Waves Raise Record-Setting $1.7 Million for Pepperdine Gives 2023
On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Pepperdine Gives, the University’s annual day of giving, raised more than $1.7 million, exceeding last year’s record of $1,056,000. Established in 2017, the yearly tradition aims to foster a culture of giving and support for the University’s mission among students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Pepperdine.
“I am deeply moved by the boundless generosity displayed by the Pepperdine community,” said Pepperdine president Jim Gash (JD ’93). “Witnessing our community unite as a beacon of hope and support for others has allowed us to surpass last year’s record of giving to reach more than $1.7 million. We are profoundly grateful for the remarkable contributions made by our beloved Pepperdine family this year as they championed the causes and programs that hold a special place in their hearts.”
In the spirit of the University motto, “Freely ye received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8), the Pepperdine community contributed 2,848 individual gifts over a 24-hour period to support the schools, programs, and initiatives they are most passionate about.
Generous donors supported Pepperdine Athletics programs (a total of $185,237), student housing (a total of $34,064), International Programs (a total of $54,750), fraternities (a total of $10,533), and sororities (a total of $9,710). The sports teams that raised the most funds were men’s water polo ($29,999), men’s golf ($12,893), and men’s tennis ($12,362).
In addition, dollar-for-dollar matching donation challenges were met by the following campus organizations:
- Seaver Scholarships: $25,000
- Impact for Good Fund: $20,000
- Athletic Director’s Excellence Fund: $15,000
- Center for Women and Leadership: $10,000
- Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program: $10,000
- School of Public Policy’s Dean’s Excellence Fund: $10,000
- School of Public Policy Scholarships: $10,000
- The Pepperdine Beacon, a student-led media and news organization: $5,000
- Sudreau Global Justice Program: $5,000
- Washington, DC, Student Support Program: $1,000
“The impact of the more than $1.7 million raised goes beyond the financial aspect; it’s about enabling dreams, fostering education, and creating a ripple effect of positive change that will echo through the lives of our students, our faculty, and every individual connected to Pepperdine,” says Liam Iadicicco (’17), the University’s director of appeals. “Together, we can continue to do great things, creating a future that is as generous and bright as the spirit of Pepperdine Gives itself.”
As part of the digital component of Pepperdine Gives 2023, members of the University community were encouraged to use the hashtag “#PepperdineGives” on social media to raise public awareness of Pepperdine’s commitment to nourishing the communal spirit through personal generosity.
“It was truly wonderful to witness the unity of our alumni, students, parents, faculty, and community members in the digital world as they shared their excitement and supported fundraising for the programs they hold dear,” says Joy Qiao (MS ’19), Pepperdine’s assistant director of communications and marketing for alumni affairs. “It was our collective effort as Waves that made this event so successful.”