Support SPP on Give2Pepp Day 2019
It doesn't seem possible, but 2019 is likely to see a further polarization of our politics. From divided government in Washington, DC, talk of impeachment from Democrats who now control the House of Representatives, one-party domination in Sacramento, and signs that the economy may be in danger of a recession, the list goes on.
In this environment, the mission of the School of Public Policy (SPP) has never been more important. And you can have a significant impact by making a donation during the upcoming Give2Pepp day on March 6, 2019. We have incredible students, but we need to provide enhanced scholarships to retain these students and attract top candidates moving forward. When you donate, you play a key role in making an SPP education more affordable. You can donate at Giving SPP.
Along with our polarized political environment, we have witnessed a continued movement on college campuses across America to limit free speech. Universities were designed to be places that encourage critical thinking and the free exchange of ideas... but that is rarely the case today. Most often, center-right speakers are banned from campus, or harassed if they do show up. At SPP, we are working hard to fight this trend. We are committed to viewpoint diversity, and we are not afraid to invite speakers and discuss topics that other schools would never dream of tackling. Recently we hosted a sold-out event featuring nationally recognized professors Alan Dershowitz and Amy Wax. They debated this issue of whether college campuses are truly "free speech zones". The audience of more than 350 appreciated the lively, honest discussion. When you donate to our Dean's Excellence Fund you make it possible for us to host more of these events and reach a wider audience.
Another way your donation can make a huge difference is by helping SPP students cover the expenses of their summer internship programs. Our students gain this "real world" experience between their first and second year at SPP, and have served in many different organizations across the country and the world. Your gift helps to make this vital internship experience affordable for students.
In the first two years of Give2Pepp, SPP has won the school-based and current student challenges (for having the highest percentage of alumni and students give). These victories have provided over $25,000 in additional funding to SPP. Our goal is to win again this year. To that end, several SPP alumni, faculty, and staff have stepped up and created a challenge gift of nearly $4,000 that will be given to SPP if we reach our giving goals on Give2Pepp day. Please consider helping us by going to Impact SPP on March 6, 2019 and making a donation of any size!
Thank you for your support! To learn more about the School of Public Policy and opportunities to become involved, please feel free to contact me any time at matt.cutler@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.6513.