Seaver College graduate Corwin Hemmingsen, a valedictorian of the class of 2026, described on May 6 how a spinal injury ended his Division I baseball career and led him to pursue new academic and professional goals. After suffering the injury in 2024 due to overuse from high-impact movements, Hemmingsen faced the decision between undergoing difficult surgeries or redirecting his focus.
Hemmingsen said that he turned to philosophy and faith for guidance during this transition. He cited Thomas Aquinas’s concept of prudence as “right reason applied to action,” which he paraphrased as “wisdom with action.” This perspective helped him find purpose beyond athletics and motivated him to deepen his studies in finance and business ethics.
At Pepperdine University, Hemmingsen became involved with Jooho Lee, associate professor of business ethics and law. Through Lee’s course “Christianity and Business,” Hemmingsen explored how Christian values could inform ethical practices in business. He said that discussions often centered around theologians such as Augustine, Aquinas, John Calvin, and Martin Luther.
“God always has a plan,” says Hemmingen. “Because of my injury, I had more time to forge these relationships with my professors and to do more research on my own.” Lee invited Hemmingsen to serve as a research assistant on economic theories at the intersection of business law and ethics. The two expect their work will result in a peer-reviewed publication within the year.
During his senior year, Hemmingsen was recommended by Lee for Pepperdine’s Faith and Business Initiative’s Jere E. Yates Fellows program. His responsibilities included developing curricula for business ethics chapels and leading student discussions. As recognition for his achievements, he graduated as valedictorian alongside his wife Dominique.
Looking ahead, Hemmingsen plans to continue working in finance while pursuing a part-time Master of Divinity before considering doctoral studies. Reflecting on stewardship of talents through faith-driven excellence rather than personal glory, he said: “We all have different gifts to steward out of obedience to God… No matter what they are… we try our best to do them well.”