Benton writes out his 10-year vision plan for the university.
By Laurie Babinski
Editor in Chief
He’s a man with a vision.
It sounds cliché, but overlooking the ocean in Malibu, it’s hard for President Dr. Andrew K. Benton not to be inspired, especially when he’s at the helm of a 65-year-old academic institution affiliated with the Church of Christ and founded on the ideal of the integration of academics and God.
And for the first time, Benton has put his vision, a picture of where the university needs to go in the next 10 years, into a five-page vision statement that will set the university’s course until its 75th anniversary in 2012.
Last January, the University Planning Committee asked Benton to draft a vision statement that would guide the university and provide continuity through his new presidency. The document would then serve as an overarching piece for planning.
Benton worked over the holiday break to complete a first draft that functioned as both a conceptual and pragmatic mold for the university. The original idea called for Benton to draft the document, then allow other administrators, faculty and staff offer suggestions for the editing process. In the end, the vision would function as a community document, handed down from the commission as a unifying piece.
But as comments flowed in, Dr. Nancy Magnusson, vice president for planning, information and technology, and the commission realized that Benton’s voice was getting lost in the shuffle.
“We ended up in a different place than we thought we were going,” Magnusson said. “He has a wonderful way of writing and inspiring. So instead, it ended up being a visionary piece from the president.”
Benton was equally surprised at how the document emerged. “I expected to lead the Planning Committee, and representative segments of the university, in a long-term planning exercise,” Benton said. “Very quickly it became clear that what was needed was a clear statement of aspiration from me.
“Upon reflection, I should have anticipated that. Indeed, a new leader should seize such an opportunity, but as one long associated with Pepperdine I opted for the democratic approach,” he continued.
Dr. Rick Marrs, chair of the Religion Division and commission member, agreed that the vision was rightfully Benton’s task. “It’s the kind of thing that presidents do, or that presidents should do,” Marrs said.
What resulted was a six-page abstract mission for the university, covering themes including values, resources, diversity, heritage, community and scholarship. Benton stressed the individuality of Pepperdine as a defining factor, not forcing actions or ideas to fit into the mold of previous institutions.
“This document, in part, should equip members of our university community to answer the question: What are the aspirations of the university and how will these aspirations be achieved?” Benton stated in the thesis of the vision.
According to Magnusson, Benton’s vision is only the first phase of continual planning for the future. The short document will be followed with an implementation plan that will cite specific steps the university can take to achieve each of the outlined goals.
“We have now begun the process of preparing an accountability component to aid in the assessment of our progress and eventual success,” Benton said. “ Our dreams deserve plans by which they can be achieved. I hope our optimism about the future is catching and encouraging for the whole of the university community.”
While the vision remains firm, the plan will undergo constant change.
“We ask each member of the university community to participate in ongoing conversations about this document and the accompanying action plan, and finally, to find some element of the vision and plan for which he or she will take personal responsibility,” the vision continues.
And while Benton calls everyone to do their part, his has not ended with the authorship of the vision.
“In a learning community it is good to be willing to continue to learn, and I certainly did from this process,” Benton said. “I loved writing this piece, receiving and processing comments, and now I will enjoy pushing this agenda forward in anticipation of our 75th anniversary in 2012. Whether I am here or not, these are worthy goals.”
a community document, handed down from the commission as a unifying piece.
But as comments flowed in, Dr. Nancy Magnusson, vice president for planning, information and technology, and the commission realized that Benton’s voice was getting lost in the shuffle.
“We ended up in a different place than we thought we were going,” Magnusson said. “He has a wonderful way of writing and inspiring. So instead, it ended up being a visionary piece from the president.”
Benton was equally surprised at how the document emerged. “I expected to lead the Planning Committee, and representative segments of the university, in a long-term planning exercise,” Benton said. “Very quickly it became clear that what was needed was a clear statement of aspiration from me.
“Upon reflection, I should have anticipated that. Indeed, a new leader should seize such an opportunity, but as one long associated with Pepperdine I opted for the democratic approach,” he continued.
Dr. Rick Marrs, chair of the Religion Division and commission member, agreed that the vision was rightfully Benton’s task.
“It’s the kind of thing that presidents do, or that presidents should do,” Marrs said.
What resulted was a six-page abstract mission for the university, covering themes including values, resources, diversity, heritage, community and scholarship. Benton stressed the individuality of Pep- perdine as a defining factor, not forcing actions or ideas to fit into the mold of previous institutions.
“This document, in part, should equip members of our university community to answer the question: What are the aspirations of the university and how will these aspirations be achieved?” Benton stated in the thesis of the vision.
According to Magnusson, Benton’s vision is only the first phase of continual planning for the future.
The short document will be followed with an implementation plan that will cite specific steps the university can take to achieve each of the outlined goals.
“We have now begun the process of preparing an accountability component to aid in the assessment of our progress and eventual success,” Benton said.
“Our dreams deserve plans by which they can be achieved,” he continued. “I hope our optimism about the future is catching and encouraging for the whole of the university community.”
While the vision remains firm, the plan will undergo constant change.
“We ask each member of the university community to participate in ongoing conversations about this document and the accompanying action plan, and finally, to find some element of the vision and plan for which he or she will take personal responsibility,” the vision continues.
And while Benton calls everyone to do their part, his has not ended with the authorship of the vision. The president’s work will continue as he tries to encourage others to follow in his vision.
“In a learning community it is good to be willing to continue to learn, and I certainly did from this process,” Benton said.
“I loved writing this piece, receiving and processing comments, and now I will enjoy pushing this agenda forward in anticipation of our 75th anniversary in 2012,” he continued. “Whether I am here or not, these are worthy goals.”
Excerpts from the Vision Statement
INTRODUCTION
Central to Pepperdine’s planning for the future is its commitment to change while in certain aspects remaining changeless. This is a Christian university and in that statement certain anchor points are established. Perhaps reference to the sea is relevant to this particular university, one that is informed and guided by immutable precepts, since the changing tides and prevailing winds will certainly challenge our moorings and headings. If they hold, if the anchor is set well at night and the sails are trimmed during the day, the institution will move and respond to new challenges and new influences; all the while holding firm to values, immutable principles, and to faith.
The purpose of this document is to chart the course for the next decade, and beyond. In the year 2012, Pepperdine University will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Over the next eleven years there will be change, there will be improvement, there will be strengthening, and there will surely be challenges. Our vision will inspire our planning, and our planning will enable our progress. Our expectations are great; we dream no small dreams. …
This document, in part, should equip members of our University community to answer the question: What are the aspirations of the University and how will these aspirations be achieved?
OUR VALUES
Pepperdine’s Christian mission is the root of our values; our tradition of faith is central to whatever measure of excellence we attain. From those roots in faith and practice have flowered a complex of values … In many respects the University has traveled farther and faster than anyone could have projected, and it has done so with these values intact.
OUR FUTURE
Pepperdine University, as an entity and as an aggregate, defines the context within which each of the five schools will excel. All of the schools, Seaver College, the School of Law, the School of Public Policy, the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, and the Graziadio School of Business and Management will rise together; their service will exhibit the eloquence of this University’s mission and, in so doing, Pepperdine will reach far and will keep its promises.
RESOURCES
… Building on the extraordinary growth of our endowment in the past ten years, by the year 2012 the University will place and maintain its endowment among the top 75 leading college and university endowments in this country …
Tuition rates and the availability of financial aid will continue to be subjects of close annual scrutiny. In addition to adding to the university’s physical plant both domestically and abroad, construction will continue on the Malibu campus through 2012 when the primary buildings will be completed and attention will turn to refurbishment activity …
The University’s pride in its entire physical plant will be apparent …
DIVERSITY
It is through the inclusion and experience of others from diverse points of view that we often begin to see dimensions of truth previously unseen by us. Diversity not only enriches the educational endeavor, but it is critical to it.
HERITAGE
A discussion of the University’s heritage begins with George Pepperdine’s founding vision–that of a school rooted in its relationship with the Churches of Christ. That relationship provides anchor and stability, and gives form to our mission …
Returning to the metaphor of the “restless and endless sea,” Pepperdine University will be challenged to be wise and careful in setting both anchor and direction. The University values and honors its roots, and it does so understanding the difference between authentic intellectual inquiry and indoctrination. Throughout the University, a climate of intellectual engagement and a search for deeper awareness and understanding will exist.
COMMUNITY
… The Pepperdine University community, composed of students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni and friends, will experience an increasing sense of connectedness, working together toward common University goals. …
All of the University’s schools and departments will seek national and international affiliations and strategic alliances to establish an identity of international scope. …
The University aspires to be a recognized leader in service and service learning. …
Students will be held to high expectations of citizenship and service. …
The University will anticipate the changing characteristics of students. Student learners of all ages in this postmodern age are likely to seek a mentor and guide as often as they are to seek a professor of knowledge. Critical to the next decade will be a comprehensive response to the greater expectations of students, both undergraduate and graduate.
SCHOLARSHIP
… The University will be known as a center for vibrant, intellectual life. Scholarship, in all its forms; including the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and teaching will be supported and celebrated …
THE BEGINNING
Perhaps the University’s greatest strength is its tendency toward self-examination and its refusal to claim completion in any of its important tasks; thus, we do not suffer from the entropy of closure and conclusion. We aspire to provide light and service alongside many older, venerable institutions of higher education …
If we are unique, it is by virtue of our youth, our deeply held commitments, and our readiness to respond to new opportunities. It is also because we have a clear view of the challenges ahead and the will and the dexterity to respond with alacrity …
It is time to begin. In fact, it is now time to plan the 75th anniversary celebration, now just 11 years away, in a manner that will complete the vision articulated in this document. May God bless this endeavor and the people of this University.
January 31, 2002