Honoring Service and Strength: Student Veterans Reflect on Purpose, Family, and Perseverance This Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School honors the courage, resilience, and leadership of those who have served, and continue to serve, in our armed forces. Among them are students and alumni whose stories reflect a spirit of perseverance, purpose, and transformation that defines the Pepperdine community.

For Zach Stewart, a recent Marine Corps veteran and current student in the Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) program, the transition from military to civilian life has been one of reflection and renewal.

"Since leaving the Marine Corps in June of 2024, Veterans Day has taken on a deeper, more personal meaning," Stewart shares. "During my reflection, I'm reminded of the multitude of unseen sacrifices our military personnel and their families make during their service, as well as the challenges we face in transitioning from active duty to civilian life. However, my journey is about more than military service. It's about my family, continuous growth, and living in the service of others. I'm committed to integrating what I've learned from both my military experience and the Pepperdine MSOD program to help build more human-centered organizations and communities."

For Samantha Jones, a U.S. Navy veteran and recent JD/MBA graduate of Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law and Graziadio Business School, the path to earning dual degrees was marked by extraordinary balance and determination. While raising two young children and navigating her spouse’s deployment, Jones turned everyday moments into opportunities to study and grow.

"Between attending classes, meeting deadlines, and being fully present for my children, I often felt pulled in many directions," she recalls. "But structure, resilience, and support from my professors and peers made it possible. My children adapted alongside me, and their encouragement carried me through. If I could do it again, I’d remind myself to give more grace, to trust that showing up and giving my best was enough."

After eight years of military service, Jones now begins her career as an associate at Reed Smith LLP, equipped with both business and legal training that she says broadened her perspective and confidence.

Pepperdine remains committed to serving the veteran community through a culture that values service, leadership, and lifelong growth. The University’s dedication includes initiatives such as participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, helping veterans and their families pursue higher education and meaningful careers.

This Veterans Day, the Pepperdine community extends its gratitude to all who have served, and to those like Zach and Samantha who continue to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose.