Westmont News
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Donors Equip Warriors for NCAA DII Success
March 12, 2024
This spring, several of Westmont’s athletic facilities have seen dramatic upgrades to accompany the Warriors’ move to National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II in hopes of attracting exceptional student-athletes who will thrive with a rigorous Christian liberal arts education. The Westmont community and supporters have stepped up to provide vital resources for the challenge.
Woodwinds Beneath Their Wings
March 12, 2024
The only active duty Air Force band west of the Rockies energized audiences at two free performances Feb. 27 at Westmont and Montecito Covenant Church.
Vocal Recital Offers High Notes, Drama
March 7, 2024
Two Westmont voice instructors will join forces in a recital, "A Song Celebration," on Saturday, March 23, at 4 p.m. in Deane Chapel on Westmont’s lower campus. The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the music department at (805) 565-6040.
Haass Promotes Civic Duties, Global Diplomacy
March 5, 2024
Richard Haass, who worked at the White House, State Department and Pentagon under four different presidents, offered a civics lesson on global diplomacy while bringing clarity to international conflicts at the sold-out 19th annual Westmont President’s Breakfast March 1 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Despite the Israel-Hamas war, the Russia-Ukraine war, contentious China-U.S. relations and the climate crisis, the veteran diplomat admitted that what keeps him up at night is domestic politics.
Talk Explores Balance, Mobility, Aging
February 15, 2024
Adam Goodworth, a professor in the departments of engineering and kinesiology, and alumnus Maury Hayashida '95 examine balance and mobility and how they’re affected by aging in a talk Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden Street, in downtown Santa Barbara.
Student Musicians Shine in Orchestra Concerto
February 14, 2024
The Westmont Music Department offers its orchestra concerto concert, featuring the winners of its concerto/aria competition, Nathan Carlin, Karla Munoz, Tasha Loh and Leah Nieman, on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at the college’s Page Hall and on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. in Hahn Hall at the Music Academy. Both performances are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit westmont.edu/music.
Beach Volleyball Star to Preach
February 12, 2024
One of the best American beach volleyball players will speak in Westmont chapel on Friday, Feb. 16, at 10:30 a.m. in Murchison Gym. Alumnus Avery Drost ’07 led the Association of Volleyball Players (AVP) with 350 digs and was second with 551 kills last season. He coaches boys volleyball at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach while serving as a youth director at New City Church in El Segundo.
Viewing Features Celestial Smiley Face
February 12, 2024
If the weather cooperates, and that has been a big if this winter, the Milky Way’s open clusters will be the focus of the monthly stargazing event on Friday, Feb. 16, beginning after 6 p.m. and lasting for several hours. The observatory, home of the powerful Keck Telescope, is open to the public every third Friday of the month and held in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU) whose members bring their own telescopes to share with the public.
Audience Thrust Into ‘The Capulets’
February 8, 2024
Westmont’s John Blondell, a longtime professor of theater arts, puts his own contemporary, site-specific spin on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” as part of a mini-festival about the famous tragedy Thursday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and Sunday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in and around the Community Arts Workshop (CAW), 631 Garden Street, in downtown Santa Barbara.
Westmont Weathers Strong Storm
February 4, 2024
(Updated Feb. 5 at 2 p.m.) After assessing the rain storm impacts on the campus and the community as a whole, Westmont will resume in-person work and classes tomorrow, Tuesday, February 6. Please continue to monitor your email for additional updates related to this weather event, and note that while Westmont will resume normal operations, additional rains are forecasted through Wednesday, so please plan accordingly and travel safely.
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Teen Math Contest Celebrates 35
January 31, 2024
Westmont’s 35th annual Mathematics Field Day features students from nine regional high schools in a friendly competition Saturday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. in Winter Hall. Alphan Altinok, a senior data scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, will speak about “Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence” at the awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. in the Global Leadership Center.
Talk Explores the 'History of the Universe'
January 29, 2024
Jennifer Ito, Westmont assistant professor of physics, explores the history of the cosmological model in a free, public talk Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Simmons Center at the Global Leadership Center. The Paul C.
Chapel, Talk Explore Teachings of Willard
January 25, 2024
The Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Research Center have chosen Michael Stewart Robb’s book, “The Kingdom Among Us: The Gospel According to Dallas Willard,” as the winner of the
Exhibit Highlights Traditional Hopi Katsina Dolls
January 24, 2024
Hopi Katsina dolls, carved and colorfully decorated wooden figures, are more than just beautiful works of art: They represent Katsinam spirits believed to bring blessings of good health, growth and fertility. A unique exhibition, celebrating the resurgence of a traditional carving method, features dozens of the Katsina (or “Kachina” to non-Hopi people) dolls and is open through May 4 in the lower level of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art.
New Recording Studio is Music to Students’ Ears
January 23, 2024
A renovation of the first-floor recording studio and music lab in Westmont’s Music Building will provide state-of-the-art equipment for students thanks to a generous gift from longtime Santa Barbara resident and alumnus Rolland Jacks '55.
Filmmaker Shares Power of Storytelling
January 19, 2024
Wendy Eley Jackson draws on three decades of experience in film and television in her talk, “The Transformative Power of Storytelling” for a Westmont Downtown Lecture on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden Street, in downtown Santa Barbara. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are required.
Students Participate at World’s Largest Math Meeting
January 16, 2024
“I was surprised at the sheer size of the math world,” said first-year student Isaiah Conway, reflecting on his trip with fellow students and faculty to the world’s largest mathematics conference Jan. 3-6 in San Francisco. Ten students and three faculty members were among nearly 6,000 other mathematicians at annual Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM), hosted by the American Mathematical Society.
Opera Double Bill Features ‘Telephone,’ ‘Gallantry’
January 16, 2024
A double feature operatic performance opens the curtains on the Westmont music department’s spring concert season with productions of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Telephone” and Douglas Moore’s “Gallantry” Jan. 19 and 21 at 7 p.m. in Porter Theatre. Purchase tickets, which cost $20 general admission and $15 for students and seniors, online at westmont.edu/boxoffice.
Veteran Diplomat Haass Speaks at Breakfast
January 11, 2024
Richard Haass, a veteran diplomat, respected scholar of international relations and president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, speaks at the 19th annual Westmont President’s Breakfast on Friday, March 1, from 7-9 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The event has sold out.
Viewing Focuses on Jupiter, Orion Nebula
January 11, 2024
This month’s Stargazing at the Westmont Observatory features Jupiter and its four Galilean moons as well as M42, the Orion Nebula, on Friday, Jan. 19, beginning after 6 p.m. and lasting for several hours. The observatory, home of the powerful Keck Telescope, is open to the public every third Friday of the month and held in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU) whose members bring their own telescopes to share with the public.
Corot Exhibit Honors Ridley-Tree
January 3, 2024
Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree’s entire collection of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, which includes 11 paintings, 12 lithographs and a drawing, goes on display Jan. 11-March 23 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art.
Examining Mendelssohn, Protestant Music
December 20, 2023
For two decades, Siegwart ‘Zig’ Reichwald, Westmont’s Adams professor of music and worship, engrossed himself in the sacred music of German composer and performer Felix Mendelssohn. But when he came to his works written for the Berlin Cathedral in 1843-44, he was struck by how unusual they were compared to the rest of Mendelssohn’s musical creations.
DC to Get a Remodel
December 19, 2023
Crews have begun a $2 million renovation project to Westmont’s Dining Commons with the majority of the work being funded by Bon Appetit, the college’s food service provider since August 2022.
Nursing Graduates Get Pinned
December 19, 2023
Westmont celebrated the accomplishments of 18 new graduates of the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program at a pinning ceremony Dec. 14 at Montecito Covenant Church. This is the second cohort to graduate from the 16-month accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program, housed at 26 W. Anapamu.
Students Reveal Physics Findings
December 18, 2023
Two Westmont students presented their research at a joint meeting of the Nuclear Physics Divisions of the American and Japanese Physics Societies Nov. 26-Dec. 1 on the Big Island of Hawaii. Natalie Fogg '24 and Reese Toepfer '26 joined Robert Haring-Kaye, Westmont professor of physics and department chair of physics and engineering, at the event that featured more than 100 undergraduates from both nations.
Winter Stargazing at the ‘Mont
December 12, 2023
Bundle up and head to the Westmont Observatory, which opens to the public for its free, monthly Stargazing event Friday, Dec. 15, beginning at sunset and lasting several hours. Saturn and many other celestial delights will be targeted by Westmont’s powerful Keck Telescope and the other scopes owned by members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, whose members set up around the observatory.
Bringing Back Climate Conference Lessons
December 12, 2023
Westmont junior Analee Josselyn '25, a history and economics and business double major, and Conrad Morgan '23, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, are attending the U.N. Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai.
Engineering Students Go for Speed
December 11, 2023
Overcoming obstacles was the challenge of the day as the Westmont Engineering Department hosted its third annual remote control car competition Dec. 7 in front of Kerrwood Hall.
New this year, students competed in a bowling pin knockout following the traditional figure eight race. The competition was tight and a final race with all three cars was needed to determine a winner.
Book Radiates Advent
December 11, 2023
With the arrival of Advent, Paul Willis, professor emeritus of English and former Santa Barbara poet laureate, has co-edited an anthology of readings “A Radiant Birth: Advent Readings for a Bright Season.” Madeleine L'Engle, Marilyn McEntyre, Eugene Peterson, Tania Runyan, Luci Shaw, Jeanne Murray Walker, Walter Wangerin, Lauren Winner and Philip Yancey contribute to the book, which provides daily readings for the four weeks of Advent and two weeks of Christmas.
Mr. Monopoly Goes Straight to Westmont
December 4, 2023
Westmont is on the board! Monopoly: The Santa Barbara Edition includes a space featuring the Montecito campus in the light purple section where Virginia Avenue sits in the classic game. The only college featured on the board, Westmont appears between two iconic locations: the Santa Barbara Harbor and the Santa Barbara Airport. The square features a Brad Elliott photo highlighting the college’s iconic Italian fountain, a replica of one dating from the 19th century that graced the Dwight Murphy estate, which Westmont purchased in 1945.
Study Examines Anxiety, Emotional Neglect from Fellow Congregation Members
November 30, 2023
A study of older U.S. South Asians examines relationships between religious service attendance (temple, mosque, etc.), anxiety and feelings of emotional neglect by fellow congregation members. The research finds that among U.S. South Asians, those who attend religious services more often are also more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety. Further, much of this relationship can be attributed to feelings of being ignored or neglected by other members of the congregation.
‘Poor Clare’ Offers Theater for the Soul
November 28, 2023
Westmont Festival Theatre reimagines the life of Saint Clare of Assisi as if she spoke like a Beverly Hills teenager in Chiara Atik’s “Poor Clare” on Dec. 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. in Porter Theatre. Tickets, which cost $20 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors, may be purchased at westmont.edu/boxoffice.
Program Explores Meaning of Preaching
November 27, 2023
Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded Westmont College a $1.25 million grant to create a unique program exploring the meaning and value of in-person Christian preaching. At a time when much communication takes place online, remotely and impersonally, the Incarnational Preaching Project will invite active and aspiring preachers to investigate the value of preaching live to a church community.
Nursing Program Earns Final Accreditation
November 27, 2023
The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) voted to approve accreditation for Westmont’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Westmont had to clearly demonstrate that its nursing program, which launched in January 2022, met all four of the CCNE standards: mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum and teaching-learning practices, and assessment and achievement of program outcomes.
Donations Doubled for Giving Tuesday
November 21, 2023
For Giving Tuesday, a generous donor has pledged $50,000 to double the impact of gifts made to the Westmont Fund between Nov. 21-28 until midnight or until the pledge amount runs out.
Project Promotes Fire Resilience, Biodiversity
November 16, 2023
An ecological restoration project near the Westmont campus has begun with students, faculty and staff planting about 45 native coast live oaks. This first phase focuses on an area where Montecito Fire removed many dead and dying eucalyptus trees last summer.
Luncheon Empowers Future Women Leaders
November 16, 2023
The Westmont Women’s Leadership Council Luncheon features Natalie Taylor, certified financial planner and behavioral financial advisor, on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, 12-2 p.m. in the Global Leadership Center. A limited number of tickets, which cost $100 per person, may be purchased online.
Celebrate Advent at Westmont
November 14, 2023
Westmont celebrates Advent with “Let There be Light!” a festive gathering, tree lighting, hot cocoa and opportunity to take photos with Santa on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 5-7 p.m. on Kerrwood Lawn. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Art Museum Goes Big with 675 Small Works
November 7, 2023
The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s most popular exhibition and fundraiser returns to Montecito on Nov. 30- Dec. 15 offering viewers an opportunity to see and bid on more than 675, small 5-inch-square works by regional, national and international artists. The museum hosts a free, public opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 4-6 p.m.
Trustee Emeritus Gary Harris Dies
October 31, 2023
Longtime Westmont trustee Gary Harris died Oct. 27 from a heart attack. He was 87.
President Gayle D. Beebe announced to the Westmont community that he and Pam were praying for Gary's wife, Jo Harris, and their family, and encouraged the community to do so as well.
American Double Returns to Westmont
October 31, 2023
Violinist Philip Ficsor, who served on Westmont’s music faculty from 2006-13, returns to college for a recital with American Double, a violin-piano duo consisting of Ficsor and pianist Constantine Finehouse, on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m. in Deane Chapel. The concert, featuring American masterworks for violin and piano by John Corigliano and Daniel Gee ’13, Westmont director of choral activities, is free and open to the public.
Christmas Festival Offers ‘Fullness of Joy’
October 25, 2023
The 19th annual Westmont Christmas Festival, which marks the beginning of the holiday season for many in Santa Barbara, combines orchestra and choirs at the Granada Theatre, the central coast’s premier performing arts venue in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. Tickets, which cost $22 each, go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. at westmont.edu/christmas-festival.
Microscope Offers Inspiration at the Atomic Scale
October 24, 2023
Westmont’s science professors have obtained a new tool for their teaching and research. The biology, chemistry, engineering and physics departments will all use the Hitachi scanning electron microscope (SEM), housed in Winter Hall. Its focused beam of electrons interacts with atoms in the sample to produce an image.
Grand Opening for a New Engineering Edition
October 24, 2023
A large crowd that included students, faculty, trustees and industry professionals on the college’s engineering board gathered to dedicate Westmont’s new Fletcher Jones Foundation Center for Engineering at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 20. Engineering students hosted an open house in their new digs, highlighting their research and explaining the uses of the machinery.
Event Examines Solutions to State Street
October 20, 2023
“What Should We Do About State Street?” The Westmont Center for Dialogue and Deliberation (WCDD) hosts a conversation on this pressing issue and invites Santa Barbara residents to share their ideas for shaping and co-creating this special public space. When you RSVP to the free, public event held Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m., you’ll receive information about the location and parking information because space is limited.
Gas Giants Headline Star Party
October 19, 2023
On the heels of Saturday’s annual solar eclipse, the Westmont Observatory opens to the public with the two gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, making an appearance in the night sky Friday, Oct. 20, beginning at sunset and lasting several hours. This month’s free stargazing event features the college’s powerful Keck Telescope, a computer-controlled 24-inch reflector, and other telescopes from members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.
Talk Examines Recent Conflicts, Foreign Aid
October 17, 2023
Katherine Bryant, assistant professor of political science, will speak about “The Changing Geopolitical Landscape and the Role of Foreign Aid” at a Westmont Downtown Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden Street, in downtown Santa Barbara.
Return of the Warriors: Honoring Alumni
October 16, 2023
Westmont’s alumni returned to campus for Homecoming 2023 and to honor four stellar individuals at the annual Alumni Awards Celebration Brunch.
The college recognized honorees Jay (Ofori) Diallo ’08 (Alumnus of the Year); Jenise Steverding '97 (Alumna of the Year); Carl LaBarbera ’76 (Global Service); and Gabriella (Pinheiro Chavez) Avila ’14 (Young Alum) for their remarkable achievements in their personal careers on Oct. 14.