WINTER 2008 School of Public Policy Celebrates 10 Years n October 2, 2007, alumni, students, and Ten years ago, Pepperdine University launched a new school of public policy. Its founders designed the unique friends of the Pepperdine community school not only to teach students how to evaluate fed- eral government programs, as most policy schools do, gathered at The Beverly Hills Hotel to but also to create agents of change. Graduates would O be capable of performing technical analysis and also prepared with a philosophical, historical, and moral celebrate the School of Public Policy’s 10th anniver- foundation ready to lead. During the event, speakers recognized the school’s achievements in working to sary. After a brief reception, guests convened for an fulfill its bold mission and looked forward to its great potential that lies ahead. elegant dinner during which Dean James R. Wilburn After Pepperdine University President Andrew K. Benton thanked donors, faculty, and others for their and Jack F. Kemp reflected on the school’s great prog- support, Dean James R. Wilburn reviewed several of the school’s 10-year milestones. He highlighted the bud- ress and keynote speaker former Florida Governor ding careers of four School of Public Policy alumni who exemplify what it means to become agents of change. Jeb Bush discussed the attributes of good leaders. While introducing The Honorable Jack F. Kemp, the dean announced that the school will be establishing SPP celebration continued on page 4 ... 1 ... http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu DEAN’S MESSAGE Nothing better demonstrates the awesome opportunities of which Beyond the statistics, as much as any other we are now stewards at the School of Public Policy than the announce- recent national leader, Jack Kemp dem- ment at the 10th Anniversary Dinner of the establishment of the onstrates the kind of joyous, welcoming, Jack F. Kemp Institute for Political Economy. That Jack and Joanne nonpartisan and expansive spirit which we Kemp would commit $1 million of their own resources, and place for- hope that students from every background mer HUD Secretary Jack Kemp’s papers in the Pepperdine archives will find so nourishing and genuine in the for the use of future students and scholars, is a vote of confidence School of Public Policy. It is a tribute both that reaches far beyond what we might have dreamed possible only to Secretary Kemp and to the school that a few years ago. they have joined forces to keep alive the belief that well-meaning people can join hands to continue the quest of the American experi- Secretary Kemp is among a handful of leaders who, quite literally, ment and to share the American dream with an ever expanding group have changed the landscape of life in America. The Kemp-Roth Bill’s of people who hunger for its blessings. dismantling of a smothering 70 percent income tax rate, adopted by Ronald Reagan as the cornerstone of his first months in office, released entrepreneurial innovation and provided hope and opportu- nity for families from every segment of American life. The Dow Jones average, with its recent ascent above 13,000 after languishing for decades below 700 before the Kemp-Reagan revolution, is only one reminder that today there are millions of families whose children will have access to a quality of life and opportunity denied them by the JAMES R. WILBURN pre-Kemp decade when virtually no new net jobs were created. Dean, School of Public Policy JOnathan T. KEMP ACCEPTS POSITION at WINNER & MANDABACH After eight years as a senior leader in the School of Public Policy, Assistant Dean Jonathan T. Kemp accepted an opportunity as vice president at Winner & Mandabach Campaigns, a political consult- ing firm based in Santa Monica, California, that specializes in ballot measure campaigns nationwide. Kemp began his career in the School of Public Policy in 1999 as director of the Davenport Institute where he helped to raise significant funding to support a number of research fellows and to stage 20 major conferences, lectures, and research publica- tions for business leaders and the policy community. Notable projects included an ongoing series of studies on California urban renewal, the annual conferences on “Faith and Public Policy,” a U.S. Congressional Retreat, significant funding for scholarships and student internships, and similar activities. He has been a key leader in helping to transform the school from a start-up operation to a program that increasingly receives national recognition. Kemp will remain involved with the School of Public Policy in a formal consulting role and thereby continue to work developing the Jack F. Kemp Institute for Political Economy. He has also accepted a position on the School of Public Policy’s Board of Visitors fur- thering his involvement. The School of Public Policy wishes Kemp and his family the very best as he undertakes this new chapter in his life. School of Public Policy Dean’s Report ... 2 ... PUBLIC POLICY LAUNCHES NEW BOARD OF VISITORS MEMBERS NEW WEB SITE The School of Public Policy in conjunction with The School of Public Policy Board of Visitors currently Pepperdine University Communications, a division comprises 41 members, who are national policy, of Advancement and Public Affairs, announced business, and community leaders who support the the launch of a newly designed Web site at: school’s mission and share the commitment to a more http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu. expansive approach to public policy. The board pro- vides invaluable counsel and support to the School of Public Policy and its members are examples of public The new site serves as the primary communication vehicle for prospective graduate students at the School of Public Policy, leaders who appreciate the role of a strong moral and in addition to serving the needs of current students, faculty, ethical standard while recognizing the central impor- researchers, donors, academics, and visitors. tance of civil society, faith, and free markets to solve Through an extensive redesign process, the Web site has been completely refocused to highlight the school’s programs, events, policy issues. Dean James R. Wilburn welcomes the and resources for students seeking a Pepperdine degree. A single newest members to the Board of Visitors. theme underscores the site promoting the school’s distinctive philosophy of nurturing leaders to effect real change in their Robert Beauprez is a former member of the U.S. Congress. In this communities. role, Beauprez was responsible for establishing a new veterans hospital, increasing funding for transportation, and creating additional national wildlife refuges. Beauprez currently main- tains A Line of Sight, an online policy resource. Prior to serving in Congress, Beauprez was involved in the dairy industry and was a community banker. Jonathan T. Kemp is vice president for Winner & Mandabach Campaigns, a political consulting firm based in Santa Monica, California, that specializes in ballot measure campaigns nation- wide. Previously, Kemp worked for the School of Public Policy as both assistant dean and director of the Davenport Institute. He was responsible for helping to raise significant funding for the School of Public Policy ultimately developing it into a nationally-recognized program. Roland R. Speers II is a former lawyer who served as a partner Many new features have been introduced including: at Speers, Dana, Teal, Balfour & MacDonald for nearly 20 years. During this time, Speers also served as director for Logicon, Inc., A dynamic homepage highlighting the latest news and a defense computer contractor, later associated with Northrop events at the School of Public Policy. Grumman. Speers has coauthored several articles in The Malloy Chronicles and currently maintains membership in the District The ability for visitors to subscribe to School of Public of Columbia Bar Association, as well as the California State Bar Policy news and events via RSS feeds. Association. A contemporary design that seamlessly integrates with the Beti Ward is chief executive officer of Pacific Air Cargo (PAC), school’s current print and event campaign. a company which provides daily express air cargo service between Los Angeles and Honolulu with Boeing 747 freighter New interactive tools including a virtual tour, webcams, aircraft. She has successfully led PAC over the past five years, and weather modules. increasing company revenues by 30 percent since inception. Ward was recognized as Entreprenuer of the Year by Ernst & Video clips highlighting student experiences at the School Young in 1999 and was named Hawaii’s Businesswoman of the of Public Policy. Year in 2004 by Pacific Business News. Alumni profiles from the publication, Careers in Public Policy. ... 3 ... http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu SPP celebration continued from page 1 the Jack F. Kemp Institute for Political Economy, in honor of the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and member of the school’s Board of Visitors executive committee. As part of the institute, Kemp’s personal papers will be digi- tally archived and catalogued, and once sufficient funds beyond Jack and Joanne Kemp’s $1 million commitment are raised, the school hopes to endow a distinguished visiting professorship and conduct an annual symposium that draws leading economists and politicians to Pepperdine. During his introduction of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Kemp acknowledged that he feels more com- fortable at Pepperdine, because of its Judeo-Christian focus, than at any mentors in Florida spend time with children weekly. And other American university. Governor Bush personally visited 250 schools, which he In his keynote address, Jeb Bush asserted that good said was difficult but worth the effort to stay connected leaders do not fear failure but do set challenging goals and with the people he served. value principles over popularity. Good leaders take risks Finally, Bush said that good leaders stand for big things; to improve the world.