Pepperdine University Campus Planning and Construction Collection

In 1969, the Rindge and Adamson family gave Pepperdine 138 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains. Subsequently, other gifts and purchases of adjoining parcels increased the size of the campus to 650 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In February of 1970, Ronald Reagan, architect William Pereira, and Pepperdine administrators announced plans for the new campus and launched the $63-million fund campaign to finance it and set up an endowment.

Commencement of construction ceremonies were conducted on the site in May of 1970, with David Lawrence, former editor of the U.S. News & World Report, as featured speaker. Classes were first held at the Malibu campus in September, 1972.

The Malibu campus opened with three major academic complexes: the Huntsinger Academic Complex which contained the Pendleton Learning Center, the Payson Library, and the Huntsinger Academic Center. The Murchison Science Center, which included the Appleby Center for American Studies, the Elkins Auditorium, and the Stauffer Laboratories. Lastly, the Tyler Campus Center which housed student life offices, the cafeteria, recreation rooms, a snack bar, medical center, student publication facilities, a mail room, bookstore, faculty dining room, the Tyler lounge, and a suite for the annual Tyler Ecology Awards program.