Patricia Martinez
Staff Writer
After 24 years at Pepperdine, Richard T. Hughes, professor of religion, will be moving with his wife Jan to Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. Before their big move, Hughes reflected on his time at Pepperdine, his plans for the future, and gave parting words to his cherished students.
Hughes has a long history with Pepperdine. He was hired in 1971 to teach the pilot program at Seaver College, becoming the first faculty member hired for the Malibu campus. Hughes taught for five years at Seaver College and left to teach at Southwest Missouri University from 1976 to 1982. Hughes then taught at Abilene Christian University from 1982 to 1988. He returned to Pepperdine in 1988 where he has remained to this day.
While at Pepperdine, Hughes became the founding director of the Pepperdine Center for Faith and Learning. The program was created to help faculty balance teaching with their Christian faith. Seminars and retreats are held for faculty members that address the issues of higher education and faith. Hughes estimates that about 50 percent of the faculty attends these seminars and retreats, exemplifying the importance of the program.
Passionate about the topic of integrating faith and education, Hughes wrote the grant proposal in 2000 that rewarded Pepperdine $2 million over a five-year period for its Pepperdine Voyage project. The project, funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., helps students in their exploration of vocation, bringing faith into their careers.
“I just wish for Pepperdine to continue that kind of work,” Hughes noted, “and emerge as one of the top Christian universities in the country.”
In addition to his work on campus, Hughes is an accomplished author and avid reader. He has published and edited several books on religion, each one close to his heart. “You hope that each one has an impact on your audience,” Hughes said. “That is why one chooses to write.” He continues to write in his free time and hopes to publish other books in the future.
The beloved professor has become a part of the Pepperdine community. Ken and Kay Johnson, colleagues of the Hughes’, have known Richard and Jan for seven years and become their friends. They first met the Hughes’ at the University Church of Christ where they were among the first to introduce themselves and welcome the Johnsons to the campus.
“Messiah’s gain is definitely Pepperdine’s loss,” Kay said.
Ken described Richard as “a marvelous friend” and “a unique man whose knowledge of religious history is unparalleled, love for education knows no bounds, and love for people overshadows everything else.” Ken said that their friendship with the Hughes’ will remain intact even after the move through the exchange of emails and phone calls and occasional visits.
With such a connection to Pepperdine, Hughes’s abrupt move to Messiah College seems to come from left field, but it has actually been in the works for some time.
“Messiah College officials have wanted Hughes as part of their faculty for ten years now, and Hughes and his wife have acquired many friends at the college as well. Though he is not ready to retire yet, at age 63, Hughes is taking preliminary steps for that time through the move. He explained that many people at Pepperdine teach until they are ready to retire, then they often will move due to the high cost of living. He is just speeding up the process.
At Messiah College, Hughes will resume teaching religious and general education courses. He will also assume leadership positions as director of the college’s Christian vocation program, funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., as well as co-leader and program developer for the Boyer Center, which promotes “school and community renewal and higher education and civic collaboration.”
The move to MessiahCollege will not be so easy for Hughes, who has a self-proclaimed love affair with California. Despite the fast approaching date of the move, Hughes remains positive about the situation.
“I’m always good for a new adventure,”” he asserted.
When asked what he will miss about Pepperdine, Hughes quickly responded with two words: “the students.” His affection toward them is genuine and unmatched.
“We just have spectacular students,” he boasted.
He continued to add faculty colleagues and the beauty of the campus to his list of things he will miss about Pepperdine.
His fondest memories at Pepperdine are those in which he has been in class with his students.
“I just love going home thinking ‘Wow! We had fun today!’'” he raved.
His love for teaching and dedication to his work made a lasting impression on those around him. Sweeping into the hearts and minds of his colleagues and students, Hughes was selected “Faculty Person of the Year” for 1992-93 and “Outstanding Freshman Seminar Teacher” for 1993-94.
So what are Hughes’s parting words to his beloved students?
“Live for others,” he advises, “Putting others first – that is the key to a great life.” Hughes has definitely followed his own advice. By trying to steer students and colleagues to paths that balance both their careers and faith, Hughes has gone beyond his role as professor, helping others understand the true meaning of vocation.
May 15, 2006