Banowsky agrees not to light theme tower
date Wednesday, May 31, 1972
location Malibu
The Phillips Theme Tower lit, perhaps in the mid '80s. Phillips Theme Tower alight against seascape, mid 1980s, mid 1980s, p. (Pepperdine University Archives Photograph Collection)
At a meeting with Malibu residents, Pepperdine president William Banowsky agreed not to light the theme tower during his presidency. Opponents of the tower threatened the university with legal action, which would be expensive and delay progress on the campus's construction ahead of its planned opening in September. In exchange for Banowsky's promise not to light the tower during his presidency, Malibuites agreed to discontinue their litigation.1
Toward the end of Banowsky's presidency, the tower was lit on several occasions, including during the 1977 holiday season, supposedly without any complaint from the community.2
Sources
- Banowsky, 2010, p. 288-9 (Pepperdine University Press)
- The Graphic, 1/19/78, p. 1 (Pepperdine University Archives)
