HAYLEY LERCH
News Assistant
Students yearning to sport the navy blue blazer and meet community members, while serving the university as part of the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council need not worry about recent difficulties with the application Web site. The deadline was extended to Feb. 15 after some applications were not received.
Becky Lowe, PAC advisor and member of the parents program staff, ran a test of the application Web site and discovered that applications submitted from Jan. 16 to Jan. 31 were not received. Now that the Web site is accepting applications, students can once again submit them online.
Lowe said she is concerned about the Web site difficulty, but hopes that it will not hinder the process.
“We are very worried about that, but I know that in the past students don’t usually apply until closer to the deadline,” Lowe said.
Junior and PAC retreat coordinator Andrew Richdale said he doesn’t think the process will be affected by this glitch.
“There were some applicants who applied in the midst of the technological difficulties, but these applicants, who were ambitious enough to turn their applications in during that time, will most definitely be able to resubmit them by the new deadline,” Richdale said.
Senior and PAC executive secretary Josh Ndukwe said the Web site issue will not affect the process, except for the fact that it may take a little longer to select members now that the deadline has been extended.
PAC is a select group of about 20 Pepperdine students who represent the university at various dinners and events.
“The council is the perfect extension of student involvement,” said junior PAC community relations co-chair Brendan Groves. “If you’re already in a host of activities, the council accentuates your involvements. You give back to the school that gave to you, and we feel blessed to be a part of it.”
The council is comprised of juniors and seniors, all of whom are involved in many campus activities.
“These are people who want to make a change, people who have a broader vision in which Pepperdine plays a large role,” Groves said.
A strong commitment to the university is required of all council members. To be considered for membership, applicants must be involved in at least three areas of campus life.
“I think that leadership is important. Somebody that’s well rounded because they are invited to lots of different events with people in the community and it’s really good to show those people that our students are involved in a lot of things,” Lowe said.
Applicants are required to submit short essays and a personal statement as part of the application. According to Lowe, students are then selected to be interviewed by a panel of university officials, Crest Board members and PAC seniors. Junior and PAC public relations co-chair Ashley Wilkerson said that the interview process is beneficial. “It was actually really cool. It really does prepare you for interviews for jobs or internships,” Wilkerson said.
Although many Pepperdine students are involved with activities on campus, ambassadors must also exemplify a true passion for the university.
Senior and PAC member Monica Rodriguez said it is important for council members to display their affinity for Pepperdine.
“First of all I love Pepperdine,” Rodriguez said. “Pepperdine has blessed our family so much that I wanted to give back and use my blessings, which is my time here at Pepperdine, to bless others.”
Richdale also commented on the common traits among this diverse group of students.
“The definitive qualities of a great council member are a love and thorough understanding of Pepperdine, a diverse Pepperdine experience and a desire to serve and give back to the university,” Richdale said.
As part of their mission to serve the community, PAC members attend events including the Wave Classic golf tournament, athletic award banquets and the George Pepperdine College Reunion.
“As students we don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. We don’t realize how much people work behind the scenes to make others happy or how much passion faculty have for students,” Rodriguez said.
Ambassadors are able to glean a better understanding of the “behind the scenes” activities of university officials and community members. Groves recounted his experience at the Board of Regents dinner and meeting, in which the ambassadors gave commentary about the changes they felt Pepperdine needed.
“This is telling the Board of Regents who have the power to change things. We have the ability to see things happen, the ability to see our input put into activity reports” Groves said.
Ambassadors attend weekly meetings and are required to attend five events a semester. In recounting his experience with the council last semester, Richdale said he especially enjoyed the Seaver Board of Visitors luncheon.
“I was able to mingle with many Pepperdine donors and administrators who help keep our campus running smoothly,” Richdale said. “I had a great conversation over lunch with a few Malibu residents who passionately support and believe in the Pepperdine mission.”
Not only do PAC members interact with community members, they also get to know one another.
“You really do get to know these people, you go to different events with them, you laugh with them, you’re nervous with them and on top of that we do social activities for fun,” Rodriguez said.
Ndukwe also said his experience with the group has helped him grow as an individual.
“The council is a very diverse group of people from all backgrounds and all interests. Fellow council members have different insights, which helps you grow” Ndukwe said.
Now that the application process has been smoothed out and the deadline has been extended, a new group of students will have the opportunity to be a part of the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council. Although the process is competitive, Ndukwe said that all who are interested should apply.
“Present who you are, don’t be nervous,” Ndukwe said. “Don’t be what we would want you to be. Just be yourself and apply.”
02-09-2006