Meet Your Tour Guide
Annie Sides
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Status: Senior
Major: Rhetoric and Leadership & Psychology
Involvement: Pepperdine Ambassadors Council, HRL, First Year Seminar Mentor, NSO Leader
International Program: Heidelberg, Germany and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
I love the people at Pepperdine. Everyone from the Professors to the Cafeteria staff is friendly and willing to get to know you.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Whatever you put into Pepperdine you will get out of it. Take advantage of the prime location, resources, and opportunities Pepperdine gives to you.
Plans after Pepperdine
Gap year of travel and service and then pursue a PsyD.
Favorite Quote
The difference between Peter and Judas is that when Peter fell He allowed Jesus to pick him up.
Avery Wannemacher
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Status: Junior
Major: Economics
Involvement: Greek Life
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
The best people I've ever known
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Think critically about what type and size of school will be best for you.
Favorite Quote
"I want my every day to make God belly laugh, glad He gave life to someone who loves the gift." -Shauna Niequist
Becca Blair
Hometown: San Dimas, CA
Status: Senior
Major: Integrated Marketing Communication
Involvement: Worship Leader for The Well and Celebration Chapel, Resident Advisor for Hayes House, Songfest Production Assistant, New Student Orientation Coordinator, Member of Delta Gamma, Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society
International Program: Shanghai, China
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
My favorite thing about Pepperdine is the people -- from my colleagues to my professors, I have been encouraged and challenged in every aspect of my life. I have grown academically, spiritually, professionally, and emotionally during my time here. Everyone on this campus is part of a community that uplifts and supports one another, and I am so, so grateful for the friends and mentors that I have found at Pepperdine.
Favorite Quote
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -- Philippians 4:6
Caroline White
Hometown: Columbia, TN
Status: Senior
Major: Rhetoric and Leadership Communication
Involvement: New Student Orientation Leader and Coordinator, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, House Groups, Songfest Director
International Program: Washington D.C., Lausanne, Switzerland
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
My favorite thing about Pepperdine would have to be the relationships, opportunities, and experiences it's given me. The Pacific Ocean doesn't hurt either!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
For the waves coming from far away, embrace change and growth. Step out and take a leap of faith!
Plans after Pepperdine
Potentially taking a gap year to do service work and maybe Graduate School afterwards.
Favorite Quote
Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. -A Cinderella Story
Davis Burnett
Hometown: Houston, TX
Status: Sophomore
Major: Finance
Involvement: Intramural Basketball, Club Soccer, and Greek Life
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
Our community-oriented campus
Plans after Pepperdine
Become a social entrepreneur, working with start-ups and trying to improve the world around me through business.
Favorite Quote
There are two most important days in your life: the day you are born and the day you find out why.
Emily Miller
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Status: Junior
Major: English Education
Involvement: Transfer Community and Project Serve
International Program: Florence, Italy
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
The amazing people and beautiful views!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Get involved and say yes to everything!
Plans after Pepperdine
Become a high school English teacher and travel the world
Favorite Quote
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou
Houston Wilson
Hometown: Palm Springs, CA
Status: Junior
Major: Political Science
Involvement: Spiritual Life Adviser, Catholic Students Association, Pepperdine Democrats
International Program: Heidelberg, Germany
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
My dearest friends and the professors who have transformed my life.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Be nice to your parents during this process; the home can become a powder keg of emotion.
Plans after Pepperdine
Jesuit Volunteer Corps & Law School?
Favorite Quote
"Don't call me a saint. I don't want to be dismissed so easily." -Dorothy Day
Jake Bigon
Hometown: Penryn, CA
Status: Senior
Major: Psychology
Involvement: Pepperdine Ambassadors Council, The Well, Songfest, Housegroup, Resident Advisor
International Program: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
My favorite thing about Pepperdine is the tight-knit community. No matter where you are on campus, you always run into someone you know and there are so many ways that the University itself helps to foster those incredible, life-changing relationships
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try everything that Pepperdine has to offer!
Plans after Pepperdine
I am currently pursuing my PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Favorite Quote
"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right" -Henry Ford
Jesse Monroe
Hometown: Ontario, CA
Status: Junior
Major: Physics
Involvement: Physics Club, Intramural Basketball, Engineering Society
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
Close knit community
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Take advantage of all the opportunities you have!
Plans after Pepperdine
US Navy
Favorite Quote
"If you can't explain it to a 6 year old, you don't understand it yourself." -Albert Einstein
Jon Feher
Hometown: Maple Valley, WA
Status: Freshman
Major: Sports Medicine
Involvement: Surfing Club, Scuba Club and Pre-Med Club
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
My favorite thing about Pepperdine is the opportunity that is presented to make meaningful relationships with my peers and my professors; but, surfing, spearfishing, scuba diving and skating are all close seconds.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Be the most interesting version of yourself that you can, pursue every passion to the fullest, and trust God in every decision. Ultimately, He has a plan for everyone that is so much greater than any that we could construct on our own.
Plans after Pepperdine
My goal is to go to Medical School and enter the field of Orthopedic Surgery.
Favorite Quote
"The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma" - Patrick Star
Jonathan Cottrill
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Status: Freshman
Major: Public Relations
Involvement: Acting, Green Team, House Group, Crossways
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
Always running into people I know.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Apply ASAP, and make your application unique to you!
Plans after Pepperdine
Pursuing my Acting career or become an Entertainment Publicist
Favorite Quote
"I'm a big believer in accepting yourself and not really worrying about it" -Jennifer Lawrence
Katelynn Quick
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Status: Junior
Major: Rhetoric and Leadership
Involvement: Greek Life, Waves Debate, Delight Ministries , International Programs Residential Advisor
International Program: Heidelberg, Germany
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
I feel invested in by so many people on this campus- students older than me, students younger than me, faculty members, and staff. I am so thankful for the community and the opportunity to be a small part of it!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
There is not one right school- God can do so much in and through you no matter where you go! Keep an open mind at Pepperdine, try at least one thing that makes you feel uncomfortable, spend time at the beach, and invest in the people around you. And do your laundry at least every other week :)
Plans after Pepperdine
I would love to become a high school principal or administrator within higher education (maybe your future admissions counselor? Stay tuned.) My dream is to spend the year after graduation doing a Master's degree in London!
Favorite Quote
"A face without freckles is like the sky without stars"
Katie White
Hometown: Bremerton, WA
Status: Junior
Major: Psychology
Involvement: Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, New Student Orientation Leader, Kids Ministries Volunteer
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
The genuine and ambitious community, the countless opportunities to learn and grow, and being right next to the beach is not the worst thing :)
Plans after Pepperdine
Pursue a Masters Degree in School Counseling
Favorite Quote
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
Logan Hicks
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Status: Junior
Major: Accounting
Involvement: Radio Host, Accounting Society
International Program: Heidelberg, Germany
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
The People. Pepperdine has such a unique community of students from all different walks of life.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Take advantage of every opportunity you can. Before you know it, many of those opportunities will have disappeared.
Plans after Pepperdine
Big 4, Work in the music industry
Favorite Quote
"Fish and Whistle, Whistle and Fish, Eat everything that they put on your dish" -John Prine
Madi Stewart
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Status: Freshman
Major: Organizational Communications
Involvement: NewsWaves32, Global Fellows
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland (future)
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
The community of students and incredible staff.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Don't worry! I know the college search is stressful and intimidating, but everything works out the way it is supposed to in the end and you will end up where you belong!
Plans after Pepperdine
Go into ministry or work at a non-profit organization.
Favorite Quote
"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." - C.S. Lewis
Millie Vieira
Hometown: Austin, TX
Status: Freshman
Major: International Studies and French Double Major
Involvement: Dance In Flight, Sorority (Kappa Kappa Gamma, Eta Beta Chapter), Student worker in the Office of Admission
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland (future)
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
My favorite thing about Pepperdine is how close all of the students are! I love being able to walk through main campus and seeing at least 10 students I can recognize by name. I feel truly supported in this community and know that if I ever have a need, I will have a peer or faculty member willing to point to point me to Christ. I also love our French Chapel! We meet every other week in Stauffer Chapel to sing worship songs and hear a message in French. It's a great opportunity for me to practice my language skills, as well as grow in my faith among my fellow students and faculty members.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Taking a lot of AP courses in high school really helped me with my college applications! I was able to boost my academic resume, as well as get some of my general education requirements out of the way before I even came to college. If you get the chance, I encourage you to challenge yourself and take those honors courses in high school, as it will definitely help you out later on!
Plans after Pepperdine
Taking a lot of AP courses in high school really helped me with my college applications! I was able to boost my academic resume, as well as get some of my general education requirements out of the way before I even came to college. If you get the chance, I encourage you to challenge yourself and take those honors courses in high school, as it will definitely help you out later on!
Favorite Quote
"We are our choices far more than we are our abilities" -J.K. Rowling
Nick Janner
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Status: Senior
Major: Integrated Marketing Communications
Involvement: Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Interfraternity Council, Resident Advisor, Social Action and Justice Colloquium
International Program: Lausanne, Switzerland & London, England Summer Internship Program
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
Pepperdine has truly become home. There is a strong sense of community here, and plenty of activities and clubs to find your place in!
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Relax and take a deep breath!
Plans after Pepperdine
I plan on working in account management for advertising.
Favorite Quote
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead
Noel Kildiszew
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
Status: Junior
Major: Interpersonal Communication
Involvement: Resident Advisor for Housing and Residence Life
International Program: Heidelberg, Germany
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
I love how much our faculty members care about the person you are becoming both inside and outside the classroom. Pepperdine lays out so many opportunities for students to discover and develop their passions and strengths. The best part is that everyone at this school is here to support you in whatever you decide to pursue.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Pick your future college based off what will make you happy. No one else is going to experience these four years but you, so you should have the biggest say in the decision. Though academics and athletics are important, don't forget to consider the community of a school. Some may be perfect for a student just like you.
Plans after Pepperdine
I still have time to figure it out.
Favorite Quote
"I went to Target and only bought what I need" - no one ever
Shaya Aguilar
Hometown: Westlake Village, CA
Status: Freshman
Major: Psychology and Nutritional Science/ Spanish Minor
Involvement: Triathlon Club, Character, Volunteer at the Malibu Labor Exchange
International Program: Semester in Washington DC and Madrid Summer Spanish Intensive
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine
My professors and the people.
Words of wisdom for prospective Waves
Pepperdine is not only where I go to school, it has become my home and I consider the people here to be my family. Deciding where to go to college seemed like such an overwhelming decision at the time, but the thing I saw in Pepperdine that few other schools had was community. I chose Pepperdine because I wanted to surround myself with students and professors who would push me to make a difference in the world and that is exactly the community I have found here at Pepperdine. Whether or not you come to Pepperdine, ask yourself what kind of person you want to be at the end of your four years and find a school that aligns with your faith, morals, and aspirations.
Plans after Pepperdine
Graduate school is definitely on the horizon. Even in my first year, I know that Pepperdine is preparing me well for the education ahead of me.
Favorite Quote
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom