Chapel 1983 - 1984

Willie Matos has served as the Ministry Pastor at Village View Community Church, Pastor of Ministry Development at Seneca Creek Community Church, Campus & Network Pastor at Crossroads United Methodist Church, Church Planter at Western PA District of the C&MA, Sr. Pastor at Port Allegany Alliance Church, and Small Groups & Men's Ministries Director at Woodmen Valley Chapel

From 1945 to 1951, Dr. Grounds served as dean and professor of theology at Baptist Bible Seminary in Johnson City, New York. He joined Denver Seminary in 1951 as dean, becoming president five years later. Retiring from the presidency in 1979, Dr. Grounds was named President Emeritus and Chancellor, a position he actively retained until his death. In addition to his earned degrees, Wheaton College awarded him the D.D. and Gordon College the L.H.D. in recognition of his long service as a Christian educator and leader. He served as a contributing editor of Christianity Today, a frequent writer of Our Daily Bread devotionals, and wrote several books and hundreds of articles that appeared frequently in Christian periodicals. Always in demand as a teacher, counselor, author, and speaker, Dr. Grounds continued to devote hours of his time every day to lecturing, counseling, and encouraging pastors and friends around the world through his conversation and correspondence with them. Dr. Grounds’ biography, Transformed by Love: The Vernon Grounds Story, was authored by Bruce L. Shelley and published by Discovery House Publishers in 2002.

The Office of the Academic Dean, along with the faculty of Westmont, celebrate the achievements of the graduating class. Each academic department extends their highest honors to outstanding seniors in their discipline who have achieved academic excellence.

Rev. James Chien-Wei Yang was born in Chang-shan city, Hu-Nan province of China in 1947. He grew up in Hualien city, Taiwan. When he was 17 years old he accepted Jesus Christ into his heart and was baptized publically in Hualien Mei-Lung Presbyterian Church in 1964. Rev. Yang graduated from the College of Chinese Culture and majored in the department of English Language & Literature in 1970. He then spent three satisfactory years in the school of Taiwan Theological College with M.Divinity degree in 1974. In 1978 he got two years of scholarship in Dallas Theological Seminary and got his S.T.M. degree in 1980. Rev. Yang has served the Lord in Taiwan, U.S.A. and Canada for almost 27 years. He first visited Boise Chinese Christian Church in 1999 to lead there three days of retreat in teaching the discipleship program. He is a man of honesty and easily to get along with people. God also gives him the special annointment in personal evangelism to lead people to the Lord. He is emphasizing in making disciples for all nations and bring the Gospel to other countries.

David Winter- Dr. David Winter was the president and guiding force of Westmont College for 25 years, retiring in 2006. Under his leadership, Westmont has become both a superb Christian liberal arts college and one of the nation's leading undergraduate institutions, based on the findings of such respected organizations as the Carnegie Foundation, U.S. News and World Report and the Templeton Foundation. While president of Westmont, he was named among the 100 most effective college leaders in the U.S. based on a study funded by the Exxon Foundation. He was also a recipient of one of five President Leadership Awards and grants given nationally by the Knight Foundation.

Kliewer started with World Vision more than 40 years ago in 1966 – hired by Bob Pierce, Founder of the organization. Since then he has held almost every position in the global organization. Kliewer has been a pioneer at WV: First Int’l Director of Childcare based in Hong Kong. Wrote the first computer produced fund-raising letter in 1969 which doubled the response to direct mail income. Produced the first one-hour TV program in 1971 with Art Linkletter and has been one of the leading spokespersons for WV in the media. Helped launch programs like Holistic Development for children and immediate response to global disasters. As Executive VP, Bill led the organization through the Ethiopia Famine in the 80’s – raising an additional $150m to feed those that were starving. In the 90’s he pioneered the development of marketing programs in the developing countries of India, Thailand, Mexico and today those emerging countries are raising their own income of more than $30m a year. He has played a major role in the countless successes of World Vision over the last four decades. Today, as Senior Executive Director, Bill is charged with the responsibility to mentor and coach the global leadership of WV.

Dean Hirsch is the global ambassador for World Vision. Hirsch who was WVI president from 1996 through September 2009, is now charged with representing the organisation at various meetings, events and other engagements. He represents the president and the partnership on internal boards and with UN agencies, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and major donors.Hirsch holds a master of science degree from Indiana State University and a bachelor of arts and an honorary doctorate from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from Pepperdine University (2006), Eastern University of Pennsylvania (2001) and Myongji University in Seoul, Korea (1999). Prior to his appointment as WVI president in 1996, Hirsch served as chief operating officer, vice president for development and vice president for relief operations. He joined World Vision in 1976 as manager of computer operations.

Robert Ohman was the pastor of Carmel Presbyterian Church and was involved in many church committees throughout California.

Rev. Ron Walters has been serving as Vice President of Church Relations for Salem Communications. In this capacity, he designed and developed a program to work with local churches in order to help them reach their communities. As part of this program, Walters developed the national Pastor's Symposium series, which kicks off with its first event in Baltimore in November. Ron will continue to oversee local church initiatives on behalf of Salem. Walters began his career with Salem Communications as General Manager for KPRZ-AM in San Diego, followed by managing stations KFAX-AM and KSFB-AM/FM serving San Francisco and northern California. Before joining Salem, Walters was Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Santa Barbara, CA. His experience in faith-based organizations includes serving as a faculty member at Multnomah School of the Bible, Portland, OR. He is a graduate of Christian Heritage College, San Diego, CA with postgraduate work at Talbot Theological Seminary, La Mirada, CA, and Biblical Seminary, Fresno, CA.

Dr. C. René Padilla was born in Quito, Ecuador, and reared and Bogotá, Colombia. He has been living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, since 1967. He received a B. A. in Philosophy from Wheaton College, an M.A. in Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School, and a PhD in New Testament from the University of Manchester, England. In 1992 he was granted an honorary D.D. by Wheaton College. He is a founding member of the Latin American Theological Fellowship (FTL, its acronym in Spanish) and of the Kairos Foundation in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For twelve years, until recently, he was the International President of Tearfund - U.K. and Ireland. He is presently the President of the Micah Network and Executive Director of Ediciones Kairos, the publishing arm of the Kairos Foundation. He has lectured in many countries around the world and has written or edited several books in English and Spanish

John has been with YWAM for over 30 years and is the author of Healing America's Wounds. John and his wife Julie operate out of several locations around the world. They have four children and five grandchildren. He is the founder of International Reconciliation Coalition (IRC), John has spoken at hundreds of citywide gatherings in the US and around the world. He is a leading visionary at the forefront of a rapidly growing reconciliation movement. President Emeritus of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), one of the worlds largest mission societies, John is a well-loved leader in the international church who helps to give oversight to several key networks.

Ron Ritchie pursued his undergraduate degree in education, and then in 1966 went on to finish his Th.M. degree at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Ron was called to begin full-time ministry at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, California. In 1969, he was called to join the staff at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California, where he served for some 27 years with his spiritual gifts as a pastor/teacher, evangelist and visionary, and eventually in the role as an elder. In 1997, the Lord called him to join the staff of Fellowship Bible Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a pastor and elder. And then, in 2000 the Lord (in concert with a group of godly men and women) encouraged Ron to begin a non-profit organization called Free at Last. This ministry is designed to enable him to use his spiritual gifts within the local church, and to continue both his national and international conference ministry.

Ron Ritchie pursued his undergraduate degree in education, and then in 1966 went on to finish his Th.M. degree at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Ron was called to begin full-time ministry at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, California. In 1969, he was called to join the staff at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California, where he served for some 27 years with his spiritual gifts as a pastor/teacher, evangelist and visionary, and eventually in the role as an elder. In 1997, the Lord called him to join the staff of Fellowship Bible Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a pastor and elder. And then, in 2000 the Lord (in concert with a group of godly men and women) encouraged Ron to begin a non-profit organization called Free at Last. This ministry is designed to enable him to use his spiritual gifts within the local church, and to continue both his national and international conference ministry.

David Winter- Dr. David Winter was the president and guiding force of Westmont College for 25 years, retiring in 2006. Under his leadership, Westmont has become both a superb Christian liberal arts college and one of the nation's leading undergraduate institutions, based on the findings of such respected organizations as the Carnegie Foundation, U.S. News and World Report and the Templeton Foundation. While president of Westmont, he was named among the 100 most effective college leaders in the U.S. based on a study funded by the Exxon Foundation. He was also a recipient of one of five President Leadership Awards and grants given nationally by the Knight Foundation.

Steve Brown is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor and author. He previously served as a pastor for over twenty-five years and now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcast, Key Life. Steve serves as Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Reformed Theological Seminary. He sits on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters and Harvest USA. Traveling extensively, Steve is a much-in-demand speaker. Steve is the author of numerous books including A Scandalous Freedom, What Was I Thinking? and Approaching God. His articles appear in such magazines and journals as Leadership, Decision, Plain Truth and Today's Christian Woman.

Phil had no greater joy than to open the scriptures, talk about the Lord he loved and to teach people to know Him. He especially enjoyed teaching men's groups and loved the challenge of interpreting and understanding the Bible. Phil taught at Philadelphia Bible University, Wheaton College, Dallas Theological Seminary and LeTourneau University. He was instrumental in establishing the Pine Cove Conference Center and KVNE/KGLY radio stations. He was executive director of Pine Cove for 13 years and general manager of KVNE/KGLY for 17 years. Phil graduated from Westmont College in California and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Steve Brown is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor and author. He previously served as a pastor for over twenty-five years and now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcast, Key Life. Steve serves as Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Reformed Theological Seminary. He sits on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters and Harvest USA. Traveling extensively, Steve is a much-in-demand speaker. Steve is the author of numerous books including A Scandalous Freedom, What Was I Thinking? and Approaching God. His articles appear in such magazines and journals as Leadership, Decision, Plain Truth and Today's Christian Woman.