Art by Xander Hayes
Since 1989, the Posse scholarship program has partnered with more than 40 universities in order to provide a full-ride scholarship to “public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential, who may be overlooked by traditional college selection process.”
Recently, Posse scholars have carved a niche in Seaver College, rising to positions of leadership and prominence on campus. This year, however, the administration struck a partnership with Posse Los Angeles rather than the Washington, DC branch in an effort to renew their commitment to the greater LA area.
“We had several reasons [for partnering with Posse LA],” wrote Seaver Dean Rick Marrs in an email. “We have an interest in connecting more closely with our LA constituency, in giving back in some small way to the local LA community and also in trying to create an informal linkage with our Posse program initiative and our most recent foster student initiative.”
When the Pepperdine Posse program began in 2010, it consisted of two groups of 10 hand-selected students, all from the urban Washington, DC area.
“We could select qualified [candidates] from virtually any city in America,” said President Andrew K. Benton. “I have personally enjoyed our students from Washington, DC, but selecting students from the greater Los Angeles area actually makes more sense, and I look forward to working with them too.”
The Posse Program at Pepperdine encompasses involvement, family and community on campus.
“The Posse program is not just my scholarship but my chance to make an impact on Pepperdine’s campus,” said sophomore and Posse scholar Mitchell Holmes.
“It [the Posse Program] gives people an opportunity to go to a school that they wouldn’t have an opportunity to go to otherwise,” freshman and Posse scholar Briana Rusin said. “Posse is family, an opportunity to make yourself better and to show what you’re good at.”
Posse scholars impact Pepperdine’s culture in unique ways, according to Rusin and Holmes.
“The Posse program has raised the bar in terms of student involvement in multiple aspects on campus,” Holmes said. “To Posse, only having your foot in one area of leadership is not enough.”
Rusin elaborated on the importance of the Posse program. “Each group brings something different,” she said. “So I think that the Posse groups that have come from the Posse D.C. office have definitely changed this campus, like SGA President Demisse — he’s Posse.”
According to Rusin, the Posse group has contributed greatly to the campus already, and the addition of the LA group will be an opportunity for learning and continued involvement on campus.
“I’m sure it will be different,” Rusin said. “They are from this area, so they can show us stuff, so it will be an interesting blending moment, but I don’t think it will take away from Posse D.C. at all because we’ve accomplished so much.”
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As published in the Sept. 12 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
