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Profile in Excellence
Jay Brewster ’86, professor of biology and divisional dean of the Natural Science Division at Seaver College, has been named provost and chief academic officer of Pepperdine University. Brewster, who has served at Pepperdine for 24 years in various capacities, will begin his new role on August 1, 2021.
“Jay Brewster is a person of impeccable character and has demonstrated his gentle yet profound wisdom in each of the leadership positions he has occupied,” said Pepperdine president Jim Gash in an announcement to the University community. “He is also a reputable research scientist who embodies Pepperdine’s commitment to transforming lives through rigorous academics, spiritual exploration, and the significance of a life of purpose.”
The announcement follows a rigorous nationwide search in which Brewster was selected out of a pool of six candidates.
Brewster earned an associate’s degree from York, a bachelor’s degree in science education from Lubbock Christian University, and then his PhD in cell biology and biochemistry at Rice University in 1993. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences but said he missed the undergraduate campus environment.
Brewster moved with his family to Malibu from Montana to teach at Pepperdine in 1997 and has taught in the Natural
"Working with students is the best part of my day. It is wonderful to engage with young people and to explore the world through their eyes." JAY BREWSTER BIOLOGY PROFESSOR photo courtesy Pepperdine University Science Division ever since. He has held several appointments on various University committees, including the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence selection committee; the Pepperdine accreditation committee for high impact practices; and the Rank, Tenure, and Promotions Committee. “I'm here because I believe in Pepperdine as a dedicated Christian university, where faculty scholars partner with talented students both in the classroom and in our research environments.” When the provost search began, Brewster applied due to his relevant experience working as an associate provost for several years and serving as a divisional dean. “It was not anticipated; I think we had a great group of finalists and I was just excited to be able to go through the process,” Brewster said. “But it was really exciting to hear the news, really exciting to talk with President Gash and think about the future.” Brewster's dedication to students and their academic
Dr. Brewster has served in the Natural Science Division at Seaver College for 24 years and will begin his new role as provost and chief academic officer of Pepperdine University on August 1, 2021. Located in the heart of Malibu and surrounded by the rolling foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, the campus overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is just minutes from the city limits of Los Angeles.
growth has been recognized at the University for many years. He is a 2006 recipient of the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2010, in recognition of his nationally acclaimed scholarship, he was named the Frank R. Seaver Professor in Natural Science. Brewster has demonstrated a commitment to students' spiritual development by hosting bible studies in his home and through his work with the University Church of Christ in Malibu.
While the administrative aspects of higher education don’t appeal to everyone, Brewster said he enjoys that kind of work because of the impact it creates at Pepperdine.
Brewster will assume his role during a critical transition as Pepperdine plans to return to all in-person services and activities in the fall. Among his immediate priorities as provost include vaccination, surveillance COVID-19 testing and community building.
“As we recover from this devastating pandemic, it is going to be important to have patience with each other, to truly be present in our community in tangible ways, and to recognize that the road to normalcy will be slow and bumpy. I celebrate the recovery we've
seen to this point and the incredible story of effective vaccines emerging quickly in response to this virus. Our students and faculty are ready to come back together in community, in full recognition of the trauma suffered. My prayers are for healing and restoration as we take steps forward.”
An educator at heart, Brewster said he would love to continue teaching, but his first priority is being an effective provost.
“It is hard for me to imagine not being a teacher fairly regularly, but we’ll see how it goes,” Brewster reflected.
The provost role at Pepperdine doubles as chief academic officer and manages the five schools as well as oversees several departments like OneStop, the Office of the Registrar, Office of Student Accessibility, Office of Institutional Effectiveness and the Center for Faith and Learning, among others. Brewster acknowledged the large role the provost plays and said he’s excited to work alongside other executive leaders at the University.
“This is a special place that partners the sincere care for each student with a faculty of accomplished scholars,” shared Brewster. “I have loved my time at Pepperdine and look forward to the work that is to come. I look forward to partnering with President Gash and the deans of each school in support of this premier Christian university.” n
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Reprinted with permission from Pepperdine University with excerpts by Ashley Mowreader, News Editor for the Pepperdine Graphic
A Joyful Place
A recent reunion photo with Larry and Judie Brewster surrounded by their family reveals more than a dozen York College alumni spanning six decades.
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Dr. Jay Brewster comes from a long line of Yorkies – three generations in fact including parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings and their spouses, and in more recent years, nieces and nephews. His parents Larry and Judie (Swanson) Brewster ’62 met on campus, and Jay was born and lived in Nebraska 12 years (9 in York) before moving to Wyoming. At one time Judie worked as a part-time administrative assistant for Jo Kite when she taught at YC.
“Growing up in a small town, you gain lots of freedom to explore and make friends,” Jay reflected about his years in York. “Perhaps the highlight of each year was the opening of the city pool each summer where my mother taught swimming. Our whole neighborhood of children rode bikes to the pool and swam almost daily.”
Those adolescent years left an indelible impression on Jay—attending YC was like coming home. He was active in club sports and campus life as a member of Kyodai social club and was popular among students, corroborated by the fact he was chosen by Delta Chi Alpha his sophomore year as their beau. But Jay was equally focused on his education and committed his time and energy to his academic pursuits, especially to those science related. When asked what stood out for him in the classroom, organic chemistry taught by Dr. L. Ray Miller II took center stage.
“Ray was a fun teacher, but also rigorous and challenging,” recounted Jay. “I recall having a stack of note cards (probably 100) of organic synthesis reactions that I carried with me at all times. When I had a few moments, I would work on memorizing chemical structures and reaction conditions for synthesis processes. Those making it through the class earned "I SURVIVED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY" t-shirts, which I wore with pride for years after graduating from York. I also recall eating in the Miller home a few times. Ray and Gail were wonderful hosts, and I now try to do the same with my own students.”
It was pointed out to Jay that on page 62 of the 1985 yearbook there was a reference to him acquiring the name “Boom-Boom.” When asked what that was about, he chuckled, “I was performing a "reflux" in organic chemistry lab, where students need to pay close attention to a heated round flask suspended above a Bunsen burner. If managed well, a gentle boil proceeds along with a process of condensing vapors above the boiling solution. There is a rubber stopper/thermometer at the top of the flask reaching into the boiling solution to report the temperature. We were warned to watch the temperature
closely and keep it to a gentle boil. “I was chatting with a buddy and ignored my reaction for a few minutes, it overheated, built up some pressure, and launched the rubber stopper and thermometer with a very loud BANG! n The thermometer actually stuck in the ceiling tile. I waited for Dr. Miller to fly into a rage and kick me out of class...but he made sure all were safe, admonished all for improved attention, and went on with the class. Soon he began calling me "Boom."" Mistakes like those, while still not forgotten after 36 years, can be forgiven as well as formative as Jay was presented by Miller with the “Outstanding Science Student” award just before graduating with his associates degree in ’86. “My time at York College was a really critical time for my spiritual development, and provided the environment and people that facilitated transformational growth,” Jay said. “I made lifelong friends in both the student body and the faculty/staff of the college. It was a joyful place,
where the mischief was harmless and
the relationships were sincere. I am deeply thankful for York College and the wonderful faculty and staff who have devoted their lives in support of young people. I continue to be inspired by the vitality of the Christian community that thrives on that campus, and within the alumni community. It has provided a positive impact for thousands of young people, including many from my own family.” n
