GAYLE D. BEEBE, PH.D.
President
Gayle D. Beebe became Westmont’s eighth president in 2007 after serving as president of Spring Arbor University in Michigan for seven years. His inauguration in 2008 featured speeches by Steve Forbes, chief executive officer of Forbes, and Steve Sample, former president of the University of Southern California. Read more about the President.
Commencement
Commencement brought an amazing close to an academic and fiscal year filled with joy and challenge. I’m encouraged by the work and momentum of Westmont’s innovative and resourceful community. With God’s grace, we finished in the black for the 41st year in a row due in large part to our fundraising efforts that have led to generous gifts exceeding $30 million. We continue to make significant headway on important strategic fronts: strengthening on-campus enrollment, supporting new efforts at Westmont Downtown and raising resources through the Westmont Fund, which benefits students. Our athletics department’s transition to full NCAA Division II participation has progressed well with teams competing in postseason action. I am thankful for all you do and for the privilege we have to carry out our mission of rigorous academics and deep love of God.
How wonderful to celebrate the 340 graduates who participated in Commencement on May 3, 162 earning honors. More than 70 Golden Warriors from the class of 1975, including Steve Stong, former chair of the board of trustees, marched in the procession to celebrate their 50th reunion.
Commencement Address
Beloved professor and alumnus Jim Taylor ’78, who retired this year after more than three decades of teaching philosophy at Westmont, delivered a heartfelt address.
I presented the Westmont Medal to John Davies, an incredible supporter of the college and longtime board chair of the Westmont President’s Breakfast Committee.
Pinning Ceremony
Two days prior to Commencement, I attended the pinning ceremony to celebrate 15 nursing graduates, representing the fifth cohort of the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program, in Montecito Covenant Church.
Nursing Program is Expanding
In response to increasing demand and need for nurses, the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program has expanded to include a summer semester. In May, 24 more students began their studies in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The California Board of Registered Nursing approved the plan, which allows students to start the accelerated 16-month program in May, August or January.
Academic Awards Celebration
The annual Academic Awards Celebration honored some of the college’s graduating seniors on April 9 in Murchison Gym. Each department chair announced an Outstanding Graduate, and the service recognized nine First Seniors, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, and nine other students who completed Major Honors projects.
Women's Leadership Council Luncheon
Earlier this year, the eighth annual Westmont Women’s Leadership Council Luncheon encouraged and empowered female students with scholarships and networking connections to help them thrive in their future careers. Featuring Henrietta Holsman Fore, a Santa Barbara native who served as executive director of UNICEF and USAID administrator, the luncheon has become one of the college’s premiere events.
Condoleezza Rice
We invited Condoleezza Rice back to Santa Barbara for the 20th annual President’s Breakfast at the end of February. She offered her global vision of democracy and shared insights about the importance of education and her life growing up in Alabama. At convocation, Rice answered enlightening questions from students David Shiang, Leila Shawrieh, Micah Fields and Kate Robinson.
