Reunion, Lectures, Golf, More: Pepperdine Law Celebrates Waves Weekend 2015
On Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, 2015, Pepperdine School of Law celebrated Pepperdine University's Annual Waves Weekend with an extraordinary slate of events. Hundreds of alumni, family, and friends joined students and faculty on campus and at nearby locations for activities that ranged from the academic to social.
Friday
Family Day, which hosts law student families each year for tours and other events, had its largest attendance in five years, with 160 family members attending the program and 185 family and students enjoying lunch on the law school's front patio.
Helen Andrews and Cory Batza, both second-year students, participated in the standing-room-only final round of the Armand Arabian Advocacy Tournament. The final round was judged by retired California Supreme Court Justice Armand Arabian, Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Boyd (JD ’91), Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann, and California Court of Appeal Justice Tricia Bigelow (JD ’86). Helen and Cory were well-matched in the final round, and the judges congratulated both of them on their excellent advocacy skills. Helen Andrews was declared the winner. This year’s semifinalists were Sam Gilkeson and Ankita Thakkar.
The Annual William French Smith Memorial Lecture (photo album) was delivered by Charles Eskridge (JD ’90), a partner at Quinn Emanuel. He spoke to an audience of over 50 on the topic of the Magna Carta, a thoughtful presentation that saw significant interaction from the attendees. Eskridge also serves on the Law Board of Visitors.
The law school's Board of Visitors met during the weekend. Board members The Honorable Beverly Reid O'Connell (JD '90) and The Honorable Tricia Bigelow (JD '86) presented about their trip to Uganda as part of Pepperdine Law's Global Justice Program. The board also welcomed new member HRH Prince Mohammed bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Saturday
Nine teams competed in the Annual Golf Tournament (photo album), with a student team taking the top prize and four alumni -- Brian Simas, Jerren Wright, Jonathan Pearce, and Jeremy Shatzer -- winning second place. The tournament took place at the Westlake Golf Course, with Professor Steven Schultz sponsoring breakfast burritos.
Over 70 alumni attended the Annual Alumni Reunion, which featured a photo display from the first year, a photo booth, a pop-up store, a student Advocates for Public Interest Law auction, catered food and bar, and a program with six speakers: John Saginaw (JD '75), Jake Glucksman (JD '05), Jim Gash (JD '93), Dean Shelley Saxer, Dean Deanell R. Tacha, and Alumni Relations Director Jessie Fahy. Dean Emeritus Ronald Phillips was recognized for building a strong foundation of people who would fight for an excellent, Christian law school. The Class of 2005 and 1975 hosted dinners after the event.
"The get together and gathering at the Dean's house ... was truly special," said Saginaw. "The fabric and soul of Pepperdine University is in its professors, administrators, students, and alumni. When I headed back to County to attend our of 1975 dinner, I had a big smile on my face. I felt blessed. I felt proud. I felt hopeful. Pepperdine people are making the world a better place one person at a time."