The Finding Aid of the Pepperdine University Commencement Collection
0022
Finding aid prepared by Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA, 90263-4786
(310) 506-4434
specialcollections@pepperdine.edu
September 2012
Title: Pepperdine University Commencement collection
Identifier/Call Number: 0022
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Physical Description:
28.02 linear feet
(24 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1938-2013
Abstract: The collection consists of materials related to commencement ceremonies held at Pepperdine University, including video recordings,
photographs, printed material, and programs. Materials in the collection span from 1938 to 2013, and document commencement
ceremonies held at all five schools of Pepperdine: George Pepperdine College/Seaver College, the Graziadio School of Business
and Management, the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, the School of Law, and the School of Public Policy.
Location note: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Language of Materials: Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections
and University Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Pepperdine University Commencement collection, Collection no. 0022, Special Collections and University
Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials were collected from University Archives files.
Historical note
Commencements at Pepperdine began at George Pepperdine College in 1938, which became Pepperdine University in 1971. In 1972,
the Malibu campus of Pepperdine opened, and commencement ceremonies were then held at both the Malibu and Los Angeles campuses.
The College of Arts and Sciences at the Los Angeles Campus was renamed the School of General (later Professional) Studies
in 1975, but was disbanded in 1981 when Pepperdine sold their Los Angeles location. In 1975, the liberal arts college on the
Malibu Campus was dedicated as the Frank R. Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Science, and is most commonly known as Seaver
College today. Along with these two main campuses, Pepperdine also maintained extension programs at off-site locations which
included sites like Hawaii along with international locations. These programs' flexible scheduling were designed to allow
military personnel to complete academic degrees, but were discontinued in the 1970s due to their administrative costs.
The first professional schools at Pepperdine were established in 1969, with the purchase of the Orange University College
of Law which became Pepperdine's School of Law in 1970, as well as the reorganization of the business department into its
own School of Business and Management (renamed the Graziadio School of Business and Management in 1996). In 1971, the education
department also became its own School of Education, and in 1982 incorporated the psychology division and was renamed the Graduate
School of Education and Psychology (GSEP). Pepperdine's newest school, the School of Public Policy, was established in 1997.
Scope and Content
The collection contains items related to the commencement ceremonies held at all of the schools of Pepperdine, including video
recordings, photographs, and programs of ceremonies; as well as other textual materials related to commencement including
invitations and press releases. Materials in the collection range from 1938 to 2013.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged chronologically unless otherwise noted. The collection is arranged into four series:
- Series 1: Audio/Video Recordings
- Series 2: Photographs
- Series 3: Miscellaneous Materials
- Series 4: Programs
Related Archival Materials
Photographs, negatives, and slides related to commencements prior to 1992 can also be found in the Pepperdine University Archives
Photographs, Negatives, and Slides, or online via the Pepperdine Digital Collections, in the University Archives Photograph
Collection (http://pepperdine.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/).
Processing Information note
The collection was arranged and described by Jessica Geiser and Jamie Henricks in September, 2012.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Graziadio School of Business and Management.
Pepperdine College.
Pepperdine University. Graduate School of Education and Psychology.
Pepperdine University. School of Law.
Pepperdine University. School of Public Policy.
Pepperdine University.
Seaver College.
Christian universities and colleges--United States--History
Commencement ceremonies
DVDs
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History
Malibu (Calif.)--History
Photographs
Press releases
Programs
Universities and colleges--Awards
Universities and colleges--California--History
Videocassettes
Box 1-10
Series 1:
Audio/Video Recordings
1988-2001
Scope and Content
Audiovisual materials include approximately 50 DVDs, approximately 120 VHS tapes, approximately 220 audiocassette tapes, 6
CDs, and one each of betamax and u-matic tapes.
Box 1
Graziadio School of Business and Management
Box 2
Graziadio School of Business and Management, School of Public Policy, and School of Law
Box 3
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Box 11-19
Series 2:
Photographs
1992-2008
Box 11
Commencement Photographs
circa 1959-1979
Box 12
Commencement Photographs
1980-2004 April
Box 13
Commencement Photographs
2004 April-2005 April
Box 14
Commencement Photographs
2005 May-August
Box 15
Commencement Photographs
2005 August-2006 May
Box 16
Commencement Photographs
2006 May-2007 April
Box 17
Commencement Photographs
2007 April-June
Box 18
Commencement Photographs
2007 August-2008 May
Box 19
Commencement Photographs
2008 May-December; undated
Oversize Item 1-2
Large Senior Class Photograph
2002
Box 20
Series 3:
Miscellaneous Materials
1941-2013
Scope and Content
The series contains materials related to various commencement ceremonies at Pepperdine. Materials include invitations; lists
of graduates; transcripts of commencement speeches; a list of honorary degree recipients; press releases; newspaper clippings;
a sample diploma; student instructions for the ceremonies; faculty reminders; schedules; and letters written to graduating
classes.
Box 20-24
Series 4:
Programs
1938-2012
Arrangement
Materials in the series are arranged chronologically by school.
Box 20
George Pepperdine College
1938-1970
Box 20
Pepperdine University, Hawaii Campus
1972-1978
Box 20
Pepperdine University, Orange County Campus
1975
Box 20
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles Campus
1971-1976
Box 20
College of Arts and Sciences
1975-1976
Box 20
School of General Studies
1976-1977
Box 20
School of Professional Studies
1977-1981
Box 20
Pepperdine University, Malibu Campus
1973-1975
Box 22
Orange University College of Law
1968
Box 22-23
Graziadio School of Business and Management
1974-2012
Box 24
School of Education
1975-1981
Box 24
Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP)
1982-2012
Box 24
School of Public Policy
1999-2012
