Pepperdine’s Waves Weekend 2024 Celebrates Community and Connection With Generations of Waves
From Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6, 2024, hundreds of Pepperdine students, alumni, families, and friends gathered for this year’s Waves Weekend, a vibrant three-day celebration of community and Waves spirit. The weekend was packed with activities, such as the Family and Alumni Picnic, multiple reunions, a reception hosted by president Jim Gash (JD ’93) and his wife, Joline ('92), at the Brock House, and a preview of the Mountain at Mullin Park, Pepperdine’s future recreation, fitness, and wellness center. Attendees also participated in a morning hike to the cross, toured the historic Adamson House estate, and attended worship services at the University Church of Christ and Waves Church.
Madness Village carnival ride
Established in 2010, Waves Weekend was created when Alumni Affairs and Student Activities combined several annual Pepperdine events into one unified celebration for the entire University community. Senior vice chancellor for alumni affairs, Hung Le (’87, MA ’03), describes the event as a unique opportunity for families and alumni to reconnect and engage with the Pepperdine community in a fun, tradition-rich environment. According to Le, Waves Weekend showcases the University’s greatest qualities, fostering meaningful connections and lasting relationships.
“There was a palpable spirit of love and joy on campus, as alumni returned home from all corners of the world,” shares Le. “The Pepperdine community thrives when we come together, and students, staff, and faculty put in great effort to prepare for this special time, honoring our families and alumni. Waves Weekend offers a unique chance to strengthen the University from within, celebrating our shared connection and the life we build together.”
Highlights from the weekend include the transformation of the Malibu campus into Madness Village, a lively carnival featuring rides, games, and food trucks, as well as Blue and Orange Madness, the official start of the Waves basketball season. The event introduced the men’s and women’s teams to the community and marked the first public introduction of new basketball coaches Ed Schilling and Katie Faulkner, who both joined Pepperdine in the spring.
Blue and Orange Madness dunking contest
Alumni also enjoyed several reunion events, including the 1990s Decade Reunion and the London Grand Reunion, which celebrated 40 years of Pepperdine’s London Program and featured graduates from both Seaver College and the Caruso School of Law. Le noted that the wide variety of reunion activities encouraged alumni to engage with community members as well as current students.
“By giving alumni multiple reasons to return, their homecoming became even more meaningful and impactful,” he said. “It allowed them to relive treasured moments, reflect on fond memories, and reunite with old friends they hadn’t seen in years. The opportunity to connect with students at events such as the Business Administration Division’s Back-to-School Day made the weekend even more special.”
Seaver College student Kennedy Lindsey connected with alumni during Waves Weekend and described the event as an invaluable opportunity for students seeking professional growth and job prospects, emphasizing that conversations with alumni can have a lasting impact on students’ lives after graduation. “Alumni play a vital role in offering students advice, insights, and professional resources,” Lindsey said. “Building connections with students can also benefit alumni, particularly when they’re looking for interns or employees for their businesses. A simple coffee meeting could open doors to unexpected opportunities.”
Recent graduate Yihua Zhang (PhD ’24), also emphasized the value of connection, noting that having the opportunity to gather together during Waves Weekend opens the door for networking and friendship. "It's a great opportunity to meet new friends and expand my social and professional network,” said Zhang. “What I value most from this experience is the meaningful connections we’ve built and the engaging conversations we’ve shared."
Waves Weekend will return next year and be held from Friday, October 3, to Sunday, October 5, 2025, featuring nostalgic gatherings such as the 2000s Decade Reunion and the Florence Grand Reunion celebrating 40 years of the international program. For more on this year’s Waves Weekend and upcoming events, visit the event’s official website.