By Rosy Banks
Staff Writer
Construction for the new Drescher Graduate campus has been closed off to students, but last Sunday 13 Seaver students took advantage of a grand tour of the project led by President Dr. Andrew K. Benton.
The tour’s purpose was to let students see first hand the construction, expected to be completed January 2004. The one-and-a-half-hour trip took students above Seaver to the 50.4 acre plateau where five graduate buildings are under construction along with the Heroes Garden, which will pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“Being able to see the site made me appreciate it,” Stephen Williams, SGA’s director of special events, said. “I’ll never complain about construction again.”
Last semester at Benton’s question and answer meeting, Williams asked if a tour would be possible to see the new site. Benton agreed as long as it was on a weekend. With a little initiative by Williams, a tour was arranged, leaving from Jerry’s Tree last Sunday.
Most students do not have access to drive up to see the progress on the buildings. Some students have complained that construction stains the university’s landscape, and others have voiced frustration over early morning wake-up calls from cement trucks that drive up John Tyler Drive toward the new campus.
“It’s hard to tell people they should deal with the construction when they can’t see what is going on,” Williams said. “But when you are able to be a part of it you find less reasons to complain.”
Benton entertained students with history and the background of how the Drescher campus has come to be. Years ago he rode up trails on his horse to view the site, and even then he was sure one day something great would be created, Benton said.
The new campus will be home to the new Beckman Management Center for the Graziadio School of Business and Management, the School of Public Policy, the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, the Collazo Library and Learning Center, a Student Services Center and the Graziadio Executive Center.
“The whole tour was impressive; he knew all the information about what they had to do to get it to this point,” Nicole Garcia, another student on the tour, said.
Drescher Graduate Campus was named after benefactor John F. Drescher, who died two years ago.
“He loved Pepperdine and was excited about our students and about the development of the new campus,” former Vice Chancellor Dr. Larry Hornbaker once said in an interview with The Graphic.
A highlight of the tour was the sight of the Heroes Garden, which will be a haven for students to relax, meditate and reflect on the heroism of people during the Sept. 11 tragedy. It pays homage to Pepperdine alum Tom Burnett Jr. who went down with United Flight 93, but not before he led a passenger revolt, preventing the plane from killing any people on the ground in Pennsylvania.
“The water in the garden will drown out noise from the highway,” Williams said. “This will provide a place for students to relax undisturbed. It is so incredible. Not only do you have an ocean view, but you have a view of our beautiful campus.”
Also providing more parking space and additional staff, faculty and student housing, the Drescher Campus may answer the space problems students run into currently on Seaver’s campus. New homes are expected to be complete in late 2003 or early 2004. Additional facilities will include a pool and spa.
The campus is scheduled to open in August. Despite the heavy rains this week, Assistant Vice President for Construction John Elliott said the construction should be able to make up for the inclement weather.
The contractors used on the site have the power to add extra men for any necessary catch-up work, he said.
“We’re in real good shape,” Elliott said.
Williams said he already senses the value the Drescher Campus will have for Pepperdine.
“Many who went commented now that they’ve seen the new campus, they’d apply for graduate school here at Pepperdine.” Williams said.
February 13, 2003
