Pepperdine University Celebrates Admitted Waves Day
Celebration was in the air as Pepperdine University welcomed its newest cohort of newly accepted undergraduates to its Malibu campus for Admitted Waves Day. Held on Friday, April 10, 2026, a record-breaking 2,314 attendees consisting of admitted students and their families were given the opportunity to experience firsthand what it means to be a Wave before the start of the 2026–27 academic year in the fall.
Activities included a morning welcome session in Firestone Fieldhouse by Pepperdine president Jim Gash (JD ’93), featuring a musical performance by Pepperdine’s very own a capella group Won by One. Afterward, students were given a chance to meet current students, faculty, and staff as well as a chance to explore the varied opportunities that await them, such as international programs, clubs, and research.
President Gash welcomed admitted students and their families
“If you’re a student in this room, I want you to hear this clearly: congratulations,” opened Gash. “You earned this. The hard work, the late nights, the lengthy applications, the anxious waiting—it all paid off . . . your Pepperdine journey starts today.”
Referencing Ephesians 2:10, Gash reinforced that each admitted student is treasured as “God’s handiwork” created for greater purpose, saying, “Our people and our preparation all exist to help you find your purpose. Lean in . . . lean into this place. Let it form you. Let it challenge you and stretch you and prepare you in ways you cannot yet even imagine. . . . The best years of your life are ahead—both here at Pepperdine, and as you go out from here to serve and to change the world.”
Lee Kats, dean of Seaver College, followed Gash’s remarks, emphasizing Seaver’s commitment to scholarly distinction across its eight academic divisions. He said, “Academic excellence isn’t found in just a curriculum or a syllabus or a good college class. At Seaver it is found in an environment where students are real contributors to knowledge, creativity, and solutions-oriented thinking.”
Seaver students presented ongoing research
Kats then encouraged incoming students to tour Seaver’s Research and Scholarly Achievement Symposium held in the Waves Cafe and Black Family Plaza Classrooms during the afternoon. The annual symposium stands as a culmination of devoted academic effort by Seaver’s student body, this year featuring 62 undergraduate research presentations, 87 artworks, and 17 scholarly lectures.
More than 2,000 attendees visited the symposium, experiencing a glimpse of the breadth and depth of Seaver’s research and creative programs. Notably, Seaver faculty have created a strong culture of including undergraduates in their research efforts, as one third of all publications authored during the 2024–25 academic year by the college’s faculty involved a student coauthor.
In light of this statistic, Kats noted in his speech, “Here, students are contemporaries with their professors. Their skills and curiosities are regarded as valuable components of the educational process.”
Throughout the day Seaver student researchers such as Jace Evans, who also serves as chief editor of Pepperdine University’s literary and arts magazine Expressionists, welcomed conversations with incoming students about the academic and creative opportunities available on campus. Having walked through the admission process several years ago, he shared, “As a current student, it’s a great experience to be able to show these incoming students the serious research we’re involved in.”
Seaver student workers supported the event throughout the day
As the afternoon waned, admitted students were welcomed to grab a burger at In-N-Out food trucks parked outside Stauffer Chapel. Along with the invitation to partake in mock natural science, business, and Great Books classes, a reception for admitted students at Pepperdine’s School of Nursing, along with a tour of the Calabasas campus’ facilities.
“What caught my attention about Pepperdine was how many opportunities are offered. There’s a little bit of everything here,” said admitted student Jaelyn Escobar, a declared biology major. “International study abroad programs are all I have been talking about with my mom. I really want to go to the new Kyoto program or to the Washington, DC campus.”
“I’ve toured a couple other campuses, but I haven’t felt anything like the community here at Pepperdine. Everyone just seems together and so supportive,” echoed Calvin Yamada, another admitted biology major.
Ashley Nguyen (’11, MA ’14), director of undergraduate admission, considered the event to be a glowing success. Each admitted student has until the enrollment deadline of May 1 to officially declare Pepperdine University their home.
“Welcoming our newest admitted students to campus is pure joy,” said Nguyen. “Everything we share with them over countless emails, phone and Zoom calls, visits to their high schools—they now get to see firsthand, and our community shines through!”