LINDSEY DAY HOFFMAN
Staff Writer
More than 700 Seaver College students are just hours away from their long-sought graduation ceremony, and news that First Lady Laura Bush will be the featured speaker has stirred up some extra excitement.
It has also led to a few concerns.
The 12-ticket limit per graduating student has upset a few Seaver seniors. “I am excited that Laura Bush is coming and am not frustrated with the ticket limit because I only have four people coming, but I understand other people’s concerns,” said graduate-to-be Christina Cochran.
Fellow graduate Dion Dohmen echoed that sentiment. “This commencement speaker is a great opportunity for the university, but it comes at the expense of the students,” he said.
In response to students’ concerns, 660 seats have been added for the ceremony held at Alumni Park. The added seating creates a capacity for more than 10,500 guests. The University also plans to cablecast the events live in Smothers Theatre, Waves Cafeteria and Elkins Auditorium.
“These measures have been taken to assure as many family members and guests of our graduating seniors as possible have an opportunity to witness graduation and hear First Lady Laura Bush’s commencement address,” Pepperdine Public Relations Office said in a statement issued on April 17.
The First Lady is the leader of President Bush’s Helping America’s Youth Initiative which focuses on programs to aid younger generations in avoiding issues such as violence, underage sexual activity, and alcohol use. She also has a passion for reading and has worked with organizations including Troops to Teachers and Teach for America, whose efforts are to recruit well equipped teachers.
In 2001, she united with the Library of Congress to launch the first National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the First Lady, Christine Yi will deliver the student farewell address. Yi, an Intercultural Communication major, has served the Pepperdine community throughout the past 4 years. Her many accomplishments include her role director for Convocation Special Programs, overseas missions, her involvement in Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, and singing at Convocation.
Most recently, she was a member of Project Serve’s 2007 Panama team.
“She is one of the nicest and most God-centered people that I know,” said student Liz Dillion.
“Anyone that has ever met Christine knows what a generous and loving person that she is,” added Maggie Samuel, a student.
Yi’s address will be structured around George Pepperdine’s speech to the class of 1957. She will also talk about her experiences at Pepperdine, how the students have impacted her life, and how much she admires each one of them.
“The main point of my speech is that change is a blessing. We are blessed to be able to change ourselves into better people, people of noble character and love – people who can be more like Christ,” she said. “It is a vision and challenge to our class to be lights to the world; as changed people, to change the world by being lights.”
Pepperdine’s University’s class of 2007 will begin lining up at 9 a.m. on Saturday in Alumni Park. The Commencement Exercises are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Seaver Graduation 2007
-Ceremony will take place Saturday, April 28th
-It will last from 10:30-12:30
-According to the Dean’s Office, there will be approximately 700 graduates
-Commencement speaker is First Lady Laura Bush
-Student Commencement speaker is Christine Yi
04-25-2007