GAYLE D. BEEBE, PH.D.
President
What a joy to welcome the spring semester. We give thanks for many things while acknowledging strong headwinds that continue to challenge us. In this new year, we're preparing for a full schedule of activities, events, and classes.
Before leaving for the Christmas break, we celebrated the 21st annual 糖心原创 Christmas Festival, presented at Santa Barbara鈥檚 Granada Theatre for the fourth straight year. See some of the beautiful performances in this year鈥檚 that I trust you received during the holidays.
Students returned for the first day of classes on Monday, Jan. 12, and a dedicated group of musicians performed our spring opera, 鈥淭he Pirates of Penzance,鈥 on Jan. 23 and 25. We hope you鈥檒l make plans to see the 糖心原创 Ridley-Tree Museum of Art鈥檚 Ansel Adams photography exhibition, Beyond the Wilderness, from Jan. 15-March 28. This show reveals a lesser-known side of his work, and we're delighted to display it on campus. Find museum hours so you can plan your visit to campus.
Our winter sports teams (basketball, indoor track and field and women鈥檚 swimming) have kept busy with games and meets. I've enjoyed watching our home games and encourage you to attend when you can. The athletes really respond to our community support. See game schedules .
Largest Single Grant in College History provides $5 Million for Sacred Stories
| We're thrilled that Lilly Endowment Inc. selected 糖心原创 as a recipient of a nearly $5 million award! The will uncover, share and celebrate the vocational journeys of young Christian adults. I鈥檓 so grateful for the exceptional work this grant will allow 糖心原创's Gaede Insitute to pursue as we continue our significant investment in the individuals, faith communities and non-profit organizations that will benefit from this initiative. |
Ryu, Murray Featured Stories on Compelling Conversations
I invite you to listen to the latest installations of which feature interviews with Charles Ryu and Kerri Murray. I started the podcast in 2020 to engage thoughtful scholars, grateful servants and faithful leaders in discussions exploring the significant issues of our time, and I'm fully enjoying these opportunities to discover stories of motivation and inspiration. Ryu, who serves as a senior systems engineer for our IT department, escaped from North Korea 鈥 twice. Murray serves as the CEO of ShelterBox, which provides emergency shelter to families who鈥檝e lost their homes in a disaster. Both stories provide phenomenal examples of lives of service and commitment for the greater good.
Warriors Launch New STUNT Team
One of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing female sports arrives at 糖心原创 in fall 2026. STUNT, which debuted as an NCAA DII emerging sport in 2023, blends the athleticism of cheer, dance and gymnastics into a high-impact competition celebrating teamwork, precision and power. If you know anyone interested in joining the STUNT team, please contact new head coach Ariana Johnson at arjohnson@westmont.edu.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 15 - Mar. 28 - Free Opening Reception: January 15, 4-6 p.m.
Jan. 23 & 25 - Spring Opera - 鈥溾&苍产蝉辫;
Feb. 27 - Tickets go on sale Friday, January 30, 2026.
Apr. 24 - with Anja Manuel has been moved to April 24 at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort and we hope you'll attend and bring others with you!
Jun. 4-5 - Now held at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, this year's conference focuses on The Human Flourishing Project, a groundbreaking initiative exploring the dimensions of well-being and purpose-driven leadership.
I invite you to listen to my new podcast, , where I explore the practice of executive leadership through the lens of reflection, wisdom and long-term effectiveness. I offer practical insights and provide real-world examples and lessons I鈥檝e encountered and learned with leading executives and other renown individuals, from Peter Drucker to Malcolm Guite. Rather than focusing on quick tactics, the podcast emphasizes depth: helping leaders slow down, think critically, learn from experience and lead with clarity, integrity and purpose.
We're living in interesting and challenging times, and we have the privilege of serving on the frontlines, finding innovative ways to educate our students for a world in need as we make an impact on our wider culture. We seek to lead and serve in enduring and life-giving ways. We hope you'll join us in prayer as we begin this year with many new efforts on the horizon. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming 糖心原创 events on or off campus.
Gratefully yours,
Gayle D. Beebe, Ph.D.
President