ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND
REUNION CLASS DINNERS
WELCOME HOME!
Dear Tigers,
On behalf of the Occidental College Alumni Board of Governors and the Alumni and Parent Engagement team, welcome to Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025! Reunion is one of the most cherished parts of the alumni experience — a time to return to campus, reconnect with old friends, and create new memories while reminiscing about your time here. We’ve planned an exciting lineup of events that showcase the best of Oxy and our incredible alumni, with plenty of opportunities to reconnect and celebrate with your classmates. If there’s anything we can do to make your reunion experience even more memorable, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Kick things off on Friday afternoon with one of our thoughtfully curated programs, or explore campus with fascinating program open houses or tours (and find Oswald in the scavenger hunt while you are at it.) As the sun sets, start the opening night festivities with your classmates at the Great Tiger Meetup in Cannon Plaza (formerly Taylor Pool), with food, drink, music, and activities. Then, head over to any of the off-campus class gatherings organized by reunion class committees.
Start the Saturday fun early playing tennis with President Tom Stritikus, or attend any one of the many engaging programs on the schedule. Make sure to grab a bite and have some fun on the Quad at the TigerFest BBQ and Carnival. Then, head over to Choi Auditorium to join President Stritikus for the Alumni Seal Award Celebration and Keynote Conversation, featuring Alumna of the Year Susan Olesek ’93 and Erica J. Murray ’01 Young Alumna of the Year Chelsea Moore ’10. The highlight of the weekend is undoubtedly your Saturday night reunion. The evening begins with class photos and the festive All-Class Social on the Quad. Cap off the evening with a memorable reunion dinner under the stars before dancing the night away at Oswald’s After Party.
Reunion culminates on Sunday with Fifty Year Club Day. At the Fifty Year Club Annual Meeting in Thorne Hall, the Class of 1975 will be considered for induction. Following a group photo, guests will enjoy the traditional champagne luncheon.
Whether you’re a reunion veteran or returning to campus for the first time since graduation, I’m confident you’ll enjoy being back in this beautiful place and reconnecting with old friends. The jacarandas are in bloom, your classmates (and Oswald) are here, and we’ve got a wonderful weekend planned for you. Welcome home.
Io Triumphe!
“Reunion is one of the most joyful aspects of the alumni experience – being back on campus, reconnecting with friends, and making new memories as you relive old ones.”
Dana (Valk) Brandsey ’02 Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Check-In Canopy Hours
Academic Quad
Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Thorne Hall Patio
Sunday: 8:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
FRIDAY, JUNE 6
7 – 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast available in Samuelson Pavilion
Samuelson Pavilion
Pay on site. See page 16 for more information.
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch available in Samuelson Pavilion
Samuelson Pavilion
Pay on site. See page 16 for more information.
12 – 2 p.m.
Game On at Occidental: Play, Compete, Connect!
Library 364, Academic Commons
Step into the Occidental Gaming Room Open House and experience how today’s students come together to compete, collaborate, and connect through gaming. Whether you were a casual player or a dedicated competitor back in your Oxy days, stop by to relive the fun, meet current members of the Gaming Club, and see how gaming continues to build community on campus. Drop in, play a round, and power up your Reunion Weekend experience!
1 – 4 p.m.
Discover 3D Printing: Open House
Critical Making Studio, Academic Commons
Discover 3D printing through a live
demonstration at Oxy’s Critical Making Studio, where you’ll learn how to find models online, create your own designs, and witness the process of bringing models to life using software alongside our 3D printer. Plus, print and take home your very own 3D printed souvenir!
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
The Mystery of Ned Guymon
1922: Oxy’s World-Class Rare Mystery Collection
Braun Room, Academic Commons
Learn about the strange case of collector extraordinaire Ned Guymon 1922, and see highlights of the rare first editions he gathered.
2 – 4:30 p.m.
Behind
the
Lens:
Open House of the
New Weingart Digital Lab & Darkroom
Weingart 18, Weingart Hall
Tour the new Weingart digital lab and darkroom with Art and Art History Assistant Professor Janna Ireland
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Parsing the Winds: An Art Exhibition for Brooke Holve ’75
Braun Room, Academic Commons
Brooke Holve ’75 lives and works in Sebastopol, California. Her art practice explores calligraphy, bookbinding, printmaking, digital technology and poetry. She makes mixed media works, installation, constructions and artist books. Her work investigates connections between culture, memory, place, language and natural phenomena. Holve’s work has been exhibited in the U.S. and Europe and is included in both private and public collections. Enjoy this exhibition of her work and a reception with light refreshments. The Lowercase Printshop will be open and participants are encouraged to come letterpress print a keepsake with a quote and work by the artist.
2:30 – 5 p.m.
Special Collections and College Archives Open House
Braun Room, Academic Commons
Drop by Special Collections and the College’s archives for a visit complete with fascinating
items from Oxy’s history, rare books, and artifacts, curated and hosted by Alanna Quan ’16, archivist, and Helena de Lemos, special collections librarian.
3 – 4 p.m.
Introduction to the Music Industry
Johnson 105, Johnson Hall
This session explores the pragmatic details of the music business—from record label contracts to the structure of musical copyright—as well as the more conceptual aspects of the industry, such as musical trends and cultures. Join musician and Music Assistant Professor Ramona Gonzalez ’09 as she shares an overview of one of Oxy’s newest classes.
3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Sustainability Walking Tour
Tour meets at the Oxy Fund Lounge
The Office of Sustainability is leading a collaborative effort to develop this Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CASP) and to continue integrating sustainability into Oxy, culture, operations and academics. Join Assistant Director of Sustainability Alison Linder for a walking tour showcasing our sustainability achievements and ongoing projects. Visiting the recently planted Microforest and ending at the studentmanaged FEAST Bruce Steele Garden, participants will gain a full understanding of past achievements and future goals for Oxy’s charge towards climate resiliency and sustainability.
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Oxy’s Upward Bound Program 60th Anniversary Kickoff
Mosher Patio, Norris Hall of Chemistry
Join Upward Bound and Oxy alumni Hector Perez-Roman ’00, Jesús Maldonado ’00, Maria Medina ’00, and Stanley Antonio ’05, and the Oxy community to celebrate and learn about the history of Occidental College Upward Bound. First established in 1965, the program has served first-generation students in high school in their pursuit of higher education.
4 – 5 p.m.
Alumni Seal Conversation: The Gift of Teaching at Occidental
Johnson 203, Johnson Hall
Alumni Seal Award honoree for Faculty
Emeritus Professor Stuart Rugg reflects on his tenure at Oxy. Teaching is not only about sharing exciting topics, but also about ways to bring the topics alive, stimulate curiosity, share stories, and embrace the rich form of entertainment it provides. Professor Rugg’s almost four decades at Oxy has been his dream adventure, and one has been blessed to share with amazing Oxy students, faculty, and staff.
4 – 5 p.m.
Garden Micro-Tour & Sustainability Mixer
FEAST Bruce Steele Garden (1882 Campus Rd)
Join the Food, Energy, and Sustainability Team (FEAST) for a micro-tour of the Bruce Steele Garden. Attendees will get a snapshot of the day-to-day operations of Oxy’s own
ALL-DAY ACTIVITIES
student-run organic garden, home to a flock of chickens, raised garden beds, a native plant nursery, and the occasional naughty squirrel. Stick around for a raffle to win prizes such as Oxy olive oil, eggs from Oxy chickens, and more.
5 – 7 p.m.
The Great Tiger Meetup
Thorne Hall Patio
Kick off Alumni Reunion Weekend by reconnecting with your classmates in front of Thorne Hall! Enjoy refreshments and music while mingling with fellow Tigers. Find friends from your residence hall, connect with alumni living in your region, and celebrate the many ways the Oxy community stays strong. Don’t miss this exciting start to a memorable weekend!
This is a ticketed event.
Individual Class Gatherings
Some class reunion committees have off-campus class gatherings on Friday evening after The Great Tiger Meetup closes. Scan the QR code below or visit alumni.oxy.edu/ reunion-class-gatherings for details.
Barack Walk (Self-Guided Tour)
Enjoy this unique self-guided tour of campus highlighting President Barack Obama ’83’s time at Oxy. Tour brochures will be available at the Check-In Canopy.
Campus Tour (Self-Guided Tour)
Revisit your favorite spots and see what’s new on campus with a self-guided tour. Tour information will be available at the Check-In Canopy.
Games on the Quad
Academic Quad
Enjoy life-size lawn games on the quad, including chess, Jenga, cornhole, and more!
Find Oswald! A Campus Scavenger Hunt
Oswald has been spotted all over campus—but can you track him down? Follow the clues, and mark on your scavenger hunt card each location where you find our favorite tiger. Once you’ve completed the hunt, turn in your card at the Oxy Fund Lounge (Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) for some Oxy swag. Happy searching!
Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Oxy’s Undergraduate Research Conference Student Poster Presentations, and Archives Library displays
Academic
Commons
Drop by the Academic Commons for a glimpse into some of Oxy’s best student research work, straight from our annual Summer Research Conference, along with some fascinating finds from the Special Collections and College Archives.
SATURDAY, JUNE 7
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast available in Samuelson Pavilion
Samuelson Pavilion
Pay on site. See page 16 for more information.
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Tennis With Tom
McKinnon Tennis Courts and Robinson Family Terrace
Ready to hit the courts with Oxy’s new president? Join us for a fast-paced “live ball” session of tennis where players can test their skills against President Tom Stritikus and your fellow alumni. Bring your A-game (and your own equipment), and enjoy some friendly competition, great company, and light refreshments courtside. If you don’t play tennis, please join us for coffee and chats with fellow alumni, and watch the excitement. Game, set, match!
10 – 11:30 a.m.
Philanthropy Celebration
Collins House Patio
Members of Oxy’s premier donor recognition societies are invited to a special reception in honor of their loyal and generous support of the College. By invitation only.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Anderson Center for Environmental Sciences
Open House
Anderson Center for Environmental Sciences
Explore the newly renovated Andersen Center for Environmental Sciences at your own pace, with opportunities to see stateof-the-art labs, Oxy’s world-renowned Moore Laboratory of Zoology, the Cosman Shell Collection, and state-of-the-art research spaces. John McCormack, director and curator of the Moore Laboratory of Zoology and professor of biology, and Dan Pondella ’87, director of the Vantuna Research Group and professor of biology, will offer mini-demonstrations showcasing how Oxy students engage in hands-on research, tackling real-world environmental challenges. Drop by to discover how Occidental’s unique liberal arts approach fosters the next generation of environmental problem solvers!
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Oxy Authors: Voices of Tiger Storytellers
Johnson Hall 203, Johnson Hall
Step into the world of storytelling with Marilyn Robertson ’70 P’00, author of Noir Librarian, Jessica Keith ’00, author of Saying Inshallah With Chutzpah: A Gefilte Fish Out of Water Story, and Amy Lyford, Arthur G. Coons Professor in the History of Ideas, author of Exquisite Dreams: The Art & Life of Dorothea Tanning. This dynamic session brings together writers from across genres to share their journeys, read from their works, and engage in lively discussion. Whether you’re a book lover, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about the creative process, don’t miss this inspiring showcase of literary talent within the Oxy community. Come ready to listen, learn, and be inspired!
11:45 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
Democracy Under Fire and Always Resisting
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Professor of English Emeritus Eric Newhall ’67 P’99 P’06 will make a brief opening statement about his memoir, Always Resisting, and some of the current threats (racism, oligarchy, authoritarianism) to our democratic system that call for resistance. The remainder of this session will consist of a frank discussion of our current political circumstances in which all serious perspectives are welcome.
12 – 1:30 p.m.
TigerFest BBQ & Carnival Academic Quad
Everyone’s favorite tiger, Oswald, invites you to a joyful Reunion festival on the Quad, featuring music, lawn games, bounce houses, carnival games and more! Enjoy a BBQ with made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, and vegetarian options.
BBQ: $15 per person, $7.50 (ages 3-9), free for 2 and under.
12 – 2 p.m.
Game On at Occidental: Play, Compete, Connect!
Library 364, Academic Commons
Calling all alumni gamers and curious guests! Step into the Occidental Gaming Room Open House and experience how today’s students come together to compete, collaborate, and connect through gaming. Whether you were a casual player or a dedicated competitor back in your Oxy days, stop by to relive the fun, meet current members of the Gaming Club, and see how gaming continues to build community on campus. Drop in, play a round, and power up your Reunion Weekend experience!
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Alumni Seal Celebration and Keynote Conversation
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join President Tom Stritikus and the Alumni Board of Governors in honoring the 2025 Alumni Seal Award honorees Following the bestowing of the Alumni Seal Awards, join us for an inspiring event featuring two TED-style talks on transformative approaches to justice reform.
Alumna of the Year Susan Coleman Olesek ’93, founder of Enneagram Prison Project and The Human Potentialists, will share how the Enneagram is being used in prisons worldwide to foster self-awareness, self-regulation, and personal transformation—turning prisons from spaces of punishment into places of healing.
Erica J. Murray ’01 Young Alumna of the Year Chelsea Moore ’10, co-founder of Look2Justice, will discuss the power of prisoner-led organizing in the fight to end mass incarceration. Through an insideout model, Look2Justice empowers incarcerated individuals and their families with the tools to advocate for policy change, ensuring that those most directly impacted lead the movement for justice reform.
Together, these talks will challenge perspectives, highlight the power of lived experience in social justice work, and inspire action toward a more just and compassionate world.
2:45 – 3:30 p.m.
Encore: A Reunion in Song
Herrick Memorial Chapel and Interfaith Center
Encore! Oxy Glee Club Alumni Choir presents a dynamic performance celebrating the ensemble’s inaugural season. Featuring highlights from our fall and spring concerts, this program showcases the energy, camaraderie, and tradition of Oxy alumni singing together. Don’t miss this chance to hear familiar voices and new harmonies in a performance that’s all about the joy of making music.
2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Navigating Career Transitions for Mid-career Professionals
Johnson 105, Johnson Hall
This workshop, led by career coach Karen Suarez, will offer practical strategies and insights for mid-career professionals making career changes and impart best practices for seeking new roles in today’s job market.
3 – 4 p.m.
Out@Oxy Reception
Gilman Fountain
Join the Out@Oxy alumni group for libations and social time! LGBTQIA+ members of the community, friends, allies, and family are all invited to join us for this free event! Learn more about our history at Oxy, meet the Out@Oxy committee members, and toast to Oxy’s Alumni Reunion Weekend. There are always fun surprises when we meet, so we hope to see you there!
3 – 4 p.m.
Wine, Appetizers, and Estate Planning
Studenmund Room, Johnson Student Center
Join Linda Spuck ’84 for a discussion about estate planning, bequests, retirement accounts, life estates, life income gifts, and life estate gift annuities. Linda will explain how charitable planning can help you increase income, protect assets, care for loved ones and leave a legacy. Guests will enjoy wine and light refreshments.
3 – 4:30 p.m.
Affinity Groups Reception
Library Patio, Academic Commons
Oxy alumni organizations welcome you to join them for a social to reconnect alumni across all class years and interests. The following alumni organizations will be gathering:
• Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha (ALPHA) Alumnae
• Alumni of Occidental in Education (ALOED)
• API Alumni and Allies for Oxy (A4Oxy)
• Black Alumni Organization (BAO)
• Delta Omicron Tau (DOT) Alumnae
• Encore! Oxy Glee Club Alumni Choir
• Gamma Kappa Theta (GKT) Alumnae
• Kappa Alpha Theta (KAT) Alumnae
• Occidental College Latino Alumni Association (OCLAA)
• Out@Oxy
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Alumni
• Zeta Tau Zeta (ZTZ) Alumnae
4:30 – 6 p.m.
All-Class Social and Class Photos
Academic Quad
Reunion classes will begin their celebration with a cocktail and time to mingle. Individual class photos will be taken.
This is a ticketed event and is included in your Reunion Night.
6 – 9 p.m.
Class Dinners
Catch up with classmates and enjoy great food and special programs that highlight your class stories and achievements, all planned by your class reunion committees. This is a ticketed event and is included in your Reunion Night.
Reunion Dinner Locations
Fifty Year Club | Hameetman Science Center Patio
1975 | Cannon Plaza
1980 | Mosher Patio
1985 | Thorne Hall Patio
1990 | Rose Hills Plaza
1995 | Collins House Patio
2000 | Rose Hills Lobby
2005 | Global Forum, Johnson Hall
2010 | Booth Music Courtyard GOLD (2015 and 2020) | Sycamore Glen
8:30 – 11 p.m.
Oswald’s Afterparty
Academic Quad
Keep the good times rolling on the Quad! Continue to catch up with friends and enjoy music, dancing, fun photo opportunities, and casino tables. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be served.
This is a ticketed event and is included in your Reunion Night.
SUNDAY, JUNE 8
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast available in Samuelson Pavilion
Samuelson Pavilion
Pay on site. See page 16 for more information.
9:15 – 10 a.m.
Oxy in Remembrance
Herrick Memorial Chapel and Interfaith Center
Reflect on and celebrate the lives of fellow members of the Oxy community through an interfaith memorial service led by Rev. Dr. Susan Young, director of religious and spiritual life.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Fifty Year Club Meeting and Class of 1975 Induction
Thorne Hall
Honor the Class of 1975 at the Fifty Year Club annual induction event. Steeped in tradition and fun, this is an event you don’t want to miss. This year, we honor Lyn Pohlmann ’64 and John Pohlmann ’62 M’63 P’92 with the Auld Lang Syne Award and thank Peter Dreier, E.P. Clapp
Distinguished Professor of Politics and Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy, for his service to Oxy with the Io Triumphe Award. The Fifty Year Club photo will be taken on the steps of Thorne Hall immediately following this event.
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Fifty Year Club Lunch
Thorne Hall Patio
The celebration of our new and returning Fifty Year Club members continues at this champagne lunch. This is a ticketed event. 8 Alumni Reunion Weekend 2025
2025 | FIFTY YEAR CLUB AWARD HONOREES
For 70 years, the Occidental College Fifty Year Club has provided opportunities for members to engage with the College and with each other through a variety of gatherings year-round. These activities culminate at Fifty Year Club Day during Alumni Reunion Weekend, when we induct the newest Fifty Year Club class and honor dedicated faculty and outstanding fellow alumni by presenting the Io Triumphe and Auld Lang Syne awards.
IO TRIUMPHE AWARD
The Io Triumphe Award is bestowed annually by the Fifty Year Club in recognition of faculty, administrators, or staff who have demonstrated extraordinary loyalty to the College and the principles for which Oxy stands.
Professor Peter Dreier
Peter Dreier has been involved in urban policy as a scholar, government official, reporter, and advocate for more than 30 years. He writes widely on American politics and public policy, specializing in urban politics and policy, housing policy, community development, and community organizing. He is also a frequent speaker on these topics. Dreier is co-author of three books about cities and urban policy, including The Next Los Angeles: The Struggle for a Livable City (2005). He is also engaged in civic and political efforts at the national and local levels. Dreier joined Occidental in 1993 after serving as housing director at the Boston Redevelopment Authority and senior policy adviser to Boston Mayor Ray Flynn.
AULD LANG SYNE AWARD
The Auld Lang Syne Award was established by the Alumni Association and the Fifty Year Club in 1954. It is given annually to a member of the FYC in recognition of their unswerving loyalty to the College.
Lyn Pohlmann ’64 and John Pohlmann ’62 M’63 P’92
Lyn and John Pohlmann met on a local television program featuring Oxy’s European Study Tour in the fall of 1962. John was starting a fifth year on campus to pursue an M.A. in history. He was a Fiji in the same chapter his father had been president when Owl and Key became the Phi Gamma Delta national fraternity. Both of John’s parents graduated from Oxy, as did the couple’s daughter, Alison ’92.
Following Lyn’s graduation in 1964, they married and moved to West Los Angeles where Lyn taught public school and John continued work on a history Ph.D. at UCLA. Staying connected to Oxy after graduation has always been important and both have served on their respective reunion committees. John also served on the Alumni Board of Governors for several years, and later as president of the Historical Society of Southern California headquartered at the Lummis Home near Oxy. Consequently, the Pohlmann-Gawley Fund for the Study of Los Angeles was created.
Lyn taught piano for 45 years and is still active in numerous arts organizations in the greater Long Beach area. John taught college-level history, retiring as adjunct professor emeritus at Cal Poly Pomona in 2015.
2025 | ALUMNI SEAL AWARD HONOREES
The Alumni Seal Awards were established in 1965 to pay tribute to alumni who, through concern for their profession, community and the College, have distinguished themselves and thereby brought honor to Occidental College. This year’s honorees will be recognized throughout the weekend.
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR
Susan Coleman Olesek ’93
Susan Olesek ’93 is the founder of Enneagram Prison Project (EPP), a nonprofit established in 2012 that is dedicated to the self-awareness education of those imprisoned and is now scaling around the globe. Drawing on the narrative tradition, EPP participants learn to find their own voice, to articulate newfound self-awareness, and to demonstrate life-changing insights. In 2021, Susan expanded her work to found The Human Potentialists, a benefit corporation now democratizing the Enneagram for the greatest human good. Susan was born outside Boston, raised in Hong Kong and Japan, and educated in England and California, earning her B.A. in sociology from Occidental. She is writing her memoir, which she hopes to publish later this year. Susan is married to Rick Olesek, EPP’s executive director, with whom she raised three sons. They live in the Santa Cruz Mountains with 12 chickens and three cats.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Pedro Bernal Echeverria ’69
Pedro Bernal Echeverria ’69, recognized as a top municipal lawyer in California by the Daily Journal, spent 40 years in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. He was the first Latino to serve as the chief assistant city attorney in charge of the civil branch of the office. In addition to handling matters involving legislation, municipal finance, major contracts and constitutional law, Pedro worked on numerous matters related to the 1984 Summer Olympics, including the negotiation, implementation, and administration of the International Olympic Committee and Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee contracts. For most of his career, Pedro served as the city’s representative on the Legal Advocacy Committee of the League of California Cities, reviewing significant municipal law cases in state and federal courts and ensuring amicus representation of cities’ interests. Born in Mexico, Pedro became a U.S. citizen while at Oxy, and completed his J.D. at UC Berkeley School of Law in 1972.
SERVICE TO THE COLLEGE
Loren Brodhead ’59
An economics major at Occidental, Loren Brodhead ’59 served as student body treasurer. He was inducted to the Occidental Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016 as a member of the 1957 men’s track team, which set two world records and beat UCLA and Stanford during his three years on the squad. Loren has served on the Occidental Board of Trustees, president of the Alumni Board of Governors, Alumni Council, and Tiger Track Alumni Association. After graduating from Oxy, he served as a second lieutenant in the Air Force before earning his MBA from Cal State Long Beach. Loren then launched a 36-year career at Avery Dennison, retiring as group director of international development in 2000. He married Alice Tallman ’60. Loren and Alice were married for 61 years. She passed away in 2022. He has a son, daughter, and two grandchildren. Loren is the son of Oxy alumni Dorris (Fowler) 1929 and Ted Brodhead 1927; all totaled, 11 other members of his family are part of the Oxy community.
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Paul Orme ’75 P’07
Paul Orme ’75 P’07 spent his 40-year law career specializing in water, electric power, and utility law matters, and a lifetime spent on his family’s generational ranch in Arizona. Now president of the Family Farm Alliance Board of Directors—a group of farmers and irrigators who are dedicated to serving family farmers in 17 Western states— Paul is a steadfast advocate for sustainable local agriculture, clean energy, and the conservation of Arizona’s natural resources. A history major at Occidental, he was awarded a Rotary Fellowship to study in England, and then earned his J.D. from the University of Arizona Law School. Paul and his wife, Shawn, will celebrate their 48th anniversary this year. The couple have three daughters: Kathryn ’07, Mallory, and Lauren. Paul’s family recently placed a 900-acre conservation easement on their historic ranch, permanently conserving open space and rural landscapes, as well as working agricultural lands.
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
David Perea ’73 M’74
David Perea ’73 M’74 has served 51 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District as an educator and coach. After graduating from Occidental, he began his teaching and coaching career at nearby Franklin High School in 1974. He then returned to his high school alma mater in Boyle Heights, Roosevelt High, where for 48 years he served as a coach for the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams, girls’ track coach, boys’ basketball coach, and academic counselor. In 2014, he was named the school’s athletic director. As a student at Oxy, David played basketball for the Tigers. David is a member of Alumni of Oxy in Education (ALOED) and Occidental College Latino Alumni Association (OCLAA.)
ERICA J. MURRAY ’01 YOUNG ALUMNA AWARD
Chelsea L. Moore ’10
Chelsea Moore ’10 is the co-founder of Look2Justice, a nationally recognized nonprofit led by currently incarcerated individuals. Look2Justice provides civic education to people impacted by the criminal legal system. The organization spearheaded the Chance Campaign for Justice and helped end Washington State’s practice of punishing people twice for crimes they committed as children. Chelsea is the smart justice policy program director at the ACLU of Washington and a lecturer at the University of Washington. She graduated summa cum laude with honors in diplomacy and world affairs from Occidental before completing a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Washington. Her research has been published in academic journals including Law, Culture and the Humanities and Reproductive Health Matters, and her writing has appeared in HuffPost and The Appeal Chelsea is an award-winning teacher, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a Jackson Leadership Fellow, an American Association of University Women Dissertation Fellow, and a Galaxy Leadership Fellow.
HONORARY ALUMNI SEAL AWARD FOR FACULTY EMERITI
Stuart Rugg
Professor of Kinesiology Stuart Rugg joined the Occidental faculty in 1987, and will retire this June after 38 years at the College. His research interests focus on musculoskeletal mechanics and their application to human performance. A five-time recipient of the Donald R. Loftsgordon Memorial Award for Outstanding Teaching, he also received the College’s Linda and Tod White Teaching Prize in 2008. Stuart has worked as a design consultant for exercise and sports equipment companies. He earned his B.S. from UC Davis and his Ph.D. at UCLA.
RESIDENCE HALL INFORMATION
RESIDENCE HALL CHECK-IN HOURS
Friday, June 6
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Check in at Stewart-Cleland Hall
QUESTIONS?
Saturday, June 7
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Check in at Stewart-Cleland Hall
If you have questions about your residence hall room or have a problem with your key card, you may contact the Conference Services Summer Conference Assistants (SCA) on duty (8 a.m.-12 a.m.) at (323) 682-8650, or Campus Safety during off-duty hours (12 a.m.– 8 a.m.) at (323) 259-2599.
PETS AND GUESTS
Pets are not permitted in the residence halls. No Reunion guests under 21 years of age are permitted to stay in the residence hall.
DAMAGES
Kindly be aware that any excessive damages to rooms or residence halls will incur charges to the individual who registered.
CHECK-OUT HOURS AND PROCEDURES
Residence hall rooms must be vacated by 1:30 p.m. on the day of checkout. Key cards must be returned to the Summer Conference Assistants (SCA) on duty or the key card dropbox at the check-in desk in your residence hall.
LEAVE SOMETHING BEHIND?
If we come across any items in your residence room after checkout, we will notify you of the items found. Please note that Occidental does not take responsibility for any lost or stolen items or any items left in residence hall rooms, and cannot guarantee that items left in residence hall rooms will be found after checkout.
THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR IN REVIEW
As another academic year comes to an end, we reflect on some of the highlights among Oxy faculty, students, and College-wide.
The high level of research activity from our students and faculty scholars has been recognized in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications—the first time that four-year undergraduate colleges have been included in the classifications. Billboard magazine ranks Occidental a top music business school for the fifth year in a row and this year marks Oxy’s 20th as a top Fulbright Producer.
In May, Occidental proudly held its 143rd Commencement ceremony. The Class of 2025 had much to celebrate— among its graduates included a physicist who discovered dwarf galaxies, students admitted to prestigious law, medical, and dental schools, student-athletes who set new school records in swimming and diving, Oxy’s first Rhodes Scholar finalist in 10 years, and graduates who will pursue global opportunities with the support of competitive grants and fellowships.
Occidental faculty continue to earn national and international recognition through induction into prestigious societies, earning competitive research grants and authoring scholarly publications. A few of the year’s highlights include:
• Sabrina Stierwalt, assistant professor of physics, received the Cottrell Scholar Award for her astrophysics research and innovative teaching.
• Jane Hong, associate professor of history, was one of 28 historians recently appointed to the prestigious Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lectureship Program.
• Erica L. Ball, professor of Black studies, was elected to the American Antiquarian Society for her historical scholarship.
• Professors Dan Pondella ’87 (biology), Amber Stubler (biology), and Darren Larsen (geology) were awarded a $539,140 grant by the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation Program to purchase a high-resolution, multi-beam sonar system for sea and lake-floor mapping.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni, families, friends, foundations, and corporations, this year brought major philanthropic investments including the Mike Curb Endowed Program in Popular Music History at the John Branca Institute for Music; completion of the funding for the Woody Studenmund Endowed Professorship in Economics; the L.A. Encounters Fund, endowed through a gift from trustee emeritus Tod White ’59 and his wife, Linda; and significant investments in financial aid and scholarship which will support Oxy students for generations to come. The Norris Hall of Chemistry renovation has reached 80% of its fundraising goal, allowing us to move forward with the next stage of construction. In April, Occidental celebrated Founders Day with our most successful Day For Oxy yet—2,289 Tigers gave more than $1.65 million for our student and campus community.
REUNION COMMITTEES
FIFTY YEAR CLUB BOARD
Marilyn (Nottingham) Robertson ’70 P’00
President
Howden Fraser ’69
Former president
Dave Alpert ’71
President-elect
Nancy (Wilson) Artz ’68
Secretary
Sydney (Fox) Nichols ’72
Member-at-large
Bob Niemack ’71
Member-at-large
CLASS OF 1975
50th Reunion Committee
Nancy (Neddenriep) Dambro
Gloria Duffy
Stephen Fluharty
Marianne (King) Hudz
Bill Johnson
Ken Kalunian
Sue (Dampier) King-Irwin
Saul Saulson
Jamie Scott
Fred Ziel
CLASS OF 1980
45th Reunion Committee
April Adams
Alaine (Parry) Brandt
Susan Christopher
Julie Fiene-Yeager
Malcolm Hobbs
Jill Lee
Fabian Yeager
CLASS OF 1985
40th Reunion Committee
Lynne (Rosenberg) Gilbert
Jay Hansen
Eileen (Brown) Kramer
Joe Krovoza
Alan Limbach
Keith Malone
Celia Mata-Pacheco
Rich Miller
John Phillips
Lisa (Schmeeclke) Marcalus
Cindy Schwab Salem
Kathy Sturdevant
Susan Ward-Roncalli
Greg White
Steven Wolfson
Daniel Woodruff
CLASS OF 1995
30th Reunion Committee
Tom Boer
Melvin Canas
Rosa Figueroa-Versage
Errol Garnett
Lucia Gonzalez
Esther (Shin) Teodoro
Marquita Thomas
CLASS OF 2000
25th Reunion Committee
Jessica Keith
Kirsten Westby
CLASS OF 2005
20th Reunion Committee
Jennielyn Abrot
Peter Wright
Ani Zeneian
CLASS OF 2010
15th Reunion Committee
Paul Cutter
Danielle (Mantooth) Gordon
Adam Greenhouse
Natalie (Kolodinski) Greenhouse
Aviva Kaufman
CLASS OF 2015
10th Reunion Committee
Nathan Landay
Nicholas McHugh
Sid Saravat
CLASS OF 2020
5th Reunion Committee
Carol Beckett
Sydney Vermilye
ALUMNI LEADERSHIP
ALUMNI BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Jacob R. Stevens ’08 President
Williams Kwame Do III ’16 Vice President
Jordan A. Brown ’13 Vice President
Steven C. Case ’80 Vice President
Angela Patriarca ’03 Member-at-Large
Maya B. Angulo ’21
Carol J. Baker ’86 P’19
Samuel E. Bergen ’04
Melvin Canas ’95
Reena (Hajat) Carroll MSW ’02
Regina M. Clemente ’03
John C. Collinson ’89
Anne (Mikolajcik) de Ridder ’98
Sharon K. Emanuelli ’73 P’16
Isaac L. Glanzrock ’17
Patricia (Kruse) Gillette ’73
Alex P. Graves ’09
Lauren (Tapp) Greeno ’06
Cynthia A. Haynes ’13
Ryan W. Henderson ’18
Kenneth C. Kalunian ’75
Deanna (Smith) Kilgour ’86 P’18
Clarissa Martinez De Castro ’89
Araceli Naranjo ’99 P’28
Andrew G. Pappas ’04
William R. Pumfrey ’67
Richard M. Reyes ’12
Siddharth Saravat ’15
Esther (Shin) Teodoro ’95
Veronica M. Toledo ’10
Jacob E. Valk ’13
Lisa J. Yang ’97
GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement
HOURS
FRIDAY 6/6 SATURDAY 6/7
(323) 259-2601
All guests will receive a 10% discount off OxyWear and Oxy Gifts during Alumni Reunion Weekend. Coupon will be available at the Check-In Canopy.
Alumni will need to bring towels and/or athletic equipment as these amenities are NOT provided by the Athletics Center. Reunion Weekend name tag and ID are required when checking in at the Athletics Center. This is an exclusive benefit for Alumni Weekend only. An Alumni Pass must be purchased to use the athletics facilities outside of Alumni Reunion Weekend.
* Hours are subject to change. Visit oxyathletics.com for the most up-to-date information.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT OXY
The College’s alcohol license requires that Campus Dining be the sole provider and server of all alcohol at events on campus. Alcohol may not be served or consumed in common spaces except as part of a registered College event.
SMOKING
To provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our alumni, students, staff, and faculty, College policy prohibits the smoking or vaping of tobacco or any substance, including e-cigarettes, in all enclosed buildings, facilities, and designated outdoor event spaces or within 30 feet of any of the foregoing. The College expects all visitors on campus to comply with local, state and federal laws. Although marijuana is legal under California law, it remains illegal under federal law. Therefore, marijuana use on campus is prohibited.
ACCESSIBILITY
Occidental College’s campus is an “open campus”, and the College endeavors to make its facilities accessible to people with disabilities. However, the campus is located on a hillside and contains historic architecture which may not be fully accessible for all persons. For information about campus accessibility, see the College Maps & Directions at oxy.edu/contact-us/maps-directions and apply the “ADA accessibility” filter. With advance notice of at least 21 days from guests with disabilities, the College will make a reasonable attempt to accommodate their needs. Guests are responsible for providing their own auxiliary aids, such as wheelchairs, if needed. Service animals specifically trained to perform work or a task are welcome on campus. Shuttle rides are provided between campus building entrances during Reunion Weekend. Please refer to the inside cover of this program for shuttle stop locations and hours.
PLEASE NOTE: Campus Safety will not provide rides on or off campus during Alumni Reunion Weekend. For on-campus needs, please call a shuttle during operating hours.
RESIDENCE HALLS
The College understands that alumni may wish to visit places that are memorable to them while on campus, including their former residences. The residence halls and the rooms within them, however, are occupied during the summer, often by people under the age of 18. For this and other reasons, alumni are not permitted to enter any residence halls other than Stewart-Cleland “Stewie” Hall.
MEDICAL OR OTHER EMERGENCIES
1. Call Campus Safety at (323) 259-2599. A Campus Safety officer will respond and assist as needed.
2. If you believe you or someone else is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 immediately (9-911 from a campus phone). If you call 911 from a cell phone, you may need to give the dispatcher your location (Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, L.A. 90041). Then immediately call Campus Safety (323) 259-2599 and report the incident, or have someone else assisting with the situation call Campus Safety while you remain on the line with 911.
3. When calling 911 or Campus Safety, be prepared for the dispatcher to ask for the following information: (a) whether the subject is breathing, conscious or bleeding; (b) the subject’s gender and age; (c) your name and phone number.
4. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher and answer as many questions as possible regarding the subject’s condition.
SAFETY AND RESPECT
Oxy is a community dedicated to nurturing excellence and personal character in an open and diverse environment, grounded in values of trust, honesty and respect. Occidental College encourages and expects everyone on its campus and at Oxy events to participate in thoughtful decision-making, upholding these values that make Oxy an open and safe place for everyone, and respecting themselves and others. See our Code of Conduct and other policies for more information.
SUMMER DINING AT OXY
Tiger Cooler at Samuelson Pavilion offers buffet style dining for the summer. Guests are charged one price for a meal and may select from a variety of menu choices. The purchase price includes one pass through the buffet.
FRIDAY 6/6
TIGER COOLER AT SAMUELSON PAVILION
Breakfast 7 – 9:30 a.m.
Lunch 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Dinner 5 – 7 p.m.
SATURDAY 6/7
Breakfast 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Lunch 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
SUNDAY 6/8
CODE OF CONDUCT
Occidental College is committed to providing a nondiscriminatory and harassment-free learning, living and working environment for all members of the Occidental community, including students, faculty, administrators, staff and visitors. The College prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of an individual’s protected characteristics (such as age, race, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, etc.) The College also strictly prohibits all forms of sexual or gender-based harrasssment, discrimination, and misconduct, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Misconduct of this nature is contrary to Occidental’s institutional values and is prohibited by state and federal law. Occidental College’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy and Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy are available at oxy.edu/ civil-rights-title-ix. Inquiries or complaints concerning the application of either policy may be referred to the College’s Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator, Alexandra Fulcher, at afulcher@oxy.edu or (323) 259-1338.
For your safety and the safety of others, please refrain from driving under the influence. Enter promo code OXYARW25 in the Lyft app for $20 off a ride. Code can be redeemed once per user. Good for Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7. Limited number of rides available.