SEAVER COLLEGE
DR. BIRTHNEY ARDOIN
Dr. Birthney Ardoin always remembers to keep things light. Although he hadn’t planned on retiring, Ardoin is looking forward to pursuing something he’s always wanted to do — voice-overs.
Of course, that doesn’t mean he’ll abandon his advertising roots. Ardoin has taught in the field of mass communication since 1962. He obtained his doctorate from Ohio State University in 1971, and has dedicated himself to teaching, consulting and writing news and press releases ever since.
While Ardoin is disappointed to see so many professors retiring, the question on his mind is for the future. “Who can do what we do?” he asked.
DR. RAY BUCHANAN
Don’t debate with Dr. Ray Buchanan. You’ll lose.
Buchanan has dedicated his life not only to teaching, but to strengthening students’ communication skills for debate, law, or simply for an understanding of how we live to communicate and communicate to live.
Buchanan came to Pepperdine in 1986 after a long legal project with a circuit judge in Florida. He hosted the Soviet Union debate team and worked to develop a forensics program.
With a home in Marianna, Fla., and family throughout the state, he is looking forward to being at home to watch his eight grandchildren grow up.
DR. DOUGLAS CLOUD
Since 1986, Dr. Douglas Cloud has kept his students noses’ to the grindstone — or calculator. Cloud is a professor of accounting who teached courses ranging from financial accounting to managerial accounting, cost accounting, intermediate accounting and freshman seminar.
Cloud has also taught accounting at Tennessee Technical University, Western Kentucky University and Southeastern Louisiana University. He has extensively published, and plans on using his writing skills after retirement. He is currently working on a movie script for Disney/ABC and already has one episode of “Home Improvement” to his credit.
DR. HERBERT LUFT
Whether in Europe or in America, Dr. Herbert Luft has been a member of the Pepperdine community since 1961.
A professor of history, Luft received both his B.A. and M.A. from Pepperdine University and his Ph.D. from UCLA.
From 1981-83, Luft served as executive vice president of Pepperdine. From 1983-93, he was the dean of European Programs headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany.
DR. THOMAS OSBORN
He waves his wand, and there’s magic. Dr. Thomas Osborn, director of the Pepper-dine University Community Symphony Orchestra and professor of music, has been the force behind productions and concerts at Pepperdine for over 20 years.
Osborn received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, his master’s in performance arts from Yale with highest honors, and his doctorate from the University of Southern California.
Osborn also won a prestigious Robby Award for Best Musical Direction for “Evita” in 1999.
DR. STEPHEN SALE
Dr. Stephen Sale has seen it all.
Sale graduated with a B.A. in social science and a minor in biology from George Pepperdine College in 1960, and stayed to receive his master’s from GPC in history with an emphasis on the Civil and Revolutionary Wars.
He moved to USC to obtain his doctorate in history with an emphasis on Colonial and Revolutionary America, but he was never far from Pepperdine.
He returned in 1971 as an associate professor and has remained at Pepperdine ever since.
GRAZIADIO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
DR. THOMAS F. PENDERGHAST
As a member of the founding faculty at the Graziadio School of Business and Management, Dr. Thomas Penderghast has been in the Pepperdine family for 30 years.
Penderghast was one of the pioneers in the field of computer graphics and animation. He developed the technique of animating scoreboards and prepared animations for several athletic teams.
Upon retirement, Penderghast plans to continue his research and writing. Penderghast’s current areas of research include leadership and conflict resolution.
DR. SHELDON SNOW
Teaching Organizational Theory and Management at GSBM since 1968, Dr. Sheldon Snow also currently instructs courses in understanding and managing diversity in organizations.
One of the school’s founding faculty members of GSBM, he is currently edits the management section of the Journal of Applied Business Research and engages in private consulting. He was department chair for 12 years, and plans to travel and spend time with his grandchildren after retirement.
DR. EDWARD SANFORD
More than a quarter century after coming to GSBM, Dr. Edward Sanford is looking forward to getting involved in ministerial work and “spending some time with the Lord.”
In addition to his school involvements, Sanford has done volunteer work for the Church on the Way in Van Nuys, Calvary Chapel in Capistrano Beach, and the Christian Mission.
DR. RICHARD C. RIERDAN
Principally teaching human behavior in organizations at the Graziadio School of Business and Management, Richard C. Reirdan has been with the school for more than 30 years and was a member of the founding faculty.
He’s used his background in English literature, he received his doctorate from UCLA in 1970, to allow him to explore human limits.
Additionally, his position as director of training and education for the Western United States with the company allowed him to develop an affirmative action program as well.
In 1974, Rierdan began an apprenticeship in Reichian Therapy, an approach that examines relationships between the mind and body.
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY
DR. ROBERT GELHART
Since 1975, Dr. Robert Gelhart has been teaching at GSEP. Earning degrees in educational psychology and special education, Gelhart specializes in behavioral psychology and cognitive-behavioral psycho-therapy, with a national reputation as a forensics specialist.
Gelhart has a private clinical practice, is a licensed educational psychologist and marriage, family and child therapist.
SCHOOL OF LAW
DR. W. HAROLD BIGHAM
Since 1986, School of Law professor Dr. W. Harold Bigham’s courses have included evidence, commercial law, remedies, admiralty, civil procedure and Jewish law.
Bigham was editor in chief of the Vanderbilt Law Review, received the Founder’s Medal for being first in his class and was elected to the Order of the Coif.
Prior to attending Vanderbilt, Bigham served in the U.S. Air Force, and after graduation served in the U.S. Department of Justice at the end of the Eisenhower years.
He is a life member of the Judicial Conference of the Sixth Circuit United States Court of Appeals.
DR. R. WAYNE ESTES
Dr. R. Wayne Estes joined the Pepper-dine University School of Law faculty almost 30 years ago and has since served as assistant and associate dean, as well as teaching courses in labor law and agency and partnerships.
Estes was corporate secretary and director of industrial relations of the Tennessee River Pulp and Paper Co. for 10 years, and is an elected member of the American Law Institute.
February 21, 2002