Grads Charged To Choose Words Carefully

Nearly 5,000 people attended Commencement May 8, which returned to Westmont’s Russell Carr Field after being forced off campus last year due to new construction and rebuilding from the Tea Fire. Commencement speaker Richard J. Foster, author and founder of Renovaré, implored the 330 graduates to inform their words with ethical and moral bearings.

“You have a liberal arts education that has been forged on the anvil of a Christ-centered worldview,” said Foster, best known for his book “Celebration of Discipline.” “This gives you ethical and moral bearings that others simply do not have. Therefore you are in a unique position to discern when words are being misused and abused.”

He challenged the graduates to focus their energy upon words that are significant in content. “I urge upon you lively conversations that are crisp and clear and imaginative,” he said. “Oh, may our conversations generate heat and light and spiritual energy.”

Michael Towbes, one of Santa Barbara’s leading philanthropists, received the Westmont Medal. “This is a great honor, and I will treasure it,” said Towbes, chairman of both The Towbes Group and Montecito Bank & Trust and chief financial officer of The Towbes Foundation. “Westmont is a treasure in the community and gives back in so many ways through its students, faculty and staff. Philanthropy means giving back and making the world a better place. Thank you, Westmont, for doing both very well.”

Several professors and students were honored during Commencement. Helen Rhee, assistant professor of religious studies, is Teacher of the Year in Humanities. Steve Julio, assistant professor of biology, is Teacher of the Year in Natural and Behavioral Sciences. Jesse Covington, assistant professor of political science, is Teacher of the Year in Social Sciences. Richard Pointer, acting provost, presented the Faculty Research Award to Mark Nelson, Kenneth and Peggy Monroe professor of philosophy.

Trinity Hokama of Kaneohe, Hawaii, 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.

Sean Adams of Castle Rock, Colo., and Britney Scannell of Los Angeles, 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.

Andrea Owen of Dallas and Levi Bagdanov of Nuevo, 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 made an impact on other students’ lives through their integrity, character, and faithfulness.

Christopher Morse of Visalia, 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.

Among the 119 students graduating with honors was Colleen Atkinson, Westmont administrative assistant to the campus pastor and chapel coordinator for more than eight years. Atkinson has had a lifelong desire to complete the college education she began more than 40 years ago.

A father and daughter graduated together as well this year. Salinas firefighter Shannon Patrick Bryant completed a degree in economics and business at Westmont. His daughter, Amy, earned a bachelor’s degree in history. Shannon, who is married to Lori (Holbrook) Bryant ’84, is the son of Robert S. Bryant, owner of Bryant and Sons Ltd. Jewelers, who received the Westmont Medal in 2007.

For the first time, Westmont offered a free, online, live broadcast of Commencement. Foster’s Commencement address, “The Humiliation of the Word in Our Day,” is available for viewing on the Westmont’s YouTube site, http://www.youtube.com/westmonttv. A photo slide show by Brad Elliott is also available for viewing.