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Graham Shea / Asst. Photo Editor
President Andrew K. Benton addresses the crowd at the Founder's Day Convocation in the Firestone Fieldhouse.
The sound of bagpipes wafted though the air Wednesday morning.
No, this was not a belated St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The traditional Scottish bagpipes wailed in commemoration of the University’s founder, George Pepperdine.
This year’s Founder’s Day Convocation transformed the Firestone Fieldhouse into a vivid array of the school’s colors — orange and blue carpeting sheathed the hardwood floors while azure curtains draped the back wall, providing a fluid backdrop to bouquets of vibrant orange flowers surrounding the wooden speaker’s podium.
A highlight from Wednesday’s festivities included a reading of George Pepperdine’s original dedication address from 1937 presented by his granddaughter, Heather Pepperdine, a student at the Graziadio School of Business and Management.
The Convocation also featured a performance of “You Raise Me Up” by the University Concert Choir and an address by President Andrew K. Benton.
Provost Darryl Tippens provided the ceremony’s welcoming remarks.
“We gather today to remember our founder’s vision,” Tippens said to a crowd of students, faculty and guests.
Founder’s Day serves two distinct purposes in the collective mind of the Pepperdine community. The event celebrates the Sept. 21, 1937 founding of George Pepperdine College in Los Angeles, as well as the official start of the academic year.
“Out of all Convos held during the year, I think that Founder’s Day is my favorite one,” said senior Carlina Johnson. “It’s so nice to see alumni, students and faculty come together to reminisce upon our school’s beginning.”
Submitted 09-16-2004
MALIBU, CA
