Teachers of the Year Westmont honored several professors during the Commencement ceremony in May. Helen Rhee, assistant professor of religious studies (above left), received the award Teacher of the Year in Humanities. Steve Julio, assistant professor of biology (above center), was Teacher of the Year in Natural and Behavioral Sciences. Jesse Covington, assistant professor of political science (above right), accepted … [more]
The Westmont education department prepares future teachers to excel — and to weather a difficult economic climate At a time when the economic crisis has forced cutbacks in spending on education, Westmont graduates continue to land teaching jobs at public and private schools worldwide. The Westmont Education Department, which has a reputation in the community for sending out well-prepared, highly … [more]
In November, The Santa Barbara Independent named John Blondell, professor of theater arts and artistic director of Lit Moon Theatre Company, a 2009 Local Hero. The publication described Blondell as a theatrical visionary. “In addition to producing innovative shows both in Santa Barbara and at theater festivals around the world, Lit Moon has become the sponsor of a series of … [more]
The U.S. Department of State has awarded Susan Penksa, professor of political science, a follow-on Fulbright grant, allowing her to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina to build on the work of her 2007 fellowship and further the Fulbright mission of worldwide mutual understanding. Penksa went to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, where she presented research and lectured at the University … [more]
Westmont Professor Scott Anderson Does More Than Teach Art – He Applies It As a Professional Illustrator and Graphic Designer Scott Anderson grew up drawing, and he has never stopped. His sixth-grade teacher let him sketch if he finished assignments early, and he realized he’d never have to work for a living if he could get paid as an artist. … [more]
A Westmont Professor Shares a Full-Time Job at Work – and at Home – With Her Husband Patti Wilger Hunter ’88 and her husband, Dave, are partners in every sense of the word. They work together to care for their two children, divide up household duties such as cooking, and even share a job. The Hunters are the first husband-and-wife … [more]
Susan Penksa, professor of political science, spoke at “Building a Strategic U.S.-EU Partnership on Defense and Security Aspects,” a workshop hosted by the British Embassy, Washington, D.C., Oct. 21. Penksa, a Fulbright Scholar to Bosnia Herzegovina in 2007, addressed about 60 U.S. and European policy makers and experts about improving U.S.-EU cooperation in global conflict resolution and crisis stabilization. The … [more]
Alumni returning for Homecoming 2009 Oct. 16-17 found a multitude of changes on campus. They witnessed what the Tea Fire had taken — and discovered what construction has added. A tour of campus opened new vistas at Westmont, and reunions with classmates connected them with old friends. They enjoyed the usual activities: attending chapel and classes on Friday, a picnic … [more]
The T.B. Walker Foundation, an anonymous donor and other friends have committed $1.5 million to create the first endowed chair in the natural and behavioral sciences at the college. The T.B. Walker Chair in the Natural and Behavioral Sciences will honor the work of an outstanding professor in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering-physics, mathematics or psychology. Jeff Schloss, distinguished professor … [more]
At Commencement, the college recognized Teachers of the Year in each division. A gift from the late trustee emeritus Bruce Bare and his wife, Adaline, funds the annual award. The 2009 recipients are: Lisa DeBoer (far right), associate professor of art (humanities); Gregg Afman, professor of kinesiology (social sciences); and Andrea Gurney (far left), assistant professor of psychology (natural and … [more]