Westmont Magazine Forward in Faithfulness
On the heels of two consecutive record-breaking fundraising years, Westmont College has launched its largest campaign ever, Forward in Faithfulness. Through generous donations from alums, parents, found-ations and friends of the college, including the two largest gifts in the college’s history, the campaign has raised more than $200 million of the $250 million goal.
President Gayle D. Beebe announced the campaign at Westmont’s 85th Anniversary Gala in October to a sold-out audience at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Leading priorities include: Christian leadership programs; educational affordability and access; athletics and the college’s transition to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); new academic programs, centers and institutes; and global programs.
“We find Westmont has extraordinary momentum in a number of key areas,” Beebe said. “Given the challenges facing higher education, we don’t take this for granted. Our faith in God prompts us to fulfill our mission with excellence each and every day and, when God presents new opportunities, to move forward in bold faith.”
This momentum includes moving to a new athletic conference, NCAA Division II, a three-year process already underway that renews the excitement of old athletic rivalries. Through an innovative partnership with Cottage Health, the college has launched an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to help address a critical state and local nursing shortage. Mechanical engineering, a recent addition to the college’s academic offerings, has generated enrollment exceeding original expectations for the major. Students will study in a new engineering facility on campus beginning in spring 2023.
Two years ago, Westmont raised the most money in the college’s history: $35.5 million. The college broke that record last year after receiving commitments for more than $47.1 million.
“Experiencing two consecutive years of the highest giving totals in the history of the college — in the midst of a global pandemic — is stunning,” says Reed Sheard, vice president for college advancement and chief information officer. “The generosity of the Westmont community allows us to offer students greater financial resources to pursue a Westmont education, innovate strategically and expand our impact with a continued commitment to excellence.”
History-making gifts have propelled Westmont into the public phase of Forward in Faithfulness well on the way to reaching the goal. Last year, Westmont received $8.2 million from Ed and Mollie Miller, the largest single gift ever. In the same year, Celeste and Dr. Robert White generously provided $7.25 million. Gifts for the 2022 fiscal year totaled $47.1 million.
The Miller’s gift made a significant impact on the ability of students to afford a transformative Christian liberal arts education at Westmont, enhancing an endowed scholarship that has already benefited students for more than three decades. The gift aligns with Westmont’s focus on helping remove financial barriers for every student qualified to attend the college.
The White’s gift funded the purchase of 29 W. Anapamu, a four-story building in downtown Santa Barbara directly across the street from Westmont Downtown at 26 W. Anapamu. Together, these two facilities provide nearly 30,000 square feet for downtown programs, including the new nursing program in partnership with Cottage Health as well as the semester in capital and social entrepreneurship. The new facility will provide space for programmatic initiatives that extend the college’s reach and impact in ways that benefit the local community.
Dave ’63 and Anna Grotenhuis provided the leadership gift establishing the nursing program, now named Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing.
The properties at 26 and 29 W. Anapamu will play a critical role for the college, making it possible to expand enrollment, essential for Westmont’s future.
The college hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” inspired the campaign’s name: Forward in Faithfulness. It extolls the faithfulness of God through all seasons and circumstances.
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You can make a gift to Forward in Faithfulness at