TIMOTHY MAKI
Staff Writer
Since he was young, Greg Daum knew that he wanted to be involved in serving others. He was never too interested in math or science so rather than becoming a doctor, he focused his attention on teaching. Now a professor at Pepperdine University for seven years, Daum has become a popular teacher who students count on to be fun and easy to talk to.
The youngest of three children, Daum was born and raised in West Hills, Calif. He attended El Camino Real High School and then graduated from Hope International University in Fullerton. Daum, however, has never strayed too far from his birthplace, as he currently still lives in West Hills where he can stay close to his friends, his family and his church. It is a little-known fact that Daum is a pastor, too.
Daum decided to pursue his master’s degree, which led him to Pepperdine University—his future teaching home. After earning a master’s in divinity, ministry and communication, Pepperdine asked him to stay and teach. Daum now teaches both religion and speech classes at Pepperdine.
Laura Fehlbaum, a freshman advertising major who had Daum as a speech professor last semester, thoroughly enjoyed having him as a teacher. “He was one of the most caring, laidback professors I’ve ever had,” she said. “He made our Speech 180 class fun and a place where we could get to know each other.”
For several years now, Daum has been the pastor of Woodland Hills Christian Church—a Disciples of Christ church located in the San Fernando Valley. Initially, Daum had visited the church simply to hear the preaching of his old religion professor. But after discovering that the church was searching for a new minister he felt called to preach there, and eventually became the church’s full-time minister.
This small yet welcoming church is less than an hour drive from Pepperdine’s campus. Daum warmly invites all students to attend Sunday morning worship services that begin at 10 a.m.
Outside of the church and the classroom, Daum is always active. “He’s upbeat and very sports-minded,” said Dr. Wyn Allen, a fellow Pepperdine speech professor who worked with Daum for a year in the Communication Division. In his high school days Daum was an avid fan of baseball. Today, some of his favorite activities include hiking, surfing and snowboarding. Daum also is involved with Pepperdine’s Ventura alumni chapters and enjoys traveling to places where he can be close to the water like Mexico and Australia.
And while most professors are silently grading papers in their studies during the weekend, Professor Daum prefers to keep his schedule fun. “There is no typical Friday night,” he said. “My life involves so many different activities.” When he’s not barbecuing in his backyard or hanging out with his friends at the local sports bar, he may catch an episode of The Sopranos or Law and Order: SVU.
Daum hopes that in 10 years things won’t have changed too much in his life. He sees himself still teaching at Pepperdine and preaching at Woodland Hills Christian Church.
“I tell people that if I won the lottery, I would do the exact same thing I’m doing now, “ said Daum.
Though constantly busy, Daum remains down-to-earth and appreciative to be doing what he loves. “I know that I’m not the greatest or the best, but I hope that I’m making a difference,” said Daum. “I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world to be teaching at Pepperdine.”
And though he would never admit it, perhaps the students are truly the lucky ones.
03-19-2007