Westmont News
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Study Examines Attachment to God, Psychological Distress
January 4, 2022
A national study examines the link between perceived relationship with God and mental health from a sample of more than 1,600 Americans. The research suggests that religious believers who relate to God in an uncertain or anxious manner are more likely to experience symptoms of psychological distress, including anxiety, paranoia, obsession and compulsion.
Edison Contributes to STEM Education
January 4, 2022
Westmont College has received $20,000 toward scholarships for four students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Edison International, the public utility parent company of Southern California Edison. The company has awarded this grant to Westmont every year since 2013.
Art Exhibition is ‘Amplifying the between’
January 3, 2022
Santa Barbara artist Marie Schoeff explores a profound yet unpretentious relationship with nature and spirituality in a new exhibition at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art from Jan. 13-March 26. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, there will not be an opening reception for “Marie Schoeff: Amplifying the Between."
Getting Jazzy with Chick Corea
December 7, 2021
The Westmont Jazz Ensemble highlights the work of Chick Corea, who died earlier this year, in a concert Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. in Deane Chapel. The performance is free and open to the public. As per the county requirement for all indoor events, masks will be required. Any outside guests will be asked to present either proof of vaccination or a negative test result from the past 72 hours. For more information, please call (805) 565-6040.
Santa Barbara Educator Earns Gold Star
December 7, 2021
Marianne D’Emidio-Caston, who served the local education community for more than three decades, received the Westmont Education Department’s 2021-22 Excellence in Education Award.
D’Emidio-Caston, who most recently directed student teaching at Antioch University Santa Barbara, spoke to Westmont education students, encouraging them to find a trusted long-term professional partner to “grow with and, more generally, to do teaching with.”
The Fast and Hilarious: Students Put RC Cars to the Test
December 2, 2021
The rubber meets the road for Westmont’s engineering students who, as part of their coursework, will race foot-long remote control cars on a short, oval racetrack in front of Kerrwood Hall on Monday, Dec. 6, from 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. The students have created the cars from kits with hundreds of parts for their Machine Design course with Dan Jensen, director of the engineering program.
Christmas Festival Makes Its Granada Premiere
November 12, 2021
The 17th annual Westmont Christmas Festival appears for the first time at Santa Barbara’s famed Granada Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. Tickets, which cost $20 each, go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 23, at 5 p.m. at westmont.edu/festival.
Theater Turns to Uplifting ‘Hope Songs’
November 9, 2021
The Westmont Festival Theatre offers uplifting songs of joy and love in “You Will Be Found: Hope Songs” Nov. 19-20 at 7:30 p.m. in Porter Theatre. “We all could use a little hope right now,” says Mitchell Thomas, director of the event. Tickets to the all-ages fundraiser, which cost $15 for general admission, $10 for students, may be purchased at westmont.edu/boxoffice.
Talk Examines Bolivian Child Workers
November 2, 2021
Elizabeth Gardner, Westmont assistant professor of communication studies, examines a protest by children and adolescents in South America on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. in Westmont’s Global Leadership Center. The Paul C.
NEXUS Stages Comedic ‘Thanksgiving Play’
November 2, 2021
The second installment of NEXUS: Readings by Black and Indigenous Playwrights features “The Thanksgiving Play” by Larissa FastHorse with excerpts from Suzan Lori-Parks’ “365 Days/365 Plays” on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Theatre. The event, which will include a post-reading discussion, is free and open to the public. Guests will be required to show proof of vaccine or a recent negative COVID-19 test and wear a mask while indoors on campus.
Fall Choral Festival to Harmonize on Friday
October 27, 2021
Westmont’s annual Fall Choral Festival, featuring about 125 students from five California high school choirs, returns for a live performance Friday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. in Hahn Hall at the Music Academy of the West. The concert is free and open to the public. Due to Covid-19 we are asking all guests RSVP here in advance here.
Museum Opens a Trove from Its Collection
October 27, 2021
The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, which moved from the confines of the Reynold’s Gallery to its current home in the Adams Center for the Visual arts more than a decade ago, reveals the enormity of its holdings in “Academic, Barbizon, and Impressionist Artists: Highlights from the Permanent Collection” from Nov. 11- Dec. 18 in the museum. A free, public opening reception will be held Thursday, Nov. 11, from 4-6 p.m. at the museum.
Book Offers Respite from ‘Restless Devices’
October 27, 2021
It is difficult to imagine life without our personal devices. Today’s digital technologies are designed to captivate our attention and encroach on our boundaries, shaping how we relate to time and space, to ourselves and others, even to God.
‘Kitty Hawk’ Ushers a Return to Live Theater
October 18, 2021
The Westmont Festival Theatre returns for the first time since March 2020 to stage a new play, “Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil,” which explores what it means to live in proximity to greatness, October 22-23, 28- 29, 30 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, October 30 at 2 p.m., all in Westmont’s Porter Theatre. Tickets, which cost $15 general admission and $10 for students, are available online at westmont.edu/boxoffice. The play contains passionate language by Ohioans about Ohio.
Orchestra Returns Live for ‘Four Seasons’
October 14, 2021
The Westmont College Orchestra returns to the stage for live, in-person performances of the Fall Orchestra Concert on Friday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. in Hahn Hall at Music Academy of the West. Tickets, which cost $10 for general admission (students are free), may be purchased at westmont.edu/music or at the door. For more information, please contact the music department at (805) 565-6040 or email music@westmont.edu.
Student Club Celebrates Hispanic Heritage
October 13, 2021
The Westmont Latinx Student Union (LSU) club has been using social media and in-person meetings to bring attention to National Hispanic American Heritage Month, celebrating the cultures of various Hispanic and Latin countries.
'Crossing the Chasm' Author to Speak at Luncheon
October 12, 2021
Geoffrey Moore, a bestselling author, speaker and adviser, whose work focuses on the market dynamics caused by disruptive innovation, speaks at a Mosher Center for Moral and Ethical Leadership luncheon on Friday, Nov. 5, from 12-1:30 p.m. in the Simmons Center of Westmont’s Global Leadership Center. A limited amount of in-person tickets, which cost $100 per person, are available for purchase at westmont.edu/mosher-event.
Book Offers Inspiration to Teachers
October 4, 2021
Beloved local educator Michelle Hughes has co-edited a new book that offers ways to reframe obstacles to teaching as opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Finally, Class of 2020 to Celebrate with an In-Person Graduation
September 30, 2021
Graduates of the Westmont class of 2020 will finally be able to walk across the stage on Carr Field to get their diplomas during Commencement.
Students Shine at Summer Research Event
September 30, 2021
More than 30 Westmont students presented their findings on 21 posters at the 2021 Celebration of Summer Research on Sept. 24 around the Winter Hall third floor atrium.
Alum Returns as Doctor of Health Center
September 28, 2021
Dr. Rob Hughes ’04 has wanted to direct student health services at Westmont since he worked in the Health Center as a student. Now, more than two decades later, he accepted this position following Dr. David Hernandez’s retirement at the end of spring.
Talk to Examine Cannabis Benefits, Harms
September 22, 2021
Ronald See, a researcher at the forefront of creating experimental models of drug relapse and addiction, speaks at a free, public lecture, “Lost in the Weeds? A Neuroscience Perspective on Cannabis,” on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the outdoor patio of Westmont’s newest downtown Santa Barbara building, 29 W. Anapamu.
New Book Unleashes SB Artists, Their Dogs
September 15, 2021
Read about the natural bond between dogs and artists in a new book, “Santa Barbara Artists and Their Dogs,” and see portraits of them in an exhibition through Dec. 18 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s downstairs gallery. The Art Council of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art created the book, which will be available for purchase for $32.33 (including tax) Sept. 24-25 from 12-8 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 12-4 p.m.
Westmont Celebrates Two Gifts Worth More Than $15M
September 15, 2021
With great appreciation, Westmont announces two major gifts totaling more than $15 million, the two largest cash gifts in college history.
Bringing Stories of Diversity to the Stage
September 14, 2021
The Westmont Festival Theater launches the first of three staged readings that explore diversity, fairness and social justice Saturday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Porter Theatre. The series of readings, named, NEXUS: Readings from Black Playwrights, will include a post-reading discussion, and is free and open to the public.
Westmont Ranked Among the Nation’s Best
September 13, 2021
Recent college and university annual rankings continue to affirm Westmont as one of the top Christian liberal arts colleges in the nation.
Accomplished New Professors Join Faculty
September 8, 2021
Four new tenure-track professors have joined Westmont’s faculty this fall: Ben Carlson (physics), Dan Jensen (engineering), Gewnhi Park (psychology) and Alastair Su (history).
Museum Focuses on Faculty in ‘Sight, Insight’
August 31, 2021
The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum focuses its attention on the college’s talented art faculty in “Sight & Insight: Westmont College Studio Art Faculty Exhibition” Sept. 2- Oct 30. The public is invited to a free, opening reception on Thursday, Sept. 2, from 4-6 p.m.
SB Sending Features 20 Christian Speakers
August 26, 2021
Westmont co-hosts Santa Barbara Sending mission conference featuring 20 speakers exploring topics related to medicine, business, education, women, refugees and more Sept. 15-18 at Westmont’s Global Leadership Center. Tickets, which cost $50 for general admissions and $10 for students, may be purchased at sbsending.com.
Talented New Students Welcomed In Person
August 25, 2021
About 410 new students, who include 58 new transfers, begin their journey at Westmont Thursday, Aug. 26, moving into residence halls and enjoying several days of welcoming activities during Orientation.
Exploring The Balance Between Hormones, Caffeine
August 19, 2021
“I rarely drink coffee,” says Tiffany Gong ’23, a behavioral neuroscience student at Westmont, who is the subject and the researcher examining the impact of acute caffeine on cortisol and melatonin levels.
Velas to Direct New Nursing Program
August 18, 2021
Carol Velas, who has served as a registered nurse for 35 years, will direct Westmont’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which begins in January 2022 pending approval by the California Board of Registered Nursing. The former senior manager for state licensing and accreditation at Chamberlain University in Chicago, Velas helped design Westmont’s nursing program, serving as a consultant for the initial feasibility study.
Alumna Earns Prestigious Lilly Fellowship
August 17, 2021
The Lilly Graduate Fellows Program has selected Westmont alumna Olivia Stowell ’19 as one of 10 Lilly Graduate Fellows nationwide. The prestigious fellowship supports outstanding students who want to explore the connections within Christianity, higher education, and the vocation of the teacher-scholar as they pursue graduate degrees in humanities and the arts. Stowell, who earned a Master of Arts from Villanova, enters the doctoral program in Communication and Media at the University of Michigan this fall.
Exhibit Explores Contemporary Abstract Art
August 17, 2021
The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art invites visitors to explore the diverse expressions and meanings of abstract art through the exhibition, “Towards a 21st Century Abstraction,” on display from July 8-August 14. Artists and visitors are welcome Monday through Friday between 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Willis’ Poetry Offers ‘Somewhere to Follow’
August 17, 2021
In a new book of poetry, Paul J. Willis takes his readers on a path through California’s coastal redwoods and giant sequoias in the Sierra, weaving in adolescent practical jokes and sharing unexpected epiphanies. Slant Books published the latest book by the Westmont professor of English and former Santa Barbara poet laureate.
‘Soul Care’ Earns Willard Center Book Award
July 27, 2021
“Soul Care in African American Practice” by Barbara L. Peacock (InterVarsity Press, 2020) has won the annual book award from the Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Research Center (MIDWC) at Westmont College. She will speak in chapel on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 10:30 a.m.
Westmont's Beloved Pickle Tree to Be Removed
June 11, 2021
Kerrwood Lawn in the late 1960s
A Stately Sight to Generations of Warriors
A Shot in the Arm Against a Shortage of Nurses
June 4, 2021
Amid a global pandemic and dire nursing shortage, Westmont’s proposed Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) arrives just in time to meet a great need not only in the Santa Barbara community but in California. The program, run in partnership with Cottage Health, received unanimous approval for its feasibility study from the California Board of Registered Nursing’s (BRN) Education Licensing Committee (ELC) in April and awaits further approvals.
Sokhela is NAIA Track Athlete of the Year
June 3, 2021
Westmont’s Senzo Zola Sokhela, a 19-year-old freshman from South Africa, has made a name for himself despite his short time on campus. After Sokhela won two individual national championships at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships May 28, the U.S.
Stellar Young Life Students Earn Full Scholarships
June 2, 2021
Westmont College and Young Life Southwestern Division have awarded full scholarships to Arath Gomez of Santa Barbara, Destiny Mitchell of Victorville and Serena Nohmeh of Reseda. Young Life Urban Leadership Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, room and board for each student to attend Westmont for four years.
Commencement Honors Resilient Class of 2021
May 27, 2021
“No class in the history of Westmont College has endured so much to make it to this day,” said President Gayle D. Beebe as he welcomed the 306 members of the class of 2021 and their families on May 8 to a special, socially distanced Commencement service on Thorrington Field. “Four years ago, you arrived on a beautiful August afternoon, ready to move in, anticipating all that lay ahead, not thinking of the long and arduous journey that would bring you to this moment.
Celebrating the Outstanding Graduates of 2021
May 26, 2021
Each year, the Westmont community celebrates the many ways that God has gifted our students academically by announcing and honoring the Outstanding Graduate Awards in each department during the Academic Awards Convocation prior to Commencement. This year, the ceremony was pre-recorded and is available for viewing here: https://youtu.be/Rb-kaApMhec.
The following are the Outstanding Graduates of 2021
Exhibit Spotlights Area Artists ‘At the Edges’
May 13, 2021
The creative works of 31 local artists will be front and center in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s new show, “At The Edges: Tri-County Juried Exhibition,” on display from May 20- June 19. Though there will not be an opening reception for the show, artists and visitors are welcome Monday through Friday between 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., while the exhibition is open.
Regional News Media Coverage of Commencement
May 12, 2021
Graduates Among Nation's Most Resilient
May 3, 2021
The 306 members of Westmont College’s class of 2021 rank among the most determined and resilient college graduates in our nation’s history.
Theater Offers COVID Inspired 'Winter's Tale'
April 27, 2021
The Westmont Theater Arts Department, in collaboration with the newly created film studies program, presents a virtual premiere of “A Winter’s Tale (Interrupted)” on Friday, April 30, at 7 p.m. The play, which does contain mature content, is free to stream at westmont.edu/watchtheater.
Equal parts theater performance, documentary, video log and art film, the production explores what it means to be an artist and a human in the winter of 2020 in America.
Art Graduates Offer ‘Untold’ Exhibition
April 8, 2021
Thirteen graduating art majors offer their capstone art projects, which include oil paintings, drawings, collages, digital illustrations, sculptural installations, prints, photographs, videos and stop-motion animation from April 8- May 8 at the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. See “Untold: Westmont Graduate Exhibition 2021” online at westmont.edu/museum/untold. Find information at westmont.edu/museum about making an appointment to see the exhibit in person.
Brooks Back for Virtual Leadership Conference
April 7, 2021
Keynote speakers David Brooks, Erin Meyer, Gayle D.