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�鶹avӳ����ý senior Ashley Clark, an English and theater arts double major from Henderson, Nevada, participated in the ’s competitive five-month filmmaking program. During that time, she wrote a screenplay, “Deus Ex Machina.” The festival paired her with UC Santa Barbara international student Can Basoglu, who directed the short film that premieres during the festival Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m. at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre.

More than 60 exceptional mathletes from seven Southern California high schools matched wits in the 37th annual �鶹avӳ����ý Mathematics Field Day at the Montecito campus. The event included a variety of activities, including group problem-solving, individual math presentations, called Chalk Talks, hands-on construction of 3-D models, and the popular and sometimes stressful College Bowl with Jeopardy-like buzzers.

William Morris, a faith-based climate activist, shared his journey of growing up near an oil refinery in Torrance to his current work in environmental justice. The lecture was the first of a new series about careers in environmental studies hosted by Sustainable �鶹avӳ����ý and stemming from the college’s new environmental studies major.

shares snapshots of personal stories and lessons learned from nearly four decades in college athletics in a new book, “.”

Two �鶹avӳ����ý engineering students presented their research findings at the (ASME) Annual Meeting in November at Memphis.

�鶹avӳ����ý has partnered with the (HCA) to guarantee graduates have a path to a bachelor’s degree. The Santa Barbara Unified School District approved the memorandum of understanding that guarantees academy graduates, who meet specific academic criteria, admission to Westmont along with a minimum of $15,000 in institutional aid.

, English professor emeritus and former poet laureate of Santa Barbara, hosts the 17^th annual William Stafford Reading on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. at the First Crossing Day Use Area in Los Padres National Forest, across from the old Los Prietos Boys Camp, 3900 Paradise Road. This is the former site of the Los Prietos Civilian Public Service Camp, where Stafford served as a conscientious objector during World War II.

Wendy Eley Jackson, assistant professor of English and film studies at �鶹avӳ����ý, recently joined the board of directors for the .

The �鶹avӳ����ý Observatory will highlight several celestial objects, including Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, the Pleiades, Jupiter and Orion's nebula at its monthly stargazing event Friday, Jan. 16, beginning about 6 p.m. and lasting several hours.

Emerging artist and �鶹avӳ����ý alumna ’18, who delicately illustrates wildlife and flora with a gentle, compassionate reverence, opens a solo exhibition, “Habitual Curiosity,” in the �鶹avӳ����ý Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s downstairs gallery through June 20.

The �鶹avӳ����ý Ridley-Tree Museum of Art offers a groundbreaking exhibition that reveals a little‑known chapter of America’s most celebrated photographer in “Beyond the Wilderness: Ansel Adams in 1940s Los Angeles,” from Jan. 15-March 28. The museum hosts a free, public, opening reception for the exhibition on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 4-6 p.m.

Get ready for a morning of inspiration and stimulating insights at the 21st annual �鶹avӳ����ý President’s Breakfast, featuring world-renowned journalist and Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times columnist . The annual early morning event will transform the Grand Ballroom into a vibrant epicenter of ideas and conversation on Friday, Feb. 27, from 7–9 a.m.

The �鶹avӳ����ý Opera Orchestra and more than a dozen cast members will sing, dance and swashbuckle their way through “Pirates of Penzance,” a hilarious story of adventure, danger and romance on Friday, Jan. 23, and Sunday, Jan. 25, both at 7 p.m. in Porter Theatre. Tickets, which cost $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors, may be purchased online at westmont.edu/boxoffice.

�鶹avӳ����ý celebrated the accomplishments of 25 new graduates of the �鶹avӳ����ý Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program at a pinning ceremony Dec. 18 before a standing-room only crowd at Montecito Covenant Church. This is the sixth cohort to graduate from the 16-month accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program, housed at 26 W. Anapamu.

Christine Seibert, �鶹avӳ����ý’s new assistant director of environmental studies, brings a rare blend of scientific training, deep Christian conviction and a contagious enthusiasm for helping communities care for God’s creation.

�鶹avӳ����ý’s powerful Keck Telescope zooms in on the rings of Saturn on Friday, Dec. 19, beginning about 6 p.m. and lasting several hours at the �鶹avӳ����ý Observatory.  In case of cloudy weather, please call the Telescope Viewing Hotline at (805) 565-6272 and check the observatory website to see if the viewing has been canceled.

�鶹avӳ����ý’s inaugural cohort of theological leadership students celebrated their graduation during a special dinner Dec. 4 in Hieronymus Lounge. This was the final event for the eight students who each shared a personal story about the impact of the program before they received their .

Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a nearly $5 million grant to Westmont for the college’s Sacred Stories Project, which will uncover, share and celebrate the vocational journeys of Christian young adults.

�鶹avӳ����ý engineering’s fifth annual remote-control (RC) car showdown was packed with crashes, flips, stalls, missed turns—and, for the first time, a three‑car championship race. When then dust finally settled, the team of Ben Mandani and Isaac Silva, who launched their car, named NESI, more than five feet off a ramp to win a one-jump playoff, hoisted championship trophies Dec. 5 on Kerrwood Lawn.

Local artists Dane Goodman and Dug Uyesaka will speak about their works in the current exhibition on Monday, Dec. 15, from 4-5 p.m. in the �鶹avӳ����ý Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. The event, which includes refreshments, is free and open to the public.

The nation’s fastest-growing female sport comes to Westmont in fall 2026. Since its NCAA Division II debut as an emerging sport in 2023, STUNT has blended the athleticism of cheer, dance and gymnastics into a high-impact competition celebrating teamwork, precision and power.

“We’re excited to create another thriving athletic program that attracts amazing student-athletes who want to succeed at �鶹avӳ����ý,” says Athletic Director Robert Ruiz. “We can become a strong regional competitor and take it to the highest level of NCAA DII.”

�鶹avӳ����ý’s junior engineering students are revved up to battle it out in a three-part competition that includes racing around cones and distance jumping off a ramp on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 1:15 p.m. in front of Kerrwood Hall. Students use the 500-piece remote-control (RC) car they’ve made as part of their Machine Design class.

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday marked by turkey, pumpkin pie, and family gatherings—it is a reminder that gratitude begins the moment we recognize we are not owed anything, yet we have been given everything. In my Moral and Spiritual Psychology class at CS Lewis, I invite students to practice gratitude not as a fleeting habit but as a way of being, encouraging them to keep a weekly gratitude journal that thanks God for five things each week.

�鶹avӳ����ý celebrates Advent with “Let There be Light!” a festive gathering, treats and ceremonial lighting and an opportunity to take photos with Santa on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 4:30-6 p.m. on Kerrwood Lawn. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

, �鶹avӳ����ý professor of biology and director of environmental studies, has released the third volume in the “California Wild Neighbors” series, “,” with illustrations by �鶹avӳ����ý professors, staff, students, alums, children and others in the community.

The 21^st annual �鶹avӳ����ý Christmas Festival offers an unforgettable celebration of Advent with the college’s orchestra and choirs creating a magical atmosphere at the Granada Theatre Santa Barbara. Tickets, which cost $30 each, are selling quickly for both performances on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. Purchase tickets at westmont.edu/christmas-festival or by phone at (805) 899-2222.

Alastair Su, �鶹avӳ����ý assistant professor of history, speaks about “Tariff Nation: Examining the Rise, Fall, and Return of America’s Most Contentious Tax” on Monday, Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the , 631 Garden St., in downtown Santa Barbara. The �鶹avӳ����ý Downtown Lecture is free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations required.

About 70 art lovers braved the wet weather for the opening of “Between Planes: Exploring Sculpture Through Print” on Nov. 13 at the �鶹avӳ����ý Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. The unique show examines prints made by sculptors, offering a glimpse into artistic thought process of an artist prior to creating a sculpture.

The spirit of “lucecitas” — glimmers of light — shone brightly on the �鶹avӳ����ý campus as nearly 200 enthusiastic students and their families gathered for the powerful fourth annual event, Affording Your College Dream on Nov. 1.

In its third year, the Montecito Student Film Festival will showcase a diverse selection drawn from nearly 900 submissions submitted by local, national and international student filmmakers on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Porter Theatre and surrounding venues on campus. Audiences will enjoy creative stories, meaningful documentaries and exciting visual storytelling techniques, and roundtable discussions featuring leading professionals in the film industry. The festival is free and runs from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The �鶹avӳ����ý Ridley-Tree Museum of Art explores artistic vision across two-dimensional and three-dimensional media in “Between Planes: Exploring Sculpture Through Print” from Nov. 13-Dec. 20. There will be a free, public opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 4-6 p.m. at the museum.

Since six blocks of State Street closed in spring 2020, e‑bike usage has risen steadily, and the resulting increase in accidents has alarmed residents and local politicians. The �鶹avӳ����ý Center for Dialogue and Deliberation decided to tackle this thorny issue at a community roundtable event with more than 50 people Oct. 23 at the Community Environmental Center's Environmental Hub downtown.

�鶹avӳ����ý celebrated 50 years of women’s athletics during Homecoming weekend, drawing what may have been the largest gathering of athletic alumnae and current student-athletes in college history. The weekend’s sport-specific events culminated in a dinner honoring women’s athletics trailblazers and legacy builders, attended by about 200 guests and 125 current female student-athletes Oct. 18 at Montecito Covenant Church.

�鶹avӳ����ý dedicated a new stained glass window during an intimate service inside the Nancy Voskuyl Prayer Chapel on Oct. 16.

�鶹avӳ����ý’s powerful Keck Telescope zooms in on the rings of Saturn on Friday, Oct. 17, beginning about 7 p.m. and lasting several hours at the �鶹avӳ����ý Observatory. �鶹avӳ����ý hosts a stargazing event the third Friday of each month in conjunction with the , whose members bring telescopes to share.

The �鶹avӳ����ý Center for Dialogue and Deliberation takes on the hot button issue of e-bikes at its next conversation on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Environmental Hub, 1219 State Street.

More than 30 student researchers present 20 different projects at the annual Celebration of Summer Research on Oct. 16, 3-4:30 p.m. in the Winter Hall Third Floor Atrium. The Office of the Provost sponsors the event, which is free and open to the public. Many of the students worked as paid, full-time research assistants, collaborating with professors on cutting-edge projects that sometimes extend into the school year.

See Sophocles’ ancient and disturbing tragedy “Antigone” with fresh language and new life in a poetic and thrilling production, “Antigonick,” from Oct. 24-Nov. 1 at �鶹avӳ����ý’s Porter Theatre.

Ben Carlson, assistant professor of physics at �鶹avӳ����ý, explores the scientific foundations of today’s most pressing energy and climate issues in a �鶹avӳ����ý Downtown Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the , 631 Garden St., in downtown Santa Barbara. The talk, “Energy and Climate Through the Lens of Basic Science,” is free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations required.

�鶹avӳ����ý alums return to campus Oct. 17-19 for Homecoming and a weekend of events, including the annual Alumni Awards Celebration Brunch and �鶹avӳ����ý Golf Classic. Find the full schedule of events at westmont.edu/homecoming.

�鶹avӳ����ý continues to be recognized as the top Christian liberal arts college in the West, according to top national rankings.  lists �鶹avӳ����ý as one of the top 10 Christian liberal arts colleges in California. Overall, �鶹avӳ����ý continues to be one of the top two nationally ranked members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

A �鶹avӳ����ý art professor has the toast-worthy talent the judges wanted. They unveiled Scott Anderson’s playful illustration — an avocado sunbathing on the beach — at the Carpinteria Farmers Market. , limited-edition posters and T-shirts featuring his design will also be sold at the 39th annual celebration, Peace, Love & Guacamole, Oct. 3-5.

The ringed gas giant Saturn comes into focus at �鶹avӳ����ý’s stargazing event on Friday, Sept. 19, beginning at sunset and lasting several hours at the . The solar system’s Hula-Hoop champion will start low in the evening sky, but will be visible later in the evening after 8 p.m.

Alumna Kailie Grinder ’16, who earned a doctorate in intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, has returned to campus as �鶹avӳ����ý’s intercultural programs (ICP) interim director.

�鶹avӳ����ý’s engineering program has earned full ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation following an extensive three-year process that involved reviewing facilities, faculty, students and funding. Only two other Christian colleges in California have received this accreditation, retroactive to October 2022. The significant designation boosts engineering alums.

�鶹avӳ����ý welcomes eight new tenure-track professors this fall: James Davidson (sociology), David Emanuel (religious studies), Kyle Hansen ’19 (mathematics), Sally Hawkins (education), Raymond Kim (economics), Smaranda Lawrie (psychology), Nicole Marsh ’17 (biology) and Claudia Molina (Spanish).

New York Times columnist David Brooks, citing rising mental health issues, social distrust and loneliness, examined the moral decline in America and suggested that Christian colleges can contribute to the “re-moralization” of American life. He delivered the keynote talk, “How Christian Colleges Can Fix What Ails America,” at the 11^th annual LEAD Where Your Stand conference June 5 in �鶹avӳ����ý’s Global Leadership Center.

�鶹avӳ����ý’s talented art faculty, who inspire students to envision exciting, real-world possibilities for their own creative paths, offer an impressive range of works from their innovative careers in “Lines of Inquiry: �鶹avӳ����ý Art Faculty Exhibition Fall 2025” from Sept. 4-Nov. 1 in the �鶹avӳ����ý Ridley-Tree Museum of Art.