The Westmont Theater Arts Department has established a new initiative expanding its focus on diversity, justice, global engagement and intercultural competency. Beginning in fall 2021, as part of the Justice and Global Engagement in the Theatre Arts Initiative, John Blondell, award-winning director and Westmont professor of theater arts, will become the new global ambassador in the performing arts.
The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art highlights works donated to or purchased for to the museum. “Selections from the Permanent Collection of Contemporary Art” will run from January 14-March 27, 2021. The exhibition will be available online at westmont.edu/museum/contemporarycollection.
Westmont has launched a national search for a provost to oversee the college’s educational program. The search committee, chaired by President Gayle D. Beebe, is seeking a chief academic officer who will ensure a vibrant partnership between the college’s curricular and co-curricular programs.
As the second highest-ranking senior administrator at the college, the provost serves as a member of the Westmont Executive Team. The provost, who is also dean of faculty, has the primary responsibility for the academic program.
Westmont has purchased a four-story building in downtown Santa Barbara where it will launch a new nursing program in partnership with Cottage Health. The new nursing program will address the critical shortage of skilled nurses in Santa Barbara and throughout the region.
Ninety-two percent of Westmont graduates from the class of 2020 have found a job or are attending graduate school (or planning to attend) despite a national economy sickened by the coronavirus.
The 16th annual Westmont Christmas Festival, “Ris’n with Healing in His Wings,” presents a special online event this year due to the pandemic. The Westmont Music Department, led by Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, has creatively recorded the 100 members of the Westmont Orchestra and College Choir, Chamber Singers and Choral Union throughout campus. The virtual concert, which retells the Christmas story by weaving narration with music, will be posted online Friday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m.