GAYLE D. BEEBE, PH.D.
President
What a joy to welcome the spring semester. We give thanks for many things while acknowledging strong headwinds that continue to challenge us. In this new year, we're preparing for a full schedule of activities, events, and classes.
Before leaving for the Christmas break, we celebrated the 21st annual Westmont Christmas Festival, presented at Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre for the fourth straight year. See some of the beautiful performances in this year’s Christmas greetings video that I trust you received during the holidays.
Students returned for the first day of classes on Monday, Jan. 12, and a dedicated group of musicians performed our spring opera, “The Pirates of Penzance,” on Jan. 23 and 25. We hope you’ll make plans to see the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s Ansel Adams photography exhibition, Beyond the Wilderness, from Jan. 15-March 28. This show reveals a lesser-known side of his work, and we're delighted to display it on campus. Find museum hours here so you can plan your visit to campus.
Our winter sports teams (basketball, indoor track and field and women’s swimming) have kept busy with games and meets. I've enjoyed watching our home games and encourage you to attend when you can. The athletes really respond to our community support. See game schedules here.
New Nurses Offer Compassion in Action
We honored the accomplishments of 25 new graduates of the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program at a pinning ceremony Dec. 18 before a standing-room-only crowd at Montecito Covenant Church.They represent the sixth cohort to complete the 16-month accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The new nurses not only embody the Westmont model of service, they inspire our moral responsibility as citizens of a wider community.
First Cohort completes Westmont's NEW Theological Leadership Certificate
Eight theological leadership students graduated from their program in December and celebrated at a special dinner in Hieronymus Lounge. The program seeks to cultivate wisdom in Christian leaders. At the event, the students shared a personal story about the impact of their studies before receiving their post-baccalaureate certificate in theological leadership. We're beginning another cohort in August for this one-year certificate program that can count towards the first year of a Master of Divinity degree, so share the news or enroll yourself. You can begin by going here to apply.
Warriors Return to Campus for Fun and Inspiring Homecoming Events
The Homecoming weekend in October marked a time of great celebration. We honored Alumnus of the Year Rob Ring ’90, Alumnae of the Year, sisters Alexis Bennett Otterlei ’05 and Leah Pillsbury Otterlei ’00, Young Alumnus of the Year Spencer Dusebout ’15 and Global Service Award winner Lindsey Connolly ’08.
ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)
Students and alums celebrated the engineering department’s recent ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation at the Fletcher Jones Foundation Center for Engineering. "This was a wonderful time to welcome back engineering alums from our first three graduating classes who are working for wonderful companies and doing great stuff,” says Dan Jensen, director of engineering. “Our alums are attending prestigious graduate schools and others work at Northrop, Lockheed, the Department of Energy and for small engineering companies as well.”
Greek Tragedy Offers Raw Emotion
The theater arts department presented a beautifully staged and haunting production of “Antigonick,” which infused fresh language and new life into “Antigone,” Sophocles’ ancient and disturbing tragedy.
Largest Single Grant in College History provides $5 Million for Sacred Stories
| We're thrilled that Lilly Endowment Inc. selected Westmont as a recipient of a nearly $5 million award! The Sacred Stories Project will uncover, share and celebrate the vocational journeys of young Christian adults. I’m so grateful for the exceptional work this grant will allow Westmont's Gaede Insitute to pursue as we continue our significant investment in the individuals, faith communities and non-profit organizations that will benefit from this initiative. |
Warrior Athletics
A dinner during Homecoming celebrated 50 years of women’s athletics and honored 50 Legacy Builder Award winners. Kirsten Moore, head women’s basketball coach since 2004, emceed the celebratory ceremony that drew 200 guests and 125 female student-athletes. What a meaningful legacy these pioneering Warriors have left for the college.
It’s Different Here
In the midst of only our third year in the conference, Westmont athletics hosted the NCAA Division II PacWest Conference advisory board meeting and will serve as the anchor institution for future meetings. We’re well into our competition as a part of NCAA DII and acclimating well. Under the leadership of Athletic Director Robert Ruiz, we continue to live up to higher competitive and performance standards while building for a strong future.
