September 2025 Notes From the Nest

We’re baaack! And we are WestMO!!

Welcome to campus, new and returning Blue Jays! By now you should know at least someone in our exciting welcome back video: Check out We Are WestMO on Westminster’s YouTube page. And while you’re there, view other fabulous videos from Digital Media Director Branden Bise, which includes the 2025 New Student Convocation.

Fulton ranked No. 1 among Missouri’s charming college towns

Take a look online at this MSN.com article that gathered information from U.S. News World & Report, Google Maps reviews and town websites throughout Missouri to single out 12 smaller college towns “that fly below the radar.” The strengths of both Westminster College and America’s National Churchill Museum are showcased. Way to go, Fulton, MO!

In celebration of liberal arts education: Part II

Many of you know the Westminster legend featured in the second installment of our three-part series on why liberal arts degrees are so desperately needed in society today. Catch up with Dr. Kali Wright-Smith and learn about her liberal arts journey on the College’s news site.

An education driven by curiosity

Here’s a story of an accomplished young alumnus that will remind you of what Westminster does best: educate for success. Recent graduate Josh Morales ’25 is headed to one of the top graduate programs in physics after immersing himself in research at Westminster. Congratulations, Josh

Fall 2025: A veritable festival (of campus events)

We marked the following important events in Blue Jay blue on our calendars. You should too.

• Athletics is gearing up for the 2025 Blue Jays Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12 in Backer Dining Hall. Tickets are required and can be purchased on Westminster’s website.
• Homecoming and Family Weekend is Sept. 12-14. Everyone is invited! Learn more here.
• The 20^th Annual Hancock Symposium will take place Sept. 16-17, with the 60^th John Findley Green Foundation Lecture featuring former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon concluding the event at 2 p.m. on the 17^th in Champ Auditorium. Registration for the Green Lecture is strongly suggested to ensure adequate seating.
• Students, faculty and staff are cordially invited to the 2025 Brick Blast from 3-6 p.m. on Sept. 25. Join the Brick District, City of Fulton, William Woods University and your Westminster friends for this exciting back-to-college event! Sample free food, enter to win prizes and shop the Brick District’s boutique shops and friendly small businesses.
• The Cherry-Price Visiting Leaders Series for Westminster students, faculty and staff will take place across campus on Nov. 10-12. The Series is made possible through the generosity of Howard H. Cherry III ’65 and Robert W. Price Jr. ’65.

“You say it’s your birthday …”

• America’s National Churchill Museum is gearing up for the 80^th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s historic visit to campus and his prophetic The Sinews of Peace An impressive celebration will take place on March 5, 2026. Be on the lookout for more information.
• Fulton just celebrated its 200^th birthday on Aug. 1. Happy birthday, Fulton! You don’t look a day over 150.
• In the fall of 2026, Westminster College will commemorate 175 years of educating the best and the brightest ever to walk the face of the earth. The College weathered the Civil War, a raging fire that engulfed the original Westminster Hall in 1909, two world wars, the landmark prediction of the Cold War (it happened right here, remember?), the Vietnam War, women in pants, women on campus, 9/11, the Y2K “bug,” a worldwide pandemic and the Mayan calendar prediction that we’d all be dead by now. Psych! Or as they say today, “Slay!” Westminster will live to see another day. Let’s get ready for a phenomenal celebration of Westminster College!

Highlights from the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

• The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the addition of women’s flag football to its growing lineup of varsity sports, with the inaugural season set to kick off in the spring of 2027. This marks the 20^thvarsity sport offered at Westminster. Go Blue Jays!
• Sports Information Director Tyler Oberlag ’16 and his wife, Shelly, welcomed a new baby Blue Jay on Aug. 26: Westley Austin Oberlag. Westley joins big sister Wrenley. Congratulations, Tyler and Shelly!

The latest and greatest at America’s National Churchill Museum

 U.S. Congressman Bob Onder tours ANCM following recent congressional testimony

From left: Westminster Trustee Olivia Wilson ’19, Travis Fitzwater (MO-10), Peter Onder, U.S. Congressman Bob Onder, ANCM’s Timothy Riley, His Majesty’s Honorary Consul of the United Kingdom to Missouri Mark Sutherland and Westminster’s President Donald P. Lofe Jr. pause for a moment during a comprehensive tour of ANCM on Aug. 15.

U.S. Congressman Bob Onder and friends toured America’s National Churchill Museum (ANCM) on Aug. 15 in a spirit of reflection and optimism. The visit followed recent testimony by Onder and Museum Director and Curator Timothy Riley before Congress to designate ANCM a National Historic Landmark.

During the tour, Onder explained his sincere appreciation of ANCM: the only museum in the United States dedicated to the life and times of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.  Read more on Westminster’s news site.

Additional ANCM happenings

• As mentioned previously, ANCM is gearing up for the 80^th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s historic visit to campus and his prophetic The Sinews of Peace An impressive celebration will take place on March 5, 2026. Be on the lookout for more information.
• An insightful op-ed by Kenneth Zagacki and Richard Cherwitz on Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech can be found in both the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Jefferson City News Tribune.

Going for a scroll

If you’re not following us on socials, what ARE you doing? Get with it, Blue Jays, and go for a scroll with WestMO! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. AND, check out our latest popular posts!!

Sarah Rummel Backer

Sarah Rummel Backer is the Director of Media Relations and Senior Writer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A proud Westminster graduate, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications in the areas of higher education, medicine, agriculture, and the private business sector.