Winter Introduces Beebe at Commencement
Chancellor and Interim President David K. Winter will welcome President Designate Gayle Beebe during graduation ceremonies, Saturday, May 5, at 10 a.m. on the Russell Carr Athletic Field. It will be Beebe’s first public introduction at Westmont since he was named president Feb. 14. Beebe will take over the presidency July 1.
Robert S. Bryant, owner of Bryant and Sons Ltd. Jewelers, will receive the Westmont Medal during Commencement.
“I can’t think of anyone who has supported as many non-profit organizations in town as Bob Bryant,” says Winter. “And his support has been generous. There is no question that Santa Barbara is a better place because of the dedication of Bob Bryant to people with very real needs in our community.”
The Westmont Medal is given each year to recognize individuals in our community whose lives embody the very principles associated with the Christian character of the college: integrity, service, compassion, responsibility, faithfulness, discipline and generosity.
Past recipients of the Westmont Medal include Ardis Higgins, Lord Paul and Lady Leslie Ridley Tree, Larry Crandell, Penny Jenkins, Dr. Ramon Vidauri of Ensenada, Mexico, Anita Mackey, Stewart and Katherine Abercrombie, Betty Rosness, Peter MacDougall, Gerd Jordano and David Spainhour.
Commencement will feature 356 graduates this year, 170 with honors. Three Monroe Scholars will be graduating: Julie Lockwood, San Carlos, Calif.; Neil Bezdek, Centennial, Colo.; and Jennifer Murphy, Eagle River, Ark. The Monroe Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship offered to a few exceptionally high-achieving first-year students each year. It is the highest academic honor an incoming student may receive.
John Ortberg Jr., pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, is this year’s commencement speaker and will present “What Are You Commencing?” Ortberg’s daughter, Laura, will graduate as a member of both the National Political Science and National Leadership Honors Societies.
Commencement is open to the public, but seating and parking are limited. Those planning to attend are urged to arrive early. Off-site parking is available at Santa Barbara City College with free shuttle service to Westmont provided continuously between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Vehicles without a Commencement parking pass will not be allowed to park on campus.
For more information please visit the Commencement Web site at www.westmont.edu/commencement or call (805) 565-7177.
In case of rain or wet fields, the ceremony will be held inside and the college will disburse limited tickets.