Looking Back...
In Andrew K. Benton’s September 23, 2000 inaugural address, he upheld that, “We must remain committed to the people we are called to serve.” During the first five years of his administration, President Benton has persevered in doing just that in leading the University’s continued rise to prominence among the nation’s most respected universities. What follows is a glance back on several outstanding and tangible accomplishments that have bolstered the University in five areas that the President underscored in his inaugural address—strengthening our resources, diversity, connection to our heritage, sense of community, and our emphasis on scholarship and culture.
2000-01
Moore Haus in Heidelerg, Germany, home to Seaver sudents since 1965, begins a much-needed restoration.
Thomas J. Trimble begins a distinguished four-year term as Board of Regents chairman.
Dr. Darryl L. Tippens, the James W. Culp Professor of English at Abilene Christian University, is selected as provost.
Dr. Margaret J. Weber, previously an Oklahoma State University associate dean, is named dean of the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP).
The 55,000 square-foot state-of-the-art graduate facility in Irvine is dedicated.
- For the first time since 1995, the men’s baseball team takes the WCC Championship.
- Step Forward Day, begun 12 years earlier, signs on a record 800 student volunteers.
- A new GSEP applied psychology and social relations program is approved to begin in the fall.
- Former NBA head coach Paul Westphal signs on as head coach of the men’s basketball team.
- Flora Laney Thornton, esteemed friend and Life Regent, establishes a $1 million endowment benefiting the Opera Program.
2001-02
World-renowned classical guitarist Christopher Parkening is named Distinguished Faculty Member.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is keynote speaker at the School of Law dinner.
Leaving Baylor University, Dr. Linda Livingstone becomes dean of the Graziadio School of Business and Management.
The University's largest National Science Foundation grant is awarded to Dr. Stephen Davis.
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf addresses 26th Anual Pepperdine Associates Dinner guests.
- Better teachers and better teaching methods result from a GSEP $4 million technology grant.
- The Military Honor Garden and the Annie and Grover Sam Cultural Arts Center Wing are dedicated.
- The Volunteer Center’s second annual Week of Peace, Hope, and Justice raises awareness about worldwide human injustices.
- The School of Law hosts a conference of religiously affiliated law schools titled "Viewing Law Through the Eyes of Faith."
- Pepperdine is among eight universities selected to participate in the nonprofit Jumpstart program.
2002-03
The one-ear anniversary of "9/11" marks the site dedication for the Heroes Garden.
The Center for Communication and Business, home to Seaver's two largest divisions, is dedicated.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the student facility is dedicated, honoring benefactors Gloria and Glen Holden.
- Proud members of the football program (1946-61) present a commemorative wall plaque.
- The Center for the Arts Guild’s gala raises a record $160,000 for the ARTSReach Program.
- Almost 300 undergraduate students volunteer their spring break to work in Project Serve.
- Pepperdine rates among Entrepreneur magazine’s Top 100 U.S. Colleges and Universities.
- National rankings place the Graziadio School’s Fully-Employed MBA program 22nd and Executive MBA program 23rd.
- Pepperdine is ranked in the top tier of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
- The School of Law also announces a loan forgiveness program, funded by the Caruso family.
- The law school announces its first postgraduate degree in an emerging field: dispute resolution.
- The nation’s most prestigious mock trial competition goes to the law school’s trial advocacy team.
2003-04
The new Drescher Graduate Campus and the Villa Graziadio Executive Center open on a spectacular 50.4-acre plateau overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Former U.S. Solicitor General Kenneth W. Starr ecomes dean of Pepperdine's School of Law.
Construction and Campus Planning complete refurbishment of historic Stauffer Chapel.
- The Volunteer Center hosts National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
- Longtime Southland resident Edwin L. Biggers becomes chairman of the Board of Regents.
- Pepperdine’s chapter of the International Justice Mission sponsors "Back to School in Iraq."
- A juris doctor/master of divinity joint degree program debuts – the first of its kind in the Western United States.
- Athletics claims 3rd consecutive WCC Commissioner’s Cup.
- Hispanic Outlook nationally ranks Pepperdine No. 27 for awarding master’s degrees to Hispanics.
- The Financial Times ranks the Graziadio School’s Executive MBA program in Top 75 worldwide.
- The Graphic wins best news, sports, features sections, and features photo in state competition.
