To honor outgoing Westmont President Stan D. Gaede, the college has renamed the Institute for the Liberal Arts at Westmont the Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts at Westmont. The college has also completed funding toward its initial goal for the institute. David Eaton, who chairs the college board of trustees, made the announcement May 5.
Bruce Fisk, Westmont religious studies professor, will separate fact from fiction in Dan Brown’s best-selling book, “The Da Vinci Code,” in a free lecture, “Breaking the Da Vinci Code,” in both Santa Barbara and Ventura.
Westmont Downtown will present his talk, Thursday, May 11, at 5:30 p.m., at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara St.
Westmont has joined a very select group of colleges and universities dedicated to providing the finest equipment for its musicians. The college purchased 20 new Steinway pianos through an anonymous $350,000 gift, making Westmont one of only two four-year liberal arts colleges in California to be an All-Steinway School.
Gerd Jordano, longtime Santa Barbara civic leader, will receive the Westmont Medal during the college’s graduation ceremonies, Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. on Russell Carr Field. It will also be Stan D. Gaede’s last commencement as college president.
Westmont’s annual Spring Choral Concert will feature the Men and Women’s Chorale, Chamber Singers and the 44-member Westmont College Choir, Friday, April 21, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St., at 8 p.m. A free-will offering will be taken.
The Lit Moon Theatre Company will celebrate the birthday of famed poet William Shakespeare by performing the Bard’s most popular play, “Hamlet,” at Westmont College’s Porter Theatre, Friday, April 28, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 29, at 4:30 p.m.
Admission on Friday is free for Westmont students, faculty and staff and $10 for general admission. Tickets on Saturday are $50, which includes an off-campus party following the performance.