Pep hosts character conference

SHANNON URTNOWSKI
News Editor

Members of the Pepperdine community took time on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. to reflect on values the influential man preached during his lifetime, such as the importance of character over skin color. They did this through a conference called “Character Perspectives: The Role of Character in our Society.”

The conference was presented by the Western Los Angeles County Council-Boy Scouts of America of Van Nuys and the American Humanics Scholars of Pepperdine University on Jan. 21. It was aimed at addressing factors contributing to and impacting character and moral values, hoping to help mold inspired leaders of the future.

According to Ross Harrop, a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Executive Director, the event meshed well with Monday’s national holiday, which honored a man of admirable character.

“There is no better day to have this, as we look to the future of building something to change lives and impact others,” Harrop said.

Following a flag ceremony by select Eagle Scouts, Seaver College dean David Baird opened the conference with words reflecting on the importance of a community driven by individuals who contribute to the betterment of those around him, highlighting the BSA organization. A former scout himself, Baird brought his old sachet and an antique Boy Scout manual from 1949 for the presentation.

“It was a chance to reminisce,” Baird said.

The conference followed with various focus groups highlighting character through education, public      and nonprofit work, which were presented by individuals including Dr. David Holmes, Professor of English, Dr. Robert Chandler, Chair of the Communication Division and Dr. Richard Peterson, Director of the Law School’s Special Education Advocacy Clinic.

Pepperdine School of Law dean Ken Starr closed the event with a powerful keynote address.

According to conference co-chair David Karp, a BSA relationships volunteer, a variety of academic interests was addressed by professors and experts from a number of fields within the various character-related sessions of the conference.

“This was to be a forum for people to meet and to find common ground with each other,” Karp said.

Karp thought of the idea to hold a conference of this nature about 14 months ago, after having attended a conference for mediators at Pepperdine’s School of Law.

Harrop, who worked with Karp to create the conference, said that he could not imagine a more fitting host for the event.

“I think what’s great about George Pepperdine’s mission was his vision for Pepperdine University and how that would impact purpose, service and leadership,” Harrop said. “With these three values, what better for scouting to be associated with than Pepperdine University?”

Despite the fact that he said this inaugural conference was a success, he agrees that there is much to be learned this year about the event that can benefit those to come.

“I want to make sure that we learn from what we’re doing here and improve it for next year,” Harrop said.

Baird said he believes the event was “positive” and had “lots of potential,” despite the improvements that could be made.

For example, Regan Schaffer, co-chair of the conference and a professor of nonprofit, said that, in coordinating the event, it was not known the campus would be closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. She said this would be a factor that the chairs of the event would consider for the conference in later years, as she said attendance may have been higher had the day not been a holiday.

Schaffer said it is uncertain whether Pepperdine will host another character conference.

“I think this is something that we are proud to be part of now, but I also know there are other interests and pursuits we might have in the future,” she said.

The experience seemed to have an affect on those in attendance, despite the unexpected circumstances, according to sophomore Mitchell Reichert, who helped Schaffer with logistics of the conference.

“I think it was a great way to connect community members and really get people committed to developing character-driven individuals in the community,” he said. “From the response that I got from people walking out, they really enjoyed the dialogue and conversation with the community members.”

Overall, Schaffer said she hopes that those who attended the event were able to leave at the end of the day feeling that they received a powerful message about character, including that of the Pepperdine community.

“I hope people will come to know Pepperdine as a place with character,” Schaffer said.

”I think they have lots of different views about Pepperdine, so I hope they learned a little more about our culture today: who we are and what we value.”

01-24-2008