Upcoming Events:
Homecoming 2009: Save the date!
Soccer and children’s carnival. Lunch with President Beebe. Chapel, seminars, networking and more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, both indoor and outdoor. And our kid’s activities are packed with entertainment and fun so parents can relax and reconnect. Whether you’re coming from across the country or from right here in Santa Barbara, it’s a weekend you can’t miss! The fun happens Friday & Saturday, October 16-17, 2009.
If you have any questions about Homecoming Weekend, please contact alumni@westmont.edu or call the Alumni & Parent Relations office at (805) 565-6056.
Alumni News
Calling Christians to Stop Slavery Once Again
William Wilberforce helped end the British slave trade exactly 200 years ago. A movie celebrating his achievement and a book chronicling the return of the global slave trade have brought three Westmont graduates together in unexpected ways and united them in a common cause.
Mark Tauber '90 is vice president and deputy pub-lisher at HarperSanFrancisco, a division of HarperCollins that publishes books on religion, spirituality and personal growth as well as works by C.S. Lewis. When Walden Media produced the movie "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," Mark coordinated marketing efforts with them. Hearing their plans for "Amazing Grace," a film about Wilberforce, Mark decided to develop two related books, including a biography of Wilberforce by Eric Metaxas.
For the second, Mark focused on activism. How would Wilberforce respond to human trafficking in the 21st century? What can people do today to end slavery once and for all? He recruited his friend and fellow alumnus David Batstone '80, an author, journalist and professor at the University of San Francisco, to write "Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade and How We Can Fight It." Mark had worked as David's literary agent and knew he would relish the project.
To prepare for the launch of the books and the movie, Mark also met with Erik Lokkesmoe '95, the project manager from Walden Media and Bristol Bay Productions responsible for "Amazing Grace." During the course of their conversation, the two were surprised to discover their Westmont connection. read more