Pepperdine Libraries Invites Recently Tenured Faculty to Comment on Inspirational Books
Recently tenured faculty members were invited to select a book title that is personally
or professionally significant to them. Pepperdine Libraries added these books to the
collection and honored the faculty members' achievement with a decorative bookplate
placed on the inside cover of their chosen book. The books are on display at Payson
Library and are available for checkout.
Sarah Fischbach
Associate Professor of Integrated Marketing and Communication, Seaver College
"During my dissertation, I was awarded a grant from the Daniels Fund Initiative to create a graphic novel designed to help sales professionals navigate ethical dilemmas, specifically the escalation of bribery. My research identified several existing graphic novels that served as models for developing my own. One influential example was Maus by Art Spiegelman, the first graphic novel to win the Pulitzer Prize. This powerful work offers a unique perspective on the experiences of Polish Jews during World War II. Often used alongside traditional textbooks, Maus exemplifies a multimodal approach to learning. This intersection of visual storytelling and academic content became the foundation of my research on transformative learning in higher education, particularly through the use of graphic novels as instructional tools."
David Madden
Associate Professor of Screen Arts, Seaver College
Diminished Faculties: A Political Phenomenology of Impairment, by Jonathan Sterne
"Jonathan Sterne’s Diminished Faculties offers a foundational account of impairment, combining critical historical analysis with a philosophical, phenomenological approach. Sterne shows how impairment functions not only as a problem, but also as an opportunity and an occasion for rethinking disability, subjectivity, power, technology, and experience in new ways. The book, among others, provided a theoretical roadmap for developing my own research-creation project, Fingers in Front of Eyes, which seeks to broaden existing approaches within popular music, critical disability studies, and sound studies.
The project comprises a tetralogy of long-form music releases, the establishment of a record label (Wooden Records), and the design of digital instruments and interfaces. Production of the tetralogy began in late 2017, in the immediate aftermath of a cancer diagnosis and subsequent thyroidectomy. Both the music and its production process traverse the borderlines of illness, recovery, loss, forgiveness, acceptance, and bodily transformation."
Adam Pennell
Associate Professor of Sports Medicine, Seaver College
The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, by Simon Wiesenthal
"The concept and application of forgiveness is one of Jesus Christ's most radical directives. Thus, it may not be surprising for me to suggest that forgiveness tends to be a complicated and controversial topic. The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness by Simon Wiesenthal provides its readers with an unbridled opportunity to confront (and hopefully dialogue over) the concept of forgiveness. A straight-forward read, The Sunflower is meant to be thought-provoking and emotionally intense, and importantly, the author does not lead the reader to a singular, prescribed answer or antidote. If you elect to read this book (and I advise that every human should), come as you as, dive in headfirst, and welcome the faith- and forgiveness-inspired 'wrestling match' that is sure to ensure.
P.S. If at all possible, be sure to read and unpack The Sunflower with others. Forgiveness is a communal enterprise."
Fabien Scalzo
Associate Professor of Computer Science, Seaver College
In a world where everything we do is interconnected yet increasingly chaotic, the writings of Hermann Hesse in Steppenwolf are a reminder that self-discovery is the most inspiring and pressing journey of all and a precondition to spiritual awakening and love. As a nobel prize of literature, Hermann Hesse brings you on a timeless ride on the non-dual reality of life, our inward and outward struggles, and most importantly the beauty of these magic moments; the ones that happen when you least expect them.
Cole Short
Associate Professor of Strategy, Graziadio Business School
Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation, by Steven Johnson
"In Steven Johnson’s words, “Change favors the connected mind.” How we innovate, inspire, and contribute to society reflects not only who we are and what we believe, but also whom and what we connect ourselves to. As change continues, our interrelationships in thought, feeling, and place shape how we approach problems and live our lives, defining the “adjacent possible.” Our openness to engage with others builds bridges across islands of thought, amplifying what we can achieve."
Rachel Tan
Associate Professor of Sports Medicine, Seaver College
Superbodies: Peak Performance Secrets From the World's Best Athletes, by Greg Wells
"This book opened my eyes to the concept that our bodies can change depending on what we do through exercise and nutrition, and that there is an entire scientific field dedicated to discovering more!"