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On the morning of March 27, 1989, ���ϰٿ� students Lisa Bebout, Patty (Hallock) Crosby, Megan (Harter) Adams, Alan Voorman and Garth Weedman drove in Voorman’s bright yellow Toyota Corolla from their camp in Ensenada, Mexico, to a nearby village. As members of the Potter’s Clay Construction Team, they were renovating a dilapidated house there. But an oncoming car suddenly jumped the divider and landed on top of Voorman’s vehicle. Fellow students in two cars behind them screeched to a halt and piled out to rescue their friends as ambulances rushed to the scene.

Polarization in our culture and politics has led to division, tension and hostility in our churches, workplaces and even our families. , former ���ϰٿ� provost and history professor, encouraged the ���ϰٿ� community to instead claim the powerful, redemptive potential of the courageous middle.

Nearly 40 students will present their summer research findings at the annual Celebration of Summer Research on Friday, Oct. 4, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Winter Hall Atrium. The Celebration of Summer Research, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, is free and open to the public.

For two decades, list has ranked ���ϰٿ� as the top Christian liberal arts college in California and the Western U.S. ���ϰٿ� remains one of the top Christian liberal arts colleges in California, listed among 10 other liberal arts schools. Overall, it is one of only two nationally ranked in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. In the 2025 edition of U.S. News, ���ϰٿ� appears at No. 108 (tied) among all national, not regional, liberal arts colleges.

���ϰٿ� President Gayle D. Beebe will be a delegate at the on Sept. 22-28 in Incheon, South Korea. He has served as a college president for more than 25 years (18 at ���ϰٿ�) and received his invitation through the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. Beebe joins about 5,000 delegates from around the world, including thousands more attending virtually, making it the largest representation since the movement began in 1974.

The planet Saturn will be the star of the show on Friday, Sept. 20, from 7:30-10 p.m. at the ���ϰٿ� Observatory. “If you haven't seen this unique planet and its rings through a telescope before, I highly encourage you to come out and join us,” says Jen Ito, assistant professor of physics and director of the observatory. “Saturn is my favorite planet to see through a telescope."

�±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s alums return to campus for Homecoming 2024 with an abundance of family-friendly events Oct. 4-6. Please visit westmont.edu/homecoming for the full schedule, prices and ticket information.

Jesse Covington, whose research explores the interrelation of religion and government, takes a step away from the current electoral matchup to look at enduring challenges Christians face in a context like the United States.

Guests from the Lilly Network of more than 100 faith-based colleges and universities will examine the initial findings of a study about the intellectual-religious experience of undergraduates at the network’s national conference hosted by ���ϰٿ�'s Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts on Sept. 27-29.

The public is invited to join �±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s astrophysics students to learn more about the moon on NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the ���ϰٿ� Observatory.

Six new professors on tenure track or with multiyear contracts joined the ���ϰٿ� faculty this fall. Jonathan Diaz (English), Kevin McGuire (economics and business), Sara Morrisset (history) and Jada L. Willis (kinesiology) step into tenure-track positions.

For eight years, a unique ���ϰٿ� program has given high school students space to explore the ways that faith, education and work can be united in a life of significance. Trailhead: Seeking God’s Call wrapped up three weeklong sessions this summer with 55 students who lived on campus, ate in the Dining Commons and worshiped with new friends.

Regular weekend attendance to a religious service creates an immediate increase in positive emotions as well as a decrease in negative ones, according to a new study of U.S. adults. Researchers found there was no change in the emotional well-being of non-regular attendees.

Michael Stewart Robb, who won the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Research Center’s Book Award in 2023, will receive the honor and speak in chapel Friday, Sept. 6, at 10:30 a.m. in Murchison Gym.

Returning students created a buzz of excitement when they ventured into the newly renovated (DC). The adjoining outdoor patio excited them the most where workers installed an automatic sliding door from the dining room.

Gayle D. Beebe, entering his 18th year as president of ���ϰٿ�, will be selling and signing copies of his new book, “The Crucibles That Shape Us: Navigating the Defining Challenges of Leadership,” on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4-6 p.m. at , 1114 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Free books will be given to the first 100 guests.

About 400 new incoming students, including the Grotenhuis Nursing cohort of 24, arrive at ���ϰٿ� to begin their first week of Orientation, Aug. 21-25, and the start of the fall semester, Aug. 26. Watch the Orientation video . 

, a Southern California artist and former chair of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design at California Baptist University in Riverside, offers his signature limited-palette paintings on dark construction-grade tar paper in “Night Visions: The Black Drawings of Duncan Simcoe, 2014-2024” from Aug. 29–Nov. 9 in the ���ϰٿ� Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Meet the artist at a free, public opening reception on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4-6 p.m.

Alumnus ’14 has returned to his alma mater to exhibit his diverse talents as an outdoor wildlife artist in “Fins and Feathers: The Art of Casey Underwood” from Aug. 29-Dec. 21 in the ���ϰٿ� Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s downstairs gallery. A free, public opening reception will be Thursday, Aug. 29, 4-6 p.m.

�±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s monthly stargazing event features a triangle asterism, a globular cluster and a waxing moon on Friday, August 16, from 8-10:30 p.m. and lasting several hours at the ���ϰٿ� Observatory. Along with the college’s powerful Keck Telescope, members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit bring their telescopes to share with the public.

Iyree Jarrett ’22 is the only student to have appeared on the cover of the ���ϰٿ� magazine twice. She was featured as a student-athlete who best exemplified leadership and as the star guard for the National Championship winning women’s basketball team.

The growing concern about personal information and privacy in the digital age has led a company based in Santa Barbara to develop products protecting consumers. , founded by ���ϰٿ� alumnus ’08, manufactures faraday bags, tents and lockers that block radio waves, including cell phone signals.

The ���ϰٿ� Golf Classic, a charity golf tournament started in 2008 to raise funds for student scholarships, returns Friday, Oct. 4, at the , 405 Glen Annie Road in Goleta. Registration is $200 per golfer and includes: 18 holes of golf with cart; tri tip BBQ dinner, on-course games, raffles and awards. Additional dinner guests are $50 each. To register, or for more information, please visit westmont.edu/golf-classic.

�±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s annual Impact Conference, co-sponsored by , explores opportunities and dangers using artificial intelligence tools in education Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26, in the Global Leadership Center. Tickets to the two-day event cost $100 with breakfast and lunch provided both days. To register or get more information, please visit westmont.edu/impact.

Experience 45 of the ���ϰٿ� Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s recent acquisitions at a stunning summer show. The exhibition features works by three dozen artists, including Americans Richard Artschwager, Laddie John Dill and Louisiana Bendolph of the Gee's Bend quilters, contemporary Chinese artist Yue Minjun, and numerous local artists.

���ϰٿ� hosted more than 70 evangelical students, professors and nationally recognized experts from across the country for the second consecutive summer to address the global challenge of climate change June 16-21. Faith. Climate. Action. A Workshop on Christian Climate Advocacy equips students who care deeply about the environment to become leaders in their communities and manage resources wisely.

, and Carpinteria councilman, will spend the six months before he’s sworn into office listening to his constituents. He and his chief of staff, Wade Cowper, met for breakfast with �±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s executive team, including President Gayle D. Beebe, before touring the 111-acre campus by golf cart on June 12.

���ϰٿ� alumnus and local resident ’18 has returned to campus as a fellow of the Music Academy of the West. Each summer since 2016, ���ϰٿ� has housed 140 exceptional young classical musicians for the academy, which provides live events through Aug. 3. Visit for a full calendar of concerts.

�±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s Lead Where You Stand Conference delivered inspirational stories, helpful advice and insightful conversation for the 173 attendees with the goal of “Pursuing the Greater Good in Challenging Times” June 5-6 at the Montecito college. It featured keynote speakers Marcus ‘Goodie’ Goodloe, Dr. Charity Dean, Matthew Luhn, Gayle D. Beebe, David Brooks, Jeff Schloss and Kim Denu.

“Dropping in three, two, one.”

Then a drone, flying 150 feet high, released a plastic, hexagonal safety pod housing a blinking computer chip, amusing dozens of people gathered to watch one of two final presentations by the engineering design team on Lovik Field at ���ϰٿ�.

���ϰٿ� hosted 450 attendees for the (NACCAP) Conference June 3-5.

���ϰٿ� alumna Ella Jennings ’23, education and outreach coordinator at the ���ϰٿ� Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, shares her paintings of luminous interiors in an exhibition, “Abide With Me,” at the Fireside Gallery at , 909 N. La Cumbre, open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekdays.

�±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s Education Department honored its eight elementary and three secondary student teachers, who all earned California Preliminary Credentials, at the Celebration of Teaching event April 26 on campus. Interestingly, the three secondary teachers previously earned bachelor’s degrees in music at ���ϰٿ�.

���ϰٿ� honored a number of employees for their outstanding contributions at the May 9 Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch, an annual ceremony that recognizes individual work anniversaries and accomplishments. President Gayle D. Beebe and members of the college’s executive team selected the recipients from a peer-nominated pool. An endowment set up by the late Bruce and Adaline Bare funds the awards; he was a longtime college trustee. ���ϰٿ� Human Resources hosted the brunch.

Mitchell Thomas, professor of theater arts, won a coveted Indy Award for Directing for his role in staging “Godspell.” The May 20 event was the first time the Santa Barbra Independent has hosted the awards since the pandemic.

Thomas was most recently awarded an Indy for directing “Pride and Prejudice” in 2019.

The jazz band Helios also won an Indy for its live performance in “The Capulet Black-and-White Ball,” John Blondell’s version of “Romeo and Juliet.” Helios is lead by saxophonist Simon Blondell, the son of John. 

���ϰٿ� was well represented at an annual scholarship awards celebration on May 20 at the UC Santa Barbara Multicultural Center. Seven future ���ϰٿ� students were honored with $5,000 scholarships through the Program for Effective Access to College (PEAC). Six of the students plan on taking advantage of �±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) fast-track program, earning two degrees in four-and-a-half years, while one will major in computer science.

Two recent ���ϰٿ� graduates, who served with UC Santa Barbara’s ROTC Program while students, have been commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Jacob Bailey ’24 of Whitefish, Montana, and Jared Noh ’24 of Glendale will continue their service in the Army after the summer.

A large crowd gathered inside and out for the opening of the annual juried exhibition of local artists, “[TBH]...To Be Honest,” at the ���ϰٿ� Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Los Angles gallery owner Walter Maciel juried the exhibition of 45 works, selecting the winners for top cash prizes May 16. The Tri-County Juried Exhibition is open through June 15.

Three ���ϰٿ� alumni, Kenna Brase ’22 of Foothill Ranch, Simeon Michelson ’24 of Nashville, Tennessee, and Elizabeth Potter ’22 of Cheney, Washington, have won prestigious to teach English outside the United States. Brase will serve in Turkey, Michelson in Azerbaijan and Potter in Thailand.

���ϰٿ� has assembled an inspirational group of renowned speakers for its 10th annual LEAD Where You Stand Conference June 5-6 at the college's in Santa Barbara.

(Above: Student Awardees Eden Lawson, Alex Armstrong, Zach Hauw, Logan Thompson, Anneline Breytenbach and Katherine Knapp)

The gray skies and light drizzle were no match for the warm hearts and sunny disposition of the 320 members of �±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s class of 2024 and their loved ones. The ceremony, replete with prayer and songs of thanksgiving, offered a stark contrast to other college graduations across the country that have been canceled or marred by violent protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

College presidents are highly visible and vulnerable, serving on the frontlines to respond to events both on and off campus, inspiring faculty, staff, students and other constituencies, and upholding the ideals of the academy. Some do it well, and some don’t. The presidency of an institution of higher education has been deemed by some as the toughest job in our nation because they continually face stress-inducing events, which may become life-altering, transforming crucibles.

(Above: Nina Warner's painting "Shot House, Kharkiv, 2022")

The exceptional talent of local artists will be on full display at the ���ϰٿ� Ridley-Tree Museum of Art for its annual Tri-County Juried Exhibition May 16-June 15. An opening reception for “[TBH]...To Be Honest,” featuring this year’s juror Walter Maciel, a Los Angeles gallerist, is May 16 from 4-6 p.m. Maciel will announce his award winners at 5:15 p.m.

Each year before Commencement, �±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s annual reminds us of the joy of accomplishment and the opportunity we have to excel and fulfil the full range of gifts and abilities God has given us.

In the ancient world as now, excellence speaks to those who have persevered, who faced adversity, and who have risen above every challenge to cultivate the gifts God has given them,” said President Gayle D. Beebe. “It is also an opportunity to honor those who work so hard and so well.”

Eighteen new nurses are heading to serve on the frontlines at a hospital near you. ���ϰٿ� graduated 18 nurses May 2 from its 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program with 12 of the 18 graduates staying to work in the Central Coast. The ���ϰٿ� Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing Program, which began in January 2022 operates in partnership with Cottage Health and Sansum Clinics in Santa Barbara, has already graduated nearly 40 nurses.

Students presented their findings from research projects that spanned topics from running on slanted surfaces, the effects of music on heart rate, subliminal advertising, and racial identity in study-abroad programs at the Spring Student Research Symposium on April 18 in the Winter Hall Atrium.

The ���ϰٿ� Orchestra and the ���ϰٿ� Choir join forces May 5-11 for the college’s first combined tour. Traveling from Los Angeles to Northern California, about 120 students will perform scenes from “Elijah” by Felix Mendelssohn as well as other pieces.

Two ���ϰٿ� juniors, Rachael Todd of Nipomo and Levi Wicks of Huntington Beach, won David K. Winter Servant Leadership Awards for showing selflessness and humility as effective leaders. Angela D’Amour, dean of student engagement, introduced the 24th annual awardees on April 10 in .