen Corrado Summaria and Enrique Luque Rico dominated their match, winning three sets in a row to take a 4-1 lead and finishing with a 6-2 win.

Redshirt senior Matias Sborowitz and junior Pawel Jankowiak lost the first three sets of their doubles match but battled back to a 4-5 deficit before junior Adrian Oetzbach and freshman Tim Zeitvogel secured the doubles point. Oetzbach and Zeitvogel won five games in a row to come back from a 1-4 deficit and win the match 6-4.

“So at the beginning we played solid but there was something missing,” Zeitvogel said.

“Then we competed hard and our energy between the courts [was] pretty good, and that helped me … to keep my level growing and increasing.”

The Waves got two quick

wins in singles to increase their “I don’t think Tim [Zeitvolead to 3-0 in the dual. First, gel] had his best game today,” Sborowitz defeated Saint Mary’s Schaechterle said. “I don’t think freshman David Abfalter 6-2, he had his best level but he’s de6-0 on court three. Then, Luque veloped a lot of confidence with Rico dominated his second all the winning he’s done lately. match of the day as he defeated And he was able to not have Plan Saint Mary’s freshman James A, not have Plan B but still win Watt on court one, 6-2, 6-2. with Plan C. And I think that Luque Rico’s sweep in his sin- says a lot about his character.” gles match and his play alongZeitvogel said he agreed with side doubles partner Summaria Schaechterle that he did not impressed Head Coach Adam play his best.

Schaechterle.

“A good team has to win “I’m just amazed by the kid’s or some matches where they toughness and competitivecompete in their ‘A’ levPhotos Courtesy didn’t of Pepperdine Athletics ness,” Schaechterle said. “He’s el,” Zeitvogel said. “We managed one of the best freshman in the this win today. And now it’s country. And he has a pretty time to step up to to see if we can unique ability to problem solve improve the next week and then on the court. He’s one of the fight again on Friday.” best problem solvers I’ve ever The Waves are now on a coached.” three-game win streak and one Pepperdine’s hopes of a sweep conference win away from tyover the Gaels were dashed by ing their WCC win total from Saint Mary’s senior Daniel Kru- last year. tik, as he beat Jankowiak 6-1, “We beat three teams in a 6-4 on court five. row that we lost to last year,” The remaining three matches Schaechterle said. “That brings went into third sets. Summaria confidence with it, but I still feel and Zeitvogel lost their first sets, like we’ve yet to play our best 2-6 and 1-6 respectively, but match of the year. We’re trying won their second sets 6-1 and to do that by the time we get to 6-0. Sophomore Felipe Galvao conference.” won his first set and lost his secPepperdine returns to Ralphsond, 6-3, 5-7. Zeitvogel finished Straus Tennis Center on April 13 off the dual by winning a close to take on Brigham Young in anthird set, 6-4. Summaria and other WCC matchup.

Galvao’s matches went unfinK YL E.J.M C C ABE@PEPPER DINE.EDU ished.