Spiritual Life Team Announces Seaver 200 as Fresh Redesign of Convocation Series
As part of the launch of the new Hub for Spiritual Life, the Spiritual Life Team announced on May 6, 2021, the new Seaver 200 program designed
for first- and second-year students to explore faith and feel welcomed into the community.
The new program will replace the college’s Convocation Series.
“I’m excited about our innovative, developmental approach to content that focuses on the needs of students in each year of their college careers,” shared associate chaplain Rachel Collins.
The pilot program, which will begin at the start of the fall 2021 semester, creates gatherings for first- and second-year undergraduate students to explore faith and feel welcomed into the Pepperdine community. The program also allows third- and fourth-year students to take an active, autonomous role in their spiritual life through optional involvement and spiritual leadership opportunities.
Seaver 200 will be segmented into two distinct experiences. First-year students will participate in their specially designed “First-Year Foundation,” which will focus on building a foundation of faith and community. The program will include four large gatherings and six small group gatherings each semester.
Second-year residential students and students participating in international programs will experience “Sophomore Faith in Action,” which, as the name suggests, will equip students to put their faith into action through practical applications. For students in Malibu, the program will consist of four large gatherings and six small group gatherings each semester. Students studying abroad in international programs will be led through 10 weeks of Faith in Action events led by their international program site director.
Third- and fourth-year students will no longer be required to participate in Seaver 200. However, with the support of the Hub for Spiritual Life, upperclassmen will be able to take an active role in the next steps of their faith journey through various involvement opportunities designed to support their growth as spiritual leaders.
The Seaver 200 redesign is just one of the upcoming initiatives from the new Hub for Spiritual Life to reimagine, enhance, and create a vibrant culture of spiritual life at Pepperdine. University chaplain Sara Barton, with support from associate chaplains Lauren Begert (MA ’15) and Rachel Collins, is leading the development and execution of the hub’s vision with collaboration from campus partners including Student Affairs, the Seaver Academic Council, and the University Academic Council.
“I am looking forward to the community continuing to partner with us,” shares Begert. “Especially as we seek to cultivate a thriving spiritual life at Pepperdine, together.”