Celebrating the Class of 2009 Despite Evacuation
Months ago, college officials decided to move the May 9 Commencement ceremony to La Playa Stadium at Santa Barbara City College because of Tea Fire reconstruction and extensive work on three entirely new buildings and athletic fields. But up until the campus was evacuated early May 8, the college planned to hold Baccalaureate on campus that evening as usual. Thanks to quick action and hard work by many employees and the assistance of SBCC, Westmont moved the formal worship service to La Playa as well.
Westmont honored the 311 graduates in the class of 2009 at two joyous beachside ceremonies: Baccalaureate May 8 and Commencement May 9. At Commencement, Barbara Anderson accepted the Westmont Medal on behalf of Paul and Natalie Orfalea. She noted that the Orfalea Foundations focus on community partnerships and that the Orfaleas have dedicated their personal and professional lives to serving others. “They didn’t know their decision to strengthen emergency preparedness in Santa Barbara would be so timely and important,” she said. She praised the Westmont community for its bravery and resolve during the Tea Fire and said the award really should be dedicated to college in honor of their response.
President Gayle D. Beebe told the seniors that the college would forever remember the past school year and the ways the class of 2009 adjusted to adversity. He thanked them for their resiliency and congratulated them on completing their education.
Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary, quoted a C.S. Lewis sermon delivered at the start of World War II questioning why students should continue their college studies when the world was on the verge of war. Mouw drew parallels between that time and the present, with the war in Iraq, the AIDS epidemic and the wildfires in our own community. Lewis argued that it was important to continue academic activity as an exercise of fidelity to God, and Mouw agreed. “We need to keep at the task of learning and research to be faithful to God, to promote the cause of righteousness, to equip ourselves to serve God and bring about justice and peace,” he said.
After a night of fierce fire activity on May 7 that pushed the blaze east of Gibraltar Road, officials placed Westmont under a mandatory evacuation the next morning. Many students had already finished their finals and left for the summer, but nearly 600 remained. Throughout the morning, they evacuated in an orderly fashion, with law enforcement officials escorting parents to campus to retrieve students and their belongings. Those who needed a place to stay went to Reality Carpinteria, and the church provided a meeting place and temporary shelter. The campus was empty by 1 p.m., four hours after the mandatory evacuation.
Calm winds and cooler overnight temperatures allowed firefighters to get the upper hand on the eastern flank of the fire before Commencement. Several thousand people enjoyed the service, appreciating the cool, foggy air and watching the waves break and the seagulls and pelicans fly overhead. A fire truck parked across the street was the only reminder of the fire, and students and their families celebrated their graduation with flowers, balloons and cheers.
David Newton, professor of entrepreneurial finance handed diplomas to the economic and business majors saying they were “heading into a volatile market, but they were never looking for a bailout.”
Several professors and students were honored during Commencement. Lisa DeBoer, associate professor of art, is Teacher of the Year in Humanities. Gregg Afman, professor of kinesiology, is Teacher of the Year in Social Sciences and Andrea Gurney, assistant professor of psychology, is Teacher of the Year in Natural and Behavioral Sciences. Warren Rogers, interim academic dean, presented the Faculty Research Award to Eileen McMahon, assistant professor of biology.
Annie Johnson of San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Chris Targoni of Carpinteria, Calif., won the Dean’s Award, given to the outstanding male and female graduates who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, made superior contributions to an intercollegiate athletic team, and evidenced a deep faith in Christ.
Diana Small of Martinez, Calif., won the Dave Dolan Award, given to the outstanding graduate whose campus leadership has made significant contributions in our awareness and response to the social and spiritual needs of the community, the nation and the world.
Alana Woodin of Fresno, Calif., and John Carstensen of El Cajon, Calif., won the Kenneth Monroe Award, given to the outstanding male and female graduates who have demonstrated superior academic achievement in the classroom, excelled as leaders on campus, and impacted other students’ lives through their integrity, character, and faithfulness. Woodin graduated with a GPA of 3.93. Carstensen graduated with a GPA of 3.85.
Michael Gardner of Yreka, Calif., won the Faculty Scholarship Award, given to the graduating senior who has attained the highest cumulative grade point average during the entire Westmont program. Gardner, a physics and computer science double major, finished with an overall GPA of 4.0.