国產aⅴa麻豆

国產aⅴa麻豆University鈥檚 Step Forward Day is a beloved tradition dating back to 1988 when two Seaver College students recognized a community need for volunteers and organized an annual day of service with their peers. The longstanding event initially began with small acts of service, such as residential home repairs and local beautification projects but has grown to partnerships with renowned organizations and nonprofits. 

Each year the event attracts hundreds of students, faculty, and staff from across Pepperdine鈥檚 five schools, as well as alumni chapters around the world, and inspires them to engage in a wide range of service projects both around the country and internationally. The impact has been substantial; during this one day, the 国產aⅴa麻豆community serves a collective 3,000 hours鈥攁n equivalent of one-and-a-half years of work by one person鈥攁nd benefits numerous organizations and communities.

Students painting a high school for Step Forward Day 1989

Held annually in September, Step Forward Day instills values of service and community responsibility, setting the tone for the coming school year. The event is currently organized by the Community Engagement and Service branch of the Hub for Spiritual Life and represents Pepperdine鈥檚 broader faith mission by enabling participants to put their faith into action. According to Christin Shatzer Rom谩n (鈥�03), director of Community Engagement and Service,  this event introduces 国產aⅴa麻豆community members to the spiritual value of service. 

鈥淏y participating in this 国產aⅴa麻豆tradition, we can all respond to Christ's call to serve our neighbors,鈥� says Shatzer Rom谩n. Tasked with overseeing the event and its programming for the past three years, Shatzer Rom谩n has witnessed first hand the influence this initiative has had on students and its continued growth year over year. 鈥淪tep Forward Day continues to grow in impact and participation because it unifies our community and engages a variety of community members, such as employees, graduate students, 国產aⅴa麻豆Athletics, and members of Greek life for a common goal.鈥�

Brad Dudley, associate dean of Student Affairs and frequent participant in Step Forward Day, believes the true value of the day is bringing together Waves from different backgrounds and interests to serve a shared purpose. "At Pepperdine, our community鈥檚 collective effort brings about real change,鈥� says Dudley. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 students, faculty, staff, or groups like residence halls, athletic teams, classes, clubs, and organizations, when we unite in service, we make a meaningful impact. Step Forward Day is a yearly reminder that service isn鈥檛 just a one-day commitment but a call to serve each and every day."

This year Campus Ministry will be leading a Step Forward Day group. Falon Barton ('15, MA '18), University Church of Christ campus minister, looks forward to seeing students bond with one another, practice loving their neighbors, and connect with Christ in a new and profound way. 

Two students cleaning up the beach for Step Forward Day 1990

鈥淚 love the opportunity to meet and to see students work together to serve our city,鈥� says Barton. 鈥淚 am grateful that Step Forward Day allows me to experience a small corner of the greater Los Angeles area where a diverse range of community members are doing incredible work, embodying the justice and compassion of God's kingdom. Students frequently express how deeply they are influenced by meeting the leaders of these organizations and nonprofits, who carry out essential work with humility and grace. I, too, have gained invaluable lessons from them."

Step Forward Day began as a way for students to join together and give back to their community, but it has grown to mean so much more for the students involved. By participating in this event, students have the opportunity to go beyond the classroom and into the community, where they can apply their skills,  compassion, and teamwork to make a tangible difference. 

Nicholas Yi, a student worker for Community Engagement and Service, has volunteered on Step Forward Day since his sophomore year and now, as a staff member, he leads participants through their projects and helps them reflect on their experience. According to Yi, this day not only fosters a sense of civic responsibility but also helps students develop a deeper understanding of social issues in the world around them. 

"There's something truly special about volunteering and realizing that your efforts can make a real difference,鈥� shares Yi. 鈥淲hether it's through service or by becoming more aware of what's happening in your community, there's a transformative power in giving back. I know this experience has motivated both myself and others to continue engaging in service activities even after college."

While it is unknown when alumni began participating regularly with Step Forward Day, it鈥檚 likely they have been present in some capacity since the event began over 35 years ago. Each year Pepperdine鈥檚 Alumni Affairs partners with approximately 100 alumni chapter leaders in 20 regional chapters across the United States. From Los Angeles to Washington, DC, these alumni chapter leaders connect with 国產aⅴa麻豆mission-aligned organizations to identify needs and create hands-on service projects. Paralleling the students, hundreds of alumni join together to serve their communities, demonstrating that the 国產aⅴa麻豆missional pillar of 鈥渟ervice鈥� is a lifelong calling. 

Students at clean up project for Step Forward Day 2016

Rebecca Brueckmann, director of Alumni Affairs, believes it's important for alumni to participate in the event because it embodies the vision George 国產aⅴa麻豆had for the University. 鈥淎ccording to Pepperdine's vision statement, George 国產aⅴa麻豆dreamed of a university that would deeply influence its students, equipping them to make an impact on society. Step Forward Day embodies this vision by uniting alumni who are inspired by their shared Christian education and motivated by a moral obligation to serve others.鈥�

Megan (Souleles) Hostetler (鈥�08), who served as the director of Alumni Affairs from 2017 to 2022, believes that Step Forward Day has continued to be an important presence on campus due to its connection to the University鈥檚 mission and values. 鈥淭he close tie to the mission and the continuous success of the projects throughout the years makes Step Forward Day important to the University and its constituents,鈥� she says. 鈥淪ervice is the greatest unifying factor throughout the larger 国產aⅴa麻豆community, making the event very rewarding.鈥�

The number of organizations that work with 国產aⅴa麻豆on Step Forward Day varies each year, but generally involves dozens of community partners, including nonprofit organizations, schools, shelters, environmental groups, and other service-oriented institutions. This year 国產aⅴa麻豆has partnered with more than 20 organizations and is anticipating nearly 1,000 volunteers. 

Students packaging items for Step Forward Day 2023

Traditionally held on one day, this year鈥檚 event will have projects and service opportunities expanding to multiple days. Step Forward Day will be held on Saturday, September 7, with additional opportunities for employee teams and graduate students to serve on Thursday, September 5, and Friday, September 6. Pepperdine鈥檚 Greek life community has regularly participated in this annual event and will also have an additional opportunity to volunteer from Wednesday, September 11, through Friday, September, 13, 2024. 

Students, faculty, and staff can sign up to volunteer for Step Forward Day on the Community Engagement and Service webpage. Alumni can find a multitude of projects near them on the Alumni Step Forward Day website.