Letter from the Editor

Far from home, but close to the heart.

With each issue of Pepperdine Magazine, we aim to introduce you, our readers, to a cross section of the University community in order to nurture your connection to your alma mater, no matter the distance. Our mission is to reach you, wherever you are, by sharing stories of transformation and inspiring feelings of pride and purpose.

In this issue, we read how the members of our community have found and fulfilled their own unique purpose by venturing beyond the worlds they know and exploring their calling away from home.

In our cover story, we learn of the hundreds of international students planting new roots on campus and those faculty, staff, and students across the University empowering them to thrive in an unfamiliar environment.

We meet William “Bill” Wagasy (JD ’00, MDR ’01), a former U.S. Navy SEAL who discovered a more personal mission miles from where he was from—one that sent him on four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and back to Los Angeles, where he now works to help his fellow servicemen and women reach their full potential both during and after fulfilling their military duties.

Then there are artist-educators like Joe Piasentin, a California native who, for almost 40 years, has encouraged students around the world to expand their curiosity, a practice he says has had a transformative impact on his own work back at home.

We hope you are moved by these stories and invite you to share how you experience Pepperdine Magazine in ourreader survey. Your thoughts are valuable in helping us reach your hearts and homes, no matter how near or far.

Gareen Darakjian
Editor