Waves Weekend
Date
October 9–11, 2026
Contact Us
For student- or family-specific questions, as well as general inquiries about Waves Weekend, please reach out to wavesweekend@pepperdine.edu or call 310.506.4201.
For alumni-specific questions, please contact Pepperdine Alumni Affairs at alumni@pepperdine.edu or call 310.506.6190.
Established in 2010, Waves Weekend was created when Alumni Affairs and Student Activities combined several annual Pepperdine events into one unified celebration for the entire University community. During Waves Weekend, Pepperdine’s Malibu campus comes alive with a full lineup of events for students, families, alumni, and friends, including; Madness Village, a fun and festive carnival-like experience featuring a Ferris wheel, carnival games, food trucks, and the Family and Alumni picnic, a time when the full Pepperdine community comes together, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
Schedule of Events
| Friday, October 9th | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9 AM–5 PM | Check-In | Upper Mullin Town Square |
| 9 AM–3 PM | Parent and Family Lounge | Upper Mullin Town Square |
| 9:30 AM–3:30 PM | Business Administration Division Back-to-School Day | Center for Communications and Business (CCB) |
| 10 AM–Noon | First-Year Housing Meet and Greet | Upper Mullin Town Square |
| 10 AM–4 PM | Alumni Hospitality Lounge | Payson Library: Kresge Reading Room |
| 11 AM–5 PM | Sebastian Thomas: Always the Moon and the Sun | Weisman Museum of Art |
| 11:30 AM -1:30 PM | Fine Arts Division: Theatre and Music Encore Luncheon | Sculpture Garden & Juarez Courtyard |
| Noon–2 PM | Lunch | Adamson Plaza |
| 1–2 PM | Campus Tour | Seaver College Office of Admission, 2nd Floor TAC |
| 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM | COM on Home - Communications Division Open House | Center for Communications and Business (CCB) |
| 3–4 PM | Campus Tour | Seaver College Office of Admission, 2nd Floor TAC |
| 3:30–5 PM | President’s Open House | Brock House |
| 5–8 PM | Madness Village | Firestone Fieldhouse Parking Lot |
| 5–8 PM | Parent Gathering at Madness Village | Parent and Alumni Booth at Madness Village |
| 5–8 PM | Alumni Opening Reception | Alumni Tent at Madness Village |
| 6:00 - 9:00 PM | Waves Weekend West L.A.: Networking Mixer | Gin Rummy |
| 8–10 PM | Blue and Orange Madness | Firestone Fieldhouse |
| Saturday, October 10th | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Event | Location |
| 8:30 AM–2 PM | Check-In | Alumni Park |
| 9–11 AM | Alumni Art Showcase Reception and Award Presentation | Payson Library, Gallery |
| 9 AM–2 PM | Alumni Hospitality Lounge | Payson Library: Kresge Reading Room |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Legacy Family Reception | Rockwell Academic Center (RAC), Patio |
| 9:30–11:30 AM | Buenos Aires Grand Reunion | Brock House |
| 11 AM–5 PM | Sebastian Thomas: Always the Moon and the Sun | Weisman Museum of Art |
| 11 AM–2 PM | Family and Alumni Picnic | Alumni Park |
| 2–3 PM | PeppVet Center Open Hous | Veterans Affairs Office, TAC 1st Floor |
| 2-4 PM | Great Books Reunion - 40 Years! | Great Books Room; Payson Library 2nd Floor |
| 2–4 PM | MBA 20th Reunion - Back to Class Session (Class of 2006) | Drescher Campus |
| 2–5:30 PM | MSML Leadership Lab | Tyler Campus Center |
| 2–4 PM | Campus Life Alumni Reunion: SGA, NSO Counselors, RAs/SAs | Surfboard Room |
| 2–4 PM | Pepperdine Ambassadors Council Alumni Reunion | Light House |
| 2–4 PM | Black Student Union/Association Reunion | Rockwell Academic Center (RAC), Main Lobby |
| 4:15–5:15 PM | Devotional | Stauffer Chapel |
| 4:30–10 PM | Dinner in the ’Bu | Options: Howdy’s Sonrisa Cafe & Sushi, John’s Garden, Malibu Seafood, Marmalade Cafe, Taverna Tony, and V’s |
| 5:30–7:30 PM | Art-Making for Everyone | Juarez Courtyard, Weisman Museum |
| 5:30–8 PM | Alumni Banquet | Alumni Park |
| 7:30 PM | Pepperdine Orchestra Concert | Smothers Theatre |
| Sunday, October 11th | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Event | Location |
| 10:15–11:30 AM | University Church of Christ Worship Service | Stauffer Chapel |
| 11:30 | Following Worship Service: UCC Potluck | Light House |
| 5 PM | Waves Church | Alumni Park |
Featured Activities for Waves Weekend

The Pepperdine community comes together in a festival-like atmosphere to celebrate Pepperdine and the fall sports teams.

Alumni are invited to close out the weekend with an evening of connection, celebration, and community. Join us for this special gathering to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and celebrate what it means to be part of the Pepperdine family across generations. We will also feature recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus and Waves of Resilience Awards.

Whether you're reuniting with your student, family members, classmates, peers or friends, this weekend will be full of memorable reunions!

Relax on Alumni Park in the family and student tent with student entertainment. The Alumni tent is where you’ll catch up with alumni from across all graduating years, all while overlooking the breathtaking ocean views.

Build lasting connections and expand your professional network at academic department events. Come back to campus and sit in on a class or be a guest speaker in conjunction with a department event.

Join academic divisions for a day of reconnecting with your faculty members and meeting students in the program. Engage with current students through panels, networking opportunities, and divisional receptions.

Attend meaningful services at the weekly University Church of Christ and Waves Church services, and a special Worship Service during Waves Weekend.

Get to know other families and feel part of the Waves community. Enjoy events like a Legacy Family event, the Family and Alumni Picnic, and Church services.

Don't miss out on the fun, fellowship, and exciting activities throughout the weekend. Waves Weekend is designed to show off our Pepperdine pride and celebrate alumni who paved the way.
Pepperdine International Programs | Buenos Aires Grand Reunion
In celebration of the anniversary of the Buenos Aires program, Pepperdine will host the Buenos Aires Grand Reunion at the Brock House on Saturday, October 10, 2026. We are delighted to have Sister Vero as a special guest at the reunion, where alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect with her and celebrate the lasting impact of the partnership with the Monasterio de la Epifanía. Buenos Aires program alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are invited to return “home” to reminisce and reconnect with their former classmates. We have also added a special ticket option to registration for guests who would like to attend this event ONLY during the weekend. Entry to the Buenos Aires Grand Reunion is free. |
Registration Details
Students
We encourage current students to take part in one of Pepperdine’s most beloved campus traditions.
Family and Friends
Family members and friends, reunite with your Pepperdine students as you enjoy a weekend of fun, campus festivities.
Alumni
We welcome home all Pepperdine alumni and look forward to reconnecting with you and creating new memories with you and your families.
Faculty and Staff
We invite faculty and staff to enjoy Waves Weekend with students, alumni, and the Pepperdine community!
Faculty and staff receive complimentary registration, along with four additional complimentary faculty/staff registrations.
Faculty and staff are welcome to register and pay for additional guests.
Madness Village & Blue and Orange Madness Ticket
We’ve added a special ticket to registration to allow the Pepperdine community to purchase a ticket for ONLY this event during the weekend. Ticketholders will receive a wristband at check-in and will be required to show it at the entrance to Madness Village.
Look Back at Waves Weekend 2025
Waves Weekend 2025 welcomed alumni, students, families, and friends back to campus October 3 to 5, 2025, for an unforgettable celebration of community, tradition, and school spirit. Throughout the weekend, the campus came alive with high-energy events, meaningful connections, and the vibrant excitement only Waves can bring.
Madness Village

The Student Programming Board hosts an annual carnival in the Firestone Fieldhouse parking lot for all students and Waves Weekend guests.
Family Picnic

Families and alumni gather on Alumni Park to enjoy a Saturday picnic with lawn games and food trucks.
Alumni Reunion and Award Presentation

The Alumni Banquet brought Waves together to celebrate shared memories and lasting connections. Henning Strauss (’01), CEO of Engelbert Strauss, Inc., was announced as the 2025–2026 Seaver College Distinguished Alumnus, and Rob Balucas (’99), Chief Creator and Founder of Catalyst, received the inaugural Wave of Resilience Award.
The weekend was a meaningful celebration of community, achievement, and the enduring spirit of Pepperdine.
Florence Alumni Grand Reunion

The Florence Grand Reunion brought together over 300 alumni and friends for a joyful celebration of 40 years of the Pepperdine Florence Program. From Elizabeth Whatley’s heartfelt remarks to shared stories and laughter, the weekend reminded us of the lasting impact of the Florence experience. Special thanks to Elizabeth Whatley for her inspiring leadership and dedication to the spirit of la dolce vita that continues to unite our community.
We’re excited to continue the Florence celebration in Summer 2026 with the Pepperdine International Travel trip to Florence—register today!
Celebrate With Us on Social
Use #WavesWeekend on your social posts to share the fun.





