Faculty and Staff Celebrated at 2025 Pepperdine Honors Appreciation Reception

On October 29, 2025, Pepperdine University hosted its annual Pepperdine Honors reception, where faculty and staff members are recognized for their enduring contributions to the institution’s mission and dedication to its students. The event, which offers employees a dedicated time of fellowship, specifically celebrates employees’ significant career milestones and accomplishments, as well as those who will be retiring from the University.  

Faculty and staff attendees enjoyed music, food, and fellowship

“This is the time we set aside to celebrate you all, our faculty and staff,” said Phil Phillips (’88, JD ’92), Pepperdine’s executive vice president, at the start of the ceremony. “You make Pepperdine what it is. You’re the ones who give life to our mission.”

During the event, Pepperdine formally acknowledged employees celebrating notable anniversaries from five to 55 years. Each honoree was announced individually and walked across a red carpet stage to warm applause from colleagues and friends.

“Pepperdine Honors is one of the best events that Pepperdine hosts each year,” said Dana Dudley (’98), Seaver College’s associate dean and a 25-year honoree at this year’s reception. “They put so much care and detail into honoring the whole community, and I’ve always admired and appreciated that. I've loved being at Pepperdine for the last 25 years.”

Ronald Phillips, Pepperdine’s senior vice chancellor and Caruso School of Law Dean Emeritus, was feted as the longest-tenured employee with 55 years of service to the University. 

“It’s gracious to be honored, but I don't consider it necessary, since every day I'm honored to work here,” said Phillips. “I turn 91 next month, and most people that age don’t get to continue working. I love what I do and who I do it with. Having the ability to continue on in this career at my stage in life is just more than I could have hoped for.”

Ron Phillips (L) was honored for 55 years of service to Pepperdine

Phillips credited his longevity at the University to the “eternal implications” of the institution's line of work. Throughout his tenure at Pepperdine, he found fulfillment in helping students discover the Lord and foster a lasting relationship with Christ. 

The ceremony also celebrated two 50-year employees, Deborah Galuhn (MBA ’80), senior director of student systems and administration services at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and Stan Warford (’66), a Seaver College professor of computer science and physics. 

Pepperdine Honors is also an opportunity to recognize employees who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission and values of the University through the faculty and staff Presidential Awards for Missional Excellence. Jay Brewster, provost and chief academic officer, and Phil Phillips presented the individual awards to faculty member Nancy Hunt (JD ’01), professor of law and practice at the Caruso School of Law and the director of Peppedine’s Washington DC externship experience, and staff member Michael Shiver, manager of campus solutions for the Information Technology department. 

Since 2010 Hunt has helped guide students through law school with “care, intellect, and dedication.” She serves as a pivotal mentor, especially as the director of Pepperdine’s Washington, DC, Externship Semester, where prospective lawyers gain the practical experience of working full time in a legal capacity within our nation’s capital while completing their coursework. Throughout her tenure, Hunt has cultivated one of the University’s strongest alumni networks and authored a legal textbook, Lawyering in the Nation’s Capital, which is used by law students throughout the country. While an expert in her field, Hunt is recognized most fondly for her character, one colleagues describe as “efficient, extremely smart, and very generous.”

“Today, we celebrate an individual who has exemplified unwavering [dedication] to academic excellence,” said Brewster while presenting Hunt with the award. “The passion, humility, and love of Pepperdine shines through in everything that she does.”

Shiver, the Presidential Award for Missional Excellence staff honoree, has served at the University since 2019. He played a pivotal role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing a campus-wide reporting system to ensure the safety of the University community. Shiver is known by his coworkers as someone who is “humble, always a pleasure to work with, and a trusted partner who consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and service to Pepperdine’s mission.”

Pepperdine Honors unites the campus community in celebration

“[Michael] approaches every challenge with humility and a deep sense of purpose,” said Phil Phillips. “His work empowers students, faculty, and staff, often behind the scenes, but with an impact that reaches across the University. Through collaboration, innovation, and grace, he embodies the spirit of purpose, service, and leadership that defines Pepperdine.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the University community honored its retirees. A cohort of six former Pepperdine employees attended the ceremony including Carolyn Galantine, Seaver College Associate Professor Emeritus of Accounting; Carolyn Keatinge, Graduate School of Education and Psychology clinical professor, Psychology Division; Bob McQuaid, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School associate professor of decision science; Regina Meister, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, associate director, writing support; Patricia Scopinich, Seaver College administrative assistant; and Lynn White-Stone (MA ’22), team leader, campus operator, IT. 

“Whatever their reasons, [these colleagues] felt a calling to join this community and gave significant stretches of their lives and careers to that calling,” said Brewster. “In doing so, they left Pepperdine a better place and built lasting legacies. We are proud to honor them today.”