An Education to Last a Lifetime: New Book Examines ‘Leadership and the Liberal Arts’
What kind of education prepares graduates not just for a first job, but for a lifetime of meaningful leadership? A compelling new book, “Leadership and the Liberal Arts: An Education to Last a Lifetime,” edited by Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe, makes the case for the enduring power of the Christian liberal arts. The 288-page volume, published this week by InterVarsity Press, gathers insights from Beebe and more than a dozen current and former Westmont faculty, administrators and alumni, demonstrating how intellectual discovery, moral formation and spiritual growth cultivate leaders equipped to navigate society’s most complex challenges.
“At a time when society faces increasingly complex challenges, we need leaders whose education extends beyond technical expertise to encompass wisdom, character and a sense of calling,” Beebe says. “A flourishing society depends on effective leadership, and a quality education is essential to forming leaders. In this volume, we demonstrate how the Christian intellectual tradition unites learning with a higher purpose: moral development, vocational preparation and a deeper knowledge of God.”
Westmont will celebrate the book’s release with a special Homecoming presentation featuring Beebe and most of the contributing authors on Friday, Oct. 16, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Global Leadership Center. Beebe and his colleagues will explore the book’s central themes and consider the future of faith-based higher education. The first 100 attendees will receive a complimentary copy.
Chapter topics range from the role of Scripture, theology and history in higher education to the intersection of modern capitalism, artificial intelligence and campus life. Contributing authors include Tremper Longman III, Telford Work, Helen Rhee, James E. Taylor ’78, Russell W. Howell, Jeff Schloss, Jesse Covington, Daniel Gee ’13, Rick Ifland ’83, Reed Sheard, Valentina Costarelli ’23, Kim Battle-Walters Denu, Edee Schulze and Steve L. Porter.
An active scholar and experienced leader, Beebe has written or edited more than 10 books on executive leadership and spiritual growth. His newest release builds on themes explored in his recent works, including "The Crucibles That Shape Us: Navigating the Defining Challenges of Leadership" (2024), which examines how life's greatest trials refine personal character, and "The Shaping of an Effective Leader: Eight Formative Principles of Leadership" (2011), an enduring guide to values-based management.