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Pepperdine Names Faye W. McClure to the University’s Board of Regents

Faye W. McClure, vice president of strategic marketing for Farmers Insurance Group, has been appointed to Pepperdine University’s Board of Regents, effective July 1. 

McClure is an alumna of Pepperdine University, earning her bachelor's degree in business administration from Seaver College in 1978. Since 2005, she has been an active member of the Graziadio School Board of Visitors.

"Faye McClure is an extraordinary individual," says Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton. "She represents so many of the best qualities we hope for in our alumni—leadership, a heart for service, and an on-going commitment to our students. We are grateful she is joining us on Pepperdine's Board of Regents."

McClure implemented Farmers Action for Communities of Tomorrow (F.A.C.T.). She was honored by the March of Dimes for her commitment to the urban communities, and is a founding member of March of Dimes Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures—A Salute to the African American Family, and has served as the chairperson for the annual event for the past decade. Her dedication and spirited advocacy on behalf of the Graziadio School led Farmers Insurance to contribute funding for E2B (Education-to-Business) Live Case projects and the Dean's Executive Leadership Series. In addition, she was featured earlier this year in a Fox News "Beyond the Dream" segment, which explored the dramatic impact she has made on her community.

McClure is a recipient of the Los Angeles Sparks' Lisa Leslie Inspiring Women Award, which recognizes extraordinary leaders and celebrates the women who uplift and inspire. She was also recognized as a Southern California Freedom's Sister by the Museum of Tolerance and is a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Award for community development leadership. She was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America for 2012 by Savoy magazine.

Now the mother of two daughters—Morgan, 14, and Jordan, 12—McClure was the youngest of 13 children and remembers that Pepperdine was often at the forefront of daily conversation in her family, leading to her own decision to attend the school. "I was originally drawn to Pepperdine because several of my siblings graduated from the Los Angeles campus," she notes. "But I also appreciated the Christian values that are part of the social fabric of the University."

She discovered her passion for business and marketing early in her academic career at Pepperdine. "One of my best memories was in my marketing class where I had to choose a project to market," she says. "I selected my roommate's dad, Sidney Poitier, who was the number one box office draw in the country at the time. I was able to show how he developed his career, and Mr. Poitier topped it off by coming to the class for a surprise talk. It was the best 'A+' I have ever received."

In a related action, the board appointed Life Regent status to W.L. Fletcher, III and Thomas Trimble. Fletcher's election concluded 30 years of service as a regent, one year less than Trimble. During their tenure, both men served three university presidents—Howard A. White, David Davenport, and Andrew K. Benton, overseeing Pepperdine's remarkable rise among the nation's most prestigious universities.

Pepperdine's 40-member Board of Regents is the legal governing body and chief policy board of the University. Life Regents are recognized and honored for their extraordinary service as past regents. The University's administration works with the Board of Regents to shape policy and direction.