Academic Awards Convocation Celebrating Outstanding 2026 Grads
Westmont honored some of its graduating seniors in front of the community, parents and guests on April 17 at the annual Academic Awards Celebration in Murchison Gym.
“Excellence speaks to those who have persevered, who have faced adversity and who have risen above every challenge to cultivate the gifts God has given them,” President Gayle D. Beebe said. “It’s also an opportunity to honor those who have worked so hard and so well.”
Each department chair announced their Outstanding Graduate Award winners during the convocation ceremony.
“It’s our privilege to honor and recognize students who have persevered, who have worked hard and excelled academically,” said Provost Kim Denu. “We are proud to celebrate your outstanding achievements, but also your grit, your discipline, your intellectual curiosity and integrity. You have made an example, not only for us, but for those all around you. We commend you for your achievements, and look forward to your continued growth and contributions.”
The First Seniors, who earned a 4.0 GPA during their entire Westmont academic career, are Taylor Gray (communication studies) Kateryna Kravchuk (kinesiology) and Thomas Reed (biology).
The Outstanding Senior Award Winners:
ART
Ella Oostema brings a warm, confident presence to the classroom. Her kindness in the studio is matched by a remarkable work ethic. She shows up ready to work and consistently follows through. Over time, that steady dedication has resulted in a clear growth in both the quality of her work and her confidence as an artist. Ella regularly goes above and beyond, and in doing so she lifts up those around her through her encouragement and example. Her senior project celebrates God’s creation by inviting us to be present and reminding us of the value of slowing down to look carefully and attentively. We are deeply grateful for the many ways Ella has enriched the creative culture of our department, both in the classroom and beyond. She will be a gift to any community she joins in the future.
BIOLOGY
Emma Bustamante has sparkle. One look at her face in the classroom or in the field, and you see the sparkle of curiosity. Of fascination. Of eagerness to learn and understand everything. When she furrows her brow, you know she’s diving deep, peering into all the dark corners of a concept, so she can see it more clearly. From delightedly watching woodpeckers and holding newts, to making detailed sketches in her field notebook, to bringing order to scattered field archives, to devising compelling questions to ask with a dataset, Emma embodies all the skills of an outstanding biologist: a love for creatures, patience and discipline in data collection, and joy in asking (and answering) questions about why living things are the way they are.
BIOLOGY
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it is the fuel that powers Braeden Miller. From the intricate structures inside a bacterial cell to the intricate questions related to science and faith, Braeden wants to understand how things work by connecting the dots that hold together the complexity of the natural world. He is as effective working diligently in the research lab as he is offering a profound thought on a complicated bioethical issue in the classroom. Braeden has been a consistent inspiration to his professors and an influential model to his peers. He embodies the kind of student who impacts every area of our program with his intellect, inquisitiveness, joy, and humility.
CHEMISTRY
Kara Kingsley is completing a double major in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology at Westmont. She is a quiet presence in the classroom, but her professors appreciate that they can always count on her to answer challenging questions with humility and to offer encouragement to her fellow students. She has been an active participant in the chemistry department, serving as a teaching assistant, performing organic chemistry research, and serving as the Chemistry Club Vice President. She is also a member of the First-Generation Club at Westmont. During her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer and beach volleyball, hiking, watching sports, and traveling.
COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Taylor Gray is a sharp and careful thinker who consistently demonstrates intellectual depth without seeking attention for it. She strives for excellence, producing work of consistently high quality while thoughtfully integrating her Christian faith into her academic life. Taylor contributes astute, well-considered insights that reflect both nuance and social awareness. She is also courageous in articulating her positions, even when they are unpopular, doing so with clarity, respect, and thoughtful reasoning. Whether writing, presenting, or reporting, she approaches her work with integrity and purpose. Taylor also balances both a sincerity and a subtle humor that is both smart and disarming.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
“God is not served by technical incompetence” (Sayers). Isaac Song embodies the exact opposite of this quote. He is thoughtful, dangerously skilled, remarkably intelligent, and generous in sharing the gift of his brilliance. Having Isaac as a student is a delight, because you know his presence in a classroom will raise the bar for the technical rigor of the whole course. He exemplifies the pursuit of excellence and helps others aspire to and achieve the same. Over the years, seeing Isaac grow in maturity and capability while also leading others to grow alongside him has been a true privilege. Thank you, Isaac, for modeling for us what it is like to live as a thoughtful scholar and faithful servant leader—may God bless you to be redemptive salt and light in the world of technocracy.
DATA ANALYTICS
Alanna Wroten is an outstanding student all-around. She is teachable and loves learning. One faculty wrote: “Alanna doesn’t just persevere through challenges, she addresses them head on with curiosity and confidence. She pushes beyond the boundaries of her knowledge and invites others to do so as well.” She is kind and cheerful, a good friend to many. She loves the Westmont community and has been an invaluable asset to our program. She is faithful and displays a sincere love and reverence for God and His Word. She loves her local church and faithfully attends and serves in the last four years.
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
Allie Bunn is a joy to have in class. Allie is unrelenting in her drive to learn. She brings discipline, determination and a resolute intellectual inquisitiveness that is highly exemplary to each task she undertakes. Allie quickly grasps the features and implications of business principles and economic models and thoughtfully applies them to both domestic and global issues. She excelled in two different study abroad programs in Europe and Asia. Her writing is intentional, meticulous, and inventive. She asks salient questions and doesn’t wait for challenges to find her; rather, she seeks them out so as to carefully address them. Moreover, Allie is a person of genuine character and reliability and is simply fun to be around due to her curiosity about life. We give Allie our blessings as she begins her next academic venture in law school.
EDUCATION & LIBERAL STUDIES
Daisy Marquardt radiates warmth and a gracious, hospitable (Hawaiian!) spirit wherever she goes. Her academic success is all the more notable in that she has paid for her own college education—working multiple jobs; and maintaining a grueling regimen of athletic training. In classroom discussion, she consistently comes having done her reading. Her hand is often first in the air. She asks thoughtful questions, contributes insightfully from her broad life experience, writes engagingly, and seeks consistently to connect her vibrant Christian faith with course content. At the end of class, she’s the first to express appreciation. In the words of her athletic coach, “Daisy embodies everything we hope for in a Westmont swimmer—dependable, selfless, and faithful… Her empathy, patience, and genuine care for others will make her an exceptional teacher.” A friend and teammate sum up Daisy’s character as “incredibly loving… having the biggest heart of anyone I know.” Thank you and aloha, Daisy, for gracing our campus with your presence.
ENGINEERING
Ainsley Martin has distinguished herself in Westmont Engineering by combining technical skill with the heart of a servant leader. She leads the Senior Engineering Design team working for Northrop Grumman. That team is developing a charging station for underwater autonomous vehicles. As a junior, she helped create STEM educational kits and then traveled with the engineering program to Ecuador to use them in an after-school program, aiming to help the Ecuadorian children feel capable and loved. Ainsley was also the lead author of an ASME research paper on reusable rocket dynamics, which she presented in Portland. As a soccer player and Engineering and Physics double major with a 3.97 GPA, she displays exceptional time management, discipline, and commitment to excellence. Above all, Ainsley desires to use her gifts to serve others and glorify God.
ENGLISH
Ashley Clark’s multidisciplinary interests and talents have found her in leadership roles across the arts at Westmont and beyond. She has been remarkably active as an English and Theatre Arts double major, helping students’ essays shine as a Writers’ Corner tutor, writing and acting in plays, and heading up the Phoenix Literary magazine this year as Editor-in-Chief. Last semester, she served as a dramaturg for the Westmont Theatre production of Antigonick, and in February, she won the college screenwriting award for SBIFF’s 10-10-10 Screenwriting and Filmmaking Mentorship and Competition program for her short film, Deus Ex Machina. Ashely’s academic and co-curricular work and her participatory presence have been highlights in the English department and reminders of how critical thinking and creative expression are collaborative, generative efforts. We are so proud of Ashley and delighted to see what she does next.
HISTORY
Cameron Richards made an impression on the history department early on. First meeting actually, as he sported the leather and metal items he had made himself. They indicated his passion for history, medieval history in particular, was already a driving force in his life. Cameron’s vision for a project and determination to develop the skills needed to see it through continued to define Cameron’s time at Westmont. He displayed them again in his senior thesis. Cameron worked with German-language newspapers to explain a failed rebellion and peasant violence in an obscure region of eastern Europe. Cameron is an exemplar of how history as a discipline broadens our sympathies and deepens our understanding.
KINESIOLOGY
The faculty of Kinesiology would like to honor Alexis Dennick as the recipient of the Peg Lovik Nicholas Award. Lexi embodies the spirit of the Kinesiology scholar. As a student-athlete, she has successfully balanced the rigorous demands of athletic competition with an unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Lexi holds high standards for herself and for others, which is apparent in her effective leadership, both in the classroom and on the court.
MATHEMATICS
Imagine that you are a parent looking for an excellent mathematics teacher or tutor who is a committed Christian for your child. What other qualities will you seek? Patience, integrity, and a deep understanding of the subject. Someone who delights in discovery, inspires curiosity, and shows that mathematics is not merely a set of rules, but a way of thinking clearly about the world—without introducing too many Greek letters! For many of you that day will come sooner than you can imagine, and when it does you will be fortunate to have Cora Bailey as an option, for in honoring Cora Bailey as our Outstanding Graduate in Mathematics we celebrate these qualities. Her name comes from the Greek kore, meaning new growth, a fitting symbol for someone who will help understanding take root—not the square root!—in young minds.
MATHEMATICS
If you see Andreas Olvera running around campus, you will likely see him wearing one of the many Math Field Day t-shirts that he owns. These tokens speak to his faithful service to our department. What these t-shirts cannot reveal is the depth of humility with which he serves, and the wonder with which he explores his academics. Not only does Andreas have a deep understanding of many disciplines, but he manages to integrate them (no pun intended) seamlessly. The worlds of mathematics and music are not separate realms for Andreas, but are part of God’s cohesive narrative, and Andreas takes joy in illuminating the beauty of this complex landscape. In short, he turns the Christian liberal arts from an abstract idea into a faithful and intentional practice. Thank you, Andreas, for showing us what it means to be a Christian scholar.
MODERN LANGUAGES
The Department of Modern Languages is proud to present the John W. Raede Award to Ily Litonjua. As a student, she demonstrated diligence in every assignment and a natural ability for language learning. From the moment she walked into the classroom, her kindness, warm smile, and positive attitude enriched our community. Ily also participated in Westmont in Mexico, embracing immersive learning with enthusiasm. In Fall 2025, she served as stage designer for the play Antigonik, reflecting her strong interest in the arts. That same semester, she worked as a Spanish tutor, generously supporting her peers. She went above and beyond by creating additional learning materials for the department. We are deeply grateful for her dedication, creativity, and service and we are confident that her light will shine brightly wherever she goes.
MUSIC
Corrie Bascom serves as concertmaster and president of the orchestra. She is a strong musician who leads the orchestra through decisive action and faithful service. As one of the concerto competition winners in 2025, Corrie is also a wonderful solo performer. She exemplifies honoring the gifts that God has given us through faithful and diligent work, and making the most of these gifts.
MUSIC
Genna Eberhard is both an instrumentalist and a vocalist who has served the department beyond her contributions as a musician. As the chaplain to the orchestra for three years, Genna has faithfully prayed for the spiritual wellbeing of the individuals in the orchestra and the orchestra as a whole. In her work with the choir, the English department, and the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, Genna has poured into others and exemplifies the scope of interest and impact of a musician trained by a liberal arts education.
PHILOSOPHY
McKenna Phillips consistently brings her unique blend of curiosity, hard work, careful thought, intellectual humility, and quiet cheerfulness to all her coursework. And she is liked and respected by her peers. It is no surprise, then, that her professors say that classes go better when McKenna is in them. We are proud to name her this year’s Outstanding Senior in Philosophy.
PHYSICS
Berit Lunstad has been a shining star in the Department of Physics the past four years, excelling at every aspect of her work. Her enthusiasm for physics, the maturity she has demonstrated in her coursework and research, and her engagement in department activities and outreach has been exemplary and will be a model to follow for years to come. Not only does Berit show keen insights into the physics she has studied, but she also joyfully shares those insights with others (including public viewings at the Observatory) and creates a resonance of interest among her student cohort. The experiences she gained at Westmont and at the CERN laboratory in Geneva Switzerland, coupled with her wisdom and passion for serving the Lord and others, all bode well for her future endeavors, which include the pursuit of a PhD in physics. We are blessed to be a part of Berit’s journey.
POLITICAL SCIENCE
The Political Science Department is pleased to announce Ily Litonjuna as our Outstanding Senior of 2025-26. Ily is one of the best students we’ve had in the past decade. She is exceptionally brilliant, hardworking, and thoughtful. But the best thing about Ily is that she cares for people. She approaches conversations with a posture of humility, inviting others into the conversation. She considers carefully what they say, and wants the best for them. Ily is a strong and capable leader in all that she does, whether through exemplary classroom engagement, serving as a Spanish tutor, or organizing In-Step here on campus. We are sad to see Ily go, but we are very excited for the plans the Lord has for her.
PSYCHOLOGY
Kennedy Burkett is a shining star in the psychology program at Westmont and a joy to all in our department. In her courses, she has consistently shown enthusiastic engagement with the material, whether it be class discussions, laboratory sections, or assignments. Kennedy is well known for her fully involved approach to her studies, her research, and an amazing variety of extracurricular activities. This has included serving as president of the Psi Chi Honors Society, working with Junior High youth at Santa Barbara Community Church, serving as a research assistant with multiple faculty members, and leading the Westmont Swing Dancing club. As a student and researcher, Kennedy has shown a great degree of determination, independence, and professionalism in her dedication to psychology as a scientist and practitioner. She has perceptive insight, a thoughtful capacity to empathize with others, and an open mind to the complexity of human behavior. Kennedy looks forward to pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling this fall at Point Loma Nazarene University after finishing at Westmont.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Inquisitive, bright, engaged, committed, pastoral: Kaisa Lindman Marshall exemplifies the posture of a thoughtful, invested student and compassionate leader. Kaisa is a delight in the classroom. She has distinguished herself as a creative thinker. She brings passion and energy to class discussions. She is vulnerable and open in sharing her own experience and understanding, and in so doing invites others to share their experiences and understanding. She cares deeply for her fellow students. In the classroom and out, Kaisa embodies faithful discipleship.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Esperanza Osuna exemplifies both the core of the liberal arts and Christian service. Her Social Science major combines an emphasis in Sociology and Economics & Business. Esperanza is passionate about using each discipline to understand human behavior and foster the flourishing of others. Interning for Kingdom Causes, she started a supper club for older adults at a local housing authority property. In London for a Redemptive Entrepreneurship internship, she engaged in serving food banks. She is admired by Social Science faculty members for her valuable and intellectually creative class contributions which she employs to helpfully engage other students in discussion. Esperanza has reliably served as a teaching assistant in macroeconomics and as the business manager for WCSA. We offer Esperanza congratulations as she graduates and next begins a Master’s program in Regional and City Planning at the University of Oklahoma.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
As a double major in Social Science and Spanish, Lily Zichichi’s passions for academic engagement and improving the lives of others is evident. She displays consistency, hard work, and a deep motivation for meaningful learning within the classroom. Outside of academics, Lily serves in multiple student-led ministries at Westmont. She is involved in Kingdom Causes, Inc. where she builds community with people experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara. She is also active in Potter’s Clay programs in Ensenada, Mexico. One of her greatest personal and professional interests is combatting trafficking and exploitation of women and children in her local community. After graduating, Lily intends to stay in Santa Barbara and work in the non-profit sector.
SOCIOLOGY & ANTHROPOLOGY
Bailey Hanson’s pursuit of academic excellence is reflected in her double-major in Sociology and English, and minor in Writing. Her major honors thesis insightfully examines the social construction of the teenage girl across five decades of young adult literature. Bailey strives to integrate her faith, academics, and practice, and she is committed to serving others. She has provided academic advising and counseling to high school students as a school counselor intern, responded to difficult experiences among fellow college students as a resident assistant, developed lesson plans and mediated conflicts among grade school girls as a program facilitator, and created curriculum to support Zambian high school graduates. After serving as a Community Support Services Intern for The Unpaved Road, a non-profit organization in Zambia, Bailey plans to pursue graduate education in social work.
THEATRE ARTS
The Theatre Arts department is delighted to celebrate the outstanding career of Jordyn Clinton. Jordyn has had a significant impact on the department and exemplifies a truly liberal arts approach to the discipline, equally engaged as a lighting designer, a scholar, an actor, or a director. She performed numerous memorable roles in her years in the program, in productions such as Antigonick, Little Women, She Kills Monsters, and Godspell. Jordyn was a driving force in our annual Fringe Festival, serving as producing artistic director during her junior year. She has participated broadly in a variety of Westmont programs, including Westmont in San Francisco, England Semester, and the India Mayterm, and completed multiple internships during her college years. The department will miss Jordyn’s generous spirit and curious nature in the classroom, exuberant and creative energy on the stage, and her passion for integrating her deep faith with art-making in the community.
Stu Cleek, vice president for student life, presented Caleb Foster the Dave Dolan Award, given to the outstanding graduate whose campus leadership has made significant contributions in our awareness and response to the social and spiritual needs of the community, the nation and the world. Caleb, a double major in economics and business and Spanish, was praised for his tenacity, advocacy for the needy, and joyful service. “Caleb listens, learns and then makes a measured yet significant contribution,” Cleek said. “You can see his tenacity in the way he wholly engages with everyone he meets. Put simply, Caleb intends to make a difference every day.”
Cleek gave Madalyn Hofman the Iron Warrior Award, a new honor that awards a graduating senior who has transformed significant personal adversity into a source of exceptional character, grit and faith development. Madalyn displayed exceptional resilience and faith development in the face of personal adversity, including her mother's passing and a break in at her residence hall. “She successfully managed her academics, sought support for her grief, and became a devoted teammate and leader,” Cleek said. “Though bowed, she was not broken, engaging her faith at an even deeper level as she navigated this suffering.”
Eight students were recognized for completing nine Major Honors projects, which are yearlong research projects that are ambitious and intensive, counting for about 6 units of academic credit and ultimately being submitted to a committee of three faculty members.
Bailey Hanson is completing a Major project in Sociology. The title of her project is “Girl Deconstructed: An Analysis of the Teenage Girl in Young Adult Literature from 1970-2020.”
Skylar Jones is completing a Major project in Chemistry. The title of her project is “Development of a Novel Arylation of Aryl Carbonates."
Miya Kenyon is completing a Major project in Biology. The title of her project is “Investigating the Effect of TrkAH-mediated Potassium Transport on the Function of the PlrSR Two Component System in Bordetella.”
Miya is also completing a Major project in Chemistry. The title of this project is “Development of a Novel Carbamate-Directed ortho-Arylation.”
Sofia Latta is completing a Major project in Psychology. The title of her project is “Sex-Based Cognitive Profiles in Parkinson's Disease: Controlling for Mood and Medication Use.”
Berit Lunstad is completing a Major Project in Physics. The title of her project is “To Charm Do We Part: Tracing Charm Yukawa Couplings via Fragmentation into J/ψ.”
Mckenzie Rion is completing a major project in Psychology. The title of her project is “How does the Course of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Affect Patients’ Sleep Quality?”
Lucca RodrÍguez is completing a Major project in English. The title of his project is "The Kids Are Alright? Moral Panic and the Construction of “Banned Books” Discourse."
Jessica Rosenfeld (who is in orchestra) is completing a Major Project in Chemistry. The title of her project is “Development of Novel Oxygen-based Directing Groups for Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Activation."
Fifteen Westmont athletes were honored with Golden Eagle Awards at a special dinner on April 28 at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort. The annual ceremony, which began in 1995, celebrates an athlete from each intercollegiate team for their accomplishments athletically, academically, spiritually and socially. Each recipient must be at least a sophomore in standing, possess a minimum 3.2 GPA and have the nomination and support of their coach.
This year’s awardees are: Michah Wilhelm (Men’s Soccer) Emily Jordan (Women’s Soccer) Thomas Reed (Men’s Cross Country) Anne West (Women’s Cross Country) Malia de Jesus (Women’s Volleyball) Trey Thompson (Men’s Basketball) Molly Garnard (Women’s Basketball) Daisy Marquardt (Women’s Swimming) Jonathan Ball (Men’s Tennis) Lauren Gee (Women’s Tennis) David Oyebade (Men’s Track & Field) Sophia Morton (Women’s Track & Field) Fernando Jimenez (Men’s Golf) Hannah Camara (Women’s Golf) Joey Rico (Baseball).