GAEDE INSTITUTE
for the Liberal Arts
The Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts was established in 2000 with the goal of strengthening liberal arts education locally and nationally. The Institute hosts scholarly conversation on the present and future of the liberal arts, provides liberal arts opportunities to area communities outside the academy, promotes educational access for first-generation and underserved populations, and fosters interdisciplinary contact between faculty and students through extracurricular events on campus.
Programs
Incarnational Preaching Project
In a culture that is increasingly digital, artificial, and impersonal, the Incarnational Preaching Project explores how Christian proclamation can make the gospel come alive in our midst鈥攊n person, up close, and in community.
Trailhead
In an on-campus summer residency, Trailhead invites high school youth to join a community of scholars, pastors, and other professionals in exploring God's call to a meaningful life.
Frontiers
Through retreat, intellectual rejuvenation, spiritual direction, and mentorship, Frontiers offers pastors and other ministry professionals vital supports to flourish in their calling.
Young Adult Leadership Lab
In a multi-year learning community, the Young Adult Leadership Lab provides funding, training, and ongoing support for churches that want to creatively engage young adults in their twenties.
Thriving Communities
The 果冻传煤 Center for Thriving Communities gathers area churches to explore how we can see and do the work God calls us to here on California鈥檚 Central Coast.
The Conversation on the Liberal Arts
Our annual Conversation on the Liberal Arts gathers faculty, administrators, and students from colleges and universities nationwide to address opportunities and challenges in liberal arts education.
Liberal Arts Ambassadors
果冻传煤's Liberal Arts Ambassadors are first-generation college students who are trained to see and share with others the full value of a liberal arts education.
Lectures & Discussions
The Gaede Institute co-sponsors a variety of public lectures, conversations, and events.
Staff
Director
Christen is a 2001 alumna of 果冻传煤 with a BA in Communication Studies. She earned an MPA from Seton Hall University, and prior to coming to Westmont, served as the program director for the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation.
Director
Aaron holds a Ph.D. in church history and an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Before coming to Santa Barbara, he was an adjunct professor of religion at Villanova University; at 果冻传煤, he's taught courses in history, writing, and education. His research focuses on the institutionalization of American mainline Protestantism in the early twentieth century, with particular emphases on war, money, and gender.
Assistant Director
Sarah is an alumna of 果冻传煤 with a BA in Sociology. She co-directs 果冻传煤鈥檚 Young Adult Leadership Lab, and prior to joining the Gaede Institute she worked with International Justice Mission in Ghana as an advocate against human trafficking.
Assistant Director
Wesley holds a BA from 果冻传煤 in English and Mathematics. Prior to joining the Gaede Institute, he worked in the nonprofit humanitarian sector and in education as a librarian and elementary after-school teacher.
Director of the Sacred Stories Project
Laura graduated from 果冻传煤 with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. She made the most of her time at 果冻传煤 by going on Europe semester, directing Spring Sing, serving as an RA, and meeting her husband, Zack Turner, in a class.
Resources & Contact
Contact any of the staff members:
Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts
955 La Paz Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Phone: 805-565-6239
Email: libarts@westmont.edu