Westmont News
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Honoring Willard Book Awardees
August 28, 2024
Michael Stewart Robb, who won the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Research Center’s Book Award in 2023, will receive the honor and speak in chapel Friday, Sept. 6, at 10:30 a.m. in Murchison Gym.
Warm Reception for Refreshed DC
August 26, 2024
Returning students created a buzz of excitement when they ventured into the newly renovated Westmont Dining Commons (DC). The adjoining outdoor patio excited them the most where workers installed an automatic sliding door from the dining room.
Beebe to Sign New ‘Crucibles’ Book
August 20, 2024
Gayle D. Beebe, entering his 18th year as president of Westmont College, will be selling and signing copies of his new book, “The Crucibles That Shape Us: Navigating the Defining Challenges of Leadership,” on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4-6 p.m. at La Arcada Plaza, 1114 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Free books will be given to the first 100 guests.
400 Warriors Arrive at Westmont
August 19, 2024
About 400 new incoming students, including the Grotenhuis Nursing cohort of 24, arrive at Westmont to begin their first week of Orientation, Aug. 21-25, and the start of the fall semester, Aug. 26. The new year celebrations began with Monday’s annual staff and faculty kick-off luncheon.
Exhibition Offers Glowing ‘Night Visions’
August 15, 2024
Duncan Simcoe, a Southern California artist and former chair of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design at California Baptist University in Riverside, offers his signature limited-palette paintings on dark construction-grade tar paper in “Night Visions: The Black Drawings of Duncan Simcoe, 2014-2024” from Aug. 29–Nov. 9 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Meet the artist at a free, public opening reception on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4-6 p.m.
Alum Shares Wildlife Art in ‘Fins, Feathers’
August 15, 2024
Alumnus Casey Underwood ’14 has returned to his alma mater to exhibit his diverse talents as an outdoor wildlife artist in “Fins and Feathers: The Art of Casey Underwood” from Aug. 29-Dec. 21 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s downstairs gallery. A free, public opening reception will be Thursday, Aug. 29, 4-6 p.m.
Stargazers to Enjoy Summer Viewing
August 13, 2024
Westmont’s monthly stargazing event features a triangle asterism, a globular cluster and a waxing moon on Friday, August 16, from 8-10:30 p.m. and lasting several hours at the Westmont Observatory. Along with the college’s powerful Keck Telescope, members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit bring their telescopes to share with the public.
Jarrett to Lead ICP
July 30, 2024
Iyree Jarrett ’22 is the only student to have appeared on the cover of the Westmont magazine twice. She was featured as a student-athlete who best exemplified leadership and as the star guard for the National Championship winning women’s basketball team.
Local Company Stops Hacking, Tracking
July 25, 2024
The growing concern about personal information and privacy in the digital age has led a company based in Santa Barbara to develop products protecting consumers. MOS Equipment, founded by Westmont alumnus Ryan Judy ’08, manufactures Mission Darkness faraday bags, tents and lockers that block radio waves, including cell phone signals.
Golf Classic Supports Student Scholarships
July 17, 2024
The Westmont Golf Classic, a charity golf tournament started in 2008 to raise funds for student scholarships, returns Friday, Oct. 4, at the Glen Annie Golf Club, 405 Glen Annie Road in Goleta. Registration is $200 per golfer and includes: 18 holes of golf with cart; tri tip BBQ dinner, on-course games, raffles and awards. Additional dinner guests are $50 each. To register, or for more information, please visit westmont.edu/golf-classic.
Impact Conference Explores AI, Education
July 12, 2024
Westmont’s annual Impact Conference, co-sponsored by Salesforce, explores opportunities and dangers using artificial intelligence tools in education Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26, in the Global Leadership Center. Tickets to the two-day event cost $100 with breakfast and lunch provided both days. To register or get more information, please visit westmont.edu/impact.
Summer Exhibit Unveils New Acquisitions
July 11, 2024
Experience 45 of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s recent acquisitions at a stunning summer show. The exhibition features works by three dozen artists, including Americans Richard Artschwager, Laddie John Dill and Louisiana Bendolph of the Gee's Bend quilters, contemporary Chinese artist Yue Minjun, and numerous local artists.
College Hosts Christian Climate Conference
July 1, 2024
Westmont hosted more than 70 evangelical students, professors and nationally recognized experts from across the country for the second consecutive summer to address the global challenge of climate change June 16-21. Faith. Climate. Action. A Workshop on Christian Climate Advocacy equips students who care deeply about the environment to become leaders in their communities and manage resources wisely.
Supervisor-Elect Tours Westmont
June 27, 2024
Roy Lee, Santa Barbara County 1st District supervisor-elect and Carpinteria councilman, will spend the six months before he’s sworn into office listening to his constituents. He and his chief of staff, Wade Cowper, met for breakfast with Westmont’s executive team, including President Gayle D. Beebe, before touring the 111-acre campus by golf cart on June 12.
Cellist Returns to Perform at MAW
June 25, 2024
Westmont alumnus and local resident Tim Beccue ’18 has returned to campus as a fellow of the Music Academy of the West. Each summer since 2016, Westmont has housed 140 exceptional young classical musicians for the academy, which provides live events through Aug. 3. Visit musicacademy.org for a full calendar of concerts.
Storytellers Shine at LEAD Conference
June 21, 2024
Westmont’s Lead Where You Stand Conference delivered inspirational stories, helpful advice and insightful conversation for the 173 attendees with the goal of “Pursuing the Greater Good in Challenging Times” June 5-6 at the Montecito college. It featured keynote speakers Marcus ‘Goodie’ Goodloe, Dr. Charity Dean, Matthew Luhn, Gayle D. Beebe, David Brooks, Jeff Schloss and Kim Denu.
Senior Engineers Drop Final Project
June 10, 2024
“Dropping in three, two, one.”
Then a drone, flying 150 feet high, released a plastic, hexagonal safety pod housing a blinking computer chip, amusing dozens of people gathered to watch one of two final presentations by the engineering design team on Lovik Field at Westmont.
College Hosts Admissions Conference
June 10, 2024
Westmont hosted 450 attendees for the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP) Conference June 3-5.
Exhibition Offers Room for Reflection
June 10, 2024
Westmont alumna Ella Jennings ’23, education and outreach coordinator at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, shares her paintings of luminous interiors in an exhibition, “Abide With Me,” at the Fireside Gallery at Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church, 909 N. La Cumbre, open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekdays.
Student Teachers Shape Young Minds
June 3, 2024
Westmont’s Education Department honored its eight elementary and three secondary student teachers, who all earned California Preliminary Credentials, at the Celebration of Teaching event April 26 on campus. Interestingly, the three secondary teachers previously earned bachelor’s degrees in music at Westmont.
College Honors Its Employees of the Year
May 30, 2024
Westmont honored a number of employees for their outstanding contributions at the May 9 Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch, an annual ceremony that recognizes individual work anniversaries and accomplishments. President Gayle D. Beebe and members of the college’s executive team selected the recipients from a peer-nominated pool. An endowment set up by the late Bruce and Adaline Bare funds the awards; he was a longtime college trustee. Westmont Human Resources hosted the brunch.
‘Godspell’ Director Earns Praise
May 28, 2024
Mitchell Thomas, professor of theater arts, won a coveted Indy Award for Directing for his role in staging “Godspell.” The May 20 event was the first time the Santa Barbra Independent has hosted the awards since the pandemic.
Thomas was most recently awarded an Indy for directing “Pride and Prejudice” in 2019.
The jazz band Helios also won an Indy for its live performance in “The Capulet Black-and-White Ball,” John Blondell’s version of “Romeo and Juliet.” Helios is lead by saxophonist Simon Blondell, the son of John.
A Celebration of Student Scholarships
May 28, 2024
Westmont was well represented at an annual scholarship awards celebration on May 20 at the UC Santa Barbara Multicultural Center. Seven future Westmont students were honored with $5,000 scholarships through the Program for Effective Access to College (PEAC). Six of the students plan on taking advantage of Westmont’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) fast-track program, earning two degrees in four-and-a-half years, while one will major in computer science.
Recent Grads to Serve in Army
May 24, 2024
Two recent Westmont graduates, who served with UC Santa Barbara’s ROTC Program while students, have been commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Jacob Bailey ’24 of Whitefish, Montana, and Jared Noh ’24 of Glendale will continue their service in the Army after the summer.
Local Artists Awarded at ‘TBH’
May 21, 2024
A large crowd gathered inside and out for the opening of the annual juried exhibition of local artists, “[TBH]...To Be Honest,” at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Los Angles gallery owner Walter Maciel juried the exhibition of 45 works, selecting the winners for top cash prizes May 16. The Tri-County Juried Exhibition is open through June 15.
Three Alumni Earn Fulbright Awards
May 14, 2024
Three Westmont alumni, Kenna Brase ’22 of Foothill Ranch, Simeon Michelson ’24 of Nashville, Tennessee, and Elizabeth Potter ’22 of Cheney, Washington, have won prestigious Fulbright Scholarships to teach English outside the United States. Brase will serve in Turkey, Michelson in Azerbaijan and Potter in Thailand.
Conference Offers Inspiring Leadership Lessons
May 10, 2024
Westmont has assembled an inspirational group of renowned speakers for its 10th annual LEAD Where You Stand Conference June 5-6 at the college's Global Leadership Center in Santa Barbara.
Commencement Offers Promise of Joy Everywhere
May 7, 2024
(Above: Student Awardees Eden Lawson, Alex Armstrong, Zach Hauw, Logan Thompson, Anneline Breytenbach and Katherine Knapp)
The gray skies and light drizzle were no match for the warm hearts and sunny disposition of the 320 members of Westmont’s class of 2024 and their loved ones. The ceremony, replete with prayer and songs of thanksgiving, offered a stark contrast to other college graduations across the country that have been canceled or marred by violent protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
College President Reflects on Crucible Moments
May 7, 2024
College presidents are highly visible and vulnerable, serving on the frontlines to respond to events both on and off campus, inspiring faculty, staff, students and other constituencies, and upholding the ideals of the academy. Some do it well, and some don’t. The presidency of an institution of higher education has been deemed by some as the toughest job in our nation because they continually face stress-inducing events, which may become life-altering, transforming crucibles.
‘TBH’: Exhibition Shines Light on Local Talent
May 3, 2024
(Above: Nina Warner's painting "Shot House, Kharkiv, 2022")
The exceptional talent of local artists will be on full display at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art for its annual Tri-County Juried Exhibition May 16-June 15. An opening reception for “[TBH]...To Be Honest,” featuring this year’s juror Walter Maciel, a Los Angeles gallerist, is May 16 from 4-6 p.m. Maciel will announce his award winners at 5:15 p.m.
Celebrating Outstanding 2024 Grads
May 1, 2024
Each year before Commencement, Westmont’s annual Academic Awards Celebration reminds us of the joy of accomplishment and the opportunity we have to excel and fulfil the full range of gifts and abilities God has given us.
In the ancient world as now, excellence speaks to those who have persevered, who faced adversity, and who have risen above every challenge to cultivate the gifts God has given them,” said President Gayle D. Beebe. “It is also an opportunity to honor those who work so hard and so well.”
New Nurses Head to a Hospital Near You
April 26, 2024
Eighteen new nurses are heading to serve on the frontlines at a hospital near you! Westmont graduated 18 nurses May 2 from its 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. 12 of the 18 graduates are staying to work in the Central Coast. The Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing Program, which began in January 2022 operates in partnership with Cottage Health and Sansum Clinics in Santa Barbara, has already graduated nearly 40 nurses.
Students ‘Reach Beyond Boundaries’
April 26, 2024
Students presented their findings from research projects that spanned topics from running on slanted surfaces, the effects of music on heart rate, subliminal advertising, and racial identity in study-abroad programs at the Spring Student Research Symposium on April 18 in the Winter Hall Atrium.
On the Road with the Choir, Orchestra
April 25, 2024
The Westmont Orchestra and the Westmont College Choir join forces May 5-11 for the college’s first combined tour. Traveling from Los Angeles to Northern California, about 120 students will perform scenes from “Elijah” by Felix Mendelssohn as well as other pieces.
Students Honored for Selfless Leadership
April 17, 2024
Two Westmont juniors, Rachael Todd of Nipomo and Levi Wicks of Huntington Beach, won David K. Winter Servant Leadership Awards for showing selflessness and humility as effective leaders. Angela D’Amour, dean of student engagement, introduced the 24th annual awardees on April 10 in Westmont chapel.
Stargazers to See Red Giant
April 15, 2024
Less than two weeks after everyone’s attention was focused on the solar eclipse, the Westmont Observatory focuses on lunar craters and a red giant Friday, April 19, beginning after sunset at 7:30 p.m. and lasting several hours. The observatory, home to the powerful Keck Telescope, opens to the public every third Friday of the month in conjunction with knowledgeable volunteers from the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.
Commencement to Feature Pointer, Jacksons
April 10, 2024
About 324 graduates will participate in Commencement on Saturday, May 4, at 9:30 a.m. on Thorrington Field with 147 graduating with honors. About 50 Golden Warriors, who graduated in 1974, will march in the procession to celebrate their 50th reunion. Eleven nursing graduates will participate in the ceremony, two days after their pinning ceremony on Thursday, May 2, at 4 p.m. in Montecito Covenant Church. Commencement, which is closed to the general public, will be livestreamed at westmont.edu/commencement.
Student Researchers Shine at Symposium
April 9, 2024
The annual Spring Student Research Symposium features the work of more than 40 student researchers on 23 different posters Thursday, April 18, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. in the Winter Hall Atrium.
GLC Wins Spring Sing Bragging Rights
April 8, 2024
Westmont’s 63rd annual Spring Sing at the Santa Barbara Bowl was filled with singing, dancing, acting and hilarity. Students from each residence hall produced musical skits using the phrase “Out of Order” and competed for prizes and bragging rights.
Spring Sing is the college’s longest running tradition and involves more students than any other college event.
Longest Musical Performance in College History
April 8, 2024
Over a 60-hour period before finals, the Weller Organ in Deane Chapel, controlled by professor Steve Hodson, will be playing “ORGAN2/ASLSP (As Slow As Possible)” by John Cage (1912-1992). This 1987 work, explores how slowly a piece of music might unfold. Westmont’s performance will begin at 8 a.m. on April 26 (with a rest) and end at 8 p.m. on April 28.
Students Represent at the UN
April 8, 2024
Nearly 20 Westmont political science students joined professor Katherine Bryant to serve on the National Model United Nations from March 24-28 in New York. The students, who represented the delegations from Solomon Islands and Thailand, discussed pressing global issues and stepped into the shoes of diplomats, using the art of negotiation to learn how to make a difference in the world.
Curtain Call for Student Film Festival
April 2, 2024
The results are in and the awards handed out at the second annual Montecito Student Film Festival on March 23 at Westmont’s Porter Theatre. About 150 people attended the festival throughout the day to watch 41 films, pared down from the more than 500 that were submitted.
Art Majors Revealed in ‘Between Moments’
March 25, 2024
Six aspiring Westmont art graduates will exhibit their capstone projects at “Between Moments” from April 4-May 4 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. A free, public opening reception will celebrate the graduating senior art majors on Thursday, April 4, from 4-6 p.m.
Grant Launches Student Training in AI
March 19, 2024
The Fletcher Jones Foundation has awarded Westmont College $500,000 to provide students with education, training and industry readiness for the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (AI). The funds will expand the scope of the Center for Applied Technology Lab (CATLab) to include AI, adding state-of-the-art hardware and software infrastructure to facilitate students’ hands-on learning and experimentation.
Talk Explores Racism, Anti-Greed Gospel
March 19, 2024
Malcolm Foley, special adviser to the president for equity and campus engagement at Baylor University, argues that race and racism are fundamentally not issues of pride but of greed in a lecture Wednesday, April 3, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Global Leadership Center.
The talk, “Child of Mammon or Child of God?: The Anti-Greed Gospel,” is free and open to the public. The sociology and anthropology department, history department, Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts and the Provost’s Office sponsor the lecture.
College Hosts Private Instrument Sale
March 14, 2024
The music department has formed a partnership with the Rockley Family Foundation, which will hold a private sale of musical instruments at Westmont March 14-16, featuring starter-to professional-level instruments at a discounted price. Go to the website rockleyfamilyfoundation.org/Westmont to make an appointment.
Student Film Fest Gains Popularity
March 13, 2024
The second annual Montecito Student Film Festival has exploded in popularity and gone global. Student filmmakers from 65 countries have submitted more than 500 films for the free event. Attendees can watch films throughout the day, Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Theatre.
Viewing Features Jupiter, Orion Nebula
March 12, 2024
Jupiter and the Great Orion Nebula, M42, will be part of this month’s free stargazing event Friday, March 15, beginning about 6 p.m. and lasting several hours at the Westmont Observatory. Along with Westmont’s powerful Keck Telescope, members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Society bring their own telescopes to share with the public.