Welcome to Compelling Conversations! 

President Gayle D. Beebe at Westmont College launched a podcast in 2020, Compelling Conversations, to engage thoughtful scholars, grateful servants and faithful leaders in discussions exploring the significant issues of our time. Committed to the liberal arts and a blend of rigorous academics and deep love of God, he believes that such an education transforms lives and prepares people to lead and serve in all spheres of society. Rather than shying away from difficult and challenging conversations, President Beebe embraces them and encourages listeners to join him in delving deeply to determine how to think about the crucial issues we face — and how to respond to them with informed and effective action.

President Gayle D. Beebe

Now in his 15th year as president of Westmont, Gayle D. Beebe has worked in higher education for 30 years. A period of unprecedented growth and development at Westmont includes the addition of 10 new academic and co curricular programs, the launch of the Augustinian Scholars program, capital campaigns totaling more than $400 million, an endowment exceeding $100 million and the addition of more than 375,000 square feet of new and renovated building space, including two downtown locations in Santa Barbara for extended learning and internship programs.

An active scholar, he has written or edited 10 books and more than 40 articles, including The Shaping of an Effective Leader and Longing for God, the award-winning book he co-authored with Richard Foster. He completed his doctorate and master’s in philosophy of religion and theology at Claremont Graduate University while also earning his MBA in strategic management from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont. He received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and earned his undergraduate degree from George Fox University in Oregon, spending a semester of his senior year as a consortium student at Westmont in 1980. He has been married to Pam for 33 years, and they have three adult children, all Westmont alums.