George Pepperdine was born in June 20th,1886 in Kansas

 

        1. He studied at the Parsons Business College. As a college student, Pepperdine learned about his faith in the Lord and soon decided to became a member of the Church of Christ.

 

         2 When he was 23-years-old, George Pepperdine and his wife founded the Western Auto Supply Company.

 

        3 The store became a specialty retail chain which specialized in supplying parts and accessories for automobiles. All of this was accomplished through an initial investment of a mere five dollars.

 

       4 George’s chain of supply stores grew at an exponential rate and eventually reached the size of 1,200 stores, nationwide. His vast love for serving his community could be seen in nearly every aspect of his life. Pepperdine’s generosity and love for others, in the name of God, led him to understand himself as a steward and caretaker for the things in which God has entrusted him.

 

       5 His stewardship was called into duty when he became observant of all the young Christians whom had lost their sense of God and their faith once they had moved onto higher education.

 

       6 His relocation to Southern California is when and where George Pepperdine made the decision to devote his life and fortune into developing a college which would be able to provide the highest quality of faith-based education possible. Pepperdine wanted to ensure that his future faculty supported the Christian values beliefs of the school which he believed would help support students.

 

          7 He relocated to California after the devastating death of his wife and the Stock Market Crash of 1929. During this difficult time, Pepperdine learned more about himself than ever before. God had blessed him with great wealth, and with it, came a great deal of responsibility. He began seeing that with these blessings that had been poured out upon him, it would be necessary to bless the lives of others. In 1939, he sold his interests in Western Auto Supply Company. He saw that his first and greatest responsibility was to seek ways to further the cause of Christ around the world. He also sought to utilize his blessing to enhance his own spiritual growth and development. Traveling was Pepperdine’s plan of action. He helped young boys in Los Angeles by building Y.M.C.A.’s and Boys Clubs. Pepperdine also traveled around America, financing multiple Boy Scouts of America projects.

 

            8 George was approached in 1937 by a friend, Hugh Tiner, asking for help starting a Christian college on the West Coast. George decided to create a four-year liberal arts college with teachings based in the Christian faith. They decided on a property in Los Angeles on 79th Street and Vermont Avenue, and George Pepperdine College opened on September 21, 1937 which was soon relocated to Malibu, becoming the Pepperdine University we know today.

 

            Pepperdine’s life was not only shaped by his faith, but also shaped by his travels. In fact, traveling seemed to be the core factor that helped strengthen Pepperdine’s entire mission.

 

         9 Pepperdine started the Western Auto Supply Company on the basis that traveling should be made easy and accessible to all. Traveling also made his faith-based philanthropy and missionary work possible. Pepperdine used the ideals of travel and exploration while shaping the standards for George Pepperdine College. He references not only studying the history and humanities of the world, but also serving the global population as faith-based Christian missionaries. Pepperdine also emphasized the foundations of cultural diversity and international business. Traveling helped strengthen George as a family man, as well. He met both of his wives through travel and used the relationships he formed during his travels to inspire his concept of a “Pepperdine Family.” He also often referred to his Western Auto Supply company employees as the “ Western Auto Family.”

 

10 11 12 In Pepperdine’s six published travel letters, George provides direct account of his world travels with his mother. With her by his side, George traveled by plane, train, boat, and automobile through Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Egypt, Jerusalem, Palestine, Cuba, Panama, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and San Salvador. During these trips, Pepperdine and his mother visited popular tourism destinations. They also visited several Biblical locations, including the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives, and Gaza. In many of his letters, George discusses not only newly-acquired Christian history, such as the persecution of Christians in Rome, but also expresses his acceptance of and exposure to new forms of religion, such as meditation, Zionism, and sermonettes.

 

            George Pepperdine’s piousness and globalized perspective still permeate Pepperdine’s campus to this day. Whether it be through campus-led service projects, charity-based fraternities, study abroad programs, religious and cultural-based curriculum, or the diverse Convocation options, Pepperdine still continues to instill Christian values and a yearning for discovery in all of his students.

 

Works Cited

 

1 “History | About Us | Pepperdine University.” N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.

2 “George Pepperdine.” N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.

3 “History | About Us | Pepperdine University.” N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.

4 “Is George Pepperdine College Sound? - Bible Banner vol.10, no.3, pg.1-4.” N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.

5 Clark, Richard L, and Jack W Bates. Faith Is My Fortune: A Life Story of George Pepperdine : Actual Experiences, Business Successes and Reverses, Stewardship and Philanthropy, Which Have Proved That Strong Religious Faith Is a Greater Fortune, More to Be Desired than Riches, or Any Other Assets Biographers: Richard L. Clark [and] Jack W. Bates. [George Pepperdine College Book Store, 1960. Print.

6 “History | About Us | Pepperdine University.” N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2015.

7 “George Pepperdine 1886-1962.” N.p., n.d. The Church of Christ Restoration Movement. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.

8 “The Finding Aid of the George Pepperdine Family Papers” Online Archive of California. N.p., January 2012. Eeb. 8 Dec. 2015.

9.Youngs, Bill. "Pepperdine College Is Born." Faith Was His Fortune: The Life Story of George Pepperdine. Churches of Christ Heritage Center, 1976. 203-212. Print.

10. Pepperdine, George. "World Travel Letter, No. 6." Letter. 3 Apr. 1928. MS. N.p.

11. Pepperdine, George. “World Travel Letter, No. 3.” Letter. 14 Apr. 1928. MS. N.p.

12. Pepperdine, George. “World Travel Letter, No. 4.” Letter. 28 Mar. 1928. MS. N.p.