Former President Honored at Winter Hall Dedication

Former President Stan Gaede joined President Emeritus David Winter and his wife, Helene, at the dedication ceremony for the David K. Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics on May 5.

“I’ve had some pretty good moments on this campus,” Gaede said mentioning his marriage proposal to Judy at Voskuyl Chapel. “But this is one of the best. Something has happened here that is pretty close to a miracle, I’d say. Not too many years ago we were told that this would never happen, couldn’t happen, shouldn’t happen. And some pretty strong forces were assembled to make sure that this day would not come to pass. But it has nevertheless.

“And today we gaze not only upon an extraordinary new science facility, but an entire campus renewed, refreshed, restored and redesigned for the purpose that it was given to us in the first place. And honestly at this moment when I look around and see what has happened, about the only thing I can say is, thanks be to God. Because of this day I am deeply, deeply grateful.”

With Helene by his side, David Winter thanked everyone who had been involved with the project’s arduous approval. “Westmont has an extraordinary heritage and it’s not just this wonderful campus, it’s people, wonderful people who have made the college what it is today,” he said. “And this is the only way we can accept this honor — by you understanding that we are simply part of those people, some named and some unnamed, who had such a significant role in bringing this all about.”

Here are more photos from the Winter Hall dedication.