Westmont News

Westmont has hired Robert Ruiz as head coach of Westmont baseball. As Azusa Pacific University’s assistant and associate head coach for the past five years, he helped win 36 or more games in three of the past five seasons.

More than 200 people enjoyed an inspirational evening with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson May 31 at the Westmont Athletics Presidential Scholarship-Challenge dinner. The former NBA All-Star told stories from his youth and from his days as a professional basketball player, encouraging the audience to serve others.

Registration is underway for Westmont Summer Sports Camps and Think Camps. The earliest camp is Bravissimo, a musical theater camp, that begins June 13. Over the course of the 11 days, campers will have the opportunity to rehearse a fully-staged musical theater production culminating in a grand performance of “Cinderella” Thursday, June 25. Girls volleyball and sports skills summer camps begin the week of June 15.

Westmont’s student life office awarded 10 outstanding students for their leadership during the past year. The David K. Winter Character Through Servant Leadership Award is given each spring to students who show exemplary leadership through service at Westmont and in the community.

The Westmont Orchestra departs soon after Commencement for a musical tour of Hungary and Austria. Between May 12 and May 25 the 52 student musicians will perform five concerts in the regions around Budapest and Vienna, while also taking time to stay with host families, visit local churches and attend an opera.

Richard Pointer, professor of history, and Jesse Covington, assistant professor of political science, will lead a discussion, “Lincoln’s Legacy: Race, Liberty, and the Rule of Law,” Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in the Faulkner Gallery of the Santa Barbara Central Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. The discussion is part of Santa Barbara County Bar Foundation’s Law Week and is free and open to the public.

Five economics and business student teams will present their semester-long research that culminates in a formal industry analysis. “Change and Innovation Industry Analysis Symposium” is free and open to the public Wednesday, April 29, at 3:30 p.m. in Westmont’s Founders Dining Room. Refreshments will be served.

Grace Chang, a writer and activist for the labor and welfare rights of immigrants and women of color, explores the complex governmental issues of human trafficking in a lecture, “Trafficking by Any Other Name,” Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in Kerrwood Hall’s Hieronymus Lounge.

Stan Anderson, Westmont chemistry professor, discusses the importance of chemistry while reflecting on his global career in a valedictory lecture, “Engaging the World Through Chemistry,” Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in Kerrwood Hall’s Hieronymus Lounge. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.

April offers a bouquet of musical performances at Westmont, ending the academic year on a musical note. All performances are free and open to the public.

The Spring Choral Concert on Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m. at El Montecito Presbyterian Church will gather the College Choir, Chamber Singers, Men’s and Women’s chorale and other ensembles for their season finale.

Westmont’s graduating art majors show their work in the Senior Art Exhibition in Reynolds Gallery Friday, April 17, through Saturday, May 9. The opening reception and award presentation April 17, 4-6 p.m., is free and open to the public.

For thousands of years, individuals and societies have sought to know God in many ways. A new book by Richard J. Foster and Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe, “Longing for God: Seven Paths of Spiritual Devotion,” explores the primary approaches developed throughout Christian history.

More than 300 Westmont students are spending spring break in Mississippi, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ensenada, Mexico, and Santa Barbara, volunteering for various service projects.

This year, more than ever, we are delighted to be hosting Spring Sing 2009 at the Santa Barbara County Bowl on Saturday, April 4, at 6:30 pm.

Nona Pyron, internationally known cellist and adjunct professor at Westmont, will gather professional musicians from across the country for a Chamber Music Retreat on campus Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22. Westmont students and other skilled amateurs will also participate in the master class. The retreat is full, but auditors are welcome to listen in.

A poetry reading by Paul Willis and Diana Raab originally planned for the day of the Tea Fire has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 28, at 8 p.m. in the Fe Bland Auditorium at Santa Barbara City College. The event is free and open to the public and will include a book sale and signing by the authors.

An original bilingual play, “Muéveme, Muévete,” a Spanish phrase meaning “Move Me, Move You,” crosses generations, languages and cultures at its world premier this month. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28, at 8 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Theatre, and March 5-7 at 8 p.m. at Casa de la Raza, 601 East Montecito Street at Calle Cesar Chavez.

Christine M. Thomas, associate professor of religious studies at UC Santa Barbara, speaks about “Finding Paul in Ephesos: A New Archaeological Project” as part of the Erasmus Lecture series Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. in Hieronymus Lounge in Kerrwood Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the lecture.

Francis Edward Su, professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, lectures on “Voting in Agreeable Societies” Friday, Feb. 6, at 3:30 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Hall Room 4. The mathematics colloquium is part of the Natural and Behavioral Sciences Seminar, which is free and open to the public.