George Pepperdine College
    On September 21, 1937, the new campus of George Pepperdine College hosted 2,000 attendees gathered to witness the opening of the school. Speakers that day included California governor Frank Merriam, Los Angeles mayor Frank L. Shaw, the college’s first president Batsell Baxter, and founder George Pepperdine. Among the crowd were the college’s first students, 167 young men and women from 22 states and two foreign countries. Mr. Pepperdine clearly stated his intentions for the school on that day: “Our college is dedicated to a twofold objective: First, academic training in the liberal arts . . . Secondly, we are especially dedicated to a greater goal―that of building in the student a Christ-like life, a love for the church, and a passion for the souls of mankind.”

The Los Angeles Campus
    The campus was located in the Vermont Knolls area of Los Angeles, a few miles south of downtown; formerly it had been a 34-acre estate with an 18-room mansion that had now been converted into the president’s residence. Four buildings had quickly risen that year: Baxter Hall, the men’s dormitory; Marilyn Hall, the women’s residence; an administration building housing classrooms, offices, a library, and an auditorium; and a dining hall. The campus architecture was built in the Streamline Moderne style, and all of the new buildings were painted a light blue which was later marketed in Los Angeles paint stores as “Pepperdine Blue.”

Early Traditions
    Pepperdine’s school colors were adopted in 1937 after students voted to approve President Baxter’s suggestion of blue and orange; blue representing the Pacific Ocean, and orange representing California. Baxter also recommended “Waves” as the name for Pepperdine athletic teams to differentiate from other schools’ penchant for animal names. Even though the school was then miles from the ocean, it found approval and has characterized Pepperdine athletics ever since. During that first year, two students proposed Graphic as the name for the school newspaper as it contained the initials of George Pepperdine College (GPC), a name also continuing to this day.

    In 1937, tuition was low relative to other schools, thanks to Mr. Pepperdine’s initial endowment, with room, board, tuition, and fees amounting to $420. Those who today would be called “commuter” students were charged $135 for the year. By contrast, a hamburger and soft drink in the cafeteria cost 20 cents, a breakfast of eggs, hotcakes, and coffee, 30 cents.

A Good Start
    The Baxter presidency was short by design, lasting only two years until his resignation