Colleague Alumni Magazine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology | Pepperdine University

2006 Psychology Distinguished Alumnus Awards

Lloyd James Hedstrom, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus

Dr. Lloyd James “Jim” Hedstrom, Professor Emeritus, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP)commencement on May 20, 2006.

In 1948, only nine years after the founding of George Pepperdine College, Hedstrom entered Pepperdine as a sophomore, beginning an association of lifelong learning, teaching, and giving that would span nearly six decades.

Over a long and fruitful career, Hedstrom has served the Graduate School in a variety of roles, including that of associate dean, co-director of the doctor of psychology program, interim dean of the Graduate School, and chairperson of the Psychology Division. Known for his expertise outside the classroom, Hedstrom has enjoyed a successful clinical practice as a counselor and therapist.

A prolific scholar and writer, Hedstrom has published numerous papers, articles, and book reviews, and has been a frequent participant and speaker at various symposia and professional workshops. During his tenure at Pepperdine, he has chaired several committees including the Dean Candidate Review, Tenure, Rank and Promotion, and WASC Evaluation Committees. He has held the presidency and vice presidency of the Los Angeles Faculty Organization and has participated widely on board and associations within the psychological profession.

Hedstrom is a recipient of the Certificate of Merit from UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital. He has also received the Dolores Award from the Graduate School for contributions to psychology by a graduate.

Hedstrom earned his bachelor’s and his master’s degrees in psychology in 1951 and 1954 respectively from Pepperdine College. He received his doctorate from UCLA in clinical psychology with emphases in child and physiological psychology in 1966. The University honored Hedstrom with the title Professor Emeritus in 1997.

Hedstrom lives with his wife Betty Jean “Peggy” in Diamond Bar, California.

John C. Holmes, Ed.D.

Dr. John C. Holmes received the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) commencement on June 24, 2006.

Holmes is director of governmental affairs at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), a Christian nonprofit organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ACSI’s mission is to enable Cristian schools and educators worldwide to educate children and young people with the mind of Christ through a comprehensive program of school accreditation, teacher certification, and leadership development.

Since 1985, Holmes has worked as ACSI’s advocate on Capitol Hill lobbying members of Congress concerning religious liberty in America. Prior to his tenure at ACSI, Holmes served as the principal and superintendent of Unified Christian Schools of California under the auspices of the Florence Avenue Foursquare Church in Santa Fe Springs, California.

In addition to his current position, Holmes actively serves in the local church ministry as assistant pastor at the Hope Christian Foursquare Church in Washington, D.C., with earlier assistant pastorships at Florence Avenue Foursquare Church and Halpine Church in Rockville, Maryland. He was also the founding pastor of the New Life Foursquare Gospel Church in Westminster, Maryland, from 1985 to 1998.

Holmes has been honored by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, receiving its 25-Year Pastoral Service Award. He is active in the larger community of Christian service through the Associates for Research in Private Education, the Christian Stewardship Association, the National Association of Evangelicals, and other organizations. He has published articles in the ACSI Legal/Legislative Update, The Mean Time, Foursquare World Advance, and other publications.

Holmes earned his bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor College in Spring Arbor, Michigan. He received his master’s degree in education from the University of Akron, and completed his Ed.D. at GSEP in 1983.

Holmes and his wife, Charlene, live in Silver Spring, Maryland.