Celebrating Outstanding 2025 Grads

Westmont’s annual Academic Awards Celebration honored some of the college's graduating seniors in front of the Westmont community, parents and guests on April 9 in Murchison Gym. "Celebrating excellence is a good thing," President Gayle D. Beebe said. "It reminds us of the joy of achievement and the opportunity we have to excel and fulfill the full range of the gifts and abilities that God has given each one of us."

Each department chair announced their Outstanding Graduate Award winners during the convocation ceremony.

Kim Denu, provost and dean of faculty, said it's a privilege to honor and recognize students who have worked hard and excelled academically. "We are proud to celebrate your outstanding achievements, your discipline, intellectual curiosity, integrity and perseverance, these have made you an example for your peers," she said. "We commend you for your achievements and look forward to your continued growth and contributions to the broader society."

Here are the Outstanding Senior Award Winners:

ART - CREED BAUMAN 

Creed Bauman’s engagement in class is an encouragement to his professors, as is his creative imagination and care for his community. Creed is one of the rare artists whose personal convictions and message are as developed as his technical artistic skills. He moves with confidence between different art media while holding empathy, vulnerability, and prophetic challenges for his audience. Creed is a good person to be around because he is a person of integrity. Whether speaking, thinking, making, or writing, he is cleareyed, kind-hearted, and truth-centered. It has been a gift to have him in our department.

BIOLOGY - JOSHUA JANG

It is always a joy to behold when a student comes along with the perfect combination of intellectual brilliance and insatiable curiosity. And so it has been a joy to watch Josh Jang move through our Biology program. Josh inspires both his professors and peers in the classroom with his ability to offer just the right comment or ask the uniquely insightful question, but watching his face light up and mouth literally fall open in awe and wonder as he discovers something new about God’s creation puts him in a category all his own. Josh is always taking the next step to learn more, whether diving into the biological literature on his own or spontaneously stopping by a professor’s office to further unpack an idea or mechanism. Thank you, Josh, for beautifully modeling the goal of being a “lifelong learner” with such joy and wonder. 

BIOLOGY - CORBAN MUTHIAH 

Corban Muthiah is the kind of person you want on your team for just about anything. He’s bright. Inquisitive. Perceptive. Articulate. Curious. Easygoing. Considerate. A person for whom the baseline standard for achievement is never enough--he thrives in diving deeper in the classroom and in research, and hard work is never an obstacle. He delights in the creatures he encounters (and he knows how to look for them) and he’s always eager to understand more about just why they are what they are, biological speaking. Whether he goes on to be a high school teacher, or immerses himself further in research, we’re confident he’ll be a lifelong learner who raises awareness of and love for the natural world in all those who have the privilege of working with him.

CHEMISTRY - SOPHIA CHAN 

Sophia Chan exhibits an infectious joy in learning, delighting in what God has done. In class, she consumes knowledge to make great leaps forward in understanding. Her questions drive class discussions in novel and interesting directions, going beyond “what?” and into “why?” and “what if?”. In research, she enthusiastically shares her results with everyone she can corral at her poster. She likes to ask, “how does your work make the world a more just place?” With Sophia’s keen intellect, innate curiosity, love of people and especially Jesus, we look forward to seeing how Sophia will answer that question for herself.

COMMUNICATION STUDIES - ELISE SHORT 

Elise Short is extremely sharp, but her intelligence is understated rather than flashy. She is humble, conscientious, steady, and attentive. Elise has a keen interest in understanding the human experience, and this curiosity drives her to ask deep, insightful questions; questions that often challenge assumptions and encourage a more nuanced understanding of the topic at hand. Interpersonally, Elise is a supportive listener who makes people feel heard and validated. She is not the first person to speak in a discussion, but her contributions reflect careful thought and are worth listening to. Her writing is crisp and shows care for ideas as well as how they’re expressed. 

COMPUTER SCIENCE - LEVI WICKS

I’m confident that I am speaking for many in our department when I say that Levi Wicks is an inspirational character. He approaches everything he does with a humble and compassionate attitude, and executes every task with finesse and excellence no matter how challenging they may be. He probably has the wits to take over the world if he wanted to, so we are especially thankful that he has his heart set on serving God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness. Thank you, Levi, for modeling for us what living to honor God’s calling to be a servant leader is like—in how we interact with those around us, as well as in navigating the mountains, valleys, and everything in between in life. As you move forward into the greater world and mission, we pray blessing upon you that you will continue to be the salt and the light this world desperately needs.

DATA ANALYTICS - NATHAN KIRK 

If you ever thought: “Is this guy actually as sharp as he dresses?” The answer would be a resounding YES. And if you’ve been a friend of Nathan Kirk, you are probably nodding your head right now. He lives with a sharp focus on the dedication to his faith and a pursuit of excellence in his work. Working with him is always a joyous reminder that we, too, can refine our focus to pursue what really matters in life. Nathan is never afraid to stand up for what he believes is right, and is hardly ever deterred by seemingly insurmountable challenges. He is a friend we all hope to have on a long and arduous journey, as he will be sure to help us when we’re falling short, encourage us when we feel tired, and correct us should we ever veer off course. Thank you, Nathan, for your steadfast inspiration.

ECONOMICS & BUSINESS - JACKSON THOMAS 

Jackson Thomas is a persistent learner. He brings a joyful discipline and a quiet intellectual curiosity to every task. Not only is he consistently prepared for class, he finds ways to extend the discussion by drawing connections to a range of courses. He also enhances the learning experience for his classmates by asking salient questions. Jackson doesn’t wait for challenges to find him; rather, he seeks them out to more fully understand. Watching him work is inspiring as he quickly grasps the features and implications of economic models, then applies them to concepts and current issues in both domestic and global markets. Jackson reliably assisted and effectively communicated with other students as an economics teaching assistant. In addition, Jackson is a person who exhibits compassion, a solid character and maturity of faith. We wish Jackson all the best in his future endeavors.

ENGLISH - GRACE REDFORD 

Grace Redford’s analytical and creative brilliance have illuminated Reynolds Hall! She’s plumbed nuances of medieval poetry and broken barriers in twenty-first-century displacement narratives. She has made a mark in screenwriting classes, culminating in a Major Honors Project that explores the role of the antihero protagonist through a research paper and comprehensive revision of an original full-length screenplay, Off the Record, a satirical crime comedy set in the 1990s that follows a newspaper editor-in-chief who creates fake crimes to boost newspaper sales and increase ad dollars. As managing editor for The Horizon, we’re confident that Grace, unlike her antihero protagonist, is a trustworthy reporter and example of journalistic integrity. Grace has also served as Executive Producer for the Montecito Student Film Festival and was selected for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s competitive Rosebud Program. We will miss Grace’s creativity and leadership, and we’re thrilled for her next steps as storyteller extraordinaire. 

ENGINEERING - NOAH SHEN 

Noah Shen is an exceptional engineer because he begins with a foundation of very good technical engineering skills and adds great organizational skills, teamwork and communication. This is “capped off” with great HEART and PASSION for the projects he does. When Noah worked to design and build the STEM educational kits, and then traveled to Ecuador last May to use those kits with the Ecuadorian children, he did it by combining his talents with heart. As he leads the Northrop Grumman Engineering Capstone Design team in their quest to develop a capsule for use at the “Edge of Space”, he does it by using his technical and organizational skills combined with heart. Noah is destined to use his God-given gifts as a technical leader to serve others and glorify God.

HISTORY - ANALEE JOSSELYN 

Analee Josselyn is not here today because she is doing what she does best: exploring. She is in Lithuania, and knowing her, she is not only displaying her qualities as an exceptional student -her intelligence, her hard work, her motivation, and her historical skills in research, writing and critical thinking. She is also exploring the land and the people she lives with -she is there, truly there. Her poise, her ability to listen and her good sense of humor make whoever is with her feel known and loved. She has loved all of us, professors and students, in the history department, she has loved her peers in the sustainability Club, and her classmates in environmental classes. No wonder Duke University, Yale University and the University of Michigan have all accepted her in their environmental studies program. She is lovely. 

KINESIOLOGY - MEREDITH ARAUJO 

Meredith Araujo is an amazing, intelligent, and inquisitive individual. She routinely asks questions in class, not to challenge her instructors, but rather to sate her deep and innate curiosity, learning to make connections between different concepts in order to eventually answer her own questions. Through these questions, her Kinesiology instructors have sensed her deep awe of learning and the human body. She also has learned to collaborate with others, demonstrating patience, and becoming skilled at helping others teach. Following graduation, Meredith is going to pursue photography, demonstrating a well-rounded liberal arts mindset, before pursuing her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy where she will excel at helping others gain skills and mobility. The Kinesiology Department is going to miss having Meredith in class, and we are excited to see where she goes. 

KINESIOLOGY - JOSHUA JANG 

Joshua Jang is the rare combination of an exceptional student and a person of deep integrity and faith; humble yet confident. He approaches all of life from a “growth mindset”. Josh is willing to take on challenges, loves seeking answers to difficult questions and is not afraid of perceived failure as long as he is learning and growing. He enthusiastically and confidently sets goals for himself and follows through with gratitude and success. Josh is an outstanding scholar but also has exceptional leadership qualities that inspire everyone around him, both classmates and professors. He has an engaging personality, shows genuine interest in others and strives to have a positive impact on all those he meets. He is “others oriented” and endeavors to be a servant leader, following the example of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in all that he does. Congratulations Josh. 

LIBERAL STUDIES - GRACIE HAGEMEISTER 

Gracie Hagemeister is a deep thinker who is not afraid to explore new ideas, reflect deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and boldly defend her beliefs. In addition to her many academic accomplishments, she is a natural leader amongst her peers and always brings an abundance of warmth, honesty, and laughter to the classroom. Gracie is known for her compassionate heart--she seeks to understand multiple perspectives and experiences and empower others in the pursuit of justice. We are thrilled to see the work God calls her to, knowing that her abundant gifts will impact many lives.

LIBERAL STUDIES - KIERSTEN PATZIA 

Kiersten Patzia is a consistently positive, gracious, and engaged presence in the classroom. In addition to her demonstrated academic excellence, her professors note her deep commitment to living out her faith in class and in community with her peers. Kiersten’s dedication to her Spanish concentration, as well as her volunteer work at Adelante Charter and an orphanage in Honduras, are especially commendable. However, her gifts shine best when she is teaching. As her mentor teacher shared, “Kiersten has shown remarkable strength in teaching…Her confidence in leading both academic instruction and classroom behavior is impressive, and she has created a warm and supportive presence while maintaining high expectations.” Kiersten will be a blessing to her future students and families. 

MATHEMATICS - SARAH DELP 

Those who know Sarah Delp would agree that her speech models what is described in Proverbs 25:11: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” They would also know that this metaphor can be extended to include much more than Sarah’s manner of discourse. The gold apples of her character include her sharp mind, inquisitive nature, and commitment to understand ideas deeply. She is a team player and brings fresh perspectives to all her classes. She delights in learning and has contributed significantly to our departmental activities such as our annual Mathematics Field Day. We will miss her greatly. However, we are confident that the “silver setting” accompanying her presence will have the effect of encouraging others to realize their full potential in whatever area of service she pursues. If you have been so encouraged please say along with us, “Thank you, Sarah!” 

MUSIC - AVA KIMMEL 

Ava Kimmel is a vocal performance major. She is an outstanding musician who has made the most of every opportunity, she has represented the department well on concerts such as the Christmas Festival and the Masterworks concert. She is also a great human being who helps and encourages others to be at their best. She hopes to pursue a career in vocal performance and plans to start graduate studies in the fall in vocal performance.

PHILOSOPHY - MILES OZORIO 

Miles Ozorio combines a keen analytic mind with an enthusiasm for philosophical issues that arise in the quest for a meaningful, responsible, and fulfilling life. He can read difficult abstract material and analyze complex arguments of analytic philosophy with the best of them, but his real passion is the human side of philosophy. Small wonder, then, that he was drawn to the field by Iris Murdoch, who explored questions about morality and relationships through both philosophy and literature. Miles is bright, earnest, diligent, thoughtful, and cheerful. His essays are clear, engaging, insightful, and creative. And his contributions to class conversations enrich the discussions in fruitful ways. Recently, Miles had a paper accepted for publication in the journal of the philosophy honor society of Phi Sigma Tau (Dialogue). In the essay, he shows how— even though Murdoch wasn’t a Christian—Christians can benefit from her theme of “unselfing attention” to others. 

PHYSICS - MICHAEL HEMMETT 

If the Westmont Physics Department had a Hall of Fame, Michael Hemmett would certainly be an inductee. Initially a political science major, his passion for investigating God’s creation through mathematics drew him to study physics, where he has excelled in every aspect of the curriculum. His problem-solving is thorough and clever, his laboratory methods are accurate and meticulous, and his integrations of science and faith are thoughtful and sophisticated. Multiple research experiences have led to presentations at national conferences and will likely result in at least one publication in a refereed journal. He has also served as an outstanding mentor and role model to our younger students, consistently exemplifying Christlike character in his interactions with them. After 8 graduation Michael plans to pursue a Ph.D. in earth and space sciences. God clearly has wonderful plans for Michael and we are thankful to have been a part of them.

POLITICAL SCIENCE - CAT NGUYEN

Cat Nguyen is a talented, dedicated, and passionate student. She is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Communication Studies, which is evident in her interdisciplinary coursework. Cat has examined the rhetorical appeals of candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election and the framing of social media posts during the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Her commitment to social justice is reflected in her leadership roles as the Business Manager for Intercultural Programs and the Global and International Student Association. Driven by her passion for helping others, she has served at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office and aspires to become an immigration attorney to advocate for vulnerable populations. Her academic excellence, leadership, and unwavering dedication to justice distinguish her as a student and advocate for social change. 

PSYCHOLOGY - SARAH REMLAND 

Sarah Remland has impressed the faculty with her bright mind, clinical skill, and incisive engagement. She seamlessly integrates her psychological knowledge with personal anecdotes as she thinks through complex and nuanced clinical topics. Faculty note that she is joy to be around and exudes a quiet confidence that is welcoming and kind. During her practicum at Santa Barbara High School, she became known for her capacity to develop rapport and her versatility with therapy techniques. She demonstrates advanced knowledge of psychopathology, a high level of teachability, and remarkable skill at blending science and research with clinical praxis. Sarah regularly challenges her peers to higher levels of thought and integration of faith and psychology. Without a doubt, Sarah will succeed in any number of clinical environments and work with the utmost professionalism, thoughtfulness, and competence. As Sarah begins her PhD in clinical psychology in the fall, we look forward with anticipation to see how she will advance the field of psychology in the future. 

RELIGIOUS STUDIES - JONATHAN KRATZBERG 

Jonathan Kratzberg’s enthusiasm for analyzing scripture, exploring deep theological concerns, and integrating his scholarship with his faith is evident and contagious; his peers respond to his love for learning and discipleship by joining him in it. He is the kind of student who is always one step ahead of the lecture, asking the very question that the professor hopes will be voiced. His posture towards others is kind and generous, and he is a natural teacher. In short, Jon’s unique giftedness of intellectual strength and spiritual vitality makes him a delight both inside and outside the classroom, and his RS faculty are honored to send him forward into his graduate studies, confident that he will make Westmont proud. 

SPANISH - VERONICA “KIKI” BREHMER

The Department of Modern Languages is proud to present the John W. Raede Award to Kiki Brehmer. It is easy to foresee that Kiki will always be a life-long learner. Her interests are manifold. A Spanish major and an Environmental Studies minor, her other passions include writing, art and dance. Following her return from Westmont in Mexico, the Modern Language department has been privileged to count on Kiki when needs arise: she served as the Spanish tutor, at admission events (which included teaching Cumbia dancing), and at our departmental chapel. As president of the Spanish honor society, Sigma Delta Pi, she recently led the entire ceremony for new inductees. Kiki is of her own kind. She is a deep thinker and unafraid to ask hard questions. Her faith inspires her life mission, and like Don Quijote, she will give her best to repair injustices wherever they may be. 

SOCIOLOGY/ANTHROPOLOGY - JOHANNA GILBERT 

Johanna Gilbert has demonstrated maturity, wisdom, and keen insight throughout her time at Westmont. She has excelled in the classroom with a sharp, inquisitive, and analytical mind, asking probing questions and searching for nuanced answers. Johanna’s academic aptitude is particularly evident in her qualitative research projects on gender ideology and marital aspirations. Johanna 9 has also embodied the spirit of the Christian liberal arts through a range of activities, including chapel band, Westmont in Mexico, and internships with a law firm and a center for migrants. Johanna plans to pursue graduate school in the future, following her interest in working with non-profit organizations that serve marginalized and vulnerable populations, specifically children in the foster care system. 

THEATRE ARTS - JOEL MICHELSON 

Joel Michelson is the Theatre Arts Department’s Outstanding Senior for 2025. Joel has done it all at Westmont – played leading roles with sensitivity and verve; directed with sophistication and innovation; led the classroom with his incisive and searching questions and observations; and all the while displayed the values of a Christ-centered servant leader. Joel’s Theatre and Philosophy majors helped cultivate an inquisitive, richly balanced, and astute theatre artist. He asks the best kind of questions – those that can’t be easily answered – and he wrestles with those ambiguities with a profundity that belies his years. He’s a lovely conversationalist, an invaluable collaborator, and a self-motivated partner in all things artistic. He’s devoted and devout, and I have no doubt that he will be a future leader in the Church and on the Stage. We were mighty fortunate to have him with us, and sorry to see him go. Congratulations, Joel!

The service also recognized nine First Seniors, who have finished their Westmont education with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Meredith Araujo (Kinesiology), Andrew Bradshaw (Social Innovation and
Entrepreneurship), Johanna Gilbert (Sociology), Gracie Hagemeister (Liberal Studies), Joshua Jang (Biology, Biochemistry, Kinesiology), Kiersten Patzia (Liberal Studies), Sarah Remland (Psychology), Anna Thomas (Chemistry) and Christine Venzor (Liberal Studies) will also be honored at Commencement. 

Nine students were recognized for completing Major Honors projects, which are yearlong research projects that are ambitious and intensive, counting for about 6 units of academic credit and ultimately being submitted to a committee of three faculty members. "These projects require grit, dedication, creativity and curiosity," said Tatiana Nazarenko, dean of curriculum and educational effectiveness.

• Melinda Amick is completing a major project in chemistry, "Aryloxenium Ions”
• Kylie Carter is completing a major project in Religious Studies, "Augustine, Bartolome de Las Casas, and Gustavo Gutierrez: Church/State Separation and Christian Nationalism in the United States”
• Sophia Chan is completing a major project in chemistry, "Development of a Novel Arylation of Aryl Carbonates."
• Kaylee Dangc is completing a major project in English, "Buried Silver."
• Cara McGuffee is completing a major project in chemistry, "Development of Carbamate-Directed ortho-Arylation."
• Julia Noble is completing a major project in English, "Translating Terror into Tales of Transformation: Irish Literature as a Coping Mechanism at the Intersection of Religious and Colonial Historical Trauma."
• Miles Ozorio is completing a major project in philosophy, "Loving well: exploring Biblical love through St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Simone Weil, and Iris Murdoch."
• Grace Redford is completing a major project in English, "Off the Record: Antiheroes in Traditional Story Structures."
• Wesley Yowell is completing a major project in English, "Stoner: A screenplay adaptation of the 'Greatest American Novel You’ve Never Heard Of.'”

Westmont athletics honored 14 student-athletes as recipients of the Golden Eagle Award at a banquet April 15 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The event, which has been held annually since 1995, recognizes one student-athlete from each team that has excelled as both a student and as an athlete while also providing leadership within their respective team. This year's recipients were Brady Highfill (Men’s Soccer), Katie DeMillo (Women’s Soccer), Jesse Nieman (Men’s Cross Country), Abigail Hundley (Women’s Cross Country), Alexis Dennick (Women’s Volleyball), Jarrett Bryant (Men’s Basketball), Isabella Pearson (Women’s Basketball), Olivia Garrison (Women’s Swimming), Owen Vander Ark (Men’s Tennis), Arianne Vethan (Women’s Tennis), Andres Leon (Men’s Track & Field), Jaiden Rodrigues (Women’s Track & Field), Noelle Thompson (Women’s Golf) and Zach Yates (Baseball).