FEATURED
From Blueprints to Buildings: Achieving Aspirations
Westmont sustains its timeless mission and liberal arts curriculum with timebound initiatives that strengthen the college and ensure its future. Ongoing innovation has generated new innovative programs such as nursing, engineering and data analytics and added 400,000 square feet of new and renovated space during President Gayle D. Beebe’s 18-year tenure. At present, the college focuses on two major projects: developing the Keith Center at 29 West Anapamu in downtown Santa Barbara and expanding facilities for the Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture on campus.
KEITH CENTER
As the college finishes renovations at the Keith Center, the programs that
eventually find homes there will include an expanded Westmont | Grotenhuis Nursing program, other post-secondary allied health programs, as well as other post-secondary programs that meet the growing needs of our dynamic community.
The Center for Applied Technology Lab (CATLab) will move to the Keith Center. Since 2017, students studying computer science and data analytics have developed effective new components for Westmont’s Salesforce platform at a fraction of the price professional teams would charge. This innovative approach includes a summer-long session with students working on specific projects and gaining valuable experience and connections in Santa Barbara so they can launch their own tech careers.
With a generous grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation, CATLab students currently tackle three projects: a chatbot for navigating Westmont’s administrative ecosystem; a model to recommend efficiency in purchasing energy; and a tool for admissions counselors to use with prospective students. Other initiatives include rebuilding the Westmont mobile application for Android phones, categorizing forms and improving Salesforce system data.
The Keith Center will also house the Center for Technology, Creativity and Moral Imagination (TCMI). This program equips students with skills at the intersection of technology and creativity so they can make informed decisions about ethical issues surrounding rapid developments such as artificial intelligence (AI). The strategic location offers easy access to businesses, local government, start-up hubs and more. Renovations will install state-of-the art classrooms and technology designed to promote collaboration and innovation. Combining a liberal arts education with relevant internships and hands-on experience effectively prepares students for careers.
A new program at the Keith Center will cultivate wisdom in Christian leaders and offers a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Theological Leadership. Ministry professionals, laypeople eager to grow spiritually and recent college graduates considering seminary will benefit from the curriculum. Eight courses, taught one at a time during four semesters, blend experiences in person and online.
The first cohort completes their work in December 2025, and applications have opened for the next one, which begins in fall 2025. Whether students pursue the certificate as a terminal degree or apply it to graduate education, the program will connect them with churches and leading seminaries throughout the country. Partnerships with leading evangelical seminaries enable graduates to enter a master’s degree program with at least one year of academic credit.
MARTIN INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURE
“Christianity needs to clarify and exemplify realistic methods of human transformation. It must show how the ordinary individuals who make up the human race today can become, through the grace of Christ, a love-filled, effective and powerful community.” — Dallas Willard, “The Spirit of the Disciplines”
The Martin Institute supports a variety of initiatives to promote resents the college’s commitment to Christian formation, a Martin Institute the study and practice of Christian spiritual formation and raise multidisciplinary undertaking, and will welcome biblical scholars, succeeding generations of leaders committed to and knowledge-theologians, philosophers, psychologists, historians, sociologists, able about this discipline. It includes three entities:
- Conversatio Divina, a Center for Spiritual Renewal, creates and offers resources for both pilgrims and guides.
- The Dallas Willard Research Center supports research and writing about Christian spiritual formation and experiences and tools for an alternative way of living with God.
- Incarnatio encourages the development of the whole person, including authentic spiritual and character formation and renewal.
A new $7 million Martin Institute complex at 909 La Paz Road will provide classrooms, seminar rooms and a covered, outdoor area for receptions, social gatherings and conversations about things that matter. Multiple windows, glass doors and glass walls will pull natural light into the building. Eff and Patty Martin have generously funded the facility, which will open in fall 2026.
In addition to serving Westmont students, professors and staff, the building will benefit the greater Christian community with a range of activities: spiritual direction, small groups, prayer retreats, spiritual formation classes, visiting lecturers, seminars in Christian spirituality, the annual Christian Formation Workshop, training for resident chaplains, the annual Dallas Willard Book Award lecture, and any gathering that helps people become more faithful followers of Jesus.
“The new building will help Christians and organizations understand, share and follow practical, trustworthy ways to become more like Christ and serve the world,” says Steve Porter, Martin Institute senior research fellow and executive director. “It will remind us of the importance of engaging Christ’s presence and power in all we do at Westmont.”
Spiritual formation begins with Christ holding first place in our lives in keeping with Westmont’s motto. The facility represents the college’s commitment to Christian formation, a multidisciplinary undertaking, and will welcome biblical scholars, succeeding generations of leaders committed to and knowledge- theologians, philosophers, psychologists, historians, sociologists, able about this discipline. It includes three entities: biologists, physicists, neuroscientists, artists, musicians, poets and others who seek to understand and apply Christian spiritual formation.
Once Westmont receives final approvals from the county, construction can begin, most likely early this summer.
Generous gifts from alums, parents, friends and foundations support the work at the Keith Center and the Martin Institute. The necessary lifeblood of all great endeavors, fundraising has totaled more than $500 million in the last 18 years. This infusion has helped transform the campus with new or renovated academic buildings (art, astronomy, engineering, music, nursing, science), housing for students and professors, athletic facilities, two irrigation wells on campus and an emergency generator.
This is a story from the Spring 2025 Westmont Magazine