Pepperdine Graphic 75th Anniversary Historical Edition by The Pepperdine Graphic

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

These are the signs of the times...

1937

Left: This sign marked the construction site of the old campus in the Vermont Knolls area of Los Angeles. Pepperdine maintained a campus here from 1937 to 1981. It seems Pepperdine has never been too far from a Ralphs. Right: The sign marking the Malibu campus is a familiar sight to most, but the coral tree shading the sign has a unique history. See page four of this section for the storied history of this coral tree. It’s pretty valuable, actually.

1978

Look back to Founder’s Address Pepperdine move forward Teams To Be October 20, 1937

By NATHAN STRINGER GRAPHIC HISTORIAN

Welcome to the 75th anniversary edition of the Graphic! These eight pages contain original articles and images dating back to 1937, the first year of this school’s and this publication’s histories. I’ve selected content that gives a telling if brief account of Pepperdine’s history. I learned a few things in my research that you can’t take away from only reading these pages. George Pepperdine College, or GPC, lends its letters to the title of this publication: GraPhiC. At its inception, the school was a bastion of conservative Christians in a then much safer South Central Los Angeles. And while the 1940s were America crazy, the 1950s girl crazy and the 1960s/1970s just plain crazy, I was deeply impressed by the faith the students displayed throughout the years. It was obvious their commitments to Christ were more important than anything else they were doing at Pepperdine — even more important than finding a spouse. As the back page of this issue shows, some planned to spend their summers selling Bibles or going on missions trips. I’ve presented this 1938-summer-plans article and all the others as they originally ran. What changes I made were typographical and photogenic, and I wrote some new photo captions where originals did not exist. These changes, however, do not alter the content. You may notice a fair amount of space dedicated to the aforesaid “plain crazy” 1970s. This was the most dramatic period in Pepperdine’s history, and that drama culminated in the Malibu move. The archives are missing some issues from 1968 to 1971, but there should be enough articles in this issue to give a sense of the drama of that time. But all of Pepperdine’s history is dramatic in some way, and you can look at it in many ways. In one sense, a small Bible college in Los Angeles grew too big and fled to Malibu when times got tough. In another sense, a good man’s dream flourished beyond his imagination and continues to bear fruit. However you view it, 75 years is high time to look back on where Pepperdine was in order to guide where it will go. Poised between parochialism and unprecedented excellence, Pepperdine will become what Waves — students, alumni, faculty and administrators — make it. If Waves want Pepperdine to improve, only open conversation amongst those parties will allow us to discover what must change and what must remain the same. None of this would’ve been possible without the help of the University’s Archives in Payson Library. Melissa Nykanen and Katie Richardson made accessing and transcribing past Graphics easy. Without them, I could not have acquired any of this content. I’m also indebted to Alexa Stoczko and Tim Nguyen for designing these pages. Without them, all this content would just be sitting on a flash drive. Finally, I’m grateful to the Graphical powers that be — i.e., Elizabeth Smith et. al. — for willingly forsaking ad revenue to run this issue. I hope “those powers” think this issue is worth it. 

nathan.stringer@pepperdine.edu

What we say here today in the dedication of these buildings is of very little importance, but the work which will be done through the days and years and generations to come will be of very great importance if that work is guided by the hand of God. What I mean by the statement “guided by the hand of God” is that God’s spirit working through his Holy Word, the Bible, shall influence and control the lives of each and every member of the faculty to such an extent that he will spread Christian influence among the students. America and the world need Christianity. Yes, they need knowledge, culture, education, but they need Christ even more. The heart or man usually grows to be perverse unless trained by the influence of God’s Word. If we educate a man’s mind and improve his intellect with all the scientific knowledge men have discovered and do not educate the heart by bringing it under the influence of God’s Word, the man is dangerous. An educated man without religion is like a ship without a rudder or a powerful automobile without a steering gear. There is no life so much worth while in this world as the Christian life because it promotes the most happiness and contentment and the greatest promise of life hereafter. Therefore, as my contribution to the well-being and happiness of this generation and those to follow I am endowing this institution to help young men and women to prepare themselves for a life of usefulness in this competitive world and help them build a foundation of Christian character and faith which will survive the storms of life. Young men and young women in this institution will be given educational privileges equal to the

best in the liberal arts, business administrations, Bible training, and later, we hope, in preparing for various professions. All instruction is to be under conservative, fundamental Christian supervision with stress upon the importance of strict Christian living. To the faculty members, each and every one of you, I am giving this solemn charge before this great company of our fellow citizens and before God—that you shall conduct your lives in such a manner as to be noble examples of Christian living in the presence of the students who are likely to be influenced more by what you do than by what you say. Let us this day dedicate these buildings and this institution, The George Pepperdine College, to the cause of High Learning under the influence of Fundamental Christian leadership. And at the same time let us, the members of the Faculty and Board of Trustees, dedicate ourselves anew to the great cause of beautiful Christian living. In this way we shall do our small bit to glorify the name of God in the earth and extend his Kigdom [sic] among the children of men. The above speech was the climaxing address at the formal dedication exercises held on the campus in front of the Administration building at 4:00 p.m., September 21. Governor Merriam of California, Mayor Shaw of Los Angeles, Founder Pepperdine, President Baxter, and Dean Tiner were speakers at these exercises. Two thousand people were gathered around the temporary speaker’s stand, which was covered in front by a mass of flowers sent by friends of the college. Dr. Baxter acted as master of ceremonies. He introduced Mayor Shaw, who extended the official welcome of the City of Los Angeles to George Pepperdine College. Mr. Pepperdine introducd [sic] the Governor, who spoke extemporaneously.

Known As ‘Waves’ October 20, 1937

George Pepperdine College athletic teams will be known as the Waves, President Baxter has announced. Many faculty members and students here feel that the naming of athletic teams after animals has been overdone at times. For want of a suitable animal cognomen for GPC athletes, the name “Waves” has been chosen. No other team on the West Coast has a similar name. Tulane, New Orleans, calls its team the Green Wave, and Alabama uses the Crimson Tide.

[sic] JANUARY 7, 1942

Student Body Approves Committee’s Choice Of Blue and Orange as Pepperdine Colors Rising Vote in Chapel Tuesday Gives Approval November 24, 1937

The Blue and Orange! Long may it wave! The student committee on school colors yesterday made its final decision and recommended the blue and orange combination to the student body. A unanimous rising vote of the students in chapel, followed by long and loud applause, showed the

eagerness of the student body to fall in line with the committee’s selection. The students were to vote on the colors last Thursday, but after President Baxter said he would have pennants made tip in the various combinations for further consideration, the committee decided to wait and see them. Accordingly, pennants in blue and orange, blue and white, blue and maroon, blue and gold, and two shades of blue were made by a Los Angeles firm and considered by the student committee.

Yesterday morning the committee brought in two pennants in blue and orange and put them on the stage, after which Dick Clark made the announcement of the committee’s choice. Dr. Baxter in chapel commended the careful thought the committee gave to selecting the colors and expressed his preference for the choice that was made. He pointed out that blue and white, while a popular combination, did not lend itself to enough variety in decorations since so many things, including table-

cloths, are already white, and the combination gets dirty so easily. He said blue and gold were already the colors of a great many colleges, and that blue and maroon and the two shades of blue did not measure up to the blue and orange for beauty. Blue and orange are not known to be the colors of any other college in the West. Dr. Baxter called attention to the fact that it is, however, a rare combination for California— the blue of the Pacific and the orange of the State of California.

Graphic

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

October 13, 2011

Presenting The Most Powerful Wave East Of The Pacific—Roland

SEPTEMBER 29, 1944

Students, Faculty Continue Work In War Conditions January 7, 1942

The Japanese declaration of war on December 7 brought the conflict closer to home, and, judging from the number of long distance calls and letters, was nerve-raking to the parents of some Pepperdine students. Parents of students, not realizing that there was no immediate danger to the College, hastily became over-anxious. President Tiner announced that he had received several letters from families who were fearful of friends[’] and relatives’ safety here in Pepperdine, but that the scare had somewhat subsided. Proof of this was found in the high number of students to enroll for the winter quarter. Letters were sent to the parents of all students by the College president during the Christmas holidays. In that Tiner assured all patrons of the school that every precaution would be taken to insure the

safety of the students, and that in time like this a Christian education was needed more than ever. Furthermore, it was pointed out that the newspapers and radio have a tendency to over-emphasize dramatic news, and, therefore, is natural that people away from California have been alarmed more than those who live here. “The calm and mature way in which our student body faced tragic events which led to the United States entrance into the war was deeply gratifying. Rather than fear, hysteria, or a tendency to run away[,] there was an outpouring of inquiry from Pepperdine students (men and women, young and old) as to how they might render some constructive service in case there was need. “This spirit of self-forgetfulness is the very heart of the Pepperdine ideal,” the letter continued, “and the manifestation in this instance is just one more proof that we have one of the finest student bodies to be found anywhere.”

September 9, 1945

Well, Pepperdiners, here he is at last! The GraPhiC takes great pleasure in introducing to the Pepperdine student body, Roland, “the most powerful wave East of the Pacific.” Roland is a friendly, happy, mischevious [sic], impudent (to such things as Trojans, Bruins, Aztecs, Tigers, Engineers, etc.) little Wave who, in spite of his lack of size makes an awful lot of noise. The pose, which you see here, shows how Roland looks at Pepperdine opponents. This picture was made for their special benefit. Watch this page this season for other poses of Roland, Pepperdine’s great little Wave. Roland was born when the first GPC outfit took to the basketball court to stagger through Pepperdine’s first season. He has been right in the middle of all the basketball games, pushing the ball through the hoops. He has been out on the track every time Pepperdiners have run and has been behind the runners, pushing them so they could run just a little faster. He has been on the baseball diamond and on the tennis court, slowing fast pitches and straightening curves,

delaying smashes and hindering drives. He has cheered as hard as any student and played as hard as any athlete. But Roland is young. He is, in fact, only seven years old, going on eight. And Roland is small. As GPC is small, so is Roland small. But as the spirit and enthusiasm of GPC is large, so Roland is strong and powerful. And, you say, just what is Roland? Surely no one is foolish enough to believe that a wave lives and helps athletes. First, let’s correct an idea you may have. Roland helps any Pepperdiner who deserves help. He may help you study, or make a poster, or smile when you fall and are injured, or type a theme, or get in line at the cafeteria, or get a train ticket home, or get a job. Roland helps all Pepperdiners who need and deserve help. But what is this thing called Roland? Pepperdiners, Roland is you. Roland is the spirit of George Pepperdine College. Within all of us, here at GBC, there is an intangible something that makes us friendly, and makes us want to do our best in everything. Roland is all those “somethings”—from students on campus now, from students who have already left the GPC campus, and from students who will come in the future—combined and made into one single unit and is the true spirit of Pepperdine. So you see, Roland really exists. Just as surely as you and I exist and believe in GPC—just that surely, Roland exists. The honor of first picturing our Wave goes to Glover Shipp, a sophomore. But, now that we have our impudent little critter pictured, we must keep him as proud and powerful as he was all the time when we weren’t sure how he looked. Good athletic teams don’t make him powerful—they help make him proud—but a sincere belief in the ideals of George Pepperdine College will keep him “the most powerful wave East of the Pacific.” See all those people cut there, Roland? Those are Pepperdiners. Say hello to them, because you are going to know them a long time, Roland.

Williams / 1947

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M C c

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January 15, 1947

Coach Gaer, (left), Pepperdine grid mentor, at the moment he presents the Will Rogers Bowl trophy to President Hugh M. Tiner. Presented in behalf of the victorious Waves, the coveted trophy represents the first prize in the annals of Pepperdine football.

N P i

Football Trophy Presented to GPC Pepperdine’s sole booty “salvaged” in this, its football novicehood, was proudly exhibited before the Chapel assembly last Wednesday. The receipt of the golden trophy came in the wake of a successful season, climaxed by the glorious Will Rogers Bowl victory at Oklahoma City. President Hugh M. Tiner, who accompanied the victorious Wave aggregation, related some of the more noteworthy events experienced by all during, and after the trip. Coach Gaer then took the floor and briefly stated how the Pepperdine spirit displayed by the entire squad had been a decisive factor in the team’s great first season gridiron performance. Presentation of the trophy followed, Coach Gaer presenting it to President Tiner in behalf of his grid forces.

s a t t s r

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September 26, 1940

1946

October 13, 2011

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Graphic

1968

2011

Before: This is an aerial photo of the 138 acres the Adamsons donated to Pepperdine in 1968.

After: This is a Google Earth photo of Pepperdine University today. We’ve built some since 1968.

Second Campus Site Revealed By Ron Stump October 10, 1968

“It is altogether appropriate that some quarter of higher education lead a counter offensive against the eroding trends in our society. Much of our culture seems now to be trying to regain something that Pepperdine has never really lost.” In this spirit college President M. Norvel Young officially announced that Pepperdine will build a second campus in Malibu. The multi-million dollar gift of land will enable the college to expand from its crowded and congested 35 acre urban campus. But it will also allow the college to initiate new programs and

augment existing ones in its “offensive against the eroding trends in our society.” After several years of studying some 40 campus sites the Malibu location was chosen for its obvious beauty and the potential for the site to be a landmark in college construction. The land was presented by the Adamson family, descendants of the Rindge family. The Rindge family was one of the first groups of settlers on the California coast. Their land, including the Malibu property, was part of a grant from the Spanish government which controlled California. “I feel that in making this gift of land to Pepperdine College we are helping to fulfill the destiny of this property. Our

family long has felt this prime Rancho Malibu land should be held for an outstanding and special use,” according to Merritt H. Adamson, president of the Adamson Companies. He said Pepperdine will provide this “outstanding and special use.” Adamson explained that the choice of Pepperdine College for this gift was prompted in part by the “conservative nature of the college.” He was, he said, impressed with the rapport between the faculty and students and with the professors’ desire to build the students’ spirit as well as knowledge. Adamson shares President Young’s interest in developing special programs for the inner-city. “The multi-campus concept is de-

Adamsons Donate 128 Valuable Acres

signed to preserve and advance our traditional liberal arts role while providing us, at the same time, with an opportunity to increase our emphasis on the educational challenges of the inner-city,” Dr. Young explained. The programs to be instituted on the present campus “will more fully involve Pepperdine in meeting the needs of the families, businesses and institutions of the community. This opportunity for creative service in the neighborhood where we always have been at home is uniquely appropriate to Pepperdine’s program of Christian missions.” To meet these objectives the college will enlarge existing programs for training teachers to work specifically in the urban schools. Plans also call for the

establishment of a technical management center and volunteers for urban education. One of the Malibu campus innovations will be a “learning Center Program” which employs the latest computer information retrieval techniques. The Pepperdine campus in Malibu will be the only four-year co-educational college operating in the area. According to a college spokesman, construction on the campus should begin by the end of next year. There is a large amount of necessary grading to be done before construction can begin. Initial goals call for the first classes to begin in 1971.

Flames engulf Malibu area By Jackie Moss October 1, 1970

Fire which raced through the Malibu Canyon area of Los Angeles County for five days was officially declared contained on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Most of the underbrush on the campus had already been cleared away by construction workers preparing the land for buildings. The blaze, which scorched more than 30,000 acres in the canyon, also swept across Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, burning underbrush and endangering several construction trailer

units on the 138-acre site. A Roman Catholic retreat house located a half-mile from the campus was almost completely destroyed by the fire. Homes of several Pepperdine faculty and administration personnel were also endangered by the fire, but escaped damage. Malibu residents at Pepperdine include head varsity basketball coach Gary Colson, athletic department chairman Walter Glass, and Malibu chancellor, Dr. William Banowski whose home in nearby Topanga Canyon also escaped damage. Many Pepperdine personnel were

forced to evacuate their homes, however, including several who live near the Malibu Canyon Road–Ventura Freeway areas. A near tragedy at the campus site was averted late Friday afternoon, when two construction workers found themselves in the fire’s path while attempting to move a fuel tank. Both men escaped injury by jumping into a truck and driving blindly through smoke until they were out of the danger area. According to one of the men, only the oxygen contained in the truck’s cabin prevented their suffocation.

October 1, 1970

Sinatra faculty offer reported June 24, 1971

DECEMBER 7, 1973

Reports published in a nationally syndicated column that Frank Sinatra had been offered a teaching job at Pepperdine were termed “without foundation in fact” by University officials today. Marilyn Beck, author of the nationally syndicated column “Hollywood Hotline,” claimed in her column on June 3 that Sinatra had been offered a job, but university trustees had found his image unacceptable. She said she got her information from a Business School teacher whom she refused to identify, in the tradition of protecting a news source. Contacted by the Graphic about the validity of her information, she volunteered to call her source for confirmation. She then called the Graphic back and said the source stuck to the original story. “He (Sinatra) became the central character in a drama pitting faculty against trustees when Pepperdine’s School of Business offered Frank a teach-

ing post....” the column said. “The students were all for the idea, of course, as was the faculty. But the plan was finally vetoed by the board of trustees. Frank Sinatra’s ‘show biz’ image wasn’t quite acceptable or dignified enough for good old Pepperdine. Dr. Howard White, administrative vice president[,] said he knew nothing of Sinatra being asked to teach at Pepperdine and that the matter had never gone before the board of trustees. Dean Donald Sime, of the School of Business, had no knowledge of such an offer, either, Dr. White said. Hobart Crosby, also of the School of Business, said, however, that he had attended an informal meeting at which the possibility of hiring Sinatra was discussed. Columnist Beck explained Tuesday that she had intended her column to say that Pepperdine’s School of Business had “decided to offer Frank a teaching post,” rather than stating that an offer had been made. She asserted that she had no definite proof the offer was

made. Otherwise, she said, the information was just as she had received it from a faculty-level source in the business department. “I believe it is possible the vice-president is sincere and does not speak with forked tongue, but I believe someone is passing the buck somewhere,” the columnist said after she learned of officials’ negative reaction and contacted her source again. According to the June 3 Hollywood column, Sinatra has become “highly receptive” to the idea of teaching since his retirement from the entertainment industry. Sinatra’s press’ secretary said he had no knowledge of any such offer. University officials stressed that their reaction to the subject was for clarification in response to questions, and had nothing to do with Sinatra’s qualifications as a professor. “As far as I can tell, Mr. Sinatra is as much an innocent bystander in this as is the university,” Dr. White said.

JUNE 24, 1971

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

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Pep stalks Erythina cristagalli Transportation plagues efforts to save rare tree By VANCE SCOTT NOVEMBER 3, 1972

EUGENE LOUIE / NOVEMBER 3, 1972

What Pepperdine Malibu wants most is what Pepperdine has least— trees, preferably big trees. But big trees with big names present big problems. Consider the plight of the gainly Erythina cristagalli, and immense 22-foot-high, 35-foot-wide beauty marked for certain death by developers of [a] Hollywood apartment complex. When property owner William Palmer heard of the university’s Trees for Pepperdine project he was hopeful the tree might flourish amidst new surroundings. That’s when the problems began. Transporting a tree of such dimensions is a lot like transporting a house: a large, flat-bed platform rolls it along through blockaded intersections in the pre-dawn hours when traffic is slight. That’s nothing new in the city of Los Angeles, which gave the project a prompt, rubber-stamp approval. But to the State Division of Highways the hauling seemed an ominous enterprise—too much for the Pacific Coast Highway at any hour. And so the

cargo was destined for a legal impasse at Venice and Lincoln Boulevards in Santa Monica. Time was wearing thin. Tuesday’s doomsday loomed ahead, and if the tree was not uprooted before then it would be bulldozed. Palmer says the 53-year-old giant is worth as much as $20,000 and only three of its kind survive in the city. E. Dale Click, director of the Trees for Pepperdine Malibu Project, hastily searched for alternatives. The tree could be lifted by helicopter and flown in, it was suggested, but officials could locate only one craft powerful enough to get the six-ton cargo airborne. The service carried a price tag of $45,000. Someone proposed the tree be hauled to Santa Monica beach and then ferried up the coast on a military barge. The Army Reserve volunteered one of its light amphibious resupply cargo (LARC) barges[,] but the Navy said there was no pier strong enough to support the massive crane necessary to remove the cargo. Not to be outdone, university officials Saturday sent a telegram to Sacramento asking that the decision be overturned. Sympathetic officials ruled in favor of the university and just two hours before Tuesday’s deadline came the anxiously awaited go-ahead.

Erythina comes home ‘A hard day’s night’ NOVEMBER 10, 1972

(Editor’s note: Pepperdine’s Coral tree made its historic eight hour move to its new home on the Malibu campus Friday. Graphic photographers Joy Riley, Jim Youngs and Eugene Louie were on hand to record the event.) At 11 p.m. Eugene, Joy and Jim met at the Chief ’s house for the briefing… the assignment—follow a big baby. The baby—a 53-year-old coral tree donated to Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus. By midnight we were watching the 12-ton erythina cristigalli pull away from the curb of a dark Hollywood street. After watching the huge flatbed truck spin its wheels and attempt to get traction with no success, someone called the Auto Club. When the two wreckers finally arrived and pulled the tree and

truck duo from its invisible bonds, we decided to get some film and a quick breakfast of doughnuts before catching up with the truck moving slowly along Sunset Blvd. We found Erythina about 3 a.m., nearing the San Diego Freeway, stopping at each power line, but slowly progressing toward its new home. Stopping at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset, we were joined by several California Highway Patrolmen and two officials from the State Department of Highways, who were to escort the tree along the highway. At 5 a.m. things began to jump again. Dr. M. Norvel Young, Pepperdine University Chancellor, and Mrs. Young showed up at the wrong time. Dr. Young was stuck with the check for almost 20 cups of coffee and a few cokes. The state officials used the time to measure the tree, making sure

DECEMBER 10, 1970

College officials are still considering a list of 11 demands by Black students in the face of a possible continued student strike today. The demands were issued last Monday by Black students because of what they called “overt violations of our civil rights,” and came in the wake of last Friday’s firing of college public relations news writer Ron Ellerbe. Five major demands included reinstatement of Ellerbe by the college, hiring of “efficient fulltime counselors and tutors” for Black students; dedication of a campus building at Vermont and Malibu to the memory of Larry Kimmons (killed two years ago on the Vermont campus); institution of two mandatory ethnic studies classes in general course requirements; and “immediate hiring” of a Black financial aid officer. A student strike to generate support for the demands [was] held yesterday with limited success, following a meeting Tuesday between Black students and administrators in which students walked out because of what they felt were “unsatisfactory” responses from administrators in the meeting. At a special meeting of the Student Senate last night, five senators voted by a 3-2 margin to support the major demands and to require Pepperdine administrative Vice President Howard White to give a “verbal response” concerning them to the Senate by 3:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Slain youth honored DECEMBER 9, 1971

Dedication ceremonies will be conducted tomorrow morning at 10:30 for a permanent memorial to Larry Kimmons, a Black youth killed on the Pepperdine campus three years ago. The ceremony, in the Learning Center auditorium, will include addresses by the slain youth’s mother and University officials, including Dr. Jack Scott, Los Angeles campus provost. (The lack of a similar program coinciding with the dedication of the Seaver Learning Center led to a BSU protest that ended with the suspension of one student and placing of eight other students on probation by the Student Affairs Committee.) The dedication will also include unveiling of a portrait of young Kimmons in the main reading room of the library. That portrait was the subject of what Dr. Jennings Davis, dean of students, termed a “major problem in communications” prior to the Learning Center activities. The new picture was prepared by an artist selected by the dead boy’s family. The future of a portrait of Kimmons now hanging in a corridor of the Learning Center was uncertain when the Graphic contacted Dr. Davis[.] That work was prepared by the University as a part of its obligation to have a visible tribute to Kimmons prepared by the time of the Center’s completion. According to Davis, the Friday morning event will fulfill the obligation of the University to conduct an appropriate memorial to Kimmons. Davis has worked closely with Mrs. Kimmons and BSU representatives in the planning of tomorrow’s event.

Protest disrupts event By ELAINE HECK NOVEMBER 18, 1971

NOVEMBER 10, 1972

it would fit under the pedestrian bridge on Highway 1. After negotiations, they decided it would scrape through. We waited at the bridge to get some good shots. The tree did have to bend a little to go under[,] but it survived the squeeze with no visible signs of damage.

Finally at 7 on the verge of exhaustion, we recorded the final ceremony of unloading the tree and symbolically planting it. The ordeal ended at 8:30 Friday morning with nine rolls of exposed film and an extremely baggy-eyedtrio.

Administration considering demands by student strikers By JOHN HUETHER

October 13, 2011

Contacted at home following the Senate meeting, Dr. White told the Graphic that he had no statement to make at that time regarding the five specific demands, but that he would respond to them within the specified time period. According to Dr. White, administrators have thus far discussed seven of the 11 demands with Black students and are willing to continue discussion today. In addition to the five major demands, Black students are also calling for enlargement of the ethnic studies dept., more scholarships for “needy Black students”; interchanging of Black courses for “general educational courses in related fields”; a large room as headquarters for the Black Student Union; more books on Black-related subjects in the college library; and heading of “the Black recruitment program... by Black people under the Urban Center.” (In an interview Tuesday morning, Dr. White indicated that the college “does not consciously recruit on an ethnic basis. We just recruit students,” he said.) According to a report by a special Student Senate fact-finding committee established to investigate the firing of Ellerbe by the college’s public relations office, no evidence of “overt racism” was evident in the move. According to Ron Woolfolk, who headed the committee, the main reason for Ellerbe’s firing was a conflict in job emphasis which arose between Ellerbe and public relations director Larry Lynch. Efforts by Ellerbe in community relations projects resulted in his being fired,

DECEMBER 10, 1970

CLASSROOM CONFRONTATION: Black students appear at the door of a class in session yesterday to discuss a proposed student srike [sic].

Woolfolk said, because Lynch preferred that he devote his time solely to the writing of news media releases. Lynch praised Ellerbe’s work several times during his meeting with the committee, Woolfolk said. Senators present at yesterday evening’s meeting voted unanimously to accept the factfinding committee’s report, which called for the college to rehire Ellerbe in a community relations position, or assist him in securing similar employment outside the college. The report also called for arbitration of the matter by an unbiased third party at the discretion of both the college and Ellerbe, if his proposed rehiring does not prove an acceptable course. Members of the special fact-finding committee besides Woolfolk included SA President Gary Wells, Jean Lowrie, and Senators Nick Smith and Craig Spencer.

Ten Black Student Union members were suspended for one week, following a disruption of Saturday’s Learning Center dedication, the administration announced Monday. According to Provost Jack Scott, the students stationed themselves on the auditorium steps and “began to chant, sing, make speeches, and speak in unison; in general, constituting a serious interference with the program.” Black Student Union spokesmen contend that their actions constituted a memorial for Larry Kimmons, a neighborhood youth shot by a Pepperdine security guard March 10, 1969. The “memorial service,” the BSU said, followed attempts by the group to secure a plaque and a place in the program for Kimmon’s [sic] remembrance. “All negotiations and promises made in accordance with these meetings were ignored until Oct. 30,” they said. Indicating that the University had fulfilled its promise to provide a visible memorial to Kimmons, Dr. Scott pointed out that a portrait of Kimmons had been placed in the Learning Center and mention made of it during the ceremony. Dr. Scott said that in meetings with BSU and Senate representatives last week, no demands or promises were made concerning a place in the program for a student spoksesman. The request that a member of the BSU be allowed to speak at the ceremony was made by the disrupting group of about 15 students shortly before the ceremony, Dr. Scott said. After the “disturbance” had continued 15 minutes, President William Banowsky asked the group to “discontinue the interference.” He warned them that they would be automatically suspended if they did not do so. Although some of the students left, 13 remained for approximately 25 minutes, Scott said. Dr. Scott said in a recent Graphic interview that the University has been most careful to follow due process and will continue to do so in order to protect the rights of the suspended students. In keeping with advice given by “one of the city’s outstanding legal firms,” Dr. Banowsky’s warning to the students to desist or face suspension was part of that due process, Scott said. The students will be brought before the Student Affairs Committee today for determination of the “alleged violation.”

NOVEMBER 18, 1971

October 13, 2011

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

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‘Dream’ campus opens its doors Enrollment tops 850; frosh class largest ever By BOB EISBERG OCTOBER 6, 1972

Classes are well underway on the nation’s newest university campus. More than 850 students are now enrolled at Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, which became a reality Sept. 6 when the largest freshman class in University history—475 students—

descended on the 490-acre campus. Class, cafeteria and library services have gone without interruption on a campus that was nothing more than a vision just four years ago. “Things have gone remarkably well considering the obstacles we have faced,” said Dr. Jerry Hudson, Malibu provost and the man who directed the new campus’ development through the

Baxter hit by arson By PHIL COLONNELLI NOVEMBER 18, 1971

The latest in a series of deliberately set fires disrupted the Pepperdine campus Tuesday morning while many residents of Baxter Hall slept. Nine units of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, including two hook and ladder trucks, quickly knocked down the flames in the second floor 400-block of Baxter Hall above a janitorial closet. The fire was discovered by resident assistant Dwight Spilman and his roommate Britt Anderson as they were about to enter the shower area at about 7:15 a.m. The building was quickly evacuated under the direction of resident assistants and campus security personnel. The fire was definitely arson, according to Battalion Chief Daryl Thompson. Investigators found a

green quart-size soft drink bottle and remnants of crumpled newspaper near what is to be believed to be the origin of the fire. Upon arriving at the scene, Thompson thought they might lose the entire upper floor, he said. The biggest problem was being able to actually get the water to the fire. Besides the 30X30 inch entrance to the ceiling, additional holes were chopped in the adjoining ceiling area to allow firemen to extinguish flames in the 35-year old wooden beams. As a precautionary measure, firemen spread canvas covers over furniture in many rooms to protect them from any water damage. The damage estimate would be only minor, but due to the inexcessability [sic] of the interior ceiling area where the fire began, repairs could run as high as $20,000, according to a fire department spokesman.

crucial final stages. “Students, faculty, everyone has been very co-operative, and the University is settling down to a smooth day to day operation,” Dr. Hudson said. And daily progress in landscaping and alleviating minor aggrevations [sic] has apparently shown cynical students the complexities of establishing a fully-functional University unit. Begun with just a 138-acre land gift from the Adamson-Rindge family in 1968, $28.3 million has since gone into construction of the second main Pepperdine campus. In addition numerous hours have been spent determining the means to integrate an innovative, interdisciplinary Christian liberal arts program into a package suitable for the new environment. Indeed questions of whether everything could be put together for a full, 1972 opening persisted almost up to the moment that freshmen began moving in the primarily residential campus. “I had people telling me as late as August that there was no way it could be done,” Hudson said. “And there’s no doubt that it was particularly hectic at the end.” For example, the main parking lot wasn’t paved until Sept. 5. And the gas actually wasn’t turned on until 4 p.m. on Sept. 6, several hours after most frosh ar-

rived. Numerous minor problems have surfaced since that time, but they appear to be working themselves out, according to Hudson. Among them, parking, library lighting and intercampus communications have stirred some ire. There is in fact one parking space per student on campus (meeting building regulations), but this number includes spaces in the upper and lower lots and some facilities yet to be marked in the athletic complex area. “Access to these areas will be made easier by building of stairs leading to the residence homes area,” said Hudson, indicating that those stairs are tentatively due to be completed within two weeks. The problem of library lighting should be remedied with the placement of lights on all study carels. “We realize that at this point the situation is barely adequate,” Hudson said. To overcome problems of transferring library materials and mail between the Malibu and Los Angeles campuses, a small bus has been purchased to provide ideal “same day service.” Students who find themselves distracted by bulldozers and other heavy construction equipment can find little similar solace, however. Construction is still in the early stages on homes for the University president

NOVEMBER 18, 1971

Sunday arson attempt ends in suspect arrest By BOB EISBERG DECEMBER 2, 1971

A former Pepperdine student has been arrested and charged with arson as a result of fires discovered Sunday afternoon in the backstage area of the University auditorium. Robert Newton, Jr., 25, was arraigned in Municipal Court yesterday. Bail was set at $2500. The suspect had been under investigation for six weeks, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) official. He has been charged with one count of arson, one count of attempted arson, and one count of burglary. The arson and burglary charges both originated from the Sunday blazes. The attempted arson charge was filed in connection with another incident. A preliminary hearing will be held early next week. Pepperdine security officer Reggie Estes reported seeing the suspect leaving the Fine Arts Building at approximately 4:40 p.m. Sunday. Estes entered the building at that time and discovered two sepa-

rate fires in the backstage area. The security officer extinguished both fires before calling the LAFD and arson detail investigators, who later responded to the scene. A report filed by the Pepperdine security office indicates that several persons saw the suspect leaving the campus at that time Sunday. Arson department investigators made the arrest at the suspect’s home. Newton had been taken in for questioning Oct. 14 following a major rash of fires on campus. At that time, Estes saw the suspect leaving faculty hall and upon entering the building found a fire in a shower room. The suspect was released because of lack of sufficient evidence. Investigation of the case remained open, according to LAFD officials. Investigator Ron Hamel is currently handling the case for the LAFD. University security officials have said they will aid the district attorney’s office in the prosecution of the case.

and provost, the 200-seat Stauffer chapel, and the 3,500 seat Firestone Fieldhouse, as well as two new student residence homes. Completion of all those facilities is expected in early 1973. And there are plans in the works for additional administrative and classroom buildings and homes for students and faculty that go well beyond the time when today’s 475 new freshmen will have graduated.

A new era OCTOBER 6, 1972

The opening of the new Malibu campus marks a new era for Pepperdine University. An era of change. The Graphic realizes a responsibility to suit the needs of the student community. In trying to meet these responsibilities, technical changes have been made in the Graphic. Maintaining the spirit of these changes the Graphic will strive to meet basic professional journalistic principles to inform, to interpret, to maintain strong open lines of communication with its readers. With the new modern setting of the Malibu campus, the Graphic has also adopted a new, innovative format. Instead of the traditional seven-column newspaper produced at the L.A. campus, the Graphic has switched to a more accommodating five-column look. Many other changes have been accomplished through the utilization of recently-purchased IBM equipment. And Graphic policy has also taken on a new look. We will strive to inform the students not only of campus news but world news, including the Malibu community. The Graphic will not, however, go beyond the policies and auspices of the University. There is a traditional and academic precedent for acting for the greater good, and in the best interest of the community. It is this precedent we will follow. However, the Graphic will not be abused by this precedent or any other effort to restrict our basic right to inform and interpret the news. The Graphic editorial board—editor-inchief, managing editor, news editor and page editors—is accepting its responsibility to decide what is printable. The Graphic’s letters to the ditor column has been one means for students, faculty and administration to air views and complaints. We welcome letters, but ask that they conform to limitations of time and space. Letters should be submitted no later than Tuesday, 9 a.m. and should not run over 200 words. The Graphic reserves the right to edit letters as necessary while maintaining their main essence. Letters should be signed although names will be withheld upon request. These are the qualities which have made great newspapers the watchdogs of society. As journalists we are part of the academic process of this university. As citizens of this community we are interested in its future development.

MARCH 30, 1973

Theme tower controversy cools By CHRIS PARKER September 21, 1973

Pepperdine’s Phillips Theme Tower is now completed and the lingering controversy regarding its purpose and location on campus has cooled. Made of steel and stucco, the structure was built with $290,000 in funds from the Phillips Trust. The tower’s tip is on a plane with the administrative complex. Although the tower has now gained general acceptance, the period of its controversy began in February when Malibu attorney Alvin S. Kaufer and an area homeowners’ association began voicing their opposition. Both cited different reasons for their feelings. Kaufer filed an appeal of the Regional Planning Commission’s decision to permit Pepperdine to build the 125-foothigh tower to the county board of supervisors in February. The appeal was disallowed by the board, and construction began a few weeks later. Kaufer had contended that the tower was offensive to a “substantial” number of Malibu residents because of the 50-foot-high indention in the form of a cross which looks out over the Malibu

coastline. Kaufer added Tuesday that the people who had opposed the tower want to remain in the background and not publicly state their opposition. The attorney also questioned the proper zoning of the tower, claiming the law states such a structure is allowed on an educational facility providing it is used for an educational purpose. Kaufer did not use this additional argument, since the issue did not go to court. The homeowners’ association, chaired by Marca Helfrich of Malibu, contended the tower is out of context with the surrounding countryside. “It was supposed to be ‘nestled in the hills,’ not jutting out from them,” Helfrich said Monday. However, the homeowners reached an agreement with Pepperdine President William S. Banowsky to end their efforts to stop construction when Dr. Banowsky agreed not to have the cross lighted as originally planned. The homeowners felt night lighting would make the tower stand out even more that it already does. Larry Hornbaker, vice president of development, said, “The theme tower expresses the purpose of the university and is a visual expression of our Christian commitment.”

Hornbaker also said the original plan called for a 1000 seat combined auditorium-tower, but cost was the main factor in limiting the project to just the tower. “An auditorium is planned for the near future, and construction could begin within the next few months,” Hornbaker added. Banowsky said that “the theme tower is a basic subtle statement of our fundamental commitment... the cross is the single most universal symbol of Christian commitment.” Helfrich’s group, which works closely with Banowsky as his homeowner’s advisory council, started because of the tower issue and has become an important liaison between area residents and the university. “The Malibu area is known and loved for its natural beauty, and in an era when conservation is a big issue, the Pepperdine tower does not follow an agreeable suit” Kaufer said Tuesday. “It (the tower) is an imposition to the people who live here,” he added. “I don’t object to the symbol, I don’t mind the small cross on the hill near the Webster Elementary School, but this large one on the tower could be considered an imposition on some people.”

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Graphic

October 13, 2011

Pepperdine is No. 1 Volleyball team captures

school’s ﬁrst national championship with UCLA win

By JERRY CROWE MAY 11, 1978

Marv Dunphy received more than his usual share of phone calls late Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. He received so many, in fact, that he didn’t even have a chance to shave. Everybody, it seemed, wanted to talk to him, to congratulate him, to tell him what an outstanding job he had done. To thank him for an unforgettable season. In only his second year as Pepperdine’s head volleyball coach, Dunphy had succeeded where countless oth-

ers before him had failed. He had left with an agate and returned with all the marbles. For those who may have missed it, Pepperdine won its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship in any sport last Saturday night when it defeated UCLA, 15-8, 11-15, 15-7, 5-15, 15-12, in the NCAA finals at Ohio State University. When it was over—and he had been hoisted on his players’ shoulders for the traditional coach’s victory ride—Dunphy, ever the level-headed philosopher, admitted to losing his head and getting slightly excited. “When you win,” he said later, “you shouldn’t feel too good; and when you lose, you shouldn’t feel too bad. But when I was on top of the players’ shoulders, I honestly felt like I was on top of the world.” The match ended, appropriately enough, with a spike by setter Rod Wilde that bounced crazily off the Bruin block and into Dunphy’s lap. Dunphy, however, refused to take much of the credit for the championship, despite the fact the Waves have finished first, second and third in the nation in Dunphy’s three years (including one as an assistant) at Pepperdine. Instead, he struck a familiar chord and talked in glowing terms about one of his favorite subjects, the players. “I really believed that these guys were not going to be denied,” Dunphy said. “Even when we were down in a couple of matches, I always felt we would come back and pull it out. This team was special.” It wasn’t any surprise, then, that Dunphy was short with the Ohio reporters following the final match so he

could be alone with his team one last time. “The players’ families, the reporters and some other people were all chomping at the bit to get in there (the locker room) afterwards,” Dunphy said. “But those few moments (after a match) are special and are for the team to enjoy by itself, especially after winning a national championship.” The Waves were able to enjoy those moments mainly because of Wilde, junior Mike Blanchard, named the tournament’s most valuable player, and AllAmerican Jay Anderson, all of whom were named to the all-tournament team. Despite the obvious contributions of these three, Dunphy felt equal credit should go to his other starters—Mark Rigg, Brian Ehlers and John Zabriskie—and reserves Scott Rigg, Tom Beard, Peter Balding and Kilo Baird. Affectionately dubbed “The B Boys” by Dunphy, Beard, Balding and Baird all were on the court at the end of the final match. And they had a large impact on the outcome, just as they did April 22 at Firestone Fieldhouse when Pepperdine made its almost unbelievable comeback to defeat UCLA in the final conference match of the season. That victory enabled the Waves to tie the Bruins for the Southern California Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (SCIVA) championship and gave them their first victory against UCLA in three meetings. Although they lost to UCLA three nights later in a special playoff match to determine which team would advance directly to the NCAA Championships, the Waves proved to themselves

in that final regular-season match that they were capable of beating the No. 1-ranked Bruins. “We knew all along we could beat UCLA,” Dunphy said this week, “but that match made us believe in ourselves that much more.” After the playoff loss to the Bruins, however, Pepperdine had to take the long route to the national finals. The Waves had to get through the Western Regionals—which they did easily, defeating San Diego State and Long Beach State in four-game matches—and then beat a talented Ohio State team, playing before its home crowd, in the semifinals. Pepperdine was quietly confident as it flew into Columbus, Ohio, last Wednesday to begin preparations for Friday’s showdown with the Buckeyes. They knew, however, that to be overconfident would be foolhardy— and could be costly. Pepperdine looked past the Buckeyes last year and wound up watching from the sidelines as Ohio State lost to USC in the national finals. It must have come as quite a surprise, then, when Dunphy, who usually is as modest as his log-cabin home in Topanga Canyon, told a banquet audience Thursday night, “The Waves are here for one reason—to win it all.” Pepperdine’s confidence, and Dunphy’s cockiness, were needed the next night when the Waves found themselves down, two games to one, and trailing, 13-6, in the fourth game. But with a partisan Buckeye crowd rooting against its every advance, Pepperdine reeled off six straight points to win the fourth game, 15-13. The Waves took control late in the final game and won the match, 9-15, 15-1, 11-15, 15-

13, 15-12. Needless to say, the Waves had another tough match in the finals. It took them two and a half hours to dispatch UCLA, and the momentum clearly was on the Bruins’ side after they easily won the fourth game, 15-5. The tightly contested fifth game was tied, 12-12, before the Waves scored the final three points on a double hit by the Bruins, an Ehlers kill and Wilde’s match-winning hit off the Bruin block. The Bruins figured to have more left near the end since they had taken less than an hour to eliminate RutgersNewark Univeristy [sic] the night before. Such was not the case. “They couldn’t even put a ball down near the end (of the match) because ‘The B Boys’ were all over the place,” Dunphy said. “It comes down to training when you reach the fifth game and this team had more guts than any I’ve ever been associated with.” Dunphy thought a little more about his comments and turned philosopher again. “The way I see it,” he said, “we had good people on this team, we trained harder than anybody else, we were in good shape and we had fun together. “To my way of thinking, this championship is something extra. If we hadn’t won it, we’d still be good people, we’d still be in good shape and we’d still be good friends who had had a lot of fun together. “The championship is just a nice reward.” Monday night, Dunphy rewarded himself again with a shave.

Pep takes two national titles

Waves cap miracle season

Malibu Roofing Co. captures its fourth title

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RON STEARNS / AUGUST 21, 1992

Pepperdine players mob the field after defeating Hawaii, 9-0, at the West Regional at Tuscon, Ariz. The win clinched the Waves’ berth at the eightteam College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

By RON STEARNS AUGUST 21, 1992

It is a boyhood dream shared by countless little leaguers across the nation. It is a showcase for America’s game still unspoiled by contract negotiation and inflated egos. It is played where it should be, in the heartland of America. It is the College World Series, and this year it belongs to Pepperdine. Pepperdine’s road to Omaha, Neb., began at the West Regional in Tucson, Ariz. At the time, the Waves were ranked No. 4 in the nation, highest among the teams represented in the regional. However, the Waves entered the regional as the No. 3 seed, behind No. 2 seeded University of Hawaii and host

University of Arizona. “I wasn’t angry, but I was surprised at our seeding,” Head coach Andy Lopez said. “I thought because of the polls we would be seeded higher, but I never mentioned it as motivation. “The only thing I said was that we were good enough to win this thing with our pitching staff and our offense,” Lopez added. Pepperdine’s first assignment was fourth-seeded Cal State Fresno. The Waves came from behind to defeat the Bulldogs 5-4, saving Pepperdine from the losers bracket and an elimination contest. “It [the victory] was crucial,” Lopez said. “I told my staff that they were good enough to fight through the losers bracket, but obviously it was something we really didn’t want to do.

“We played a tight game and won a first round nail-biter. It may have been the biggest win in the entire postseason other than the Texas grand slam game,” Lopez added, referring to the team’s Omaha semifinal. The Waves then proceeded to down Southeastern Louisiana University, 8-5, and the University of Washington, 11-0, before facing Hawaii in the final. Pepperdine needed one win in two chances against Hawaii to advance to Omaha. The Rainbows would not go quietly, taking the first game, 6-3. “After that first game I just told the team to relax,” Lopez said. “I told them we were the better team in this regional and we were as good as any team in the country in nine innings. “Honestly I was more con-

cerned during the Fresno game than after the Hawaii loss. We were loose. We had a good feeling about the upcoming game.” That feeling was obviously warranted, as the Waves jumped all over Rainbow pitchers en route to a 9-0 victory and a trip to the CWS. In the opening game at Omaha, the seventh-seeded Waves shut out the No. 2 seeded Wichita State Shockers, 6-0. In game one, the pitching of senior starter Pat Ahearne and home runs by junior first baseman Dan Melendez and junior second baseman Steve Rodriguez put the game out of reach. Junior reliever Steve Montgomery recorded the final five outs. Game two for the Waves was more of the same, as junior starter Derek Wallace teamed with

GUY REYNOLDS / AUGUST 21, 1992

Tom Sorenson, junior outside hitter, spikes one at Stanford during the men’s volleyball championship game April 25.

Montgomery to shut out the heavyhitting Texas Longhorns, 7-0. Once again, Melendez uncorked a home run, this time a two-run shot in the first inning that would prove to be all Pepperdine needed. “Danny struggled in Tucson, and I feel it is a tribute to this young man to show up in the final four of college baseball and put on a show like that,” Lopez said. The Waves came from behind to defeat the Longhorns, 5-4, after Rodriguez blasted a dramatic seventh inning grand slam that erased a 4-1 deficit and propelled the Waves into the tournament final. “I really don’t believe in superstition,” Lopez said. “However, I remember sitting in my room alone

that night and feeling that it was really going to take something special to beat us.” In the all-California title game, Pepperdine defeated Cal State Fullerton, 3-2, giving the Waves their first College World Series crown. The Waves scored twice in the first inning on an RBI double by senior designated hitter David Main. Junior third baseman Mark Wasikowski added an RBI single to account for the other run. Junior shortstop Eric Ekdahl belted his first home run of the season to provide the margin of victory for the Waves. Ahearne teamed with Montgomery to preserve the one-run decision.

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October 13, 2011

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Graphic

Benton 7th President Committee selects

executive vice president to ﬁll Davenport’s position.

MELINDA BUDDE / JANUARY 20, 2000

By JULIE BROAD JANUARY 20, 2000

Executive Vice President Andrew K. Benton has a reputation for being eloquent. Well-educated and poised, he has a way of beautifully wording even the simplest idea. But on Dec. 6 when the presidential search committee told Benton that it would recommend to the Board of Regents that he become Pepperdine’s seventh president, he found himself at a loss for words. “Having worked here for 16 years, and having held David Davenport in such high esteem, the thought of following him was a stunning notion from the very beginning,” 47-year-old Benton said. “I came back to my office, closed the door, opened the blinds, stared at the Pacific Ocean and said a prayer.” Benton, like many people facing dramatic change in their lives, found his thoughts flickering between the challenges and the opportunities. When he considered the idea that after June 30 he would no longer walk into Davenport’s office to discuss university issues, he felt a sense of loss because of their long-time friendship and comfortable working relationship. But at the same time, he felt honored by the decision and ready to lead from a different perspective. “I think I know the institution well, and I think I’m known well within the institution,” Benton said. “Twentysix years into my career I just feel so blessed.” BENTON BACKGROUND Benton graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 1974 and married his wife Deborah the same year. While he attended the Oklahoma City University School of Law, Benton assisted the president of Oklahoma Christian. After he obtained his degree and practiced law for five years, Benton joined the Pepperdine family as assistant to the vice president in 1984 and has moved up the ranks since then. In addition to being an influential figure in Pepperdine administration, Benton has explored many other facets

of the university. So Benton joined the pool of more He teaches classes at the gradu- than 40 candidates, including univerate schools of business and law and at sity presidents, deans and other distinSeaver College, and is a strong member guished leaders. of the Church of Christ, preaching at The seven-member search commitcongregations in the area and through- tee, headed by Board of Regents memout the state. ber Edwin Biggers, convened in April As executive vice president, Benton and spent more than 90 hours discussoversees the Athletic Department and ing criteria, reviewing applications and rarely misses a game. inter viewing He also loves candidates. theater and music, In NoBENTON’S TIMELINE attending as many vember, the • Graduated from Oklahoma student productions c o m m i t t ee Christian University, B.S., Amerias possible. He even met with fi ve can Studies, 1974 has made his own fi nal candi• Assistant to Oklahoma Chrismusical appearances, dates. Groups tian University president, 1975-84 playing the guitar of representa• Graduated from Oklahoma in Midlife Crisis a tives from the City University School of Law, group of faculty and Pe p p e r d i n e 1979 staff members. c o m m u n i t y, • Practiced law in Oklahoma, Beginning this including fac1979-84 year, Benton is expeulty, staff, stu• Served as assistant to vice riencing a new aspect dents, alumni, president at Pepperdine, 1984-85 of Pepperdine: his administra• Appointed vice president, daughter Hailey, 18, tors and board 1985 is a Seaver freshman. members, • Vice president for administraHis son, Christopher, participated tion, 1987 15, attends Malibu in these in• Vice president for university High. Benton said terviews and affairs, 1989 his wife and children presented their • Executive vice president, 1991 have been supportive notes to the of the appointment. search comTHE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH mittee. After reviewing their comments, Davenport’s March 29 announce- the committee recommended Benton ment that he would step down as presi- to the Board of Regents on Dec. 7. dent after the 1999-2000 academic year Biggers said this was the first time launched the search for his successor. the university has used such an open At that point, Benton did not intend process. to be a candidate. He was planning to “Pepperdine is much more complex work on the other side of the selection than the last time we selected a new process, helping the committee compile president,” he said. “It was appropriate the research to find a replacement. to include a wider group, especially the After several people nominated him, faculty. It helped the quality of the deciBenton pondered the challenges Pep- sion.” perdine would face with the transition The challenge in choosing the best of a new leader. match, Biggers said, was that each can“I grew uncomfortable with the idea didate had specific strengths, such as of someone coming from the outside academics, communication, adminisand taking the university that I think is trative experience or fundraising effecheaded in the right direction and turn- tiveness. ing it 20 degrees to the east or west. “No one was strongest in all areas,” “I asked myself two questions: ‘If not Biggers said. “Our difficult task was here, where? And if not now, when?’ I evaluating what was most important concluded that I would rather do it here for Pepperdine right now. We felt Andy than anywhere else.” would be the best choice because of

what we see Pepperdine facing in the near future.” PLANS FOR THE FUTURE According to Benton, that future looks promising. “There’s not a lot broken that needs fixing,” he said. “It’s more a matter of firing the next booster rocket.” However, Benton knows his first few years as president will be intense as he adjusts to the many responsibilities of his new position. “It’s a bit like the task of a seven-ball juggler,” Benton said. “Part of it is getting them all in the air, and the next step is keeping them in motion.” Achieving this goal, he said, will mean spending much of his time out of the office. The leadership transition may concern faculty, alumni, students and other friends to Pepperdine, so Benton plans to become involved with all the constituencies on a face-to-face basis. Fund-raising and the upper campus development will be among Benton’s immediate priorities, but he avoided making “bold pronouncements” about his future goals. “I thoroughly enjoy the job I have now and I’m thoroughly looking forward to the next one,” Benton said. “But I’m going to make sure that President Davenport accomplishes everything he wants to accomplish right up until midnight on June 30.” In the meantime, Benton says he has a lot of listening to do. “Although I am an insider and think I have an idea of most of the issues, I don’t know all the issues,” Benton said. “I need to spend time with faculty and hear more about the academic challenges of the university. “Basically, I’ve been on the operations and administrative, external relations side and I acknowledge that. I am aware of my strengths and I will use them to full advantage, and I also know where I need the help and advice of others.” Benton said the best part of his role as president will be “selling” the university. “(Pepperdine) has some remarkable friends,” he said. “Telling them the

good news about what goes on at this place, and how to get involved in what we do sounds like a whale of a lot of fun.”

REACTIONS “I believe Andy will not only bring a unique depth of understanding of our Christian mission, but also an impressive vision for continuing our ascension in stature and academic excellence.” Thomas Bost, chairman of the Board of Regents “In every assignment Dr. Benton has undertaken here, he has excelled. He continues to show new strengths and abilities. I am predicting that he has some qualities and abilities yet unseen that will cause him to fly even higher and lead Pepperdine in a very positive and productive way.” David Davenport, university president “I believe Dr. Benton will work well with the completion of the upper campus development. I believe our community relations will improve. I foresee a university that becomes more goal centered in its founding faith and its drive to provide the best possible education to all those that enroll. I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere down the road we even received a top 50 ranking in U.S. News and World Report.” Charles McCullough, SGA president “All of the candidates were capable leaders and strong Christians. Each had specific strengths. We felt Andy would be the best choice for Pepperdine at this time because of what we see Pepperdine facing in the near future.” Edwin Biggers, chair of Presidential Search Committee “Andy is one of the finest administrators we could ever hope to obtain. He is a man of deep integrity and Christian faith. I’ve known Andy for many years and know that he will do all that is humanly possible to advance the cause of Pepperdine. We will not lose ground.” Dr. David Lowry, Seaver Faculty Association president-elect

Graphic

75TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

It’s the water

October 13, 2011

Despite the concerned (?) and concerted work of vandals, the entrance marker bordering Malibu Canyon Road assumed absolutely no increase in aesthetic value via Tuesday’s “Coors’ column.” The bottles, apparently set up during the early hours, were removed by 9:30 a.m.

rick meyer / october 19, 1973

Students Tell What They Think of G.P.’s First Year June 6, 1938

“I have never been happier in my life than I have been this year. I appreciate the privilege of being a student in George Pepperdine College and being associated with so many fine people.” Beth Arnett of Pasadena voices the sentiment of many George Pepperdine students interviewed by Graphic. Read what some of them told us about their plans for the summer and next year, about what they think of the college, and about the things they like best in G.P.C. Louis Stivers— “I will go to Big Bear and then to U.S.C. summer school for six weeks. I’ll be back next year, for I think this is a school worth coming back to.” Edith Upton— “I’m going home to Tennessee, but I’ll be back in September. The experience here has been wonderful!” Gerald Ellis— “I’ll work in Canadian gold mines at Schumacher, Ontario. I’ll be back next year. This has been one of my best school years. I like the exceptional faculty and the excellent attitude of the students.” Sue McMahan— “I’m going home to Springfield, Tennessee. I expect to be back. It would certainly be to anyone’s advantage to attend this school. I consider the entire experience the most wonderful opportunity I have ever had.” Froggie Lovvorn— “I’ll punch cows in Texas this summer. I’ll be back. The school is a big success. I like the friendly atmosphere.” Pauline James will do art work this summer and will be back next year. She likes the school “just swell,” the students best of all. Harold Miramonte— “I will work this summer in Berkeley at the California Corrugated Culvert Co. I will be back for more in September. I like these modernistic buildings.” Alpha Duncan— “I’ll spend the summer at the beach, at Catalina, and working, before coming back in the fall. I think the school has made fine progress. Especially do I like the methods and the course of study.” Catherine Linder will work at home and will be back. She has enjoyed her year very much and likes the whole attitude that prevails here. Dick Clark— “I’m going to Sequoia National Park right after school is out; then I’ll work at Bullock’s. I’m coming back next year. The pretty girls are all right, and so is the school.” Kay Lanham— “I’ll work this summer as playground instructor at Santa Monica. I may be back next year, but I may take the old-fashioned fatal plunge. I’ve enjoyed the school thoroughly, especially the inspiring speeches the professors give in chapel. I like chapel on the whole.” The Justisses, Anglo and C.Y., will work on their father’s farm in Texas and will return next year. They like the environment most of all. Doris Wilson— “I plan to remain

here and work if possible, since I’ve been here only three months, and it’s a long way back to Florida. Deffinitely [sic] yes to ‘Coming back next year?’ Words can hardly express my appreciation for this opportunity of being here. In the few months I have been here I have learned to love the school. I feel that it is an answer to my prayers.” Jane Moss will go to Wisconsin for the summer. “Of course I’ll be back. I enjoyed the school immensely, especially the friendliness of everyone.” Clarence Anderson— “I’ll work on dad’s boat in San Francisco Bay.” Doesn’t know about being back. Thinks principles of the school are fine. Louise Babb— “I’ll work in Los Angeles this summer, and I’ll be back. I love the school, especially the smallness.” Anna Kelly is spending the summer in the mountains in Imperial Valley. Will be back. Appreciates the influence, environment, and attitude of the students very much. Bob Marett will work in Los Angeles shoe store. Doesn’t know whether he will be back. “The school is fine.” Marilaine Frey will spend the summer on the beach. Will be back. Likes the school, especially the size. Winnie Humphrey— “I’m going home to Wasco to work. Yes, I’ll be back. I had never dreamed a Christian college could be such a marvelous place.” Ruth Dennis is going home to Santa Ana and coming back to G.P.C. in September. Says Ruth, “I like this school better than any other I have attended.” Kern Copeland will work at the Ravenswood this summer and wants to come back next year. Lena Mae Moran— “I think more of this school than any other I have ever attended. I’m going home , and I expect to be back next year.[”] Murray Taylor— “I’ll do life guard work here this summer. I’ll come back to school, if finances hold out. I like it here, but I wish we had a swimming pool.” Dorothy Southerland likes the school best of all she has attended. Will work this summer and come back next year. Ethelrose Orloff— “I will teach in a private school, La Rue School for girls in Azusa. I plan to be back in school here next year, but I may go to Arizona. I never in my life heard of a school becoming accredited the first year like this one. Students and faculty are fine.” Hoyt Houchen will hold meetings this summer—one in Reno. Will be back. Likes school ideals and girls’ dormitory. Malcom Hinckley will preach and work with Willard Battery Co. Definitely will not be back! “I have enjoyed this college year more than any other.” May got to Peabody Library School, Nashville. Sherman Cannon will spend the summer preaching and selling Bibles. Will return. Likes Christian principles. Virginia Martin— “I will work this

summer and may possibly go to summer school. I probably will return next year. I like the size of the classes here best of all.” Claude Thurman will work on the college campus as gardener this summer. Will be back. Votes for the food! Burton Chase will work in Sacramento and Reno in grain elevators. Will be back. Likes friendliness of the college. All A.G. Boaz knows is that he will be back. He’s really “carried away by it all.” Helen Mattox begins a secretarial job in Oklahoma City, June 13. Is not positive about coming back, but thinks yes. It’s home to San Diego to keep house for her mother for Muriel Ritchie. Muriel plans to go to Cal next year to learn how to be a nurse. Hugh Shira will preach this summer and will be back. Stanley Summers will work in an oil field. Stanley likes everything about the school, including the teachers. Everett Pruitt will work on his dad’s Texas farm and stay in shape for track next year. “There’s nothing wrong with this school,” is his comment. Marjorie Lynch’s reply was, “I’m going home to get acquainted with my folks and settle down to a sane, sober life. Oh, yes, my daddy’s coming!” Marjorie will be back next year. Leland Derrick will work at Bob Johnston’s and take correspondence courses this summer. Likes everything! Jack Russell— “I’ll work in a Texaco refinery in Fillmore. I’ll be back. Say that I like the great ideals of the school.” Alice Wilson is going to Mr. Hermon with her family for the entire summer. Coming back to G.P.C. “I think,” she says, “that as each month has passed I have become more and more attached to the students, the environment, and to the school as a whole.” Eleanor Horn will spend part of the summer with Alice Wilson at Mt. Hermon. Says Eleanor, “I just hope that the next year of school will be as grand as this one has been.” Alonzo Welch will preach somewhere in California this summer. “This first year has been one of unprecedented success in scholastic work and in gaining recognition. I like the exalted atmosphere and the appreciation for the divine that exists here.” Wanda Roberts will spend the summer at home in Texas and says she will not be back. “I think the school is grand. It has been good to know Easterners, Southerners, and Westerners, and to learn they are all really human beings. Going to school in California— the perfect state—has been doubly educational.” (If this gets to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Wanda may not get to go home.) Enid Hinkel will work some and stay at home some. “The school has certainly made a success.” Joyce Copeland— “I am going to a summer business school and work in Prescott, Ariz. I will return. I have received a great spiritual benefit from at-

tending G.P.C.” Gloria Millay will work this summer and says she will not be back next year. Ed Acree will work in his father’s country store in Tennessee. He thinks the school got off to a flying start. Likes the cooperation. Coming back. Bob Davenport will work on the campus this summer. Ditto for Cory Wilson and for Lip Crothers. Clara King— “For three weeks I am going to cook for 170 boys and girls in a 4-H camp in the Santa Barbara mountains. I’m going to spend a week at Mt. Herman with Alice and Eleanor attending a young people’s conference. For the remainder of the summer I’m going to cook at California Polytechnic. I value very highly the associations of this year. I’ll be a student here next year.” Thomas Scott will hold meetings all summer in Tennessee and Kentucky. He likes the association with the students here and the interest of the faculty in the students. Will be back. Alice Peterson— “This first year of school has been the fulfillment of my desire to attend a college based on Christian principles. There is a marked contrast between the ideals of my friends here and the associates I had in the business world.” Carmen Landrum expects not to be back—yea, verily! Carmen says, “I

will be a pleasure to watch the school grow in the years to come and to know that I had a small part in establishing the traditions of G.P.C.” George Pepperdine’s first woman graduate plans to work in Los Angeles or in her home in Kentucky. Leon Manley will work with his father this summer, conducting Manley Tours out of Memphis. Doesn’t know about coming back. Likes associations, and how! Paul Tucker will go home to Bond Aqua, Tenn., then go to Toledo, O., to visit relatives, and return to Santa Rosa early in July to preach for the Church of Christ there. Seaborn Kennamer is leaving early for summer school at the University of Alabama to get in line for graduation here next year. Lyle Nicks is going home to Dickson, Tenn., to rest. Mac Rochelle and Bob King will try to make some friends and live down a year they spent on Graphic. Little Jackie Howard is driving some ladies to Texas this week, even if he does have trouble seeing over the wheel. He will spend the summer at home in Texas and will be back next year—with his girl!

Genevieve smith / PHOTO EDITOR

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