Nootbaar Endowment
Law school receives $5 million endowment
Shannon Kelly
Editor-In-Chief
The Graphic
Following a $5 million gift to Pepperdine's School of Law, its Institute on Law, Religion and Ethics will take Elinor and Herbert Nootbaar's namesake - honoring their endowment that will significantly expand programs and opportunities for students.
"When we realized the extent of their work and the programs and mission, we were so inspired that we wanted to help," Elinor said, and added she and her husband's support also stems from their belief in "instilling moral and ethical values in our young people for the future of our country and for the world."
The Herbert & Elinor Nootbaar Institute on Law, Religion & Ethics is a one-of-a-kind institution according to its director, Louis D. Brandeis Professor of Law Robert Cochran.
The institute provides students and faculty an opportunity to explore the intersection of religion, law and ethics through interdisciplinary seminars and conferences and also supports students who work with human rights groups across the globe.
"We'll be able to do bigger and better programs and conferences with this, but we also have begun to sit down and consider other possible projects," Cochran said about the Nootbaar's donation. "We also hope to fund more students who want to work for international human rights organizations."
Like many of the University's donors, the Nootbaar's are connected to Pepperdine through their immense respect for its mission and their appreciation for its community.
"There is just something special about Pepperdine," Mrs. Nootbaar said pointing to the institute's statement of purpose as an example of the Christian values she and her husband respect so much.
"Much of our law is rooted in religion. Religion is the source of the ethical values of most people and the law reflects ethical values setting minimum standards with which citizens must comply," reads part of the Institute on Law, Religion & Ethics statement of purpose.
While neither of the Nootbaar's attended Pepperdine, nor have any of their relatives, their history with the university goes back more than 50 years to their friendship with Norvel and Helen Young.
Norvel served 14 years as president of the University starting in 1957 and his wife has long been considered the matriarch of Pepperdine.
Herbert and Norvel met when they served together on the Board of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Elinor and Helen served together on the Associated Women for Pepperdine, which was founded in 1957.
The Nootbaars say that through their connections with the Youngs as well as other prominent Pepperdine families like the Seavers, they gained an appreciation for the school and for "its stabilizing influence in the field of education."
The Nootbaars have been long-time supporters of Pepperdine and in the past year have contributed to the School of Law's William French Smith Memorial Lectures and endowed the dean's office, along with their most recent gift.
Herb is the former corporate vice president of Ralston Purina Co. and the former CEO and president of Taylor Milling Corp. and West Coast Wharf and Storage Co. Both remain involved in H.V. Nootbaar Co. and boast successful careers in the industry.
The official naming ceremony for the Herbert and Elinor Nootbaar Institute of Law, Religion, and Ethics will take place Nov. 8 at the School of Law.