History | Westmont College
Source: https://www.westmont.edu/about/history
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:29
History | Westmont College
About
History
In 1937 Ruth Kerr founded a liberal arts college committed to the historic Christian faith. 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 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 estate.
Achieving accreditation in 1958, Westmont began building its campus in the 1960s, adding nine major buildings. In 1976, the college received approval for the enrollment of 1,200 students. In 2007, the county authorized an updated campus master plan, and Westmont began the first phase of construction in 2008.
In recent years, Westmont has earned increasing national recognition for its academic quality, leadership training and unique emphasis on intellectual, spiritual and personal growth. During his 25-year tenure, President David K. Winter helped the college attract a highly qualified faculty, create a vital Christian community, and make plans for constructing additional campus facilities. President Stan D. Gaede continued this work between 2001-2006. David Winter returned as chancellor and interim president for a year until Gayle D. Beebe became the eighth president in July 2007. His priorities include implementing the master plan and building a strong financial base. He presided over groundbreaking ceremonies for Adams Center for the Visual Arts and Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics in October 2008, which began a period of construction that will include up to five buildings and new athletic fields.
Westmont
80 Notable Alumni
Explore the incredible stories of 80 notable Westmont College alumni who have made their mark in various fields by clicking the link below.
Learn More
Presidents
Previous
Rev. Leland B. Entrekin | 1937-38
Dr. Elbert L. McCreery, Vice President & Dean | 1938-40
Dr. Wallace L. Emerson | 1940-46
Dr. Elbert L. McCreery, Interim | 1946-47
Dr. James Forrester | 1948-50
Dr. Kenneth M. Monroe, Interim (six months) | 1950
Dr. Roger J. Voskuyl | 1950-68
Dr. Frank L. Hieronymus, Interim | 1968-69
Dr. John W. Snyder | 1969-71
Dr. Kenneth M. Monroe, Interim | 1971-72
Dr. Lyle C. Hillegas | 1972-75
Dr. Ernest Ettlich, Interim | 1975-76
Dr. David K. Winter | 1976-2001
Dr. Stan D. Gaede | 2001-2006
Dr. David K. Winter, Interim | 2006-2007
Dr. Gayle D. Beebe | 2007-current
next
Westmont
Over the Years
Click the link below to discover the fascinating journey of Westmont College through the years, from its humble beginnings to its evolution as a renowned institution dedicated to academic excellence and community enrichment.
Learn More
A Few Key Dates
1937
Bible Missionary Institute founded and it met in First Fundamental Church in Los Angeles on Alvardo Street.
Spring 1939
Bible Missionary Institute was renamed Western Bible College.
Fall 1939
Western Bible College moved to Westmoreland Street, Los Angeles.
Spring 1940
Western Bible College was renamed Westmont College.
Summer 1945
Westmont purchased and relocated to a portion of the current property of the campus, El Tejada (the Murphy Estate) in Montecito from Charles and Eva Holland.
1958
Westmont College earned its accreditation.
Spring 1964
Coyote Fire. Student housing, Catherwood Hall, burned down in the fire
College Timeline
1937
Bible Missionary Institute founded and it met in First Fundamental Church in Los Angeles on Alvardo Street.
Spring 1939
Bible Missionary Institute was renamed Western Bible College.
Fall 1939
Western Bible College moved to Westmoreland Street, Los Angeles.
Spring 1940
Western Bible College was renamed Westmont College.
Summer 1944
Purchased the Altadena property.
Summer 1945
Westmont purchased and relocated to a portion of the current property of the campus, El Tejada (the Murphy Estate) in Montecito from Charles and Eva Holland.
1946
Quonset huts arrived.
1955
Post Office (Operation Elbow Room) was built.
1957
Carroll Observatory and Ruth Gapen Hubbard Hall were built.
1958
Westmont College earned its accreditation.
1959
Dining Commons (original) and John C. Page Residence hall were built.
1961
Ellen Porter Hall of Fine Arts and the Nancy Voskuyl Prayer Chapel were built.
1963
Van Kampen Residence hall was built.
1964
Coyote Fire. Student housing, Catherwood Hall, burned down in the fire.
1966
Clark Residence hall was built.
1967
Roger John Voskuyl Library was built.
1969
Hugh R. Murchinson Physical Education Complex was built.
1970
The President’s house was built on the site of former student housing, Catherwood Hall. Armington Residence Halls (phase 1) was built. Kerrwood Fire in the President’s office.
1974
Armington Residence Halls (phase 2) was built.
1983
Ruth Kerr Student Center was built.
1984
Emerson Residence Hall III was built.
1984
Whittier Science Building was built.
2009
Westmont Observatory was built.
2010
Thorrington Field and the Westmont Track was built.
2010
Adams Center for the Visual Arts and the Westmont Art Museum was built.
2010
Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics was built.
2012
Westmont's 75th Year Celebration
2017
Completion of the Global Leadership Center in August
2017
Westmont's 80th Year Celebration
A Few Key Dates
College Timeline
Significant Events
About
History
In 1937 Ruth Kerr founded a liberal arts college committed to the historic Christian faith. 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 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 estate.
Achieving accreditation in 1958, Westmont began building its campus in the 1960s, adding nine major buildings. In 1976, the college received approval for the enrollment of 1,200 students. In 2007, the county authorized an updated campus master plan, and Westmont began the first phase of construction in 2008.
In recent years, Westmont has earned increasing national recognition for its academic quality, leadership training and unique emphasis on intellectual, spiritual and personal growth. During his 25-year tenure, President David K. Winter helped the college attract a highly qualified faculty, create a vital Christian community, and make plans for constructing additional campus facilities. President Stan D. Gaede continued this work between 2001-2006. David Winter returned as chancellor and interim president for a year until Gayle D. Beebe became the eighth president in July 2007. His priorities include implementing the master plan and building a strong financial base. He presided over groundbreaking ceremonies for Adams Center for the Visual Arts and Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics in October 2008, which began a period of construction that will include up to five buildings and new athletic fields.
Westmont
80 Notable Alumni
Explore the incredible stories of 80 notable Westmont College alumni who have made their mark in various fields by clicking the link below.
Learn More
Presidents
Previous
Rev. Leland B. Entrekin | 1937-38
Dr. Elbert L. McCreery, Vice President & Dean | 1938-40
Dr. Wallace L. Emerson | 1940-46
Dr. Elbert L. McCreery, Interim | 1946-47
Dr. James Forrester | 1948-50
Dr. Kenneth M. Monroe, Interim (six months) | 1950
Dr. Roger J. Voskuyl | 1950-68
Dr. Frank L. Hieronymus, Interim | 1968-69
Dr. John W. Snyder | 1969-71
Dr. Kenneth M. Monroe, Interim | 1971-72
Dr. Lyle C. Hillegas | 1972-75
Dr. Ernest Ettlich, Interim | 1975-76
Dr. David K. Winter | 1976-2001
Dr. Stan D. Gaede | 2001-2006
Dr. David K. Winter, Interim | 2006-2007
Dr. Gayle D. Beebe | 2007-current
next
Westmont
Over the Years
Click the link below to discover the fascinating journey of Westmont College through the years, from its humble beginnings to its evolution as a renowned institution dedicated to academic excellence and community enrichment.
Learn More
A Few Key Dates
1937
Bible Missionary Institute founded and it met in First Fundamental Church in Los Angeles on Alvardo Street.
Spring 1939
Bible Missionary Institute was renamed Western Bible College.
Fall 1939
Western Bible College moved to Westmoreland Street, Los Angeles.
Spring 1940
Western Bible College was renamed Westmont College.
Summer 1945
Westmont purchased and relocated to a portion of the current property of the campus, El Tejada (the Murphy Estate) in Montecito from Charles and Eva Holland.
1958
Westmont College earned its accreditation.
Spring 1964
Coyote Fire. Student housing, Catherwood Hall, burned down in the fire
College Timeline
1937
Bible Missionary Institute founded and it met in First Fundamental Church in Los Angeles on Alvardo Street.
Spring 1939
Bible Missionary Institute was renamed Western Bible College.
Fall 1939
Western Bible College moved to Westmoreland Street, Los Angeles.
Spring 1940
Western Bible College was renamed Westmont College.
Summer 1944
Purchased the Altadena property.
Summer 1945
Westmont purchased and relocated to a portion of the current property of the campus, El Tejada (the Murphy Estate) in Montecito from Charles and Eva Holland.
1946
Quonset huts arrived.
1955
Post Office (Operation Elbow Room) was built.
1957
Carroll Observatory and Ruth Gapen Hubbard Hall were built.
1958
Westmont College earned its accreditation.
1959
Dining Commons (original) and John C. Page Residence hall were built.
1961
Ellen Porter Hall of Fine Arts and the Nancy Voskuyl Prayer Chapel were built.
1963
Van Kampen Residence hall was built.
1964
Coyote Fire. Student housing, Catherwood Hall, burned down in the fire.
1966
Clark Residence hall was built.
1967
Roger John Voskuyl Library was built.
1969
Hugh R. Murchinson Physical Education Complex was built.
1970
The President’s house was built on the site of former student housing, Catherwood Hall. Armington Residence Halls (phase 1) was built. Kerrwood Fire in the President’s office.
1974
Armington Residence Halls (phase 2) was built.
1983
Ruth Kerr Student Center was built.
1984
Emerson Residence Hall III was built.
1984
Whittier Science Building was built.
2009
Westmont Observatory was built.
2010
Thorrington Field and the Westmont Track was built.
2010
Adams Center for the Visual Arts and the Westmont Art Museum was built.
2010
Winter Hall for Science and Mathematics was built.
2012
Westmont's 75th Year Celebration
2017
Completion of the Global Leadership Center in August
2017
Westmont's 80th Year Celebration
A Few Key Dates
College Timeline
Significant Events