Seaver College

Seaver Dean’s Lecture Series Features Acclaimed Scholars

The Seaver Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series included Dr. Neal Lane, former director of the National Science Foundation. He presented “America’s Future in Science and Technology—Some Storm Clouds on the Horizon” in Smothers Theatre. Dr. Lane served as the assistant to the president for science and technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from August 1998 to January 2001.

Additionally, Dr. Os Guinness, author of Unspeakable: Facing Up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror, also participated in the lecture series. His presentation, titled “Can Freedom Last Forever? - The Framers’ Forgotten Question and How We Are Doing Today,” was held on the Malibu campus. Born in China and educated in England, Dr. Guinness has served as the executive director of the Williamsburg Charter Foundation and one of the drafters of the Williamsburg Charter, as well as a guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies and at the Brookings Institution.

Professors Review New Scholarly Works

The Center for Faith and Learning and Pepperdine University Libraries hosted a book review panel on Dr. Thomas Reilly’s The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom: Rebellion and the Blasphemy of Empire. The book was reviewed by Pepperdine’s Joel Fetzer, associate professor of political science, and Mike Sugimoto, assistant professor of Asian studies. Their reviews were followed by comments
from Dr. Reilly. In another book review session, professors Joel Fetzer and Chris Soper of the Seaver College Social Science Division, and authors of Muslims and the State in Britain, France, and Germany, responded to reviews by Pepperdine professor Alexander Diener and USC professor of international relations Laurie Brand.

Heidelberg Alumni Gather in Malibu

Heidelberg alumni (’85-’86) celebrated their 20-year reunion on the Malibu campus. Ten years previous, Heidelberg alumni (’85-’86) were the first group to hold their reunion in Heidelberg. From June 30 to July 2, 2006, that group grew to 90 people as the alumni, their spouses, and their children reunited on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus for meals, activities, and memories.

Christian Scholar Lecture Series Hosts Dr. J. D. G. Dunn

The Second Annual Frank Pack Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture Series and the Seaver Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series hosted Dr. J. D. G. Dunn, Lightfoot Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Durham University in England. He presented a series of lectures titled “Jesus Remembered (The Making of Christianity).” Dr. Dunn is a New Testament scholar widely known for writings on the Holy Spirit, St. Paul, and Jesus.

Professors Coauthor Text on National Security

Dan Caldwell, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, and Robert E. Williams, associate professor of political science, published Seeking Security in an Insecure World. The book offers a thorough introduction to contemporary security studies, engaging students and general readers who wish to gain a better understanding of what security means today and how it can best be achieved.

Study Abroad Program Continues to Earn Recognition

The Institute of International Education ranked Pepperdine University No. 2 in the nation for the percentage of undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs. The ranking compares Pepperdine with other doctoral/research institutions such as Duke, Notre Dame, and Stanford. More than 60 percent of Pepperdine’s undergraduate students participate in some form of study abroad.

Essay Wins “Personality Profile” Award

Seaver Professor Paul J. Contino was awarded First Place in the category of “Personality Profile” by the Catholic Press Association (2006 Magazine Award Winners) for his essay, “The Writer’s Life: Irony and Faith in the Work of Tobias Wolff.” The essay appeared in the October 21, 2005 issue of Commonweal magazine.

Pepperdine’s Center for the Arts Showcases Excellence

The Dave Brubeck Quartet performed for a sold-out audience at Smothers Theatre marking Brubeck’s eighth performance at the University. In another performance at Smothers, the Pepperdine University Fine Arts Division presented its annual Masterworks Concert featuring the Pepperdine choirs and orchestra. Milton Pullen, Pepperdine’s director of choirs, and Tony Cason, director of the University orchestra, conducted the concert. The Center for the Arts also presented Sing! Sing! Sing!, a tribute to Benny Goodman starring clarinet virtuoso and prolific recording artist Ken Peplowski.

Conference Examines Character, Calling, and Careers

A conference called “Comm Connection: Character, Calling, and Careers” was hosted by the Communication Division and featured several distinguished speakers including Jerry Mitchell, award-winning investigative reporter; Rick Schirmer, who led marketing and advertising efforts for The Chronicles of Narnia; and Michael Warren, creator of television shows such as Family Matters, Step by Step, and The Nanny. The speakers addressed ethical and professional issues in media and faith considerations in the choice of media careers.

Graphic Takes Top Honors

Pepperdine’s student newspaper, Graphic, was named a Pacemaker winner at the 2005 Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The honor for general excellence is recognized as the most prestigious honor for college newspapers and has been likened to the Pulitzer Prize for college newspapers. The Graphic, which is a member of the Pacemaker Hall of Fame, also won the award in 1998 and 2001 and placed as a finalist in 1999, 2002, and 2003.

Fulbright Scholars

Two recent Seaver College graduates were among the talented individuals selected to receive Fulbright awards for international study in the 2006-07 academic year. Michael Engle (B ’06, SC) was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student scholarship to study psychology in Nepal, where he will explore methodologies used in Tibetan monasteries to develop attentive skills in young children. Recipient of a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship, Molly Oster (B ’05, SC) will teach English as a second language in German.