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Pepperdine to Host Celebration of Excellence Gala to Raise Scholarship Funds for Graduate Students


Los Angeles – October 20, 2015 – The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is proud to present the 14th Annual Celebration of Excellence Gala, a semi-formal fundraiser to raise scholarship support for GSEP students who are changing lives in the fields of mental health, social change, and education.

The Celebration of Excellence Gala promises to be an exciting evening full of music, celebration and storytelling with a live silent auction, featuring a wide range of luxury items ranging from works of art donated by Mary Duda and Dr. Yolanda Aguerreberre to luxurious 7-day trips to beachfront resorts to paid registration to attend the Global Leadership Conference in Belize, among other items.

The gala will honor the Danhhakl Family Foundation and Dr. Susan F. Rice and applaud their commitment to educating future leaders at Pepperdine University. Susan Rice is the founding chairman of GSEP’s Board of Visitors. She recently stepped down from her position as chairman after almost 10 years of service and is currently a member of the Pepperdine Board of Regents. Alumna Kathy Danhakl of the Danhakl Family Foundation will also be honored for the contributions the Danhakl Family Foundation has made to the GSEP community.

“Kathy Danhakl and Susan Rice exemplify the scholarly goals of the Celebration of Excellence Gala while also demonstrating to recent alumni and current students the importance of giving back,” said GSEP Dean Helen Easterling Williams. “We need leaders like these two to continue to provide the same opportunity for future generations of GSEP students through mentorships and sponsorships to help them achieve not only their dreams, but also the dreams of all the populations they have chosen to work with in their respective fields.”

The Celebration of Excellence Gala will take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at the Casa del Mar, 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are available for purchase at www.gsep.pepperdine.edu/celebration-excellence. The tickets are $150 per person.

The event is also offering sponsorship opportunities for those interested in contributing to a table of 10. Sponsors will be recognized in the printed program. If you would like to sponsor the event, please contact sponsor contact Dr. Kerri Heath, Assistant Vice Chancellor, at kerri.heath@pepperdine.edu or at (310) 506-2880.

About the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP)

The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) is an innovative learning community where faculty, staff, and students of diverse cultures and perspectives work collaboratively to foster academic excellence, social purpose and personal fulfillment. Through its integrative coursework and practical training, GSEP prepares students to serve the needs of others through skilled leadership. GSEP offers six master's and four doctoral programs across its five graduate campus locations throughout Southern California and online. Programs are fully accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the American Psychological Association.

For media inquires or further information:
Emma Gibson
emma.gibson@pepperdine.edu

310-568-5603