Two years ago I began working for the Volunteer Center. Each year we began with a training exercise in which we were given acts of service to prioritize. My highest priorities were always people-focused and my absolute lowest was always riding a bike to reduce pollution. The director asked me to explain why I considered bikes a fruitless venture. I replied confidently, … [Read more...] about Rethink Your Water Use
Respect Convo
Photo courtesy of Pepperdine UniversityLike many other students, I pondered the utility of having to take six “extra” classes, half in religion, the other half in humanities. I was told that the purpose of this was to establish a common curriculum among students of different majors. Thanks to this tradition, you can rest assured you have something in common with … [Read more...] about Respect Convo
Acknowledge Diverse Beliefs
Growing up I drew much of my identity from my family. We were highly religious with a set view of the world. We watched certain movies while shunning others, supported certain policies and politicians but not others. Morality was not complex, but simply a process of route memorization. Christians are opposed to same sex-marriage, check. Abortion is bad, check. Harry Potter is … [Read more...] about Acknowledge Diverse Beliefs
Service Teaches the Servant
Photos courtesy of Getty ImagesI transferred to Pepperdine in spring 2012. As I sat among other transfers, I could feel excitement surging within me. Home was now thousands of miles away, and the novelty of Pepperdine pumped me up even more. I was a Biology major with high hopes for medical school. I knew it was going to be tough, but I had already dominated community college, … [Read more...] about Service Teaches the Servant
Seek Help without Being Afraid
The French Alps plane crash tragedy has left many looking for explanations as to why this occurred. According to an article published on April 1 in the New York Times titled “Lufthansa Faces Mounting Challenges as More Details of Germanwings Crash Emerge,” co-pilot Andreas Lubitz took control of Flight 9525 and deliberately crashed it in the French Alps, killing … [Read more...] about Seek Help without Being Afraid