Westmont Magazine Celebrating Commencement

Adorning their caps with flowers and vines, 273 seniors celebrated their graduation from Westmont on May 8. The Golden Warriors, members of the class of 1949, also marched at the ceremony as they marked their 50th reunion.

In her talk, “The Respon-sibilty of the Educated Christian,” Condoleezza Rice praised Westmont for educating the whole person and focusing on personal and spiritual growth as well as intellectual development.

The youngest person and first African-American to become provost at Stanford University, she previously held a high-level post in the Bush administration as senior adviser to the National Security Council and special assistant to the president.

Penny Jenkins received the Westmont Medal for her work with the Fighting Back Task Force and the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in Santa Barbara. This honor recognizes individuals whose lives embody the principles associated with the college’s Christian character.

The Professors of the Year honored at graduation include Dr. Russell Howell, professor of mathematics; Dr. Marilyn Chandler McEntyre, professor of English; and Dr. Shirley Mullen, professor of history. Dr. Warren Rogers, associate professor of physics, received the Faculty Scholarship Award at an earlier ceremony.

Students accepting awards at commencement were:  Mark Fiore and Annaka Gustafson, the Dean’s Award; Malia Hayashida, the Dave Dolan Award; Heather Bullock and Chris Wright, the Kenneth Monroe Award; and Heather Bullock and Neal Uhl, the John Bunyan Smith Award.