Giving It a Shot
In spring 2021 the Student Health Center opened clinics at the Malibu campus to administer
the COVID-19 vaccine to faculty and staff in partnership with the Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health. Learn more about the center’s approach to community health
throughout March and April. 
Chatter
The Pepperdine community celebrated the June 2021 appointments of J. Goosby Smith as vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer and April Harris Akinloye (’00, MA ’05) as assistant vice president for community belonging.
DAVID JOHNSON, (’92, MIB ’94)
I’m excited about these new leaders and the future.
ENDYIA KINNEY-STERNS (’98)
Congratulations! This is so vitally important.
ROBIN PRESTHUS (’14)
Pepperdine has made an excellent choice, one that will surely lead to growth, unity, and respect!
KATRINA WILLIAMS (MA ’96)
Great to see Pepperdine making “waves” to encourage belonging.
Sound Bites
Explore a collection of some of the most notable moments from recent events held across the University.
“God’s grace is so amazing, I’ve felt it so strongly in my life for four years now. Just knowing what he brought me through, and the fact that he gave me this vision, felt like a gift of hope I am able to help people.”
Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, Owner/President, In-N-Out Burger
EVENT: Coffee with Jim: A Conversation with Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson
“There is a lack of representation in the soccer pro leagues and at the college level. When you’re young, you look for people on TV that look like you. And if one looks like you, then how do you dream that dream?”
Lynn Williams (’15), Professional Soccer Player, North Carolina Courage; U.S. Women’s National Team
EVENT: Kicking It with Lynn Williams: Discussions on Race, Sports, and Society
“As we go through structural changes, everything is intimately linked to improving environmental efficiency for sustainability reasons, improving profitability, and improving the workforce. You need the right person for the right job at the right time.”
Paul Donovan, Chief Economist, UBS Global Wealth Management
EVENT: Dean’s Executive Leadership Series: The Future Global Economy - Structural Issues and the Digital Revolution
“Relationships require intentionality. We can’t expect to have a strong support system of friends and family if we’re not invested in the time and effort into those relationships. Being intentional with your relationships will give you the confidence to call out for help and ultimately get through life’s obstacles together.”
Matt Abracosa, Student, Seaver College
EVENT: Three Tips for Cultivating Resilient Relationships
PEPPERDINE PEOPLEEndrew Omana (MDiv ’17)
The administrative services and notetaker coordinator at the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) is an open book when it comes to his service to students.The OSA provides notetaking services for 515 online and in-person courses per semester across all five schools for students who, due to disabilities, medical conditions, or symptom flare-ups, are unable to take notes during a class session. Services are also available temporarily for students who are injured.“There is a misconception that a disability has to be visible. But numerous invisible disabilities such as mental illnesses, eating disorders, migraines, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also impact concentration and learning.”A secure HIPAA-compliant application enables notetakers and recipients to upload and download resources. Notetaking apps, smart pens, video closed captioning, interpreting services, and books in PDF and audio formats are also available.Some notetakers decline their end-of-semester pay as a way of giving back to Pepperdine or as an indirect contribution to someone in their life who has a disability.“As a Pepperdine student, I witnessed how employees put their energy, compassion, and efforts into helping students succeed. As a staff member, it’s rewarding to see students achieving their academic goals and knowing you have been part of this journey with them.”Omana partners with Caruso School of Law staff to accommodate students by reserving exam rooms, adjusting exam times, creating enlarged printed exams, and securing standing desks, ergonomic chairs, exam timers, and white
noise machines.An army veteran, Omana served as a combat medic while deployed in Iraq and Kuwait. While serving in the National Guard, Omana trained soldier medics and helped them receive the educational credits needed for their Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic license.Since 2017 Omana has been involved with Pepperdine’s spiritual mentorship program to help guide veterans through their spiritual formation. “Together we seek ways to move from struggle to growth.”
GIVING IT A SHOTIn spring 2021 the Student Health Center opened clinics at the Malibu campus to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to faculty and staff in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Learn more about the center’s approach to community health throughout March and April.
CHATTERThe Pepperdine community celebrated the June 2021 appointments of J. Goosby Smith as vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer and April Harris Akinloye (’00, MA ’05) as assistant vice president for community belonging.
DAVID JOHNSON (’92, MIB ’94)I’m excited about these new leaders and the future.
ENDYIA KINNEY-STERNS (’98)Congratulations! This is so vitally important.
ROBIN PRESTHUS (‘14)Pepperdine has made an excellent choice, one that will surely lead to growth, unity, and respect!
KATRINA WILLIAMS (MA ’96)Great to see Pepperdine making “waves” to encourage belonging.
SOUND BITESExplore a collection of some of the most notable moments from recent events held across the University.
“God’s grace is so amazing, I’ve felt it so strongly in my life for four years now. Just knowing what he brought me through, and the fact that he gave me this vision, felt like a gift of hope I am able to help people.”Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, Owner/President, In-N-Out BurgerEVENT: Coffee with Jim: A Conversation with Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson
“As we go through structural changes, everything is intimately linked to improving environmental efficiency for sustainability reasons, improving profitability, and improving the workforce. You need the right person for the right job at the right time.”Paul Donovan, Chief Economist, UBS Global Wealth ManagementEVENT: Dean’s Executive Leadership Series: The Future Global Economy - Structural Issues and the Digital Revolution
“There is a lack of representation in the soccer pro leagues and at the college level. When you’re young, you look for people on TV that look like you. And if one looks like you, then how do you dream that dream?”Lynn Williams (’15), Professional Soccer Player, North Carolina Courage; U.S. Women’s National TeamEVENT: Kicking It with Lynn Williams: Discussions on Race, Sports, and Society
“Relationships require intentionality. We can’t expect to have a strong support system of friends and family if we’re not invested in the time and effort into those relationships. Being intentional with your relationships will give you the confidence to call out for help and ultimately get through life’s obstacles together.”Matt Abracosa, Student, Seaver CollegeEVENT: Three Tips for Cultivating Resilient Relationships
DID YOU KNOWThroughout April 2021, Pepperdine Human Resources hosted six virtual parenting support groups for faculty and staff led by licensed marriage and family therapists.
FROM THE ARCHIVESAlex Haley, author of the 1976 book Roots: The Saga of an American Family, addresses graduates during the Graduate School of Education and Psychology commencement ceremony on May 2, 1987.
PEPPERDINE PEOPLEEndrew Omana (MDiv ’17)
The administrative services and notetaker coordinator at the Office of Student Accessibility (OSA) is an open book when it comes to his service to students.The OSA provides notetaking services for 515 online and in-person courses per semester across all five schools for students who, due to disabilities, medical conditions, or symptom flare-ups, are unable to take notes during a class session. Services are also available temporarily for students who are injured.“There is a misconception that a disability has to be visible. But numerous invisible disabilities such as mental illnesses, eating disorders, migraines, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also impact concentration and learning.”A secure HIPAA-compliant application enables notetakers and recipients to upload and download resources. Notetaking apps, smart pens, video closed captioning, interpreting services, and books in PDF and audio formats are also available.Some notetakers decline their end-of-semester pay as a way of giving back to Pepperdine or as an indirect contribution to someone in their life who has a disability.“As a Pepperdine student, I witnessed how employees put their energy, compassion, and efforts into helping students succeed. As a staff member, it’s rewarding to see students achieving their academic goals and knowing you have been part of this journey with them.”Omana partners with Caruso School of Law staff to accommodate students by reserving exam rooms, adjusting exam times, creating enlarged printed exams, and securing standing desks, ergonomic chairs, exam timers, and white
noise machines.An army veteran, Omana served as a combat medic while deployed in Iraq and Kuwait. While serving in the National Guard, Omana trained soldier medics and helped them receive the educational credits needed for their Emergency Medical Technicians-Basic license.Since 2017 Omana has been involved with Pepperdine’s spiritual mentorship program to help guide veterans through their spiritual formation. “Together we seek ways to move from struggle to growth.”
GIVING IT A SHOTIn spring 2021 the Student Health Center opened clinics at the Malibu campus to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to faculty and staff in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Learn more about the center’s approach to community health throughout March and April.
CHATTERThe Pepperdine community celebrated the June 2021 appointments of J. Goosby Smith as vice president for community belonging and chief diversity officer and April Harris Akinloye (’00, MA ’05) as assistant vice president for community belonging.
DAVID JOHNSON (’92, MIB ’94)I’m excited about these new leaders and the future.
ENDYIA KINNEY-STERNS (’98)Congratulations! This is so vitally important.
ROBIN PRESTHUS (‘14)Pepperdine has made an excellent choice, one that will surely lead to growth, unity, and respect!
KATRINA WILLIAMS (MA ’96)Great to see Pepperdine making “waves” to encourage belonging.
SOUND BITESExplore a collection of some of the most notable moments from recent events held across the University.
“God’s grace is so amazing, I’ve felt it so strongly in my life for four years now. Just knowing what he brought me through, and the fact that he gave me this vision, felt like a gift of hope I am able to help people.”Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, Owner/President, In-N-Out BurgerEVENT: Coffee with Jim: A Conversation with Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson
“As we go through structural changes, everything is intimately linked to improving environmental efficiency for sustainability reasons, improving profitability, and improving the workforce. You need the right person for the right job at the right time.”Paul Donovan, Chief Economist, UBS Global Wealth ManagementEVENT: Dean’s Executive Leadership Series: The Future Global Economy - Structural Issues and the Digital Revolution
“There is a lack of representation in the soccer pro leagues and at the college level. When you’re young, you look for people on TV that look like you. And if one looks like you, then how do you dream that dream?”Lynn Williams (’15), Professional Soccer Player, North Carolina Courage; U.S. Women’s National TeamEVENT: Kicking It with Lynn Williams: Discussions on Race, Sports, and Society
“Relationships require intentionality. We can’t expect to have a strong support system of friends and family if we’re not invested in the time and effort into those relationships. Being intentional with your relationships will give you the confidence to call out for help and ultimately get through life’s obstacles together.”Matt Abracosa, Student, Seaver CollegeEVENT: Three Tips for Cultivating Resilient Relationships
DID YOU KNOWThroughout April 2021, Pepperdine Human Resources hosted six virtual parenting support groups for faculty and staff led by licensed marriage and family therapists.
FROM THE ARCHIVESAlex Haley, author of the 1976 book Roots: The Saga of an American Family, addresses graduates during the Graduate School of Education and Psychology commencement ceremony on May 2, 1987.