Westmont Magazine Parents Council Finds Ways to Serve Parents During the Pandemic

The Parents Council seeks to extend the Westmont experience to all families. These valued volunteers commit to learning about the college, reaching out to families in their region, engaging parents and families at campus events and fostering communication with parents. During the pandemic, they adapted to new ways of connecting with families.

For example, they’ve spoken at virtual parent panels for Orientation and at special admissions events for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The council met virtually in July 2020 and April 2021. They’ve written letters to the families of admitted students, prayed for students and families in their region, answered questions from fellow parents and provided thoughtful feedback to the college.

President Gayle D. Beebe and his wife, Pam, invited them to a virtual luncheon in late September. Parents Council members also received copies of George Yancey’s book “Neither Jew nor Gentile: Exploring Issues of Racial Diversity on Protestant College Campuses” as part of the college’s initiative to discuss justice, reconciliation and diversity. In March, they met virtually with David Bailey, executive director of Arrabon, to learn about his work promoting reconciliation at Westmont. Members participated in the college’s strategic planning process as well.

“One of the great losses this year has been the opportunity to connect parents and families through interactions at events on campus,” says Sarah Camp, assistant vice president for advancement and interim senior director of alumni and parent relations. “The group was eager to host people in their communities,
but conflicting guidelines and the need to keep everyone safe prevented these events. We look forward to once again organizing such activities. All parents and families interested in hosting regional gatherings in person for admitted students, parents or others may contact parents@westmont.edu. We look forward to seeing parents in person!”

Read more about the Parents Council here.