Westmont Magazine A Year for Generosity
Generous giving in 1996 helped Westmont complete several important projects. Thanks to a $100,000 challenge grant from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation of Reno, Nevada, the leadership of the Westmont Parents Council, and the generosity of parents, the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center opened in 1996.
With a $1.3 million commitment in 1996, Westmont successfully matched a challenge grant from the Weingart Foundation of Los Angeles to create an interest-free, revolving loan fund for graduates of California high schools.
Trustee emeritus Peter Geddes donated his stamp collection, worth nearly $500,000, to the college to create an endowed scholarship for athletes and students from missionary families.
A gift of $100,000 from the estate of Dorothy L. Westra set up a scholarship for women in the creative and performing arts.
Through its membership in the Independent Colleges of Southern California, Westmont received $90,818 from the corporate donors listed on the inside back cover of this issue.
The Westmont Fund raised $1,124,836 in its first year (18 percent above the goal) for annual operating expenses such as student scholarships, faculty compensation, and campus maintenance. The 1996 Warrior Sports Phonathon, which sought support for athletic scholarships, exceeded its $20,000 target with a total of $21,931.
While reunion giving at Homecoming 1996 set a record ($180,291), the number of alums supporting Westmont in 1996 remained low: 13 percent.
The Class of 1996 pledged $12,136 (19 percent participated) for their senior class gift.