From Friday, October 3, through Sunday, October 5, 佩珀代因大学 hosted its annual Waves Weekend, where students, faculty, alumni, and their families gathered for an extended time of fellowship and celebration on the Malibu campus. This year’s event welcomed more than 1,500 guests and commemorated the 40^th anniversary of the 佛罗伦萨国际课程, as well as alumni classes of the 2000s along with the overlapping class before and after that decade. It also heralded the announcement of 西维尔大学’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus, visionary business leader Henning Strauss (’01), who, for the first time in the position, in addition to serving as a speaker at the 西维尔大学 Class of 2026 commencement ceremony, will be formally embedded into campus life and serve as a mentor for the graduating class.

与会者在疯狂村享受狂欢节

“Waves Weekend was a joyous celebration of our wonderful Pepperdine community,” said Hung Le (’87, MA ’03) Pepperdine’s senior vice chancellor of alumni affairs. “Every year, this event gives us the opportunity to bring our alumni family back to campus and engage with our current students. What a beautiful occasion it was to see the Waves spirit of Blue and Orange Madness, the bridges formed by our Florence program, the relationships rekindled by our alumni, and the genuine heart of service exuded by Henning Strauss, this year’s Distinguished Alumnus.”

Since graduating from 西维尔大学 in 2001, Strauss has taken the helm of his family’s business as the chief executive officer of Europe’s leading workwear and lifestyle brand, Strauss. Managing both branding and product design, the 西维尔大学 alumnus has helped elevate the Germany-based company into a highly successful and recognizable international brand. Under his leadership, the Strauss brand has become one of the world’s leading sponsors of professional sports, with notable partnerships with the Union of European Football Association, the National Football League, and Major and Minor League Baseball.

“西维尔大学 considers it a unique privilege to have Henning Strauss serve as our Distinguished Alumnus for the 2025-26 academic year,” said Lee Kats, dean of Seaver College. “The global success of the Strauss company, as well as its enduring brand values of enthusiasm, appreciation, and community, speaks to the expertise and ingenuity of Henning and his personal philosophy as a CEO. I look forward to our students getting to know and learn from him throughout this year.”

As 西维尔大学’s Distinguished Alumnus for the 2025–26 academic year, Strauss will assume an unprecedented role on Pepperdine’s campus. Specifically, he will collaborate closely with students through meaningful touchpoints such as class visits, one-on-one mentorship, and potential international engagement opportunities.

“It is a true honor to serve and give back to my alma mater as 西维尔大学’s Distinguished Alumnus,” said Strauss. “In this humbling role, I aspire to root myself in Pepperdine’s vibrant educational environment and act as a trusted guide for current undergraduates. Over the next year, I hope to meet students where they are, listen to and understand their passions and dreams, and open exciting new doors of encouragement and affirmation for them.”

Waves Weekend began with three academic divisions, 工商管理, 沟通, and 自然科学 hosting their respective “回来-to-School” Day during which alumni return to engage with students in the classrooms, share their life experiences, and reconnect with the faculty.

体育名人堂成员被授予蓝橙疯狂勋章

At Blue and Orange Madness, Pepperdine’s annual celebration of school spirit and athletic pride, the University opened the Waves men’s and women’s basketball season and welcomed the 2025 Pepperdine 体育运动 Hall of Fame class, highlighted by US Olympian, alumna Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams) (’15) . The Pepperdine community streamed into Firestone Fieldhouse on Friday night after participating in the lively atmosphere of Madness Village, where attendees enjoyed a ferris wheel, carnival rides, food trucks, and a myriad of other game and food booths.

On Saturday, the festivities continued with the Florence Grand Reunion, where students, faculty, staff, and alumni who studied abroad at Pepperdine’s residential campus in Italy were hosted at the Brock House by president Jim Gash (’JD 93) and first lady Joline Gash (’92). There, the University celebrated the impact of the Florence program with food, entertainment, and reflections from community members including program director Elizabeth Whatley (’84). Before introducing Whatley to speak, President Gash surprised the much beloved director with the announcement of a scholarship for Florence students being established in her name.

“Elizabeth was visibly moved and was deeply touched by President Gash’s announcement,” said Le. “她一生都致力于服务和照顾我们的学生。 It was most appropriate that her name is tied to something that will have a lasting impact on helping our students share in the life-transforming experience of the Florence Program.”

Another highlight of the weekend was the opportunity to honor alumnus Rob Balucas (’99) with the Wave of Resilience Award. Ten years ago, Balucas was training for his first half Ironman when a cycling accident on a sharp downhill turn paralyzed him from the waist down. While in the hospital, Balucas determined that he would not let this tragic accident keep him down. He set a goal to compete in a triathlon within a year; 在接下来的12个月里，他完成了三项任务。

海浪周末2025

从那以后，巴卢卡斯在适应性田径运动中留下了印记。 He is a three-time Ironman World Championship qualifier, finishing fourth at last year's Ironman 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand. This year alone, he raced his fifth L.A. Marathon with a third place finish, finished his second Napa Valley Marathon, won the Venice Beach Half Marathon, claimed first male at the Disneyland Half Marathon for the second time, and took first place at the Long Beach Triathlon. Just last month he and his relay teammates, partner Erika Chau and fellow alumnus Aaron Jasper (’99), finished second at the Long Beach Triathlon.

Balucas credits his Pepperdine community for standing by him, providing the love and support needed for him to choose to live life with resolve and a commitment to make every day count. “To say that I love Rob Balucas is the under华体会体育ment of the year,” Le 华体会体育d when he presented Balucas with the award. “Rob, you are a true inspiration to all of us. Your strength, character, and resilience call us to honor life and celebrate community. 我们向你们致敬，并将继续在这里支持你们。”

Between each of these highlight events, Pepperdine created ample opportunity for broader community engagement. During 海浪周末2025, parents were invited to attend certain classes alongside their undergraduate students, gaining insight into their child’s day-to-day life at 西维尔大学. Numerous other programs on campus, including the 伟大的书籍计划, the Student Government Association, and the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council, held their respective reunions.

“Coming back to the Malibu campus for Waves Weekend felt like returning home,” said Brian Lee (’95). “Pepperdine is where I grew spiritually, built lifelong friendships, and experienced so many meaningful ‘firsts’ in my life. Attending this year’s event is especially important to me because it’s not only a chance to reconnect with old friends, but also an opportunity to engage with today’s students who are part of organizations like the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council and the Student Government Association that shaped my own journey.”