What's New at Westmont

New Professor Teaches Medieval Literature

Jamie Friedman, who joins Westmont as an assistant professor of English this fall, became fascinated by medieval studies when an English professor visited her history class to discuss Beowulf, the Old English epic poem. “He had us beat on the desks while he chanted the verse,” Friedman says. “The content of the poem and the sounds reverberated in my gut, and I was hooked.”[more]

New Professor Enjoys a Change of Scenery

Robert Hamel, who joins Westmont as an assistant professor of theatre arts this fall, was a Lutheran pastor for 25 years, but says theater has always been in his family. His wife, Susan, is a theater professional, and together they staged theatrical events in churches. Most recently, Robert organized summer theater shows in Iowa City, Iowa, raising money for ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Bread for the World. Through one show, they were able to raise funds to build a dormitory at a Tanzanian seminary.[more]

Construction Complete For Fall Classes

Workers put finishing touches on two new buildings, Adams Center for the Visual Arts and Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics before students arrived for the fall semester. Faculty in four departments moved into their new offices in mid-August.[more]

New Students Begin Moving Into Westmont

Orientation begins Thursday, Aug. 26, for the 384 first-year students representing the class of 2014 with the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 30. The incoming class includes seven National Merit Scholars, 65 students from the Tri Counties and six international students from China, Singapore, Philippines, Germany, Sweden and Kenya. [more]

U.S. News Ranks Westmont in Top 100

For the second straight year Westmont has ranked in the top 100 of the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges according to U.S. News & World Report's "American's Best Colleges, 2011 Edition." Of the nation's 266 liberal arts colleges that emphasize undergraduate education, Westmont has placed in the top tier at 99. This is the sixth straight year the college has ranked in the most prestigious group. [more]

Nazarenko Joins Westmont as New Dean

Tatiana Nazarenko, former dean of instruction and assessment liaison at Centralia College (Wash.), is Westmont’s new dean of curriculum and educational effectiveness. Nazarenko’s predecessor, Professor Ray Rosentrater, will return to full-time teaching. Nazarenko, who has studied in five countries and has more than 20 years of college-level teaching and administrative experience, will work with the development and assessment of curriculum in all academic areas. [more]

Westmont Professors Win Indy Awards

The Santa Barbara Independent honored Westmont Theater Arts Professors Mitchell Thomas, John Blondell and Miller James with Indy Awards at the Lobero Theatre May 24. The annual theater awards recognize excellent work done in the local region.[more]

Gallery Announces Art Winners

At the May 20 opening reception of “Views and Visions: Travelers” at Westmont’s Reynolds Gallery, Santa Barbara photographer Barbara Parmet won Best of Show, sponsored by Northern Trust, and $1,000 for her photograph, “Trinidad, Cuba.”[more]