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Ricky Steelman

Biography

 Ricky Steelman says his training as a classical pianist has instilled in him a sense of discipline and patience, and has given him the confidence to reach his goals. He is the first member of his family to go to college and was the recipient of a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholarship. His passion for music spurs him to pursue a career in the music industry.

Having worked for a top record company for the past two years, Ricky realizes he needs a law degree to fulfill his potential. "A legal education would supply me with important and necessary tools for a career in music law, wherein I could actively protect artists' and record labels' intellectual property rights while also negotiating business and recording deals for the next generation of musical artists."

Ricky hopes to be successful enough one day to support his family and to donate time and money to finding a cure for alopecia areata, a rare autoimmune disease that Ricky has struggled with since he was a teenager. "Until that wonderful day arrives and people no longer have to suffer silently from it, nothing will be quite good enough."

 Ricky Steelman loves the arts. He has played piano for 13 years, and participates in theatre and choir. He began his college career as a theater major, but after taking a course in political science, Ricky changed direction. "By studying political thinkers such as Aristotle and Machiavelli and learning about U.S. foreign policy and international relations, I have been challenged to broaden my perspective on the world and ponder issues that humankind has faced from the earliest of times," he says.

Ricky enjoys working with students and hopes to be a teacher one day. His participation in the Big Brother program through his church has had a significant impact on his life. "The fact that I can positively influence, as well as be influenced, by a child has been encouraging because I have learned about sincerity and how a child's love and admiration can help overcome personal insecurities."

Ricky also has a love for Russian culture, which took him to Russia in the summer of 2002 to study at St. Petersburg State University's Center for Russian Language and Culture. He plans to graduate from Pepperdine in spring 2003 and pursue an advanced degree in law or political science.

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