Westminster College: A Legacy of Notable Alumni and Liberal Arts Excellence

Westminster College, a private liberal arts institution in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, has a rich history of producing accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions across diverse fields. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and founded in 1852, Westminster prides itself on its tradition of fostering intellectual curiosity, community engagement, and professional success. This article explores the distinguished alumni of Westminster College, highlighting their achievements and the impact they have had on the world.

A Tradition of Excellence: Recognizing Alumni Achievements

Westminster College recognizes the accomplishments of its alumni through two prestigious awards: the Westminster College Alumni Citation and the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. The Alumni Citation is awarded to alumni who have demonstrated professional achievement, service to Westminster, and commitment to community service. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award acknowledges the accomplishments of graduates within 10 years of their graduation, celebrating their early career success and potential for future impact.

Notable Alumni and Their Contributions

Westminster's alumni have achieved success in a wide array of fields, reflecting the breadth of a liberal arts education. These areas include education, research science, medicine, politics, writing, entrepreneurial enterprise, mission work, mountain climbing, and business. Here, we spotlight a few notable alumni and their contributions:

Academia and Research

M. Richard Rose: Rose served as the tenth president of Alfred University from 1974 to 1978 and then as the seventh president of the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1979 to 1992.

Arts and Literature

Edmond Hamilton: A prolific science fiction writer, Hamilton is best known for his Captain Future stories, captivating readers with his imaginative worlds and thrilling adventures.
J. R. Miller: As a popular Christian author and Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, Miller's writings have inspired and guided countless individuals in their spiritual journeys.
W. Bruce Cameron: A New York Times best-selling author, Cameron is known for the screenplays to A Dog's Purpose, A Dog's Way Home, and A Dog's Journey.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Steven Bowen: Founded Maine Point in 2004 and published a book in 2018 called Total Value Optimization: Transforming Your Supply Chain into a Competitive Weapon. Silicon Review named Maine Point one of 30 most-trusted companies.
Mikhail Orlov: Co-founded and co-owns a lucrative corporation with an annual revenue of approximately $49 million.
Steve Erdel: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Central Bank of Boone County. He has received a Top CEO designation by the Columbia Business Times for three consecutive years.
Mitch Dolloff: Named COO of Leggett & Platt. Dolloff served as Executive Vice President and President of the Specialized Products and Furniture Products Segments since 2017.
Terry Crow: Was given the opportunity by Edward Jones to create a new subsidiary in a field of business that had not previously existed.

Government and Public Service

Deborah Platt Majoras: Served as the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, demonstrating her commitment to protecting consumers and promoting fair competition.
Mark Longietti: A former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Longietti dedicated his career to serving his constituents and advocating for their interests.
Thomas R. : Was named by President Donald Trump to the Railroad Retirement Board, or RRB.
Ian Mackey: Elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. He represents Clayton and parts of Ladue, University City, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood.
Louis Riggs: Elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. He covers Marion, Selby and Monroe County.
Judge Thomas N. Chapman: Appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to the Western District Court of Appeals in August 2018. He became a circuit judge for the 43rd Judicial Circuit, Division 1, in 2011.
Gerald J. LaValle: Served as a Pennsylvania State Senator, representing his district and working on legislative issues.

Medicine and Healthcare

John Cox, DO: Founded the Heart Program at Freeman Health System in Joplin, MO.
Jerry D. Kennett, MD: Was named Master of the American College of Cardiology. One of two Missouri physicians to receive the title, Kennett is a founding member of Missouri Cardiovascular Specialists.
Misty Todd, MD: Todd is chief resident at MU Health Care’s Callaway Physicians Clinic in Fulton. She also is a member of the Westminster President’s Club.

Other Fields

Amber Brkich: A reality television personality, Brkich gained fame as the winner of Survivor: All-Stars.
Henry Iba: A legendary basketball coach, Iba led Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) to two national championships and coached the U.S. Olympic team to two gold medals.

Alumni Contributions to Westminster College

Many alumni remain actively involved with Westminster College, contributing their time, talent, and resources to support current students and enhance the college community. Their contributions include:

Endowed Scholarships and Internship Funds: Alumni have established endowed scholarships and internship funds to provide financial assistance and experiential learning opportunities for students.
Mentorship and Networking: Alumni serve as mentors to current students, offering guidance and support as they navigate their academic and career paths. They also provide valuable networking opportunities, connecting students with professionals in their fields of interest.
Volunteer Service: Alumni volunteer their time and expertise to support various college initiatives, including alumni relations, fundraising, and student recruitment.
Financial Support: Alumni contribute generously to the college's annual fund and capital campaigns, helping to ensure the college's long-term financial stability and ability to provide a high-quality education.

Westminster College: Fostering a Supportive and Engaging Environment

Westminster College provides a supportive and engaging environment that fosters student success and prepares them for leadership roles in their chosen fields. The college offers a variety of academic, extracurricular, and social opportunities, including:

Read also: Explore FRCC Westminster

Academics

Diverse Academic Programs: Westminster offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional fields.
Small Class Sizes: With a low student-to-faculty ratio, Westminster provides students with personalized attention and close interaction with their professors.
Experiential Learning: Westminster emphasizes experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, research projects, and study abroad programs, to enhance students' academic experience and prepare them for their future careers.
Dual-Degree Programs and Partnerships: Westminster offers dual-degree programs in engineering with Washington University in St. Louis, and partnerships with other institutions for accelerated master's degrees.

Campus Life

Residential Community: Westminster's residential campus fosters a strong sense of community and provides students with opportunities to live and learn together.
Student Organizations: Westminster offers a variety of student organizations, including academic clubs, Greek fraternities and sororities, service organizations, and recreational clubs.
Athletics: The Westminster Titans compete in NCAA Division III athletics, offering students the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and develop leadership skills.
Cultural Events: Westminster hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and theatrical productions, enriching the campus community and providing students with opportunities to engage with the arts.

Traditions

The Columns: The Columns are the only remains of the first Westminster Hall, which was destroyed by fire in 1909. They serve as a symbolic rite of passage for new and graduating students.
The "Iron Curtain" Speech: Westminster College was the site of Winston Churchill's famous "Sinews of Peace" speech in 1946, solidifying its place in history.
The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury: Originally built in London in the 12th century, the church was rebuilt by Christopher Wren in 1677 and transported stone by stone to Fulton and reassembled on the Westminster College campus.

Read also: A Legacy of Musical Innovation

Read also: Affording Westminster College

tags: #westminster #college #notable #alumni