Despite the fact that Christmas products have been out on the store racks for several weeks now there is another holiday that is fast approaching – one that does not deserve to be overlooked. The holiday we (and by “we the Graphic staff is referring to the Pepperdine family as a whole) are speaking of is Thanksgiving, of course. The holiday is universally appreciated, so we would like to voice our thanks to those who have made Pepperdine such an upstanding university.
Pepperdine is a place of community, and those associated with the university have a special way of not only reaching out to those within the institution’s walls, but also society around us. With each success and good-natured deed our students, faculty and staff carry forth, the Pepperdine name goes with it. That name represents each of us, which should serve as a source of pride for us all.
We would first like to give thanks to President Andrew K. Benton, without whom Pepperdine could not function as it does or encompass so many influential people and principles. He is especially accessible to students, which is uncharacteristic of many university presidents around the nation. He takes advantage of opportunities not only to sit down with members of this staff to explain important campus issues, but he makes it a point to stay connected with students, eating lunch with them regularly in the Caf and giving them rides up the university’s steep hills.
We also have very involved peers who harbor great concern for the well-being of others. For example, take the recent Life Mission Fashion Show and Concert, which was spearheaded by senior Sara Ward. More than 200 students joined together to raise money for and awareness of the liberation of 1.2 million children enslaved around the globe. Their efforts accumulated into at least $7,000.
Waves of Flags organized by the College Republicans, is another prime example. The Pepperdine community commemorated those who lost their lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks by placing 2,977 American flags (each representing an individual killed Sept. 11, 2001) throughout Alumni Park on Sept. 11 of this year.
Even controversial issues can prove worthy of thanks.
Proposition 8 gave way to various individuals throughout campus taking a firm stance on the issue, which sought to ban same-sex marriages. Though they disagreed, it is commendable that faculty members, like law professor Richard Peterson, and students, like junior Alexander Pennekamp, have the courage to vocally stand up for their beliefs. Richardson did so through national-broadcasted commercials and Pennekamp did so through a Facebook group supported by hundreds.
On an even larger scale, after 22 months of campaigning, a new president has been elected. Many within the Pepperdine community made that possible, as proven by a Graphic campus-wide Election Day poll. The survey showed that more than 900 students and faculty members voted Nov. 4, and that number simply represents those who participated in the poll. Though political support was split between a few candidates, including President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain, what matters is that, in a time when political apathy presents itself far too accessible, Pepperdine is doing its part.
It is upon these final weeks of 2008 that we feel it important to reflect upon what is positive at Pepperdine, in hopes of welcoming an equally fulfilling year. We have much to be thankful for. And we, as Pepperdine students, should feel good about what such thanks means for the future of our family.