Winter Hall Dedication

  • Several hundred people gathered May 5 to dedicate David K. Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics, the Helene Winter Garden and a lifelike bronze statue of the Winters.
  • Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe (right) welcomes President Emeritus David K. Winter and escorts him to his place of honor.
  • President Gayle D. Beebe thanked the many people who worked on Winter Hall, including the architects, contractors, construction workers and landscape architects for the 44,000-square-foot building.
  • Former President Stan Gaede, a Westmont alumnus who also served as provost of the college, described the building’s construction as “pretty close to a miracle” given the long and arduous process of gaining approval.
  • Guests at the late-afternoon celebration included Westmont trustees, donors who helped fund the building, friends of Westmont from the local community, and faculty staff and students. The $102 million Bright Hope for Tomorrow campaign is raising the resources needed for Winter Hall and other new facilities.
  • Vince Nelson, a Westmont alumnus and chair of the college’s board of trustees, recognized major donors to Winter Hall who have funded the Darling Foundation Lecture Hall, the Mericos Foundation Wing (mathematics and computer science) and the Roy G. Johnston and Naomi H. Johnston Learning Lounge (physics). He noted that naming opportunities remain!
  • Winter Hall houses the computer science, mathematics, physics and psychology programs and includes faculty offices, three learning lounges, classrooms of varying sizes and spacious laboratories.
  • President Emeritus David and Helene Winter cut the ribbon for the Helene Winter Garden outside Winter Hall.
  • With help from Trustee Vince Nelson (left), President Emeritus David and Helen Winter unveil a stunning statue of themselves skillfully created by T.J. Dixon and James Nelson.
  • In his remarks, President Emeritus David K. Winter spoke movingly of his love and appreciation for his wife, Helene, who has supported him so faithfully since he lost his eyesight some years ago.
  • President Emeritus David K. Winter listed all the people he thought deserved to have a Westmont building named for them and shared stories about faithful friends like the Geisers (Clark Halls), the Armingtons (Voskuyl Library and Armington Hall) and Stephen and Denise Adams (Adams Center for the Visual Arts) whose gifts have helped build the Westmont campus.
  • Trustee Walter Hansen and his wife, Darlene (the 2011 Westmont Medal recipients) recognize artists T.J. Dixon and James Nelson (left to right) for their inspired work which so well captures the Winters’ personality.
  • Acting Provost Rick Pointer expressed appreciation for Winter Hall on behalf of the faculty. While the building houses computer science, mathematics, physics and psychology, professors from many different departments teach in the building.
  • Chairs of the departments housed in Winter Hall unveil a plaque for the building: Tom Fikes (psychology co-chair), Ken Kihlstrom (physics), Patti Hunter (mathematics and computer science) and Brenda Smith (psychology co-chair).
  • Trustee Robert Kates leads a responsive dedicatory prayer to close the ceremony.
  • Megan Anders, who graduates this week with a degree in psychology, was one of the people reading the responsive prayer.
  • This presidential party includes (from left to right) Former President Stan and Judy Gaede, President Emeritus David and Helene Winter, and President Gayle and Pam Beebe.
  • These three men represent 35 years of visionary leadership for Westmont (left to right): President Gayle D. Beebe (2007-present); President Emeritus David K. Winter (1976-2001; 2006-2007) and Former President Stan D. Gaede (2001-2006).
  • Helene Winter’s son and daughter-in-law, Steve ’88 and Amy Kamm, and their young sons joined the celebration at the dedication ceremony.
  • President Emeritus David K. Winter was recognized at the dedication for his commitment to strengthening science programs at Westmont.
  • President Emeritus David (center) and Helen Winter visit with Trustee Ed Birch.

Late on a sunny May day, President Gayle D. Beebe led a moving dedication ceremony for David K. Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics. Several hundred people, including trustees, donors, friends of the college and faculty, staff and students, joined in the celebration to honor President Emeritus David K. Winter and his wife, Helene. Former President Stan Gaede spoke briefly, noting the difficulties Westmont encountered in gaining approval for the building and the important role David Winter played in the process. President Emeritus Winter expressed appreciation for his wife, Helene, and recognized numerous people for their contributions to Westmont. The Winters unveiled a life-sized bronze statue of themselves that stands outside the entrance to the building. They also cut a ribbon to officially open the Helene Winter Garden. The U.S. Green Building Council has certified Winter Hall as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold for its sustainable construction and energy-saving systems.

Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics

Location: Northwest of the Murchison Complex

Configuration: 44,000 SF; 3 levels

Structure: Concrete

Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics, northwest of the Murchison Gym complex, is home to the offices, classrooms and laboratories for mathematics and computer science, physics and psychology. The top level has three office areas around a central atrium, one for each department. The offices are clustered around lounges designed for individual and group study. Each lounge opens on to a landscaped roof deck. Undulating Santa Barbara sandstone walls surround the middle level. The lower two levels contain classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories and research spaces for faculty and students.