Westmont Awards Two Students for Their Commitment to Diversity

Westmont has honored two students with the Intercultural Leadership Award for the 2005-06 academic year. Jamie Gates and Gloria Tebelman will each receive a $3,700 award for their work on campus diversity.

Westmont established the award to develop and encourage student leaders who are committed to promoting diversity on campus. Applicants are required to encourage student interest, support and participation in intercultural activities. They must also organize an original intercultural campus activity.

Gloria is a junior from San Diego and is studying art. She has been active with Intercultural Programs as well as Westmont’s yearbook, the Citadel. She hopes to help other students grow in their understanding of cross-cultural issues.

“I think it’s really important at Westmont,” Gloria said, “especially because we’re preparing ourselves for the world. People don’t understand how culture permeates everything.”

Gloria studied abroad in Mexico last semester and says that when she returned, she suffered from reverse culture shock.

“I kind of go away and come back and need to sort everything out,” she said.

“I’m really excited for Intercultural Programs to release the energy inside me through topics and discussions.”

The other honoree, Jamie, is a sophomore from Seattle, Wash., studying psychology. She’s active with Intercultural Programs as well as Westmont’s Activities and Clubs Council. Jamie says she learned to respect other cultures from her Yakima grandmother.

“She made sure we were aware of her experiences and the trials she had to go through,” Jamie said. “She was teased as a kid and it wasn’t easy to get a job as a Native American.

“There are a lot of stereotypes about Native Americans and I think they’re probably the least understood.”

The award is funded by a grant from the Irvine Foundation and a matching gift from Roy and D’Aun Goble.

For more information, contact Elena Yee in the intercultural studies office at (805)565-6132 or e-mail eyee@westmont.edu.