Intercultural and Global Engagement Commitments and Key Documents
Westmont- A Historical Reflection
Westmont began in Los Angeles in 1937 by embracing a distinctive mission as a Christian institution of higher education focused on rigorous academics and a deep love for God. Our commitment to diversity originated with our founders, Ruth Kerr, a diligent and visionary businesswoman with a strong faith, and Wallace Emerson, an intellectual dedicated to combining Christianity with excellent scholarship. They strongly believed in and pursued their passionate quest for educating young men and women for meaningful Christian service in a diverse, multicultural world.
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Diversity is Biblical: We believe that the call to be a diverse community is rooted in scripture and evident in God's creation.
"There was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb." - Revelation 7:9
"God saw all that he had made and it was very good." - Genesis 1:1-31
Diversity is Communal: We believe that diversity can only be expressed in community where we are sharing our distinct gifts, experiences and perspectives.
"There are different kinds of gifts...The body is a unit, though it is made of many parts...if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it..." - 1 Cor. 12:4-31
Diversity is Practical: We believe that we most effectively contribute to and benefit from a globalized society by learning skills that allow us to work, worship and live well and wisely in our world.
"A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another." - Romans 12:4-5
Biblical and Theological Foundations of Diversity
The motto of Westmont College—Christus primatum tenens (Christ holding preeminence)—signals our commitment to a vision of the universal sovereignty of Jesus Christ. We are bound to this vision because of our anchoring in the Scriptures, which present Christ as Lord over all creation.1 Confession of Christ’s preeminence gives Westmont powerful reasons to welcome diversities of gender, ethnicity, class, and culture in its population and programs.2
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