Westmont Magazine A Proven Provost

Stan Gaede ’69 returns to Westmont in July as the college’s new provost. He replaces vice president and academic dean George Blankenbaker, who is retiring. Previously the provost at Gordon College in Massachusetts, Stan will oversee both the academic and student life programs. While the post of provost is new at Westmont, Stan brings much experience to the position.

“Stan is an ideal person to provide leadership in strengthening our educational program and making the college an even greater resource for the intellectual and spiritual growth of our students,” says President David Winter.

“The need for a quality liberal arts college—uncompromising in integrity and embedded in the truth of Christ—has never been greater,” states Stan. “I believe Westmont is uniquely positioned to be precisely that kind of school. It’s a place of uncommon possibilities, and I just couldn’t resist being a part of it.”

Stan earned an M.A. in sociology from Cal State Northridge and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. He joined the sociology faculty at Gordon College in 1974, served as dean of students from 1977 to 1981, and became provost in 1993.