Author spotlight: Scott Craig

Scott Craig is manager of media relations at Westmont College.

Audience Thrust into ‘The Capulets’
By Scott Craig   |   February 27, 2024

Westmont’s John Blondell, a longtime professor of theater arts, puts his own contemporary, site-specific spin on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as part of a mini-festival about the famous tragedy Thursday, Feb. 29, at 7 pm; Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2, at 7 pm and 9 pm; and Sunday, March 3, at 7 pm […]

Student Musicians Shine in Orchestra Concerto
By Scott Craig   |   February 27, 2024

The Westmont Music Department offers its orchestra concerto concert, featuring the winners of its concerto/aria competition, Nathan Carlin, Karla Munoz, Tasha Loh, and Leah Nieman, on Friday, Feb. 23, at 7 pm at the college’s Page Hall and on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 3 pm in Hahn Hall at the Music Academy. Both performances are […]

McIntyre’s Scoring Title Chase Continues
By Scott Craig   |   February 27, 2024

Men’s basketball wing Anthony McIntyre continued his chase for the PacWest scoring title, as the senior dropped 25 points on 8-for-10 shooting in the Warriors 91-70 win over the Chaminade Silverswords on Feb. 17. Westmont’s leading scorer now averages 18.8 points-per-game, and with four games remaining in PacWest Conference play, he now stands alone atop […]

A Fitting Fête for a Lady
By Scott Craig   |   February 20, 2024

The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art and Westmont Music Department threw a grand party on Jan. 3 in honor of the late Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, whose generosity benefited not only the college but the entire Santa Barbara community. The Westmont String Quartet played as celebrants enjoyed champagne and crêpe while taking in the stunning ocean […]

Stargazers Welcome
By Scott Craig   |   February 20, 2024

If the weather cooperates, and that has been a big if this winter, the Milky Way’s open clusters will be the focus of the monthly stargazing event on Friday, Feb. 16, beginning after 6 pm and lasting for several hours. The observatory, home of the powerful Keck Telescope, is open to the public every third […]

Beach Volleyball Star to Preach
By Scott Craig   |   February 20, 2024

One of the best American beach volleyball players will speak in Westmont chapel on Friday, Feb. 16, at 10:30 am in Murchison Gym. Alumnus Avery Drost (’07) led the Association of Volleyball Players (AVP) with 350 digs and was second with 551 kills last season. He coaches boys’ volleyball at Mira Costa High School in […]

Teen Mathematics Contest Turns 35
By Scott Craig   |   February 13, 2024

Westmont’s 35th annual Mathematics Field Day features students from nine regional high schools in a friendly competition Saturday, Feb. 10, in Winter Hall at 1 pm. Alphan Altinok, a senior data scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, will speak about “Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence” at the awards banquet at 5:30 pm in the Global Leadership […]

GLADly Teaching Technical Skills for Life
By Scott Craig   |   February 13, 2024

On a rural farm in Kenya in a series of mud buildings — known as the Shire and resembling a small Hobbiton — youth from the Nairobi slums learn to program software. For 10 weeks, they live in clean rooms with water, electricity, and comfortable beds as they study computers and the beautiful natural environment.  […]

Exhibit Highlights Traditional Hopi Katsina Dolls
By Scott Craig   |   February 6, 2024

Hopi Katsina dolls, carved and colorfully decorated wooden figures, are more than just beautiful works of art: They represent Katsinam spirits believed to bring blessings of good health, growth and fertility. A unique exhibition, celebrating the resurgence of a traditional carving method, features dozens of the Katsina (or “Kachina” to non-Hopi people) dolls and is […]

Emmons Earns Spirit of SB Award
By Scott Craig   |   February 6, 2024

President Gayle D. Beebe gave Christine Emmons the 2024 Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree Spirit of Santa Barbara Award at the Westmont Women’s Leadership Council Luncheon on Jan. 19. Emmons, a trustee of the Mosher Foundation and a fixture of the Santa Barbara art, music, and education nonprofit scene for several decades, is also a former pilot. […]

Chapel, Lecture Explore Teachings of Dallas Willard
By Scott Craig   |   February 6, 2024

The Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Research Center have chosen Michael Stewart Robb’s book, The Kingdom Among Us: The Gospel According to Dallas Willard, as the winner of the Dallas Willard Research Center Book Award. Robb, a Christian educator and theologian, will receive the award and speak in chapel Wednesday, […]

Opening Day of Baseball 
By Scott Craig   |   February 6, 2024

Westmont baseball, last year’s winners of the NAIA World Series, are set to make the first pitch of the NCAA Division II season on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 2 pm. The Warriors will play Regis (Colo.) in four games over the weekend. Members of last year’s national champions will receive their World Series rings at […]

Veteran Diplomat Haass to Speak at Breakfast
By Scott Craig   |   January 30, 2024

Richard Haass, a veteran diplomat, respected scholar of international relations and president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, speaks at the 19th annual Westmont President’s Breakfast on Friday, March 1, from 7-9 am in the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Tickets cost $125 per person and go on sale Friday, Feb. […]

Filmmaker Shares Power of Storytelling
By Scott Craig   |   January 30, 2024

Wendy Eley Jackson draws on three decades of experience in film and television in her talk, “The Transformative Power of Storytelling,” for a Westmont Downtown Lecture on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 5:30 pm at the Community Arts Workshop (631 Garden Street), in downtown Santa Barbara. The event is free and open to the public; no […]

Students Participate at World’s Largest Math Meeting
By Scott Craig   |   January 30, 2024

“I was surprised at the sheer size of the math world,” said first-year student Isaiah Conway, reflecting on his trip with fellow students and faculty to the world’s largest mathematics conference Jan. 3-6 in San Francisco. Ten students and three faculty members were among nearly 6,000 other mathematicians at annual Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM), hosted […]

Trustee, Parent Pens MLK Book
By Scott Craig   |   January 30, 2024

Trustee Marcus ‘Goodie’ Goodloe, whose daughter Hannah is currently a senior and will graduate in spring 2024, has written three books, including King Maker: Applying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Leadership Lessons in Working with Athletes and Entertainers. Goodloe travels the country and uses the book to mentor students, educators, business professionals and athletes about […]

Corot Exhibit Honors Ridley-Tree
By Scott Craig   |   January 16, 2024

Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree’s entire collection of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot artworks – which includes 11 paintings, 12 lithographs, and a drawing – goes on display Jan. 11 – March 23 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. A free public opening reception for the exhibition, Camille Corot to Orthodox Icons: Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree’s Gifts to the Collection, […]

Sisters Find Therapeutic Value in Telehealth
By Scott Craig   |   January 16, 2024

Sisters Leah Otterlei Pillsbury (‘00) and Alexis Otterlei Bennett (‘05) left their native Minnesota to attend Westmont — and then went their separate ways after graduating, pursuing different careers. Eventually, their paths and occupations converged, and they launched a telehealth business in 2021. Leah majored in psychology and loved every part of her college experience. […]

Nursing Graduates Earn Pins
By Scott Craig   |   January 2, 2024

Westmont celebrated the accomplishments of 18 new graduates of the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program at a pinning ceremony December 14 at Montecito Covenant Church. This is the second cohort to graduate from the 16-month accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program, housed at 26 West Anapamu. President Gayle D. Beebe, program director Dianthe […]

‘5×5’ Art Auction a Big Draw
By Scott Craig   |   January 2, 2024

The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s exhibition and auction of 683 small pieces was a huge success. By the time the gavel came down December 15, the “5×5” fundraiser sold 617 unique art pieces, raising more than $41,000 for the Montecito museum. Ninety-two percent of people who created an account bid on works in the […]

Students Reveal Physics Findings 
By Scott Craig   |   January 2, 2024

Two Westmont students presented their research at a joint meeting of the Nuclear Physics Divisions of the American and Japanese Physics Societies November 26-December 1 on the Big Island of Hawaii. Natalie Fogg ‘24 and Reese Toepfer ‘26 joined Robert Haring-Kaye, Westmont professor of physics and department chair of physics and engineering, at the event […]

Returning with Climate Conference Lessons
By Scott Craig   |   December 26, 2023

Westmont junior Analee Josselyn (’25), a history and economics and business double major, and Conrad Morgan (’23), who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, are attending the U.N. Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai.  Josselyn and Morgan are there with Christian Climate Observers, a non-denominational Christian presence advocating for God’s creation while training the […]

Dining Commons Gets a Remodel
By Scott Craig   |   December 26, 2023

Crews have begun a $2 million renovation project to Westmont’s Dining Commons with the majority of the work being funded by Bon Appetit, the college’s food service provider since August 2022.  While there is no additional interior square footage, workers are enlarging the outdoor dining patio by incorporating a small section of unused concrete between […]

Examining Mendelssohn, Protestant Music
By Scott Craig   |   December 26, 2023

For two decades, Siegwart ‘Zig’ Reichwald, Westmont’s Adams professor of music and worship, engrossed himself in the sacred music of German composer and performer Felix Mendelssohn. But when he came to his works written for the Berlin Cathedral in 1843-44, he was struck by how unusual they were compared to the rest of Mendelssohn’s musical […]

Winter Stargazing at the ‘Mont
By Scott Craig   |   December 19, 2023

Bundle up and head to the Westmont Observatory, which opens to the public for its free, monthly Stargazing event Friday, December 15, beginning at sunset and lasting several hours. Saturn and many other celestial delights will be targeted by Westmont’s powerful Keck Telescope and the other scopes owned by members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical […]

Four Decades for Brad
By Scott Craig   |   December 19, 2023

This year’s final Christmas chapel of the semester, complete with a paper snowball fight, feted Brad Elliott, who has worked at the college for 40 years. Elliott, the longtime campus photographer, also oversees the audiovisual, sound, and lighting to the college’s numerous events, including Commencement, Midnight Madness, Spring Sing – held annually in the Santa […]

Engineering Students Go for Speed
By Scott Craig   |   December 19, 2023

Overcoming obstacles was the challenge of the day as the Westmont Engineering Department hosted its third annual remote control car competition December 7 in front of Kerrwood Hall.  New this year, students competed in a bowling pin knockout following the traditional figure eight race. The competition was tight and a final race with all three […]

Book Radiates Advent
By Scott Craig   |   December 19, 2023

With the arrival of Advent, Paul Willis, professor emeritus of English and former Santa Barbara poet laureate, has co-edited an anthology of readings A Radiant Birth: Advent Readings for a Bright Season. Madeleine L’Engle, Marilyn McEntyre, Eugene Peterson, Tania Runyan, Luci Shaw, Jeanne Murray Walker, Walter Wangerin, Lauren Winner, and Philip Yancey contribute to the […]

Men’s Soccer Wins National Championship
By Scott Craig   |   December 12, 2023

Westmont men’s soccer beat Campbellsville (Kentucky) 3-1 on December 2 in Kissimmee, Florida, to claim the 2023 National Championship of the National Christian College Athletic Association. This is the second time Westmont Men’s Soccer has claimed a national title. The first was by the 1972 team that won the NAIA National Championship.  “There is nothing […]

Bidding Underway for Five-Inch Artworks
By Scott Craig   |   December 12, 2023

A lively and enthusiastic crowd packed into the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art for the opening reception of “5×5: Westmont College Celebrating 85 Years” on November 30. There is certainly a lot to see with more than 675 small pieces of art hung in the gallery – all of which are being auctioned off to […]

Mr. Monopoly Goes Straight to Westmont
By Scott Craig   |   December 12, 2023

Westmont is on the board! Monopoly: The Santa Barbara Edition includes a space featuring the Montecito campus in the light purple section where Virginia Avenue sits in the classic game. The only college featured on the board, Westmont appears between two iconic locations: the Santa Barbara Harbor and the Santa Barbara Airport. The square features […]

‘Poor Clare’ Offers Theater for the Soul
By Scott Craig   |   December 5, 2023

Westmont Festival Theatre reimagines the life of Saint Clare of Assisi as if she spoke like a Beverly Hills teenager in Chiara Atik’s Poor Clare on December 7-9 at 7:30 pm and December 9 at 2 pm in Porter Theatre. Tickets, which cost $20 for general admission and $12 for students and seniors, may be […]

Nursing Program Earns Final Accreditation
By Scott Craig   |   December 5, 2023

The Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) voted to approve accreditation for Westmont’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Westmont had to clearly demonstrate that its nursing program, which launched in January 2022, met all four of the CCNE standards: mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum and teaching-learning practices, and assessment […]

Project Promotes Fire Resilience, Biodiversity
By Scott Craig   |   November 28, 2023

An ecological restoration project near the Westmont campus has begun with students, faculty, and staff planting about 45 native coast live oaks. This first phase focuses on an area where Montecito Fire removed many dead and dying eucalyptus trees last summer along the Westmont Creek between the Las Barrancas faculty homes and Carr Field. The […]

Celebrating the Start of Advent
By Scott Craig   |   November 28, 2023

Westmont celebrates Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, with “Let There be Light!” a festive gathering, tree lighting, hot cocoa, and opportunity to take photos with Santa on Wednesday, November 29, from 5-7 pm on Kerrwood Lawn. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.  Children’s photos with Santa begin at 4:30 […]

Luncheon Empowers Future Women Leaders
By Scott Craig   |   November 28, 2023

The Westmont Women’s Leadership Council Luncheon features Natalie Taylor, certified financial planner and behavioral financial advisor, on Friday, January 19, 2024, 12-2 pm in the Global Leadership Center. A limited number of tickets, which cost $100 per person, may be purchased online at westmont.tfaforms.net/4651902. For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact […]

Art Museum Goes Big with 675 Small Works
By Scott Craig   |   November 14, 2023

The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art’s most popular exhibition and fundraiser returns to Montecito on Nov. 30 to Dec. 15, offering viewers an opportunity to see and bid on more than 675, small five-inch-square works by regional, national, and international artists. The museum hosts a free, public opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 4 […]

Exploring Creation Care and the Cappadocian Fathers
By Scott Craig   |   November 14, 2023

Westmont senior Katie Knapp presented a paper about the thoughts and practices of the Cappadocian Fathers at the Great Lakes Theology Conference on Nov. 2-3 in Holland, Mich. The religious studies and environmental studies double major from Soquel, Calif., has been working on the major honors project about patristic creation care ethics with professors Helen […]

Warriors Host Hoops Tourney
By Scott Craig   |   November 14, 2023

The Westmont men’s basketball team hosts the Conference Challenge Event, a tournament that includes Saint Martin’s (Wash.), Hawaii Hilo, and Montana Billings, on Nov. 10-11. The Warriors play Montana Billings on Friday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 pm and Saint Martin’s on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 3 pm. Last year, Westmont competed in the 64-team NAIA […]

Christmas Festival Offers ‘Fullness of Joy’
By Scott Craig   |   November 7, 2023

Tickets are on sale now for the 19th annual Westmont Christmas Festival, which marks the beginning of the holiday season for many in Santa Barbara. The concert combines orchestra and choirs at the Granada Theatre, the central coast’s premier performing arts venue in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, on Saturday, December 2, at 7 […]