Westmont Magazine Wallace Emerson Society

Although Jim and Della Melin ’87 Peterson met at the Westmont fountain, only Della attended the college. But Jim saw how much she grew there, and he respects the students he has hired in his finish contracting business. He has even joined Della in traveling to Ensenada with the Potter’s Clay construction crew. “What a contrast it is to working on a Montecito estate,” he notes. “Building in Mexico — that’s life. That’s the best week of the year.”  At the urging of her parents, Jim and Della developed a living trust, and they included Westmont as one of the beneficiaries. They also support the college annually as part of a strategic giving plan that includes local ministries and help for the needy as well as missionaries and development projects overseas.  “Students have so many rich opportunities at Westmont and get such a good foundation in Jesus Christ,” Della notes. “We want to help them pay for tuition.”

For more information about the Wallace Emerson Society, call Iva Schatz, Director of Planned Giving, (805) 565-6034.