KELLY DAVIES
Staff Writer
Going AWOL commenced Monday, sparking four days of activities intended to leave seniors with something more than a diploma.
The Student Alumni Organization worked to give seniors food, advice, music and other giveaways for the event that runs until today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By the fountain on main campus, graduating seniors signed up for SAO benefits and services and received their senior gifts.
“Each day there is a different scene,” said Katrina Wills, president of SAO. “There’s also different food and giveaways.”
Wills helped organize the annual event, which she said aims to give seniors the tools they need as they continue past college and into the rest of their lives.
Along with a cake that said “Congratulations Class of 2005,” students Monday received information from Kaplan about discounts for graduate testing. Senior Challenge was on hand to request funds for the senior gift.
“There’s a lot of resources available and everyone’s really helpful,” said senior Jessica Heller. “It’s really neat to see that they still want Pepperdine students to be involved with the school and help us, even the ones who have graduated.”
Tuesday, students had root beer floats and candy, and there will be people talking about how students can keep PepXpress as their lifetime account.
“That rumor about not having that, it’s not true,” Wills said. “You can keep it.”
Good news for alumna who want to stay in touch. There was also a benefits package that includes contact information, online services and information on regional chapters.
“There’s alumni that get together around the country,” Wills said. “There’s info about that, too.”
The benefits package also has a list of everything from restaurants to insurance places to information on all the services available to alumni.
Students who attended received “Pepperdine Alumni” decals for their cars. And those who attend today will have faculty and staff cooking burgers and hotdogs for a barbecue.
Seniors are encouraged to attend, but only students who have applied for graduation — not those who are seniors by credit — are eligible.
All students were given a bracelet that they kept all week to receive more gifts. SGA gave out the last of their sweatshirts, most of which were XXL.
SAO anticipated 200 students per day, and food was available for the first few hundred.
Today’s festivities will end with Reunion Zero in Elkins, which runs from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
All seniors who attend will get personalized alumni cards, license plate frames and the benefits package. Seaver Dean David Baird will speak, and the night will be followed with hot chocolate and Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Students who do not attend the festivities but want their alumni card can contact the Student Alumni Organization at SAO@pepperdine.edu.
“Heads up to the juniors next year,” Wills said. “It’s growing bigger and bigger, and more and more people are involved. Next year it’s going to be even bigger; we’ll have a band and cooler stuff to give away.”
03-31-2005