CATLab CATLab Director's Note: Summer 2022

Holy moments are disorienting in a tech company.

At about 10 a.m. on our midsummer presentation day, the CATLab is a tornado of activity. Students advocate for what points they want to highlight in their presentation to Westmont College's executive team members later that afternoon. Others arrange tables and chairs, placing potted plants and taking out trash. They rehearse and receive feedback from their peers. I ask a question of a developer, and with fire in his eyes he says, "Umm... ok. I'm in presentation mode." Like actors before they go on stage.

The presentations later that afternoon have all the flair you'd expect from Westmont's young, enthusiastic talent. Eyes shining, they share what they're building for the college and what they're learning in the process. During these presentations, you can almost see the road, paved in possibility, spreading ahead of these students. With each slide, story, and practiced gesture, the students inspire proud smiles from their peers, muffled 'wows' from executives, and raised eyebrows of rapt attention from visiting staff. These moments, one after the next, are impressive.

Impressiveness is not holiness, however.

Korbin Breeden, Admissions Development Representative Team Director, speaks after the ADRs. "Well, I'm not a CATLab student. But this year I've had the privilege of working with this amazing team of eight ..." His voice hitches. "Sorry." He takes a pause, wiping away a tear. "I'm just so proud of this team, and it's a bit overwhelming."

A collective shift disorients the room in this holy moment: the focus re-forms from projects to purpose as Korbin reminds us that we're not just here for data. We're here for each other, learning to work together toward a common goal, in community.

The presentations end with the customary applause. An awkward pause unfolds to earnest conversation. Our executive sponsors, Reed Sheard, Vice President for College Advancement and Chief Information Officer, and Irene Neller, Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications, listen and ask questions of the students, modeling humility by genuinely wondering, "Where should we go next?" and, "What led you to that creative decision?" Reed and Irene make it clear that their passion for education is what has made it their life's work. Students respond to this sincerity with enthusiasm, adding: "We'd love for there to be more chances like this to get together and talk with you about Westmont."

A room full of students, college executives, leaders, and staff unite in purpose, immersed in a mission to improve and promote this institution that has connected us. This experience goes beyond data and mission statements. We have a collective why. Executives with many years of experience and students at the very beginning of their journey agree, in this moment, to be bound together by education, leadership, and community.

This summer, I'm thinking about CATLab as a doorway to something deeper, to the same thing that fuels and forms Westmont into the place it is: a place of community and fellowship. A place to say, "I see you. I know you. I'm proud of you."

CATLab provides us with countless opportunities for holy moments, where relationships are formed and people come together to see each other, build alongside one another, and grow forward in community and purpose.

We were made for this.