Wildfires Scorch Westmont College

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I went to Westmont College back in 1969-70 and lived at Cold Springs dorm. I have lived in Montana over 30 years & heard someone in Billings say they heard on the news that fire had happened at Westmont. Just read the news article on this website saying 1 dorm had burned down. Which one? How do I get a complete article of this tragic fire. I feel like crying. Westmont has so many good memories. God is good. He will make good out of tragedy. My heart goes out to current students and faculty. Some faculty homes burned too. God, please make this tragedy into something that touches lives is my prayer. ....Noreen in Billings

Noreen Crogan of MT 12:07PM November 23, 2008

I was on the wrong end of a fire extinguisher hazing while tryig to write a term paper on a typrewriter in the middle of the night. It wes ~25 years ago in a Clark Dorm building that expect burned down last weekend. They cut the power, I went outside and chased some track guy around after really getting nailed. Firesports should be a felony under conditions like those that cauaed this mega disaster. Only the Big One or a nuke is likely to eclipse these recent firestorms. Perhaps bonfires should only be allowed when it is cold and damp, or not at all. Any jobs up there?

Robert Lulofs of CA 5:53PM November 19, 2008

Our God is faithful. I helped move the college from Los Angeles to Montecito in 1945, spent my college years there and was on staff for several years.My heart goes out to those faculty who lost their homes and to the college for the many buildings lost. We live in Ventura but could take students for a short period until other living plans are made.

colgate clark of CA 8:55PM November 16, 2008

I am saddened by the loss at Westmont having graduated there in 1977 after a wonderful four years on campus. Will keep the students/ staff and faculty in my prayers during this tragic trying time.

Margaret Briggs of NE 2:34PM November 15, 2008

After dropping my daughter at Westmont this year I realized Westmont is a piece of heaven in earth. My heart goes out to my daughter and all those students that lost everything. May God bless them all, give them peace knowing that God is in control. Thank God they are safe. My prayers is that those children receive some type of financial help to help them get back on their feet as Westmont has no insurance to cover student's loss and some of us we don't have the resourses to start all over again.

Daniel Campos of AK 10:44AM November 15, 2008

The genuine beauty of all that is Westmont -- love of God, faculty with vision, far reaching goals, dedicated students, creative classes, adventurous programs, the incredibly exquisite physical plant -- cannot be destroyed by the worst of fires. As Scripture teaches, “...while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2) The best fruit is yet to come. As Westmont has honored God, God seeks to honor it.

Judith Hess Rose of CA 6:59AM November 15, 2008

I was there last night at Westmont in the gym during the fire. God is mighty and powerful; the situation could have been so much worse. I praise God for His protection. Our community is equipped and blessed with the faith and strength to handle this trial, and I firmly believe that though tragic and painful, with God's grace in accordance with His will, we will rebuild.

Raquel Chevalier of CA 3:09AM November 15, 2008

My daughter is a student at Westmont College, however, she is currently studying abroad. While I was saddened by the news of the destruction on campus, I was pleased that the main buildings were spared. There is a reason why "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is the college hymn! Praise the Lord that no one was seriously injured and the campus was not destroyed. My prayers are with the students and staff of Westmont College and with the entire community.

Judy Cochran of OR 9:35PM November 14, 2008

In 1964 I was one of about 20 students who remained on campus to prevent looting when the students were evacuated on the first night of the Coyote Fire. The next night, I was stationed on a garden hose in a Eucalyptus Grove next to John Page Hall (with no water in the hose) when the fire came back with a vengeance. My dorm (the old Catherwood Hall) was destroyed that night. The rest of the campus was miraculously spared. I know God will bless Westmont and its community in this tough time as he did those decades ago.

David J. Glass, Ed.D. of CA 8:59PM November 14, 2008

I grew up at Westmont (my dad worked there) and attended for 2 years in the 70's. After many years I visited campus last year and was again struck by incredible beauty of the place. I'm praying that God will use this tragic situation to do something very special in the hearts and minds of His people. He is indeed faithful and merciful and He's also the ultimate "recycler" -- He never "wastes" circumstances. Of this, we can be sure.

Robyn Gaiotti of FL 8:43PM November 14, 2008