Pepperdine University to Host Presidential Inauguration Ceremony for Jim Gash

Inauguration events for James A. Gash (JD '93), the eighth president and chief executive officer of Pepperdine University, will begin the week before and continue the week of the presidential inauguration ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 2019. The Pepperdine community is invited to participate in the milestone occasion to welcome Gash, the first alumnus to serve Pepperdine as president, which will include a worship service, inspiring messages from guest speakers, and moments for fellowship and celebration. A formal ceremony during which Gash will be installed as the University’s president will be the hallmark of a series of special events that celebrate the University's heritage of faith and commitment to academic excellence. Gash, who took office on August 1, 2019, succeeds Andrew K. Benton, who served as the University’s president from 2000 to 2019.

Signature inauguration events will include a praise and worship event on Monday, September 23, at 7 PM at Firestone Fieldhouse, which will include a performance by internationally acclaimed Christian music praise and worship group Hillsong Worship. The evening will also feature guest speakers Bob Goff, New York Times best-selling author and founder of nonprofit organization Love Does, and Dave Clayton, lead church planter and pastor at Ethos Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Jennifer J. Wiseman, senior astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where she serves as the senior project scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope, will deliver the inauguration keynote lecture on Tuesday, September 24, at 7 PM at Smothers Theatre.

The investiture and installation of Gash as the eighth president and chief executive officer of Pepperdine University will take place during the inauguration ceremony at 10 AM on Wednesday, September 25, in Alumni Park. The ceremony will consist of many long-standing academic traditions and protocols, including an academic processional, greetings to the president from members of the community, and the delivery of President Gash's inaugural address. Ryan Board, Pepperdine director of choral activities, will lead the Pepperdine University Chamber Choir in a performance of classical selections.

Delegates from universities across the nation; community leaders; and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni will be in attendance to honor Pepperdine’s storied heritage and celebrate the vibrant future of the University. A luncheon immediately following the inauguration ceremony will be open to members of the community. Registration is requested for both the ceremony and luncheon.

For those unable to attend the inauguration ceremony, the event will be broadcast live via Livestream. A link will be available on the inauguration website on the day of the event.