Grads Urged to Choose Paths of Love, Friendship

Despite gray skies and a light drizzle, thousands of family members and friends celebrated and cheered the 291 Westmont graduates, who received their diplomas at Commencement May 4. 

President Gayle D. Beebe gave the Westmont Medals to Rev. Dr. Katherine Wiebe and Lindsay and Laurie Parton.

Wiebe, a Christian pastoral psychotherapist at the Santa Barbara-based Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth (ICTG), said the day before Commencement, a leader of a prominent organization called her for the first time for resources to help them cope with persistent stress related to the January 9, 2018, debris flow.

“We can take comfort when we are surprised by joy, even in our grief,” she said. “We know that even though we cannot see them yet, still waters are ahead. We know our souls will be restored again, so we can be at peace even in times of grieving, and we can help others to do the same.” ICTG works with leaders navigating difficult crises.

Lindsay Parton, a Westmont alumnus and principal of DJM, says it’s important to surround ourselves with people who inspire and motivate us to be the best version of ourselves.

“These friends will forever be your support systems if you’re intentional and purposeful in maintaining those relationships throughout your life,” he said. “The more you give your life away, and the more you fight from becoming isolated in your life, the more rich your life can become from a kingdom perspective.”

G. Walter Hansen, the Commencement speaker and a Westmont trustee since 2002, offered several glimpses into the graduates’ futures. “All your destinations will be opportunities to find and be found by the love of friends,” he said. “You are going into a world tragically polarized by factions fighting each other. How will you respond to hate speech and hate crimes? You know very well that fighting hate with hate destroys and kills, and by the power of the Holy Spirit you can show that love is stronger than hate. You can speak life-giving words of love. You can do mercy-filled works of love. You can be faithful friends in agreement and disagreement, in peace and in conflict. The healing of our society will come by loyal, forgiving friendship love. So many are caught in the chaos of our world, facing a jumble of confusing paths – they need each of you.”

At the end of his Commencement address, Hansen offered a prayer for the graduates: “Wherever your paths take you, may you always choose to follow the one who calls us to love one another and not hate… May you always follow the one who calls us to embrace one another and not exclude. May you always follow the one who invites us to come into the party and then you will dance and not sit.”

Dr. Edee Schulze, Westmont dean of students, presented the Dean’s Award to Libby Dahlberg and Blake Fonda for demonstrating excellence in the classroom, have made superior contributions to an athletic team, and have evidenced a deep faith in Christ.

Lucas Viera earned the Dave Dolan Award, honoring his leadership and significant contributions to campus and communities around the globe.

Olivia Stowell and Kyle Hansen won the Kenneth Monroe Award, demonstrating superior academic achievement in the classroom, excelling as leaders on campus, and impacting other students’ lives through their integrity, character, and faithfulness.

Provost Mark Sargent gave the Outstanding Teaching Awards to Professors Alister Chapman (history), Cynthia Toms (kinesiology), and Don Patterson (computer science). Beth Horvath (biology) earned the Faculty Scholarship Award for her research on gorgonian corals. 

Fifty-four Golden Warriors, including former Westmont President Stan Gaede, marched in the procession to celebrate their 50th reunion.