Pepperdine University . . . “Surf’s up” at a dramatic Pacific Coast campus!
Pepperdine is one of the newest of America’s outstanding universities. While several high powered colleges are technically “new”, they’re actually just the merger of two older existing colleges. Case Western and Carnegie Mellon are good examples of this trend. On the other hand, Pepperdine really is one of the “new kids on the block” of America’s academic landscape. It wasn’t until the fall of 1937 that students first walked into a Pepperdine classroom and opened their books.
Speak to a few Pepperdine grads and you’ll hear very different stories about their “campus” memories. Until the early 1970’s the undergraduate Pepperdine campus was located in the blighted urban neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles. On one notable occasion, urban activists, gang members and rioters actually threatened to “burn down” the entire campus. The threat was real and only all night negotiations averted a tragedy.
Within a few years, Pepperdine moved to a new campus and what a change it was! The current campus is often considered the most beautiful and breathtaking college home in America. It’s located in posh Malibu, sits on a hillside and offers dramatic views of the Pacific coast.
Ironically, the new campus, a refuge from the threat of being burned down from urban unrest, has recently been at risk of burning down from wild fires in the area.
Pepperdine is a Christian institution and views its mission not only to provide an outstanding academic education but also to offer students moral and “life” guidance as well. The university was founded during the “great depression” which tested America’s sprit as well as its economy. The motivating force behind the university was George Pepperdine who made a fortune in the rags to riches growth of Western Auto Supply Company. Pepperdine considered it “wrong to build up a great fortune and use it selfishly”.
Although the student body is small by comparison to many universities, Pepperdine has built an outstanding athletic program. Since 1978, Pepperdine has captured 12 NCAA championships!
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