In honor of Women’s History Month Pepperdine hosted a Women of Distinction Dinner on Wednesday to recognize female faculty and staff who have significantly impacted students.
Students had the opportunity to nominate a Pepperdine professor or staff member for the first annual Woman of Distinction award by writing an essay detailing what makes her a distinguished woman at Pepperdine.
“We want people to know the way that females impact the Pepperdine community said senior Claire Dennard, a member of Intercultural Affairs (ICA) and coordinator of the Women’s History Month events.
So much good work has been done on campus by female faculty and staff Intercultural Affairs Director Don Lawrence said. We’re hoping this will grow into something more significant in the next few years.”
“This year there are 15 nominees which is a pretty good turnout for our first year Dennard said.
Out of the 15 nominees, ICA awarded Dr. Lisa Bauer the first Woman of Distinction Award and a 100 dollar gift certificate to Geoffrey’s.
Although we’re giving only one award we don’t really feel like there’s only one big winner Lawrence said. Every woman here is a woman of distinction.”
To show this at the end of the night all the students gave their nominees gifts.
The process of picking one winner presented a challenge for ICA.
“We asked each student to write an essay describing why the woman who they nominated was a woman of distinction and looked at those to pick a winner Lawrence said. It was a really hard process. Everyone’s story was so compelling.”
Many of the students who nominated Pepperdine women had a personal connection with her and an appreciation for her teaching style.
Freshman Natalia Hoyos an International Studies major nominated her professor Emily Scott-Lowe because of this. “She’s an extraordinary out of the box teacher Lowe said. She’s very engaging.”
Senior Loureen Ayyoub another International Studies major admired her nominee’s teaching style as well. She nominated University Chaplain D’Esta Love.
“Usually a lot of professors just teach their subjects and don’t really form a relationship with the students Ayyoub said. She was very patient and very helpful and had a lot of sincerity.”
“It’s good to see leaders of issues on campus like equality within the church Ayyoub added. She was the first woman who prayed at Convocation at Pepperdine in 1992. I think people don’t realize that we still have a while to go.”
“I’ve been at Pepperdine for 31 years Love said. Women have not always been valued on this campus in terms of opportunity for leadership. It’s important that we achieve these changes and continue to call ourselves to step forward.”
Although all the nominees were women of distinction ICA chose Bauer who was nominated by junior Megan Caywood.
“She is set apart by her ability to inspire a passion for learning in a way that is unique and lasting Dennard said.
When it comes to research this professor goes above and beyond to provide her students with encouragement and opportunities?Dennard continued. She even teaches an extra class for which she receives no financial compensation. She instills in her students a confidence that will transcend all seasons of their lives and is there for them no matter what.”
It is women at Pepperdine such as Bauer and the other nominees that remind ICA and the Pepperdine community of women’s potential to “make history” in the hearts and minds of their students.
“I think it is important to celebrate women’s history because women have contributed a great deal in society Assistant Professor of English Joi Carr said. It’s important to separate that and have a conversation about it. I think Pepperdine’s doing a good job of it. At least they are having women’s history events. Some universities don’t even do that.”
“I think it’s important to just celebrate women Lawrence said. They are one of the groups in American that has been repressed and are still fighting for their rights. It’s sad that we have to have months for these groups to be recognized. We’ve come a long way and still have a long way to go.”
Betty Rengifo Tucker Executive Vice-President of Comerica Bank and Pepperdine doctoral student spoke at the dinner and awards ceremony encouraging the women present to continue making progress.
“Everyone in the room has gone through a journey to get to where they are today Tucker said. I want to instill in them a jolt to do something different. My intention is to make all of them feel empowered.”
As an executive of a bank speaker humanitarian president of a nonprofit group student and a mother of three Tucker understands the potential challenges confronted by women in the workplace. However she encourages women not to be limited by them.
“A lot of my female peers feel like they have to be like a man and compete with men but you have to ask yourself ‘What if my limitations are greater than theirs?'” Tucker said. “I think as a woman sometimes we go into positions where there’s a good old boys’ club but I still don’t see being a woman as a negative point against me.”
Tucker told female students not to place self-imposed limits on prospective accomplishments.
“When I was in undergrad I didn’t realize the horizons I would get to Tucker said. I’ve done so many things that I never would have thought possible when I was an undergrad. Undergrad students should ask themselves ‘What possibilities do I have that are not in my view?'”
Tucker also spoke on the importance of students putting themselves out there to find a mentor.
“If there’s someone that you would like to be your mentor don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask Tucker said. Don’t limit yourself to what you know today. Use somebody else’s knowledge.”
With these insights Tucker said she hopes to encourage the Pepperdine women involved in the Woman of Distinction Dinner and Award to continue making history on and off Pepperdine’s campus.
