Spared from Blaze, the College Gives Thanks

Westmont began spring semester as scheduled on January 8, while preparing campus for rain late that afternoon and the following day. The college was not in Santa Barbara County’s evacuation zone that included many areas below the Thomas Fire burn scar, but public safety officers kept a 24-hour watch for flooding.

In the first chapel since students were evacuated December 10 due to the blaze, the college honored first responders, members of the news media, and several college employees who played a key role in Westmont’s response and recovery from the fire. More than 1,000 people attended the service, which included words of praise by Edee Schulze, vice president for student life, Reed Sheard, vice president for advancement and information technology, Tom Beveridge, director of physical plant, and president Gayle D. Beebe.

“I want to thank those who put aside their own schedules, those who put forth heroic and herculean effort to stay the fire, those who communicated important information, and those who protected not only Westmont but the Santa Barbara community and our segment of the country,” Schulze said. “Most importantly, we pause to thank God for His constant faithfulness, His watchful care, and His specific interventions that went beyond where human effort could.”

Although most emergency responders were unable to attend due to the impending storm, Beebe thanked Santa Barbara sheriff’s lieutenant Brian Olmstead, who received a heartfelt standing ovation. “Brian represents an incredible sheriff’s department, and I have huge admiration for your sheriff and for what you do to keep our community safe by working constructively and proactively with the campus so we feel secure as we go through these incredible challenges.”

The service ended with the chapel band leading the audience in the college hymn, “Great is Thy Thankfulness”.