News Archive

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Westminster College’s History Department will host Sarah Stankorb ’02 for a series of conversations about her journalism work and recently-published book “Disobedient Women: How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoning,” on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

During Stankorb’s visit, she will hold class lectures and leadership discussions throughout the day. A public event will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Dietz Sullivan Lecture Hall in the Hoyt Science Center on Westminster’s campus. The event is co-sponsored by the Westminster Chapel Office, Heinz Endowment, First-Year Program, and the Department of Philosophy and Religion. Copies of Stankorb’s book were provided to the College through a generous donation from alumni Benjamin ’06 and Dr. Christie Grewe Nelson ’06.

“Westminster College is thrilled to welcome back to campus Sarah Stankorb. Sarah has had a remarkable journey since she set foot in my classroom in 1998 and her investigative journalism work will serve as an inspiring example for students and early career professionals,” said Westminster College Professor of History Dr. Russell Martin, who also serves as the chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the journalist, essayist and author said she often found escape in books. She studied world religion and philosophy at Westminster College, earning her undergraduate degree in 2002. A chance to study abroad in Northern Ireland and Israel further opened her eyes to how faith, and conflict, can shape people’s everyday existence. 

She earned her master’s degree from University of Chicago’s Divinity School, where she studied ethics and South Asian religion and history. Hundreds of her pieces have been featured in publications, including VICE, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Republic, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and others. She writes about religion, politics, gender and power.

Her book, published in August, is “for and about people of faith and those who have walked away. The deeply researched work gives long-overdue recognition to the women who upturned their lives to speak out boldly, even as they were expected to submit and remain silent.” For more information about her book, visit www.sarahstankorb.com.

The evening event is free and open to the public. For more information about this event, please contact the chair of the History Department Dr. Russell Martin at martinre@westminster.edu.

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Westminster College is a leader in experiential learning rooted in the liberal arts tradition. This event will highlight career opportunities that arise from the College’s liberal arts education model, including critical thinking skills essential for investigative journalism, and provide students with networking opportunities proven to enhance experiential learning during an undergraduate’s journey. Experiential learning is a key component of the College’s Strategic Plan 2018-2027.

The Department of History is committed to providing students with a variety of experiential experiences that help unlock the fundamental value of an undergraduate degree in history. History students participate in internships, externships and research programs on and off campus. As part of broadening students’ field of view, History participates in hosting speakers, including, most recently, Katherine Blunt from the Wall Street Journal and Dr. Heim Sperber of Western Galilee University.

To help advance these objectives, the History Alumni Advisory Council (History AAC) supports the College’s History program by advising on best practices in relevant fields, supporting experiential learning programs, and developing internship and research pipelines. History AAC is led by chair Matthew V. Kerns ’07, associate dean of admissions at Widener University Commonwealth Law School and vice chair Alissa Bookwalter ’07, chief of staff for Naval Reactors, with members drawn from libraries, museums, public service, sustainable agriculture, universities and urban development. History AAC highlights the advantages of studying humanities at a liberal arts college empowered by highly-customized experiential education and research opportunities. 

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Westminster College’s Titan Theatre Group will present “Goosebumps: The Musical” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 12, in Beeghly Theater on Westminster’s campus.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Westminster College will host alumni Tim ’85 and Kristin Mezmar Kaiser ‘86  as part of the Come to the WALLace  worship series at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, in the Wallace Memorial Chapel on the College’s campus.

Natives of Pittsburgh, the Kaisers lived with their sons in Los Angeles before returning to the East Coast. “Life in the Fast Lane...Faith in the Fast Lane” will focus on the challenges of leading a life of faith while residing in Los Angeles. The Rev. James Mohr, college chaplain, will conduct an interview followed by a question-and-answer session.

Kristin Kaiser currently serves on the Westminster College Board of Trustees and recently completed her tenure as director of planned giving at Orchard Hill Church in Wexford, Pa. She volunteers for numerous community organizations and sits on the governing board at Orchard Hill. She previously mentored and coordinated Teach for America, the California Reading and Literature Project and Project SEED with The National Science Foundation and California Institute of Technology.

Tim Kaiser is an acclaimed producer of television, music, documentaries and film. He is a two-time Emmy Award winner and has produced over 600 primetime television shows. Some of his work includes “Seinfeld,” “Will & Grace” and “2 Broke Girls.” He is actively involved at Orchard Hill Church and Westminster College where he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2019.

The event is free and open to the public.

Come to the WALLace is open to Westminster campus family and the local community. The nondenominational worship service includes prayer, music, a message from the campus chaplain and guest speakers.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Monday, October 30, 2023

The Westminster College Wind Ensemble will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, in the Will W. Orr Auditorium on the College’s campus.

Monday, October 30, 2023

Westminster College’s Center for the Environment was recently named the beneficiary of Peoples Gas’ Eat, Drink, Help Program.

The initiative gives local small businesses the opportunity to nominate a charity for a monetary donation of support through Peoples. Mona Moufid, owner of Mona’s Chocolates in New Wilmington, Pa., nominated the Center. Peoples presented Westminster’s Center for the Environment $1,000.

“Westminster’s Center for the Environment’s entrepreneurial spirit inspired me to nominate them for the Peoples Eat, Drink, Help Program. I enjoyed reading their progress of the honey company, and the donation will be put to good use,” said Moufid.

Dr. Kerri Duerr, associate professor of environmental science and director of the Center for the Environment, said funding like this directly helps the program and Westminster students.

“It enables us to create meaningful educational experiences for students that benefit their education, personal growth and our local community,” said Duerr. “We sincerely value this support and are committed to using these funds to enhance both our educational programming and community partnerships.”

Monday, October 30, 2023

Dr. Kathleen Howard, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Swarthmore College, will present the 16th Annual Ken and Nancy Long Chemistry Lecture at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in Hoyt Science Center 101.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Westminster College will continue its Beyond the Quad art series on Wednesday, Nov. 1, with screenings of entries from the Titan Terror Project film competition.

The event begins at 6 p.m. at the New Wilmington Borough Amphitheater with the film competition’s award winners announced during the evening. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites.  Film entries are in the horror genre but are meant to be suitable for all audiences, with content appropriate for viewers of all ages.

The Titan Terror Project is a short film competition open to the community with entries due by Oct 27. Film entries should be two to five minutes long and all films should feature a doll. The films will be split into three judging categories: Newbies for first-time filmmakers and Repeat Offenders for those with experience with filmmaking. There is also a category for high school students.

“We want people to get out in this colorful time of year and make a short movie now. Take advantage of the spooky season,” said Bradley Weaver, adviser for the film contest and a faculty member in Westminster’s School of Communication.

The event is free and open to the public, and popcorn and other refreshments will be provided. In case of inclement weather, screenings will be held in Mueller Theater, located in McKelvey Campus Center on Westminster’s campus.

Beyond the Quad is supported by Westminster College alumni Bob and Debby Caleskie Jewell, both 1980 graduates, and coordinated by the Center for Professional Development and Community Engagement at Westminster College.

For more information, contact the PDCE’s Dr. Helen Boylan at boylanhm@westminster.edu or 724-946-6293.

Friday, October 20, 2023

Westminster College’s Foster Art Gallery will host an artist lecture and gallery reception for ceramics artist Jeremiah Ibarra from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the gallery located in Patterson Hall.

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Peyton Aujay, a senior at Westminster College, was one of six musicians awarded an opportunity by the Pittsburgh Creators’ Project for his musical talent.