Message from the Natural Science Divisional Dean
August 2021
Greetings from the faculty and staff of the Natural Science Division! Whether you
are a prospective student, a current student, or an alumnus, we are enthused about
your interest in our program.
The Natural Science Division is a high-performing, collegial group of superb and creative
faculty, energetic students, and dedicated staff. We pursue excellence in the context
of our service to Christ, a heritage in the Churches of Christ, the missions of Seaver
College and Pepperdine University, and we seek to build to a community of belonging
for all. We are entrusted with students for a short, but highly formative, time to
aid their intellectual and spiritual development. The energetic and dynamic faculty
rise to this challenge daily in the classroom, laboratory, and field by providing
superior class offerings and research studies. Students partner with the faculty and
are empowered and encouraged to grow, develop, and seek truth in its many forms and
from diverse perspectives. Our faculty care for students and make authentic connections
with them which is revealed often and throughout a student’s time in the
division and vividly at graduation receptions each year in the outpouring of emotions
and praise for our graduates.
Teaching
I’m proud to be a faculty member alongside the division’s accomplished and innovative
teachers who demonstrate exceptional skill in the classroom teaching general education
classes as well as specialized courses in STEM fields. The faculty strive for academic
excellence and eager students are drawn to the Natural Science Division because of
its vibrant community of scholars. On many occasions faculty members have been recognized
with university and national teaching awards. Our classrooms and laboratories are
regularly updated to provide the venue for transformative educational experiences
to take place. Faculty have incorporated technological innovations adopted in response
to the pandemic to bolster their in-person courses. Our values prompt us to continue
innovating teaching with best and high-impact practices to prepare students for the
highly-competitive employment market and graduate programs that await after graduation.
Scholarly Activities
Research programs are central to premier undergraduate STEM education, and the outstanding
scholars of the Natural Science Division make rich discoveries while mentoring students
from novices in their field to quickly becoming independent and capable practitioners.
Each year approximately 50 undergraduates “learn while doing” in the lab and the field
with modern equipment and facilities, which provide the venue for discoveries not
yet even imagined. Students and faculty benefit from the funding support of programs
like Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology, Stauffer Research Fellowships, Flora
L. Thorton Fellowships, Undergraduate Research Fellowships, the Summer Undergraduate
Research Program, and Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative. Students and
faculty present their scholarly work at local, national, and international professional
conferences and publish their studies in top journals, as book chapters, and more!
Many students are recognized with admission to prestigious, top-tier programs and
national awards and fellowships (National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
or Fulbright Fellowships) during their time at Pepperdine or soon after.
Beyond the Classroom
The faculty of the Natural Science Division authentically connect with students outside
the classroom and laboratory with transformational experiences. Students’ lives are
enriched by experiences in the Santa Monica Mountains, service learning with K-12
students, traveling to locales both near and far for service learning, and capstone
projects. In addition, faculty express their care for students through spiritual mentorships,
hosting dinners in their homes, and Club Convos. Camaraderie and fellowship cultivates
the sense of belonging for students and enriches the lives of all.
After Graduation
As a result of the superb faculty, classes, training, and experiences that students
have during their time in the Natural Science Division, they have had strong success
in the admissions processes to top medical, dental, law, and graduate schools. Our
graduates are also highly desirable and recruited within their field of specialization
and beyond. The encouragement and mentoring of faculty plays a vital role in student
success as they guide and also recognize vocational aptitudes and passions that students
sometimes don’t even recognize in themselves. This reflects the deep passion of faculty
to daily strive to fulfill our mission to prepare and strengthen students for lives
of purpose, service, and leadership.
As we remember our heritage, we also look ahead to the bright future of the Natural
Science Division as we aspire to our mission of belonging, focusing on our Christian
mission with hospitality to all, and our vigorous pursuit of academic excellence.
The faculty demonstrate resiliency, creativity, flexibility, and collaborate with
students to meet current and future challenges to make an impact in our world. Thanks
for your interest and hope that you’ll consider joining us. I invite you to peruse
the websites of the programs and faculty of the Natural Science Division for more
information.
Joe Fritsch
Divisional Dean of Natural Science
Professor of Chemistry