Adopt-A-Dorm Endowment
Adopt-A-Dorm was developed to further build community for incoming Seaver College students living on campus, while simultaneously supporting the efforts of Housing and Residence Life and the Resident Advisors (RA's) and Spiritual Life Advisors (SLA's) who pour so tirelessly into our students' lives.
Alec Kesheshian Memorial Fund
On January 25, 2024, Seaver College student, Alec Kesheshian, tragically passed away. Alec was a vibrant member of the Pepperdine community, and had already begun to make his mark on the world as a fashion entrepreneur. Alec’s work has been featured in publications such as Forbes, London Daily Post, America Daily Post, and Disrupt Magazine.
A graduate of Campbell Hall in Studio City, California, Kesheshian was a Los Angeles native and fashion entrepreneur who derived creative inspiration from the rich designs and patterns of different cultures. He was the owner of God’s Dream, a lifestyle clothing company he started at the age of 16 that was inspired by his travels to Italy and Japan. Kesheshian opened the God’s Dream brick-and-mortar store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles in 2020, and his work has been featured in publications such as Forbes, London Daily Post, American Daily Post, and Disrupt Magazine.
Alec's impact on the Pepperdine community was immeasurable. As a student majoring in advertising, he engaged passionately with his academic pursuits, leaving an indelible mark on the campus with his enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. “I am deeply saddened to hear the news,” shared professor Wangari Njathi, assistant professor of integrated marketing communication at Seaver College. “Alec was a vibrant presence in my class, always smiling and answering questions.” His presence in classrooms, social events, and extracurricular activities contributed significantly to the spirit of Pepperdine.
The memory of Alec will continue to influence and inspire those who knew him. Alec Kesheshian will be remembered as a creative mind and a compassionate soul who left an enduring impact on the Pepperdine community. Alec is survived by his father, Vartan; mother, Galia; and sister, Galina (’19), a Seaver College alumna. In honor of Alec’s memory, Pepperdine has created the Alec Kesheshian Memorial Fund.
Aliento, The Center for Latinx Communities
Aliento, The Center for Latinx Communities at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is dedicated to addressing the individual and communal mental health needs of Latinx communities. Aliento, the Spanish word signifying "breath," conveys the essence of the center. The Center's overall purpose is to "dar aliento" (give support, encouragement, and life) to community members. The Center houses three interrelated components: a Latinx Mental Health Training Program; community outreach and Education activities; and a Institute.The Center's name and academic program were developed in collaboration with community members. Aliento faculty and staff received feedback from community members and mental health professionals on developing the academic program and its content and to validate our choice in naming the center. The mission of Aliento is to encourage community participation as an integrated component to its sustainability and relevance and to make it accessible to Latinx communities.The Center utilizes liberation psychology and theology frameworks as the foundation for its education, outreach and research. The Center seeks to remediate any discrepancies in historical practices and research that are inconsistent with those most in need in society. Liberation psychology and theology frameworks are integrated throughout each component of Aliento. Please consider supporting this life-changing initiative!
Athletic Director's Excellence Fund 2024
As the landscape of college athletics rapidly changes we need your support to ensure we excel as a premier program in college athletics. We are doubling down on our unique value proposition, that is providing student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a university committed to the highest standard of academic excellence and Christian values, with a rich history of athletic success, in the most beautiful place in America.
We are investing further to attract and retain the best coaches in the world and provide best-in-class technology, nutrition, and training to ensure elite development of our student-athletes. Through this approach, we will stand toe to toe with, and defeat, our top competitors in Southern California, throughout the West Coast Conference, and around the country.
Waves Athletics has a secret weapon, and it’s the person reading this. YOU, and the community of fans and friends who loyally support our outstanding student-athletes, provide the fuel for our future achievements. I invite you to support with a gift to Waves Athletics, as well as the gift of your passionate participation on campus - with you and your family cheering in the stands. Help us raise the bar for athletic excellence and set the standard for colleges across the nation!
Caruso School of Law Dean's Excellence
The Dean’s Excellence Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s likelihood of making unique contributions toward our Christian mission, enrichment of our educational environment, and the culture of belonging at Pepperdine Caruso Law due to character-shaping life experiences, backgrounds, or perspectives.
Caruso School of Law Diversity and Belonging
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law believes that embracing diversity, including people of all backgrounds and identities, and enhancing the voices of our vast student body develops greater opportunities for service, helps our students find their purpose, and creates better leaders. Be part of the coalition of those saying that the law is for all of society, not just a part.
Cedric Weston Halloran Endowed Scholarship
Cedric Michael Weston Halloran was welcomed into this world on August 11, 2000, in Boulder, Colorado to his loving, excited parents, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends of the Halloran/Weston families. Cedric’s life was marked by his many travels, starting with road trips at 3 months to Montana, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, a semester in Oklahoma, and then taking his first steps at the Pepperdine Law retreat at Disneyland on his first birthday. Cedric went to the Malibu Jewish Center, Malibu Presbyterian, Webster Elementary, Our Lady of Malibu, Malibu High, Boulder High, and Agoura High. He spent his freshman year at Texas Christian University, which was abruptly interrupted by the pandemic in March 2020. Adjusting to online classes, Cedric enjoyed his teachers at Pierce College, and was thrilled at his acceptance to Pepperdine for Fall 2021.
Cedric loved his annual trips to the family farm in McMinnville, Oregon. As a baby, Cedric would be parked next to a blueberry bush or tennis court. He was “Spiderman” for approximately three years, refusing to wear anything else. Cedric was fierce on the soccer field, behind the pitcher’s mound, and spent endless hours on the skateboard. He was disappointed when he developed Osgood Schlatters that prevented him from boarding and sports in 7th grade. Cedric developed a love and talent for cooking, meticulous with his food preparation, execution, and plating. Cedric also had a green thumb for gardening. Cedric is sweet natured, brilliant and has his own very unique interests including gems, jewelry, and real estate - in fact he found our home, set up and managed an AirBnb for our pool house, and convinced us that we would both financially manage and fall in love with our home with Cedric as we have.
With his parents, Cedric traveled and became the trip planner for our many excursions around the world, to all continents, except Antarctica. Cedric’s travels include South Africa, Europe, Japan, Australia, with a special affinity for Columbia. In his many long road trips to Oregon, Colorado, and on, Cedric rode upfront with Dad asking millions of questions across the miles, while Mom and Lily & Rosie happily rode in the backseat listening. Cedric developed an acumen for finance, stock-trading, and investigated corporate stability before making his purchases. Cedric was blessed with family, friends, and in his final months, a loving friendship and connection with Ivy Leroux. Cedric is the best son any parents could dream of and we love each other to the moon and back.
Center for Faith and Common Good
As a member of the Pepperdine community, you know that finding ways to make a difference in the world is what we do. This shared commitment is why I wanted to make you aware of the Pepperdine Center for Faith and the Common Good’s work focusing on the needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Currently partnering with Prison Fellowship International (PFI) and concentrating on prison reform, through its faith-based work the center is creating powerful transformations in notorious prisons both domestically and internationally. Research conducted by Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion has shown that by increasing religious engagement, prisoners participating in PFI’s Christian ministry program are more motivated to transform their identity and take meaningful steps toward true rehabilitation. These prisoners had an increased aptitude for forgiveness, accountability, gratitude, and self-control, leading to a less likely display of volatile behavior and recidivism. Simply put, the program is working.
As former white supremacist and gang member, and now inmate minister at Louisiana State Penitentiary, Kevin Hogarth said:
Jesus, came into my heart . . . and gave me a peace, gave me a love, gave me a forgiveness that flipped all that hate to love.
As a Pepperdine alumnus, you are uniquely fit to understand the need for this work “flipping hate to love,” and the need to keep extending our outreach. The center will not stop at prison reform and will use proven faith-based strategies to address homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, suicide, human trafficking, foster care placements, mental illness, and more.
We invite you to become a part of the impressive work the Center for Faith and the Common Good will do in the coming year as we continue to serve those in need and find more ways to help the world around us. As you consider your midyear donations, your gift can help Pepperdine make meaningful change in the world. However you choose to support Pepperdine University this year, whether through the Center for Faith and the Common Good, another Pepperdine program, or just by continuing your work in the world upholding the Pepperdine spirit, we thank you.
Chateau d'Hauteville
[Hello Parents of the class of 2028! We're opening up donations to The Chateau to you! Your support and involvement as a donor mean more to us than the size of your contribution, as we believe in the power of a united community working together for a greater cause.]
Nestled in the hills above Vevey, Switzerland, with unparalleled views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss, Italian, and French Alps, the historic Chateau d'Hauteville will serve our Pepperdine community on this stunning international campus.
Christine Quinlan Bishop Endowed Scholarship
Christine Quinlan Bishop Scholarship Fund for Women in Entrepreneurship
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
A proud Pepperdine parent, esteemed colleague, and treasured friend, Christine Q. Bishop was a dedicated member of our University community for more than 12 years. She began her career at Pepperdine in February 2011 as the director of executive associates for the Graziadio Business School. In her role, Christine supported the Campaign for Pepperdine and the business school’s strategic plan to advance key programming initiatives. A gifted fundraiser, she was part of the team that raised nearly $30 million in new resources for the Graziadio School during the campaign, creating enhancements to programs, support for academic research, and new opportunities for students. From 2014 to 2020 she also served as the director of the Graziadio Board, a dedicated group of business leaders and alumni who help to advance the reputation of the Graziadio School and advocate to external businesses and communities on behalf of the school’s interests.
In appreciation of Christine’s many years of service and devotion to Pepperdine, her family and the Graziadio Board have launched an effort to endow this newly named scholarship fund in her honor. A lifelong advocate for women in entrepreneurship, Christine’s scholarship at the Graziadio School will continue her life’s work and support generations of enterprising women.
Join the Pepperdine community in celebrating the life and legacy of Christine Bishop by making a contribution to help endow this fund.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
Community Clinics
Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology manages three counseling clinics, which offer support to the Pepperdine and external communities. In addition to the Community Counseling Clinics, GSEP also provides counseling services to the homeless community at the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission. Community Clinics' Mission: To improve the quality of life for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families by providing psychological services that are founded on the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct. We are committed to providing affordable, high-quality, individualized counseling within a supportive and accepting environment. The counseling clinics are staffed by Pepperdine master's- and doctoral-level interns who are trained and supervised by licensed psychologists. The clinics offer a wide range of high-quality, affordable psychological services to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, as well as couples and families. Evaluations and therapy plans are specifically tailored for each individual client.