40%: Pepperdine Law's Class of 2018 Most Diverse Ever

For the seventh consecutive year, Pepperdine School of Law has welcomed its most diverse class ever: 40% of the first-year law students who arrived on campus for Launch Week 2015 have identified themselves as African-American, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian. 

"We are so proud of the richly diverse entering class at Pepperdine University School of Law," says Dean Deanell R. Tacha. "We are gratified that these able students chose this law school where we strive to reflect the world around us and to enrich the legal profession and the communities these lawyers will serve with the rich array of talents and life experiences these students bring to us."

Among the most recent diversity initiatives at Pepperdine Law:

• The Spring 2015 formation of a student "Council for Diversity & Inclusion" advisory group.
• The naming of Dean of Student Life Al Sturgeon as the school's new Diversity Officer and three other staff members as Deputy Diversity Officers: (i) Smita Reddy Nowlin; (ii) Nicole Serleto Chavez; and (iii) Marcelo Rosadilla.
• The announcement of a School of Law Diversity Council to be launched during the fall semester and include representatives from each faculty committee.

Sturgeon says, "The increased numbers of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives at Pepperdine Law strengthens this special community by providing increased opportunities to learn from one another as well as learn how to engage in productive, civil dialogue in an increasingly fractured world. I am excited by the important conversations that will be engaged in the year ahead."

Pepperdine School of Law invites the Pepperdine community to its annual Diversity Week celebration, September 8-11, 2015. Please monitor law.pepperdine.edu/events for details about this year's events.

About Pepperdine School of Law

Pepperdine School of Law, founded in 1964 and located in Malibu, California, is committed to serving students by preparing them for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a rapidly changing legal environment. Pepperdine Law provides highly qualified students with a superior legal education through a combination of rigorous academic programs, meaningful interaction with faculty, and extensive clinical and experiential opportunities. The school prepares students for positions as counselors, advocates, and judges; as business persons; and as researchers, teachers, and philosophers of the law. On the web: https://law.pepperdine.edu

Contact

Tom Inkel
Director of Communications
Pepperdine School of Law
310-506-4492
thomas.inkel@pepperdine.edu
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