Firestone Fieldhouse buzzed with anticipation Wednesday morning as students faculty and alumni prepared the annual celebration of the University’s founding.
Founder’s Day Ceremony held every September for more than two decades featured a speech by President Andrew K. Benton and honored alumni in attendance from as far back as the class of 1945.
“It’s really important for the traditions and the values of the university to be carried on from generation to generation said Avesta Carrara, office manager of Alumni Affairs. One way of doing that is though the traditions and through the tradition of Founder’s Day and honoring the founding vision of the person who gave birth to Pepperdine.”
Attendees of the event were greeted by the sounds of the Pepperdine University Orchestra warming up for their performance and by pictures of the graduating class of 1938 placed throughout the auditorium. After an opening prayer by the Provost Darryl Tippens the academic procession began featuring guests including Faculty Emeriti and class representatives from the years 1945 to 2013.
“My favorite part is to see how everyone fills with pride when they get to carry their class year said Carrara. The pomp and circumstance the bagpipes coming in. It’s kind of a crescendo of all the pride they feel for their alma mater. It never gets old.”
The ceremony continued with musical presentations from the University Orchestra and Concert Choir as well as a video presentation that gave a glimpse into the highlights of the most recent academic year.
As the video concluded three student representatives from three of Pepperdine’s schools read the Dedicatory Address given by George Pepperdine on September 21 1937.
The ceremony concluded with President Benton’s address.
“I urge you in this new year not to hoard your time or hoard your influence he advised. You will decide where the road goes.”
The convocation left one student inspired and proud of her school’s academic heritage.
“It’s amazing to see how much our school has evolved said sophomore Jennifer Riddle. It was such a small school and now it’s very prestigious.”