Rooted in Love: Graduates of Character, Courage Urged to Global Service
Led by bagpipes under a blanket of traditional May weather’s fog, 356 Westmont graduates made their Last March from Kerrwood Hall to Thorrington Field, where they enthusiastically walked across the stage to get their diplomas at Commencement on May 9.
Commencement speaker Henrietta Fore, who grew up in Santa Barbara, and led a fascinating career as former executive director of UNICEF and USAID, urged the 356 graduates to apply their education toward solving international crises in health, education and digital connectivity. The first woman in these distinguished positions of national and global leadership worked as undersecretary of state for management, COO for the U.S. Department of State, director of the U.S. Mint in the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Drawing from her experience managing humanitarian responses, including the distribution of two billion COVID-19 vaccines, Fore emphasized that academic institutions have a unique power to help those in need. She highlighted the necessity for “graduates of character, confidence and courage” to address modern challenges such as mental health, climate global change, and food insecurity.
Fore reminded the new alumni that their time at Westmont provided them with a foundation that transcends a simple credential. “Westmont has given you something more than a degree,” Fore said. “It has given you something far more lasting. It is giving you an education. And an education has a remarkable quality. It stays with you wherever you go”.
She concluded by inviting the class to join a global effort for the common good. “So, come join us out in the world of doing good,” she said. “Bring your education and your dreams.”
President Gayle D. Beebe presented William and Nancy Kimsey with the Westmont Medal for embodying the principles associated with the character of the college. William, formerly a business executive for more than 30 years at Ernst & Young, a global auditing and accounting firm, congratulated the graduates on reaching a critical milestone and urged them to uphold the “Westmont way” as they transition into a new chapter of life. He said their education has provided a solid moral foundation, which will be essential as they face many critical choices that lie ahead. “Nancy and I hope that each of you, as you face life’s choices, will always pause and think what would be the Westmont way,” William said.
Kaisa Lindman-Marshall, a religious studies graduate, shared her initial fears and longings upon arriving at college. Despite finding incredible friends, professors and a beautiful campus, she felt a lingering disappointment. A pivotal moment came when her sister Sierra pointed out her lack of belief in God’s love, leading Kaisa to a deeper acceptance of divine love. “Since then, it has been a process of me learning to accept God’s love for me, to sit before Him and let Him sift through my thoughts, peer upon my soul, to let him know me and to trust that even in all His knowing of me, He still wants me,” she says.
She emphasized that God’s perfect love, which she experienced at Westmont, will accompany her into the future, providing certainty and confidence in an uncertain world.
Anthony Gose, a chemistry graduate, shared a humorous story about gambling to illustrate the uncertainty of life’s paths. He referenced the class of 2026’s Bible verse (Ephesians 3:17-19) to emphasize that while we may not have a map for the future, we are promised God’s presence that will serve as a guiding light for the uncertain crossroads in the pathways ahead.
Sage Kramer and David Oyebade won the Dean’s Award for being outstanding scholar-athletes. Sophia Morton and Andreas Olvera won the Kenneth Monroe Award for their superior academic achievement, leadership and character. The First Seniors, who earned 4.0 GPAs throughout their Westmont careers, were Thomas Reed, Kateryna Kravchuk and Taylor Gray.
Provost Kim Denu awarded the Bruce and Adaline Bare Outstanding Teacher Awards to Anna Jordan (English), Steve Julio (biology) and Coby Harmon (economics and business). Kristi Cantrell (chemistry) won the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship.
In his final charge, Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe encouraged graduates to find stability and nourishment through a life lived in constant contact with God. Drawing from Ephesians 3:17, he emphasized the importance of being “rooted and grounded in love” to navigate future challenges. “Ultimately, Paul’s words offer a moral vision in which our life in Christ is no longer at the margins, but forms the core of who we are, making possible the kind of human flourishing God intended,” Beebe said. “May God be above you to bless you, below you to support you, before you to guide you and inside you to give you peace, strength, hope and joy.”
Local news coverage of Commencement included a story by Pricila Flores of Noozhawk.