The Warriors Are Coming

About 400 first-year and transfer students arrive on campus for the newly named Warrior Welcome August 24-27. Classes for the fall semester begin Monday, August 28.

On Wednesday, August 23, about 150 first-generation and international students and their families participate in First Connections, a pre-orientation welcome program designed for those who are the first in their family to attend college. This early welcome program helps students adjust to a new cultural experience and develop the interpersonal connections vital to thriving in college.

“The 73 first-generation students represent more than a four percent increase since last year due to Westmont’s commitment to supporting these students,” says Sonya Welch, coordinator of academic support services. “Westmont’s size makes it a great fit for first-gen students and gives them a better opportunity to connect with each other and their new college community.”

Bucking national trends, Westmont has seen a nine percent jump in male students from last year. Men make up 45 percent of the incoming class – the largest percentage at the college since the early 1980s. Nationally, colleges and universities have witnessed a significant decline in men attending college since the onset of the pandemic. New innovative programs such as engineering, data analytics, computer science, and the move to NCAA DII have helped attract more men.

“These inspirational and impressive students are becoming part of a joyful, caring community that will shape and refine them into graduates ready to lead and serve with integrity in every sphere of society,” says Irene Neller, vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communications. “Our new students are admirable both intellectually and spiritually and bring a heartfelt approach to learning. With their curiosity, humility, and gratitude, they’ll contribute to making our world and their own communities better. We’re honored they’ve chosen to study here!”

Westmont awarded four-year academic scholarships ranging from $15,000 to nearly $43,000 each year to more than 95 percent of entering new students. Seventy-four high-achieving, first-year students selected as Augustinian Scholars have received scholarships ranging from $26,000 up to 85 percent of tuition. 

While less than a third of students submitted test scores as most colleges and universities have made reporting test scores optional, the average GPA remained steady with a middle range of 3.65-4.43, close to the highest recorded GPA in school history.

Ninety-four first-year students come from the Tri-County region. Westmont’s partnership with college-bound programs serving under-represented students, such as PEAC, REACH, Mission Scholars, AVID, and others in Santa Barbara, has blossomed significantly. Generous scholarships have provided 80 percent or more of the total costs for tuition, room, and board. Students expressed the most interest in majoring in economics and business, kinesiology, and psychology.

Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing welcomes 23 new nursing students to the accelerated program. Athletes on the men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball teams began training camps earlier in the month, preparing for their inaugural NCAA Division II seasons.

Families will move their students into residence halls throughout the day August 24 before the Welcome Session, a celebratory opening event of Warrior Welcome 2023, on Thursday, August 24, at 3:30 pm in Murchison Gym. The event includes an official welcome from President Gayle D. Beebe, now in his 17th year as president, with an introduction to this year’s Warrior Welcome Team representing Student Life, professors and staff.

The Service of Commitment, a formal ceremony with professors wearing robes who welcome students to the Westmont community, takes place Friday, August 25, at 3:30 pm beginning in Murchison Gym. Following the service at about 4:30 pm, a bagpipe fanfare, a longstanding Westmont tradition, will lead new students on their First Walk through the Formal Gardens to Kerrwood Lawn, anticipating their Last Walk that occurs at Commencement from Kerrwood to Thorrington Field.