Westmont Magazine Remember When?

Alumni took the stage for three days in September as they celebrated their college days and reunited with close friends and beloved professors at Homecoming ’98. From the chapel talk by Provost Stan Gaede ’69 on Friday morning to the inspiring message by Jim Dixon ’68, pastor of Cherry Hills Community Church in Colorado, at the Sunday morning worship service, alumni focused on Westmont’s past, present, and future.

The old favorites (stimulating mini-classes taught by six faculty members, the popular carnival and lunch on Saturday afternoon, the Friday evening Coffee House, and the festive Saturday Dinner Party) continued to please alums.

The Homecoming schedule featured the games of three different Warrior teams. With alumni in the stands, the women’s soccer squad shut out United States International University (5-0) Friday afternoon; the women’s volleyball team lost to No. 2 Biola in four games Friday evening; and the men’s soccer team continued their unbeaten streak by defeating Southern California College (2–1) on Saturday afternoon. After the men’s game, the soccer coaches hosted a reception for players and alums in their homes in nearby Las Barrancas.

A special reception on Saturday honored the 20th anniversary of Potter’s Clay and reunited core team leaders and several Mexican pastors who traveled from Ensenada for the event. Three of the alums who started Potter’s Clay attended: Gordon Aeschliman ’79 and Randy ’79 and Clara Kenney ’79 Maranville. Dan Hislop ’93, a former Potter’s Clay director and a member of the alumni board, organized the reception and presented a history and slide show highlighting 20 years of the outreach to villages around Ensenada.

For the first time this year, academic reunions brought together alumni, faculty, and students to begin establishing a Westmont career network. Each department hosted a gathering that allowed students to learn about the career paths of alums in their major. Alums took turns sharing their experiences in the workplace and answering questions from students.

The Saturday evening Dinner Party featured alumni musicians, including Howie ’50 and Marilyn Danielson ’53 Stevenson, Dave Talbott ’64, and David Britton ’94. Six former male quartet members reunited for several numbers honoring Professor Emeritus John Lundberg. The College Choir performed under the direction of Professor Steve Hodson who also led an Alumni Choir.

Reunion classes presented about $211,000 to The Westmont Fund, continuing the tradition of generous giving at Homecoming.

Westmont honored four alums for their service and achievement. Don Low ’81, the outgoing president of the Alumni Association, and Cathy Wallace McGrath ’84, co-chair of the President’s Associates Steering Committee, received Volunteer of the Year awards. Bob Campbell ’44 became the first alum to receive the distinguished service medal for his leadership in higher education and the church. Collette Day Cozean ’80, Alumna of the Year, accepted her award amidst spontaneous and heartfelt applause for the product her company markets: pain-free dental lasers.

After worshipping together on Sunday morning with music by Howie and Marilyn Stevenson and Dave Talbott, alums enjoyed a delicious brunch amidst the beauty of the newly landscaped gardens to conclude the weekend.