Caring Through Crisis

The Pepperdine Community is Stronger Together

On November 28, hundreds of Pepperdine students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and friends filled the seats of the Firestone Fieldhouse to honor the life of Alaina Housley, first-year Seaver College student who was killed in the Borderline shooting on November 7. Those who assembled came together to remember Alaina, to comfort one another, and to affirm the hope of Christ that sustains us.

To forever preserve Alaina's memory and the indelible impact she made on our community, the University has established the Alaina Housley Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund. Your gifts to this fund will create an enduring legacy for Alaina by providing educational opportunities for future Seaver College students in perpetuity.

While the heartbreaking events of recent weeks have greatly tested our Malibu community, it has never felt stronger or more unified. In the wake of tragedy, we have witnessed a swift and incredibly generous outpouring of love, care, and support from you, our Pepperdine family.

Many have selflessly opened their homes to shelter displaced students, faculty, and staff due to the Woolsey Fire. What's more, our Pepperdine friends worldwide have provided financial support to aid crisis response efforts through the Pepperdine Strong Fund.

In just three short weeks, we have already raised above $400,000 through the generosity of nearly 1,300 donors—with more than 200 gifts made on last week's #GivingTuesday alone.

Thank you.

Through these gifts, you've helped the University's Student Care Team provide direct, immediate support to 158 students, including 58 who experienced total home loss and 42 with partial loss. In addition, 12 faculty and staff members whose homes were damaged or destroyed received financial support to subsidize their continued displacement.

Your gifts have helped address food insecurities, replace damaged and lost belongings, and provide essential supplies including toiletries, bedding, clothing, book bags, and temporary housing.

Your gifts have provided timely aid to students who experienced financial hardship and difficulty making ends meet due to loss of work wages during the fire and evacuation period.

Your gifts have done all of this and so much more. The University has been able to accomplish this amazing outreach, support, and care thanks to the generosity of alumni donors like you.

Recovering from this time of hardship will not be easy, and although our work is far from done, we are eternally grateful for all the ways in which you have "freely given" to serve our family in need during this holiday season of hope and togetherness.

To our community of alumni around the world, thank you for being Pepperdine Strong.