David Spainhour to Receive Westmont Medal

David Spainhour, who retires this month as chairman of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, will receive the Westmont Medal during graduation ceremonies 10 a.m. May 8 on Russell Carr Field.

The Westmont Medal is given each year to recognize those in our community whose lives embody the very principles associated with the Christian character of the college: integrity, service, compassion, responsibility, faithfulness, discipline and generosity.

Spainhour has helped guide Santa Barbara Bank & Trust for 37 years. He joined the bank as controller in 1966, and has held a number of leadership positions since. He was named president of the bank in 1989 and chairman of the board in 1996. In honor of his retirement, SBB&T set up the David Spainhour Scholarship to go to a Westmont student in financial need.

While Spainhour is well-known for his long association with the bank, what stands out is his commitment to
Westmont President Stan D. Gaede once said of him: “If there is a better human being around, I haven’t met him.”

Just as he has devoted himself to building a bank with community interests at heart, Spainhour has devoted his own time to numerous community groups, including the Salvation Army, Rescue Mission, Coalition for the Homeless, United Way, Santa Barbara Partners in Education, Community Arts Music Association, Girl Scouts, Mental Health Association, YMCA and Cottage Hospital, among others.

He was the recipient of the Santa Barbara News-Press Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 and the Distinguished Community Service Award, given by the Anti-Defamation League, in 1999. He served as a trustee of Westmont College from 1991 to 2002.

This will mark the ninth year the Westmont Medal has been given. Past recipients are Larry Crandell, Penny Jenkins, Dr. Ramon Vidauri of Ensenada, Mexico, Anita Mackey, Stewart and Katherine Abercrombie, Betty Rosness, Peter MacDougall and Lord Paul and Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree.

Approximately 345 students are expected to graduate from Westmont on May 8. Yale philosopher Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff is the commencement speaker. Commencement is open to the public, but seating is limited.

For more information, call the public affairs office at (805) 565-6051 or e-mail mmeier@westmont.edu. A photo of Spainhour is available upon request.