A Message from Pepperdine President Jim Gash to the Pepperdine Community
The last few days have been a turbulent time in our community. Sirens wailing, fires blazing on the horizon and on our hillsides, multiple shelter-in-place orders—these were not the scenes any of us would have envisioned or hoped for to end our semester together.
While the saying that “turbulent times create character” contains truth, it does not tell the full story.
It is even more true that turbulent times reveal character. In the midst of difficulty, you do not have time to sit down and decide who you are—as a person or as an institution. Turbulent times simply pull back the curtain. They show, for better or for worse, what is already there.
Jesus demonstrated this principle powerfully in the parable of the two builders (Matthew 4:24-27). The house built on the rock and the house built on the sand looked very similar until the storms and the floods came. That was when one house stood firm and one house took a great fall. The turbulent weather revealed which house had a strong foundation and which did not.
I have been incredibly proud of—but wholly unsurprised by—the character that has been revealed in our community during this time of turbulence.
Our faculty and staff have calmly displayed sound judgment under tremendous pressure and have demonstrated admirable, selfless care for our students. Likewise, our RAs and SLAs have gone above and beyond in fulfilling the call to leadership. Our students have embodied compassion, unity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Pepperdine has stood strong—this time, as in times past—because our foundation is strong. Because we, as a community, possess a character made to withstand times of turbulence. Because we are built on the rock.
I am awestruck and incredibly grateful for the heroic efforts of our local firefighters and emergency personnel who have worked tirelessly to defend our campus—and who continue to work ceaselessly to protect Malibu as the fire rages on. As we have done in the past, we will find a time after the holidays to appropriately recognize our first responders and express our gratitude as a community.
Throughout Pepperdine’s history, our Emergency Operations Committee, composed of various leaders across the University and courageously led by executive vice president Phil Phillips, has demonstrated the kind of judgment and character that sets a standard of selfless service to the world. During times of great need, these leaders make significant personal sacrifices to provide round-the-clock guidance and unwavering steadiness in service to our community. We witnessed their thoughtful and strategic decision-making yet again this past week.
I am also grateful for you, our community, for your remarkable cooperation and resilience over the past week. I am grateful to God for his protection over our campus and our city during this time of turbulence. I encourage you to continue to pray for those whose lives and property are still threatened by the Franklin Fire and for the heroes who continue to battle the blaze.
As you move into the holiday season, I pray that God would grant you a time of peace, rest, and celebration with those you love. I pray that the joy and light of the Savior would fill your heart this Christmas. I pray that you return to campus refreshed, with your courageous and joyful spirit. It is you—our students, faculty, and staff—who make Pepperdine the unique place that it is.
When we return in the new year, we will continue to pursue knowledge and the search for truth in every aspect of life. We will continue to practice the genuine fellowship and deep joy that makes Pepperdine special. We will continue to love and support one another through every good time and every difficulty. It will not always be easy. But we will continue to rise to meet whatever challenges come our way.
With God’s help, we will continue to stand firm.
May the Lord keep you in his hand this December and bring you back to us safely in the new year.
Jim Gash
President and CEO, Pepperdine University