President Blogs During Alumni Trip

Westmont president Gayle D. Beebe has created a blog, chronicling the Westmont Alumni and Parent Europe Trip through June 29. Beebe, who is joined by his wife, Pam, and their three children, are traveling with about 40 Westmont alumni and parents overseas. The group is exploring and learning about the history, culture and biblical significance of three great cities in civilization: Athens, Istanbul and Rome.

Beebe’s most recent book, "The Shaping of an Effective Leader: Eight Formative Principles of Leadership," was published in 2011. He also co-authored "Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion" with Richard Foster in 2009.

Beebe, who has served as president of Westmont College since 2007, moved to Santa Barbara from Michigan, where he spent seven years as president of Spring Arbor University.

“I experienced an intellectual awakening in college, especially during a semester as an exchange student at Westmont, and I embraced the opportunity to return to a place that made such a stunning impact on my life,” he says.

He received master's degrees in divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, in philosophy of religion and theology from Claremont Graduate University, and in business administration in strategic management from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University and completed a doctorate in philosophy of religion and theology at Claremont Graduate University.