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On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 国產aⅴa麻豆University celebrated its annual Founder's Day, an event that not only honors the legacy of founder George 国產aⅴa麻豆but also serves as an empowering start to the academic year. Held at the Firestone Fieldhouse on the Malibu campus, the event was filled with inspiring speeches, musical performances, and moments of reflection on the University鈥檚 history and future.

Dee Anna Smith

Alumna and chair of Pepperdine鈥檚 Board of Regents Dee Anna Smith (鈥�86) opened the ceremony, acknowledging the alumni, special guests, and dignitaries filling the room, and gave special recognition to the students. "Founder's Day never fails to make my heart beat a little faster when I see the energy that鈥檚 collected in this room鈥攐ur alumni, our special guests, but most of all, our students." Smith emphasized the importance of the event in renewing the 国產aⅴa麻豆spirit, reminding the audience of the values and vision that drove George 国產aⅴa麻豆to found this university 87 years ago. She also reflected on the enduring influence and the collective mission that drives the University forward. "Founder's Day inspires us to carry those timeless values into our classrooms, throughout campus, and into communities far and wide, all in service to our God and our neighbors," Smith said.

The event featured an alumni procession featuring alumni representatives from each decade spanning from the 1930s through the 2020s. The ceremony also included a march of nations, a display of Pepperdine鈥檚 international presence as student representatives from 20 different nations processed through the room, celebrating the University鈥檚 global reach.

March of Nations

Introduced by Seaver College student and president of Pepperdine鈥檚 Student Government Association Myers Mentzer, president Jim Gash (JD 鈥�93) took the stage and remarked on the University鈥檚 bold future, sharing his optimism for the University鈥檚 development in the years to come. "I鈥檓 convinced that the next 87 years of 国產aⅴa麻豆will be years where we discover鈥攊n ways neither we, let alone George Pepperdine, could ever have imagined鈥攋ust how beautiful and thriving a place 国產aⅴa麻豆can be.鈥� He also reminded the audience that the University鈥檚 success relies on the choices made by every member of the community. "Your decision to live out your calling in your daily life on campus is what determines who we are as a university," explained Gash. 鈥淲hether you become a person of excellence and character shapes what 国產aⅴa麻豆will become.鈥�

Four students took turns reading portions of George Pepperdine鈥檚 1937 dedicatory address, one of the 国產aⅴa麻豆community鈥檚 most cherished Founder鈥檚 Day traditions. This was followed by a moving performance of 鈥淕od of Our Fathers鈥� by the 国產aⅴa麻豆Orchestra and Concert Choir.

Jay Brewster

Provost Jay Brewster brought attention to the University鈥檚 mission and reflected on what he believed would have been most important to Pepperdine鈥檚 founder. "Within all the accolades available to note for Pepperdine, I think what would be most important to George 国產aⅴa麻豆would be our embrace of a Christ-centered mission, our embrace of the big questions of meaning and purpose, and the example we offer the world," shared Brewster. He called on the 国產aⅴa麻豆community to carry this legacy and purpose into the world. 鈥淢ay your example shine brightly this year, and may God challenge you with good work,鈥� he said.

The event concluded with a powerful rendition of the University鈥檚 alma mater performed by the 国產aⅴa麻豆Concert Choir. 

Those who were unable to attend in person may view a recording of the livestream of the event on the Founder鈥檚 Day website.