The Mountain at Mullin Park Student Center Officially Opens

The clatter of weights and the hum of treadmills, along with an uproar of conversation and laughter, now fill Pepperdine University’s Student Center at the Mountain at Mullin Park. 

The eagerly awaited space, which will now serve as the central hub for student life, officially opened to Pepperdine’s student body on Thursday, August 20. In the fresh morning air, students lined up outside the building in their favorite workout gear to use the brand new fitness equipment, including state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training machines and free weights. By mid-morning, much of the facility was filled with students exercising with their friends by sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. 

“This is a day we have been waiting for,” said Sharon Beard ('94, MDR '01), vice president for student affairs at Pepperdine, during the center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “When our students walk through these doors, they will find the finest fitness facilities any student has ever enjoyed on this campus. And it isn’t only today’s students who will benefit. It’s the Pepperdine students still to come.” 

Students are welcome to exercise solo or partake in group exercise classes now avaible as of this August

On opening day students using the new fitness center shared glowing remarks. Seaver College student Ashley Reyes, who plans to use the facility five days a week, said the space gives students a new way to cultivate community and build lasting friendships. "It feels amazing to have a new area to meet people who also want a healthy lifestyle," she said, while looking around the room with a smile. "Whenever I need to find more balance in my life or a break from classwork, I go to the gym, and I can’t wait to meet new people who also do.” 

Forrest Connor, a Graziadio Business School student from Nashville, was impressed with the equipment, as well as the promise of a balanced life due to the gym’s easy access. “This gym gives a whole new meaning to the student experience here at Pepperdine,” Connor said. "I can easily see myself finishing up a four-hour class and then coming down here for the afternoon.”

The Student Center also serves as the home of the RISE Institute and Campus Recreation, hubs on campus devoted to supporting students’ overall health and well-being. Third spaces available for student convening include the Rubinstein Student Commons located on the center’s third level, which includes a TV and projector for movie nights and watch parties, along with ping-pong and pool tables. Bookable study rooms, meeting spaces for student organizations, and outdoor balconies are also open. 

The Student Center supports community-building

As students returned to campus for the start of classes, August served as a fitting month for Student Center donors to see the fruits of their generosity. On Friday, August 14, the University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the benefactors who made the Student Center possible. 

Key donors acknowledged include Ruth B. Rubinstein, whose extraordinary gift helped bring the entire Mountain at Mullin Park to life; Seth (’02) and Jolyn (’02) Haye; Paula Fong and Edwin Biggers; Virginia Milstead and Zachary Evans; Benjamin (’04) and Christina Bullock; Stephanie and David Wolkoff, and Enrique and Karla Jacome.

President Gash (middle right), Chancellor Jackson (left) cutting the ribbon

“Every detail of this center invites students into Greater Purpose—into becoming more fully the people God created them to be,” said Jim Gash (JD ’92), president and CEO of Pepperdine University, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “To every donor, regent, colleague, architect, builder, and friend who stood with us: thank you. You believed in this vision, and today the vision stands before us.”

Throughout the fall semester, students are welcome to regularly use the fitness center’s gym equipment and join group exercise classes. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday–Thursday (6 AM–10 PM), Friday (6 AM–8 PM), Saturday–Sunday (8 AM–8 PM). Pilates reformer classes are now available for sign-up, as well as Les Mills RPM and Rhythm Ride group exercise classes. 

Visit Pepperdine Campus Recreation’s Linktree for sign-up informationfor fitness center usage.