Westmont College

955 La Paz Road, Santa barbara, CA 93108-1089 -  View Map

Tel: (805)565-6000

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School Overview:

School Notes:

• Ruth Kerr and others founded Westmont in 1937. In 1940, it became a liberal arts college committed to the historic Christian faith. Dr. Wallace Emerson, the first president, envisioned an institution that rivaled the best colleges nationwide, and he set the standard for academic rigor and excellence that still applies.
• By 1945, Westmont outgrew its facilities in Los Angeles and moved to the former Dwight Murphy estate in Santa Barbara with its 125 acres and beautiful Mediterranean house. Acquiring another property and the former Deane School for boys completed the campus that features the pathways, stone bridges, and gardens of the former estates. Achieving accreditation in 1958, Westmont began building its campus in the 1960s, adding nine major buildings.
• Westmont offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in over 80 liberal arts majors with concentrations, 10 pre-professional programs, an elementary and secondary credential program, and up to 18 units for internships and practica. Majors includes Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Economics and Business, Engineering/Physics, English, English-Modern languages, French, History, Kinesiology, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, Music, Natural science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology/Neuroscience, Religious Studies, Social Science, Sociology and Anthropology, Spanish, and Theater arts.
• The college is accreditated by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and California State Board of Education to award degrees and certificates.
• Profile last updated: 01/10/2011.

In the News:

• Powerful Telescope Available For Viewing Friday (KEYT 3 Santa Barbara)
  posted on July 15, 2011 at 06:23:49 pm
  A powerful telescope will be the focus of attention at Westmont College Friday night.
• Super Scope: Westmont College Observatory's Keck Telescope (Santa Barbara Independent)
  posted on June 16, 2011 at 07:01:37 am
  You're invited to check out outer space every month
• M. Track. Masterson and Ajoku Bring Home Two Big Wins at Westmont Collegiate Classic (UC Santa Barbara Athletics)
  posted on March 27, 2011 at 06:16:04 pm
  WESTMONT, Calif.-- Maureen Ajoku and Derek Masterson brought home two big wins from the Westmont Collegiate Classic held yesterday at Westmont College.Ajoku won the women's heptathlon for a total of 4,865 points and ahead of second place Ayla Draper by more than 800 points. Masterson took home first in the decathlon and tallied an impressive 7,159 points which could very well land him a spot in ...
• Westmont hosts free star-gazing session (Santa Barbara Daily Sound)
  posted on March 5, 2011 at 03:28:14 pm
  A clear view of Saturn and a first-quarter moon are among the glittering attractions that Westmont College officials hope to offer to the public during a free public viewing at the campus observatory tomorrow evening.
• W. Track. Fourth Annual Gaucho Round-Up Successful Despite Rain (UC Santa Barbara Athletics)
  posted on February 20, 2011 at 08:58:48 am
  The Gaucho men and women opened up the season with their first outdoor meet to commence the fourth annual Gaucho Round-Up. This quad-meet between UCSB, Pepperdine, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Westmont has typically been held at the UCSB Pauley Track but was moved to Westmont College due to track surfacing issues.

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