Westmont News

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams open play in the 2017 NAIA Division I National Championship on March 16.

Westmont students will find it easier to complete a minor in computer science thanks to a new program beginning next year. Open to students from all majors, the minor requires five computer science classes.

General Stan McChrystal addressed more than 700 people at Westmont’s 12th annual President’s Breakfast in the Fess Parker Grand Ballroom on March 3. Later that morning, he fielded questions from four Westmont students during convocation on campus, speaking to about a thousand people. At both events, he discussed challenges presented by the rapid pace of technology, globalization and our increasingly complex society.

John Blondell, Westmont professor of theater arts, directs a Lit Moon Theatre production of William Shakespeare’s “Richard III,” presenting the king’s Machiavellian rise to power and short reign, on March 9-11 at 7:30 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Hall Black-Box Theatre.

The Westmont College Festival Theatre offers “Blood Wedding,” a tragedy written by Federico García Lorca, one of Spain’s most revered and controversial dramatists, Feb. 24-25 and March 2-4, at 7:30 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Theatre. General admission is $12; $7 for students, children and seniors. Tickets may be purchased online at westmont.edu/boxoffice.

Eight high schools from the greater Southern California area will compete in the 29^th annual High School Mathematics Contest at Westmont on Saturday, Feb 4, from 1-6:30p.m. in Westmont’s Winter Hall. The contest begins at 1p.m. with the Chalk Talk Derby, a five question written exam and the annual College Bowl competition complete with buzzers, modeled after the 1960’s TV show, College Bowl.

The spring 2017 Westmont Faculty Recital features works by women composers Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in Westmont’s Dean Chapel on lower campus. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Westmont Music Department at (805) 565-6040.

Westmont ushers in the Christmas season with the15th annual Pickle Tree Lighting at Kerrwood Lawn on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 5 p.m. Following holiday music and the Pickle Address, a mystery tree lighter will throw down the massive switch that lights the 150-foot redwood tree, affectionately known as the Pickle Tree. The event is free and open to the public.

Westmont presents its 12th annual Christmas Festival, retelling the Christmas story by weaving narration with music from the Westmont Orchestra, College Choir and Choral Union, Dec. 2-3 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave.

Santa Barbara celebrates the remarkable life and work of Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of his death by hosting a series of performances, including three plays, by an international coalition of theaters and arts organizations Nov. 17-20.

Westmont student musicians and composers show off their talents at six free concerts this month. For more information, please contact the music department at (805) 565-6040.

Nicholas Vujicic, born without arms and legs, speaks in chapel on Friday, Oct. 28, at 10:30 a.m. in Westmont’s Murchison Gym. The 45-minute chapel service is free and open to the public; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.