Despite the distance of 50 years, the classes of 1960 and 2010 marched together at Commencement in May. The Golden Warriors (above) returned to campus toward the end of their careers; the graduating seniors were just embarking on theirs. The college, the culture and the world have all changed since 1960, yet these two groups of alumni share much in … [more]
For more than 50 years, Westmont has provided a window into the heavens through its exceptional telescopes and astronomy program. The powerful Keck Telescope has replaced older instruments, and the campus boasts a beautiful new observatory. Today, Westmont is better equipped than ever to conduct astronomical research and to invite students and local residents to view the night sky through … [more]
For nearly 50 years, the natural science departments at Westmont suffered the most from inadequate facilities. The chemistry department used a remodeled garage, and the biology department took over a lathe garden house, later enlarged with more lab space. The completion of Carroll Observatory in 1957 provided a classroom and a lab, especially for physics, but all areas labored for … [more]
When Westmont purchased its Santa Barbara campus in 1945, the former estate included some smaller buildings as well as the stately mansion that became Kerrwood Hall. One of these, a four-car garage, served as the home of the chemistry department, complete with a classroom, two laboratories and storage space. Two years later the college doubled the size of this structure … [more]
For nearly 80 years, Bauder Hall brought a bit of Normandy to La Paz Road. Built in 1929 in a medieval style reminiscent of the French countryside, it served as a carriage house for the 17-acre La Paz estate. A lot split in 1930 left Bauder and the mansion (which later became Catherwood Hall) on a four-acre parcel that Westmont … [more]
Just weeks before their planned demolition, the last two Quonset huts on campus perished in the Tea Fire. Their absence is bittersweet. They make way for much finer facilities and a new road, but their long history on campus symbolized Westmont’s difficult early years as well as God’s faithful provision. The unexpected blaze meant the art department lost its equipment … [more]
by Jerry Gill ’56 Until 1955 the Warriors weren’t competitive in the few sports they played: men’s basketball and men’s track and field. Thanks to a few outstanding players, the basketball teams managed to break even. But the lack of athletic scholarships and the competition from Occidental, Pasadena College, Redlands University, and UC Santa Barbara made it tough for the … [more]
The best photograph of Ruth Kerr in the Westmont archives was preserved accidentally. Archivist Corey Thomas ’97 enjoys telling the story. Custodian Maria Ortega found the print in the trash in Clark A when she opened a bag to see why it was so heavy. She liked the image and kept it in her storage closet thinking other copies existed. … [more]
Homeschooled on her family’s farm until the eighth grade, Mabel Culter became a teacher and principal who established her own academy. Raised on the plains of Kansas and Colorado, she spent most of her life serving schools in suburban Southern California. Enthusiastic about riding horses and herding cattle, she expressed her love for the outdoors primarily by teaching botany. A … [more]
The genesis of the liberal arts at Westmont is a singular story, because the founders of “proto-Westmont” had in mind something quite different. In 1937, President Leland Entrekin opened the doors of the Bible-Missionary Institute, committed to education in “the Whole Word of God Free from Fanciful Interpretations,” to fit young Christians for missionary service. Seed money for BMI had … [more]