Today is a bit more quiet with only four upper-division finals on the schedule:
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
Lots of final exams on tap today:
And, the first 1L exam of the spring semester finals period:
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
Today is Day One of our two weeks of spring semester final exams. The following exams are on tap today:
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
Over the past couple of months, I had the honor of hosting ten focus groups where I received feedback from close to one hundred 3Ls about their student experiences.
Yesterday afternoon, I had the honor of listening to four 3Ls give inspirational speeches to audition for the role of student graduation speaker.
Last night, I had the honor of attending a “3L Commissioning Ceremony” where several 3L members of the Christian Legal Society student organization shared their reflections with the 1Ls and 2Ls.
All of these experiences combine to convince me that our goal of wisdom development in students is alive and well — and how honored I am to know the Class of 2014.
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
It has been an honor for my wife and I to host a Sunday morning Bible class in our home this academic year. This is the second year that Professor Jim Gash and I have taught a Sunday morning class for graduate students, but this is the first year we gave hosting it in our home a shot. Each Sunday morning, we shared breakfast together, followed by a discussion on a particular text.
Quite a few law students took part in the class over the course of the year. We were sad this past Sunday to recognize that several of our graduates would be moving on and no longer be a part of the class, but it has been such a privilege to spend time with them while they were here. We will miss Amanda, Hillary, Megan, Shelby, Ashleigh & Ryan, and Rachel & Steve!
We took a class picture (above) this past Saturday for memory’s sake. The picture provided a bit of humor since our impromptu pose made it look like my wife and I have ten grown-up kids and a new baby. (For the record, we don’t!) 🙂
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
It is that time of year. Today begins the last week of classes, so today is the last time this academic year that I will make administrative announcements to our 1Ls and the last time I will send out weekly newsletters to the law school community. Next Monday will begin our two weeks of final exams, so much work remains before the 2013-2014 year is complete, but there is a strong feeling that we are nearing the end.
During our orientation program last August, I emphasized the phrase “follow through” and used my old basketball coaching skills to teach how important it is to follow through to the very end. Well, we are almost there, and I am tremendously proud of the work performed by our students this year!
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
The last Friday of the semester (class wise) meant some furry visitors wold be stopping by as Al noted on his Thursday post. Therapy Dog Day is always a huge hit with the students especially as we close out the semester. There were four different dogs that came to visit today with approximately 50 students anxiously waiting to greet them.
Next week we’ll have three days of normal class before taking the rest of the week off from class. Final Examinations will commence on April 28th and end on May 9th.
Since this is the last full week of classes prior to finals, our wonderful Law Library staff is once again hosting a week they call, Fuel for Finals. Here is the great lineup of events they assembled this week to support our students during this stressful time:
– Monday, April 14, Krispy Kreme Kraziness (free donuts until they are gone!) and a Free Yoga Class.
– Tuesday, April 15, Free Yoga Class.
– Wednesday, April 16, Sundae Fun Day (create your own sundae!).
– Thursday, April 17, Free 10-minute massages and Full Throttle Happy Hour (energy drinks and brain food).
– Friday, April 18, Therapy Dog Day.
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
Today Lieutenant General Flora D. Darpino, the 39th Judge Advocate General of the US Army is on campus to talk about her distinguished career and the challenges that come with being the first woman in the 236 year history of the JAG core. In addition, to her impressive resume, Darpino is highly decorated with awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Really special to have Lieutenant General Darpino in the building. She has such an important job to do for our country!
CAO
Gary Haugen is the President and CEO of International Justice Mission (“IJM”). This week, Mr. Haugen is at Pepperdine Law co-teaching a one-week intensive course with Professor Jim Gash titled, “International Criminal Law, Human Rights, and the Development of the Rule of Law.” Pepperdine Law is one of two places Mr. Haugen teaches at during the year (the other is his alma mater, The University of Chicago).
Much of the class focus is described in the description of Mr. Haugen’s recently-released book, “The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence.”
This morning, Mr. Haugen graciously agreed to a fascinating breakfast Q & A session with all interested members of the Pepperdine community.
Yours,
Al Sturgeon
Dean of Students
Pepperdine Law Family & Friends 