2006–07 Past Events

Freshman Readings and Mentor Program

For the fifth year, the Voyage provided required readings on the topic of vocation to all incoming freshman students. The students were also asked to write a reflection paper on the readings which they discuss with participating freshman seminar professors.

In addition to the readings and essay, the Voyage provides funding for sophomore, junior or senior year students to serve as mentors in each freshman seminar class. The mentors facilitate meetings with each freshman in their class to provide vocational and academic support. They also have access to funding to go on vocation-related fieldtrips, have a movie night or take students to coffee in order to discuss the topic of vocation.

International Programs Student Service Coordinators

This was the fourth year of funding for a student service coordinator position in Pepperdine's overseas programs. The student service coordinator is responsible for working with the program director and faculty to establish and organize service opportunities for all students studying abroad. The student service coordinators for 2006–07 were:

Anna McDermott- London
Kathryn Dolton and Anna Shea- Florence
Naomi Con- Heidelberg
Emily Smith- Buenos Aires
Alejandro Sangiovanni- Hong Kong

Spiritual Discernment Retreat

Dr. Tony Jones, National Director of Emergent Village and author of The Sacred Way and Postmodern Youth Ministry, led the Spiritual Discernment retreat which was held February 2–3, 2007 at the Westlake Hyatt Hotel. About 40 student leaders participated in the retreat in which Dr. Jones introduced several monastic practices such as centering prayer, the Jesus prayer and meditation to help students reflect on their callings and their own embodiment of Christ.

Service and Social Action Grants

The Voyage and the Inter-Club Council partnered to fund several student-led service and social action grant projects in 2006–07. Grants of up to $2500 were awarded for the following projects:

Uganda Lobby Day - attended by members of International Justice Mission
Change Lanes Youth Day - led by Tamara Moore, brought 50 disadvantaged high school students to campus to be mentored by Pepperdine students and encouraged to attend college.
Pepperdine Project Serve - assisted a group of 12 students who traveled to Panama
Medical Missions Workshop - held on February 9–10, 2007 to motivate students and provide information and support for those interested in medical missions.
The Eve Project - led by senior Julie Dlugokecki to help end the cycle of sexual violence against women
Dorcas House, Tijuana, Mexico - Rotaract Club members serve at this orphanage by assisting the directors and giving attention to the children.
Tanzania Service Trip - led by Ashley Nolan, assistant director of the Pepperdine Volunteer Center. Students provided service at schools, orphanages and medical centers for AIDS patients.
Project BAM (Business with a Mission) - 7 Seaver business students visited the headquarters of Business Without Borders in Dallas, then traveled to Mexico to engage in business planning and construction of a water purification plant and store.
YIFTU: Acting on AIDS - 4 student leaders attended and led a session at the Urbana 2006 missions convention
National Model United Nations - Pepperdine sent its third delegation to the NMUN where they were chosen to represent the Islamic Nation of Iran
International Development Initiative - the Pepperdine Partnership for International Development brought speakers David Batstone, author of a book on human trafficking, Not For Sale, and Steve Chalke of the Oasis, one of the largest social justice organizations in the UK.
Presbyterian Church of Tepa, Ghana - Junior Mike Masten of Pepperdine IJM received a grant to help build a library for a Presbyterian church and school in Ghana.

Student Leadership Breakfast Colloquium

Campus-wide student leaders attend this series of breakfasts to hear speakers who help them think about the questions of vocation as they relate to the leadership roles. These events are by invitation only. For more information contact Kerri Heath in Student Affairs.

RISE: Residential Intentional Sophomore Experience

The Voyage provides funding for this program which offers opportunities for community and growth to those sophomores who choose not to attend an international program. In its second year, RISE continued to find ways for second year students to connect more deeply with both their campus and city communities through a chili event, and "LA Experience," a play and other events.

New "Faith, Learning and Vocation" Courses Developed

The Voyage provides funding for the development of "faith, learning and vocation" courses within individual divisions and schools. Awards of up to $2000 are given to full-time faculty who develop and implement these courses at any of Pepperdine's five schools. The following proposals were awarded funding for 2006–07:

Dr. Lisa Bauer, Seaver College, Social Science Division
Class on Death, Dying and Bereavement
Dr. Bauer's class would examine the psychological, social, legal and spiritual aspects of death, dying and grief. Particular attention is given to the "vocation" of dying and caring for the dying.

Dr. Gary Cobb, Seaver College, Fine Arts Division
"Integrity in a World of Pretense"
This class would examine cultural leadership lessons drawn from the humanities and the arts and their relationship to biblical principles.

Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Samuel Seaman, Graziadio School of Business and Management
"Virtue in Business"
A seven-week, 2-credit hour course that explores the value of virtue for contemporary business leaders in capitalistic economies.

Ministry Internships for Religion Students

The Voyage provides grants of up to $2500 to religion students who work in various ministry internships over the summer months. The following students were awarded internships in 2007:

Vocation Course Taught by Chaplain

Chaplain D'Esta Love taught a course on Vocation for Religion students during the spring 2007 semester. This course is an intensive study of the topic of vocation through readings, group discussions, personal reflection journals and written reports.

Women in Ministry Conference

The Voyage sent several female students and staff members to the third annual Women in Ministry Conference for the churches of Christ which was held in May, 2007 in Dallas, Texas

School of Law Conference on Racial Diversity in the Legal Profession

The Voyage provided funding for the School of Law and its Institute on Law, Religion and Ethics to hold a forum which addressed racial inequality in law schools and the legal profession and particularly to encourage Christian minorities in the practice of law.

School of Law Spiritual Retreat

The Voyage funded an inaugural spiritual life retreat in the fall of 2006 for over 40 law students. The retreat served to develop spiritual community among law students and to focus the students on the spiritual dimensions of the study and practice of law.

Professional Schools Service Internships

The Voyage provides opportunities for students at the four professional schools to undertake approved summer internships with service and social action-oriented programs, particularly those affiliated with faith-based organizations. the following students were awarded internship funds in 2007:

Voyage Co-sponsors Two Conferences

The Voyage provided funding to co-sponsor two noteworthy programs:
Ascending Voice: An International Symposium of Sacred A Cappella Music
This conference, directed by University Provost Darryl Tippens, was held at Pepperdine on June 4–7, 2007 with the goal of discovering the many forms of a cappella worship and renewing its practice in congregations worldwide.

The Ethics of Entertainment: A Forum on Ethics for Christians in Hollywood
The Voyage and ACT ONE, Inc. partnered to present a forum on October 19, 2006 for students and industry professionals who aspire to vocations in Hollywood or entertainment. The seminar considered the topic of ethics in the entertainment business.