What's New at Westmont

Local Artists Earn Awards in ‘Confluence’ Exhibition

Peter Frank, a Los Angeles-based art critic, handed cash awards to local artists at a public reception for “Confluence” on May 16 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Xarene Eskandar, whose single-channel video, “Salton Sea Revisited,” won Best in Show. [more]

Elementary Schools Run for City Track Title

Two hundred elementary school children enjoyed a day at Westmont College May 17, competing in the track and field city championships. Fourth through sixth grade students from Washington, Adams, Cleveland, McKinley and Franklin Elementary schools competing in several track and field events including long jump, high jump, softball toss, shot put and various races. [more]

Westmont Prepares for Earthquake

More than 100 Westmont faculty and staff teamed up with more than 30 first responders and emergency officials for an all-day earthquake exercise at Westmont May 14. College employees practiced emergency functions and activities with 16 different local emergency organizations. [more]

Local Artists to be Featured in ‘Confluence’

Westmont’s annual juried art exhibition features 44 works created by Tri-County artists May 16-June 22 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum. A free, public reception for “Confluence” is Thursday, May 16, from 4-6 p.m. All works in the exhibition will be for sale with proceeds benefiting the artists and museum. [more]

Westmont Mourns the Death of Dallas Willard

Westmont is remembering the life and teachings of American philosopher Dallas Willard who died May 8 at the age of 77 following a battle with cancer. Willard taught at USC since 1965 and wrote many spiritual formation books including “Renovation of the Heart,” “The Spirit of the Disciplines” and “The Divine Conspiracy.” [more]

Students, Faculty Honored at Commencement

Led by bagpipes, more than 300 Westmont graduates marched from Kerrwood Hall through the formal gardens to Russell Carr Field May 4 for Commencement. Cloudy skies kept families and friends cool and comfortable as they cheered the graduating students. Senior biology students decorated their mortarboard hats with cutout trees, while kinesiology students included a favorite Bible verse of the late Alex Moore on their hats: “Do the Work.” [more]

Record 71 Students to Serve Abroad in Summer

A record-tying 71 Westmont students will spend at least four weeks this summer serving communities around the world on 15 teams in 12 countries including Bolivia, China, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Madagascar, Nepal, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan/Korea and Uganda. [more]

Students Earn Leadership Awards

The Westmont Student Life Office awarded 10 outstanding students for their leadership during the past year. The 13th annual David K. Winter Servant Leadership Awards are given each spring to students who show exemplary leadership through service at Westmont and in the community. Each recipient receives $1,000 toward next year’s school expenses. [more]

Fire Brigade Completes Academy Training

The 14-member Westmont Fire Brigade has completed a 40-hour, national wildland firefighter training academy hosted at Pepperdine University. The training included classroom instruction in fire behavior, fire suppression, risk management and preparedness. [more]

Vice President and Dean of Students to Retire

In January, Jane Higa announced she would retire from Westmont Aug. 31 after serving for 24 years as vice president and dean of students. She went on medical leave until that date when physicians at UCLA Medical Center diagnosed her with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease earlier in March. [more]

Westmont Celebrates Its National Champions

Hundreds of faculty, staff, students and alumni welcomed the NAIA National Champion Westmont women’s basketball team as they returned to campus by bus March 20. Warrior supporters, armed with balloons, signs, pom-poms, newspapers, flowers and noise makers, created an arm tunnel as the Warriors, fresh off the college’s first national title in basketball, waded into a sea of adoring fans. [more]

Westmont Lauds Lady Leslie

Westmont hosted a special dinner to honor Montecito resident and philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree on Sept. 29 at the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel. More than 80 guests attended the celebration that featured an inspiring video, “The Role and Impact of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree on Santa Barbara.” The video included testimonies from dozens of beneficiaries of Ridley-Tree’s generosity, [more]