Seaver College graduate Corwin Hemmingsen, a valedictorian of the class of 2026, described on May 6 how a spinal injury changed his life and led him to focus on business ethics. After an injury ended his Division I baseball career, Hemmingsen decided to pursue new academic and professional paths while drawing on his faith for guidance.
Hemmingsen said that facing unexpected challenges required “prudence” and turned to the teachings of Thomas Aquinas, describing prudence as “wisdom with action.” He credits this approach for helping him adjust his goals after leaving baseball behind. “It is easy for many athletes to wonder: if my sport is taken away, who am I?” said Hemmingsen. “But as a Christian, I have to remind myself that Christ chose me in Him before I ever picked up a baseball, and my foremost identity is in Him alone.”
After moving away from athletics due to his injury in 2024, Hemmingsen focused more deeply on academics at Pepperdine University. He became involved with Jooho Lee, associate professor of business ethics and law. Through Lee’s Religion 300 course, “Christianity and Business,” he explored how faith could inform ethical decisions in finance and business careers. This collaboration led to research projects at the intersection of business law and ethics.
Lee praised Hemmingsen’s commitment: “Corwin exemplifies the best of the Pepperdine affirmation that ‘truth, having nothing to fear from investigation, should be pursued relentlessly.’ I am impressed that he is unafraid to live out big ideas with courage while maintaining the humility to continue wrestling with them.”
During his senior year, Hemmingsen joined the Pepperdine Faith and Business Initiative’s Jere E. Yates Fellows program where he helped develop curricula for business ethics chapels and led discussions among students. His achievements culminated in being named valedictorian at graduation.
Looking ahead, Hemmingsen plans to continue working in finance while pursuing a part-time Master of Divinity degree before possibly seeking a doctorate. He concluded by saying: “We all have different gifts to steward out of obedience to God… we try our best to do them well.”
