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Celebration of Excellence Event Honors Education and Psychology Student Scholarships and Donors

The Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) held its annual Celebration of Excellence event on Thursday, Oct. 22, in recognition of the 2009-10 student scholarship recipients and in appreciation of donors and friends of GSEP. The event, hosted at the Ayres Hotel in Manhattan Beach, included an evening reception, program, and dinner. 

Nearly 180 attendees enjoyed presentations from scholarship recipients, donors, and faculty, including a message from GSEP dean Margaret Weber, an introduction by the assistant dean of the psychology division, Robert DeMayo, and the invocation given by Eric Hamilton, the associate dean of the education division.

"The Celebration of Excellence event is always one of my favorites," says Weber. "We hear from two scholarship recipients and the impact the scholarship has made on their education and lives. Their stories are truly moving and inspiring."

Hannah Limb, an education student, received the Olaf H. Tegner Endowed Scholarship, and spoke of her honor at receiving the award named for a GSEP dean who dedicated nearly 60 years of loyalty to Pepperdine. Ani Pezeshakian, who is earning her doctorate in psychology, was awarded the Glen and Gloria Holden Scholarship, gave a personal reflection on her background as the child of refugees and the importance of story in the role of psychologist.

The event also honored the late Pat Lucas, who served as director of student teaching at GSEP for more than 20 years. J.L. Fortson, director of student teaching, spoke about Lucas' love of education and the students she served and introduced the newly established Pat Lucas Center for Teaching Preparation. The center was created with the generous support of her husband, Dr. Bill Lucas, to honor her memory as a model leader, mentor, cheerleader, counselor, inspiration, and friend to the thousands of aspiring and hopeful teachers she shepherded through the credentialing and placement programs at GSEP. The Honorable Malcolm Lucas and education professor John F. McManus also spoke about the values they learned from Pat and the memories they will always treasure.

For more information about scholarships and awards available at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, please visit the GSEP Scholarship Web site.