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Pepperdine Senior Selected to Second USA TODAY 2007 All-USA College Academic Team 

Brendan Groves

Seaver College senior Brendan Groves has been selected to the second USA TODAY 2007 All-USA College Academic Team, a recognition program for outstanding undergraduates across the nation. Groves is the first Pepperdine student to earn such an honor.

"I’m incredibly humbled by my selection to be part of the team," says Groves, who was chosen from a pool of 600 applicants. "I was definitely affected as it confirmed my efforts and encourages me to continue doing what I am doing."

Groves was recognized for his academic success at Pepperdine and leadership roles both on and off campus. Following nomination by the University, Groves was selected by judges through a two-step process in which academics, extracurricular activities, and leadership skills were considered.

A dedicated volunteer during his years at Pepperdine, Groves' attention to service began in his youth in Wichita, Kans. As a student at Maize High School, Groves served as a member of the Wichita City Council District Advisory Board and state president of the Student Voter Task Force of Kids Voting Kansas. He also spent the summer of 2005 volunteering with Kansas Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm that inspired him to develop the Step Up Employment Training Program, aimed at teaching previously convicted youths the skills they need to become employed.

Now in his final year at Pepperdine, Groves is pursuing a degree in political science. In addition to his work with the Step Up Employment Training Program, he also servers as codirector of The Wishing Well, a student organization dedicated to diminishing preventable disease in developing areas by providing clean water sources; transforming communities and continents; one water well at a time.

Groves' other leadership positions include academic chair of Psi Upsilon Fraternity, community liaison officer for the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council, undergrad fellow for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and professional officer cadet in the United States Air Force ROTC. Following graduation, Groves plans to attend law school before serving as a military attorney (JAG) for the Air Force.