Westmont College Graduates Shine at Sunny Commencement Ceremony

​​Westmont College celebrated the triumphs of its 267 resilient graduates on Saturday for this year’s sweltering commencement.

Westmont’s sunny Thorrlington Field was filled with proud parents and guests whose cheers and whistles echoed through the field for their 2022 seniors, 119 of whom graduated with honors. Between prideful calls, the ceremony united graduates and guests with prayer, song and speeches.

This year’s commencement ceremony also welcomed 117 Golden Warriors — the classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972 — for their 50th graduation anniversary.

The Westmont Orchestra welcomed guests before the ceremony began with introductory remarks from mathematics professor Russell Howell. Howell recognized the past couple of years of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the college campus. He also recognized parents and peers whom graduates would hold close as they commence the next stage of their lives before introducing the class of 2022.

Graduating seniors were guided by a traditional bagpipe fanfare as they took their seats in front of the podium where speeches from faculty, staff and students commenced. Litanies of Gratitude were read from commencement programs, and many joined in song for the performed hymns.

Westmont’s 2022 commencement speaker was Adams Professor of Music and Worship Michael Shasberger, who will be retiring this year. Shasberger received enthusiasm and praise for his speech, which was based around retelling lessons he had learned from his own teachers throughout his life.

“At some point, if you have not already, you will find that you will not always have an answer to your questions, and the more you challenge yourself beyond your current reach, the more you will learn or accomplish,” Shasberger said. “Setting the bar higher does not lead to more failure, but greater achievement and discovery. And even when we don’t get all the way there, we progress through the goals we set.”

Michael Kong and Taylor Mache offered moving student reflections to commemorate their time at Westmont and their gratitude to God, family and friends.

Kong’s words moved the masses, as he retold the emotional turmoil of losing his mother to cancer. He retold his experience of losing his faith in God, and how in his time at Westmont he learned how to heal and reconnect with his faith.

“I didn’t really feel like I needed God because she showed me all of the unconditional love, consistent patience and unwavering hope that I so desperately needed,” Kong said. “Since her passing, I have realized that all along it was actually God loving me through her.”

Westmont President Gayle Beebe presented the Westmont Medal to Steven Fellows, a retired health care provider and member of the Westmont Board of Advisors, and Denice Fellows, a volunteer coordinator for Sutter Health and executive for the Boy Scouts of America. The couple were recognized for their faithful support of Westmont and influence on the community.

The Faculty Scholarship Award, which recognizes seniors attaining the highest cumulative grade-point average during the entire Westmont program, was awarded to five seniors. Talia Bjelland, Hannah Grierson, Maggie Hine, Michael Kong and Joshua Phillips all earned perfect 4.0 GPAs.

Other student awards included the Dean’s Award, handed to Patty Kerman and Jason Peterson; the Dave Dolan Award given to Michael Kong; and the Kenneth Monroe Award, bestowed to Chapman Canlis and Hannah Grierson.

The Bruce and Adaline Barre Outstanding Teacher Award, which recognizes outstanding professors, was awarded to four professors: Dr. Holly Beers, Dr. Sameer Yadav, Dr. Amanda Silberstein and Dr. Deborah Dunn. Dr. Felicia Song received the Faculty Research Award.