News and Events
College Honored for Excellence in Service
Westmont received the Excellence in Service award at the annual South Coast Business and Technology Awards June 13 at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort. An audience of more than 700 people honored five local businesses, organizations and individuals demonstrating “extraordinary commitment to the economic vitality of the south coast of Santa Barbara.” [more]
Telescope to Focus on Ringed Planet Saturn
The ringed planet Saturn, sitting in the nearby constellation of Virgo, will be one of the focal points of a free, public viewing Friday, June 21, beginning at about 8 p.m. at the Westmont Observatory. The observatory opens its doors to the public every third Friday of the month in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, whose members bring their own telescopes to Westmont for the public to gaze through. [more]
Summer Camp Season Off and Running
More than 60 youngsters attended the first week of Westmont’s youth summer athletic camps, developing motor skills for a variety of sports. An additional, third week of Sports Skills (June 10-14, June 17-21 and June 24-28) targeted for children 510 years old, has been added due to its popularity. [more]
‘Everything Art Sale’ to Benefit Museum
The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art hosts a large rummage sale Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17. Westmont’s Everything Art Sale will offer paintings, prints, drawings, frames, ceramics, art supplies, jewelry, antiques, art books and more. All proceeds benefit the museum and support the exhibition schedule. [more]
Westmont Wins GSAC All-Sports Award
Westmont has won the Golden State Athletic Conference All-Sports Award for the first time in two decades. The conference honors the school with the highest average finish in the conference standings in all its sponsored sports. [more]
Local Artists Earn Awards in ‘Confluence’ Exhibition
Peter Frank, a Los Angeles-based art critic, handed cash awards to local artists at a public reception for “Confluence” on May 16 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Xarene Eskandar, whose single-channel video, “Salton Sea Revisited,” won Best in Show. [more]
Westmont Mourns the Death of Dallas Willard
Westmont is remembering the life and teachings of American philosopher Dallas Willard who died May 8 at the age of 77 following a battle with cancer. Willard taught at USC since 1965 and wrote many spiritual formation books including “Renovation of the Heart,” “The Spirit of the Disciplines” and “The Divine Conspiracy.” [more]
Students, Faculty Honored at Commencement
Led by bagpipes, more than 300 Westmont graduates marched from Kerrwood Hall through the formal gardens to Russell Carr Field May 4 for Commencement. Cloudy skies kept families and friends cool and comfortable as they cheered the graduating students. Senior biology students decorated their mortarboard hats with cutout trees, while kinesiology students included a favorite Bible verse of the late Alex Moore on their hats: “Do the Work.” [more]
Record 71 Students to Serve Abroad in Summer
A record-tying 71 Westmont students will spend at least four weeks this summer serving communities around the world on 15 teams in 12 countries including Bolivia, China, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Madagascar, Nepal, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan/Korea and Uganda. [more]
Students Earn Leadership Awards
The Westmont Student Life Office awarded 10 outstanding students for their leadership during the past year. The 13th annual David K. Winter Servant Leadership Awards are given each spring to students who show exemplary leadership through service at Westmont and in the community. Each recipient receives $1,000 toward next year’s school expenses. [more]
Fire Brigade Completes Academy Training
The 14-member Westmont Fire Brigade has completed a 40-hour, national wildland firefighter training academy hosted at Pepperdine University. The training included classroom instruction in fire behavior, fire suppression, risk management and preparedness. [more]
Vice President and Dean of Students to Retire
In January, Jane Higa announced she would retire from Westmont Aug. 31 after serving for 24 years as vice president and dean of students. She went on medical leave until that date when physicians at UCLA Medical Center diagnosed her with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease earlier in March. [more]
Westmont Celebrates Its National Champions
Hundreds of faculty, staff, students and alumni welcomed the NAIA National Champion Westmont women’s basketball team as they returned to campus by bus March 20. Warrior supporters, armed with balloons, signs, pom-poms, newspapers, flowers and noise makers, created an arm tunnel as the Warriors, fresh off the college’s first national title in basketball, waded into a sea of adoring fans. [more]
Westmont Lauds Lady Leslie
Westmont hosted a special dinner to honor Montecito resident and philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree on Sept. 29 at the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel. More than 80 guests attended the celebration that featured an inspiring video, “The Role and Impact of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree on Santa Barbara.” The video included testimonies from dozens of beneficiaries of Ridley-Tree’s generosity, [more]