Westmont News

Grace Chang, a writer and activist for the labor and welfare rights of immigrants and women of color, explores the complex governmental issues of human trafficking in a lecture, “Trafficking by Any Other Name,” Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in Kerrwood Hall’s Hieronymus Lounge.

Stan Anderson, Westmont chemistry professor, discusses the importance of chemistry while reflecting on his global career in a valedictory lecture, “Engaging the World Through Chemistry,” Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in Kerrwood Hall’s Hieronymus Lounge. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.

April offers a bouquet of musical performances at Westmont, ending the academic year on a musical note. All performances are free and open to the public.

The Spring Choral Concert on Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m. at El Montecito Presbyterian Church will gather the College Choir, Chamber Singers, Men’s and Women’s chorale and other ensembles for their season finale.

Westmont’s graduating art majors show their work in the Senior Art Exhibition in Reynolds Gallery Friday, April 17, through Saturday, May 9. The opening reception and award presentation April 17, 4-6 p.m., is free and open to the public.

For thousands of years, individuals and societies have sought to know God in many ways. A new book by Richard J. Foster and Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe, “Longing for God: Seven Paths of Spiritual Devotion,” explores the primary approaches developed throughout Christian history.

More than 300 Westmont students are spending spring break in Mississippi, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ensenada, Mexico, and Santa Barbara, volunteering for various service projects.

This year, more than ever, we are delighted to be hosting Spring Sing 2009 at the Santa Barbara County Bowl on Saturday, April 4, at 6:30 pm.

Nona Pyron, internationally known cellist and adjunct professor at Westmont, will gather professional musicians from across the country for a Chamber Music Retreat on campus Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22. Westmont students and other skilled amateurs will also participate in the master class. The retreat is full, but auditors are welcome to listen in.

A poetry reading by Paul Willis and Diana Raab originally planned for the day of the Tea Fire has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 28, at 8 p.m. in the Fe Bland Auditorium at Santa Barbara City College. The event is free and open to the public and will include a book sale and signing by the authors.

An original bilingual play, “Muéveme, Muévete,” a Spanish phrase meaning “Move Me, Move You,” crosses generations, languages and cultures at its world premier this month. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28, at 8 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Theatre, and March 5-7 at 8 p.m. at Casa de la Raza, 601 East Montecito Street at Calle Cesar Chavez.

Christine M. Thomas, associate professor of religious studies at UC Santa Barbara, speaks about “Finding Paul in Ephesos: A New Archaeological Project” as part of the Erasmus Lecture series Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. in Hieronymus Lounge in Kerrwood Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the lecture.

Francis Edward Su, professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, lectures on “Voting in Agreeable Societies” Friday, Feb. 6, at 3:30 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Hall Room 4. The mathematics colloquium is part of the Natural and Behavioral Sciences Seminar, which is free and open to the public.

Westmont’s Reel Talk series is collaborating with the Reynolds Gallery to present a mini film festival Jan. 27, 29-30 about the various depictions of the Virgin Mary. All films will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the Art Center Classroom 101 to allow for viewing of painter Bruce Herman’s exhibit, “Miriam--Virgin Mother.”

Westmont Professor Scott Anderson has won The Arts Fund 2008 Individual Artist Award (IAA) for print design. He and other winners will participate in a group exhibition March 13 through April 24 at the Arts Fund Gallery, 205C Santa Barbara Street at Yanonali.

A former Westmont basketball player, a successful businessman and a longtime Warrior supporter has joined the team as the college’s new athletic director. President Gayle D. Beebe announced the appointment of alumnus Dave Odell to this position today.

Three Westmont professors will discuss Walter Isaacson’s best-selling book, “Einstein: His Life and Universe,” at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara Street, as part of Westmont Downtown: Conversations about Things that Matter. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Former CNN CEO, Time Magazine editor to be at 4th annual event

Local poets raised nearly $17,000 for the Westmont Wildfire Relief Fund at a benefit poetry reading December 6. Organized by Enid Osborn and Lois Klein and hosted by David Starkey at Santa Barbara City College, the event was a show of support for Paul Willis, a poet and professor of English at Westmont, and others like him who lost their homes and libraries in the fire.

Sempra Energy Foundation has given $20,000 to Westmont students affected by the Tea Fire. Flames damaged the residences of 62 students, destroying computers, books, school gear, clothing and other personal items.

In a decision released this week, California’s Second District Court of Appeal unanimously supported Westmont’s plan to update its campus facilities, reaffirming a December 2007 Santa Barbara County Superior Court ruling that upheld unanimous approvals by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and the Montecito Planning Commission.

Four student venture teams from Westmont’s entrepreneur class will present their start-up business plans to a panel of outside reviewers Thursday, Dec. 11, at 5:30 p.m. at Hieronymus Lounge in Kerrwood Hall. The 19th annual Westmont Collegiate Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition is free and open to the public. Networking and refreshments will begin at 5 p.m.

Westmont’s fall dance recital, “Stories From Africa,” originally planned for the weekend after the Tea Fire, has been rescheduled now that students have returned to campus. Performances will be Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 11-13, at 8 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter  Theatre.