Westmont News

The Westmont Observatory shrouded by oak trees

The Westmont Observatory, home of the powerful Keck Telescope, opens its dome toward the skies for a free, public viewing on Friday, Dec. 21, beginning about 6:30 p.m. and lasting several hours. The observatory is available to the public every third Friday of the month in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, whose members bring their own telescopes to Westmont for the public to gaze through.

Voskuyl Library in 1968 (photo courtesy Westmont Archives)

Westmont celebrated Voskuyl Library’s 50th birthday Dec. 3 with historic photos, trivia contest and speeches by President Gayle D. Beebe, Provost Mark Sargent and library staff.

Westmont will offer a Bachelor of Science in engineering with a concentration in mechanical engineering beginning in fall 2019, blending a mix of courses in engineering,

Westmont’s 17th annual Pickle Tree Lighting, a unique tradition that attracts hundreds of alumni and members of the college community, is Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. on Kerrwood Lawn. The event is free and open to the public.

Westmont has received a $1 million grant to help establish Frontiers, offering opportunities for retreat, mentoring, intellectual and social engagement, and spiritual discernment to pastors just starting out in ministry or undergoing sig

Westmont student musicians and composers show off their talents at free concerts this month in Westmont’s Deane Chapel on lower campus. For more information, please contact the music department at (805) 565-6040.

Westmont continues to innovate and respond to students’ interests by adding new programs and more choices that fit well with the liberal arts and prepare graduates for a variety of careers. Music students focused on performing can earn a Bachelor of Music once the National Association of Schools of Music approves the program.

Daniel Kahneman, the self-described godfather of behavioral economics, discussed his research about the mind, intuition and reason at a November 2 Mosher Center for Moral and Ethical Leadership luncheon in Westmont’s Global Leadership Center.

Westmont is excited to begin its first women’s swimming team in fall 2019 with its newly hired head coach, Jill Jones Lin.

Jason Eldred, adjunct professor of history at Westmont and vice president of the family management company operating the Storage Place, has joined the Westmont Foundation Board of Directors, which helps build connections between Westmont and the greater Santa Barbara community.

Alumna Shauna Niequist ’98, Alumna of the Year at Homecoming, spoke in chapel Oct. 12 about the three greatest things Westmont gave her: friends, vocation and a deeper faith.

Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and bestselling author “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” speaks at a luncheon Friday, Nov.

Westmont will honor Howard Kootstra ’76, CEO and founder of Golden Empire Mortgage, and Shauna Niequist ’98, New York Times best-selling author, as Alumnus and Alumna of the Year during Homecoming 2018, Oct. 12-14.

The recently released 2019 rankings of U.S. colleges and universities confirm Westmont as one of the top Christian colleges in the nation.

Westmont’s talented music faculty hosts a free performance Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. in Westmont’s Deane Chapel. The Fall Faculty Recital, featuring 15 different faculty members, includes pieces by Max Bruch, Frédéric Chopin, Ottorino Respighi, Noro Morales, Victor Ewald and W.C. Handy.

Michael Stefanic, who holds three Westmont baseball records, has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. The Warrior with the most career hits (275) and career runs (157) has reported to the Angels Arizona Rookie League team in Tempe.

Are you looking for a good book to read? You’ve still got time for unassigned summer reading. Westmont professors share what they’re reading why they can’t put their books down. Classes begin August 27 for fall semester.

Gayle Beebe, President
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman

Westmont’s fourth annual Lead Where You Stand Conference, June 6-8, 2018, helped executives and executive teams strengthen their leadership skills through three days of engaging, inspiring and practical sessions at the new Global Leadership Center. David Brooks, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Lynda Weinman and President Gayle D.

The following is from Westmont Provost Mark Sargent.

The following is a Father's Day reflection by Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe about his father, Richard Beebe.