AIRAN SCRUBY
News Editor
“Celebrating the Human Spirit” was the theme for this year’s annual report, an official university booklet to inform those connected with Pepperdine of university activities and achievements during 2005.
The 32-page booklet featured individuals whose lives exemplified the theme for the Annual Report, such as alumna Helen Young, who graduated in 1939 and has remained involved with the university for more than 50 years. Also featured was SGA President Leon Dixson, graduate student and Fulbright scholar Kari Filerman, and alumnus and water polo U.S. Olympian Terry Schroeder.
“Reaching up, reaching beyond, always pressing forward: this is the passion of the human spirit,” Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton wrote in the report.
In addition to highlighting individuals’ accomplishments, the annual report informs readers of academic advances, athletic honors, admission statistics and financial information about school income and how university money is spent.
For the 2005 fiscal year, Pepperdine’s assets increased 7 percent to more than $1 billion dollars, according to the report. Student tuition and fees accounted for 65 percent of total revenue, and the report said that 95 percent of each student’s fees directly impacted their education at Pepperdine.
Pepperdine also saw gains in academics. The report said The School of Law jumped 22 places in U.S. News & World Report, to number 77 nationwide.
The Pepperdine Waves brought five West Coast Conference titles home, in baseball, men’s tennis, men’s golf, women’s tennis and women’s golf. Pepperdine also won the first All-Sports Trophy as the highest ranked athletic program without a football team for 2004-2005. Other sporting victories and landmarks were also outlined in the annual report.
Incoming freshman were selected from the largest applicant pool in school history, according to the report. Of the more than 7,800 students who applied, 837 chose to attend. This was the largest applicant pool in history.
The Annual Report was delivered to students’ home addresses in January.
01-19-2006