A day of events at Westmont this month will celebrate Mark Nelson, new Dr. Kenneth and Peggy Monroe professor of philosophy. The endowed chair was created by former Westmont professor Kenneth Monroe, who died in 1987, and his wife, Peggy, who died in February 2004.
Nelson started teaching at Westmont this fall, after spending his last 12 years teaching at the University of Leeds, one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom.
One of the world’s leading experts on science and religion will speak at Westmont, Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 3:30 p.m. in Hieronymus Lounge. Denis Alexander is head of the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, supervising research in molecular genetics, and director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at St. Edmund’s College at Cambridge University.
Charles Farhadian, assistant professor of religious studies, will speak on “Can Islam Save the West?” at the first fall event of the Westmont Downtown lecture series, Thursday, Oct. 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara Street.
Farhadian will explore the relationship between Islam and the West, highlighting a variety of influential Muslim voices to illustrate the diversity of Islam, particularly in its encounter with the West.
Steven Rogers says he enjoys conducting individual psychotherapy and neuropsychological research, but admits his deep passion is working with students. After earning his doctorate, he was a neuropsychology chief fellow at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute when a full-time teaching job opened up at Westmont. He liked the focus on undergraduate education.
Int'l Theatre Festival Converges on Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara will soon host the first international Shakespeare festival in the nation, thanks in large part to the vision and work of John Blondell, Westmont theater arts professor. The Lit Moon World Shakespeare Festival will feature 11 days of events celebrating Shakespeare, Thursday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 22.
Westmont has hired a new director for the San Francisco Urban Program. Scott McClelland is heading the off-campus program he describes as a “maturity accelerator” for students.
The San Francisco program began in 1971 and operates in a 108-year old house near Golden Gate Park. There are 22 students enrolled this semester.