2025 EVENT AND KEY LOCATIONS MAP
Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 8:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Shuttles will run regularly during peak hours (11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday) to all designated shuttle stops. During non-peak shuttle hours, guests may call for a shuttle from all designated shuttle stops for faster service.Call-a-cart details are listed at the designated shuttle stops.
KEY LOCATIONS
1. Academic Commons/ Mary Norton Clapp Library Ahmansan Reading Room Critical Making Studio Library Gallery Lobby
6. Cannon Plaza
7. De Mandel Aquatics Center
8. FEAST Bruce Steele Garden (1882 Campus Road)
9. Herrick Memorial Chapel and Interfaith Center Lower Herrick
10. Jack Kemp Stadium Concession Stand Patterson Field Spectator Gate
11. Johnson Hall Choi Auditorium Global Forum
12. Johnson Student Center Marketplace Green Bean
13. Keck Theater
14. Norris Halll of Chemistry Mosher 1
15. Oxy Arts (4757 York Boulevard)
16. Solar Array (Parking Lot)
17. Sycamore Glen
18. Thorne Hall Thorne Hall Patio
19. Weingart Hall
Kelsey (Boesche) Belli
WELCOME HOME!
Welcome to Homecoming & Family Weekend 2025!
Inside these pages, you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your Homecoming experience. Be sure to check out the full schedule of activities (pages 4–10) and explore the wide range of events we’ve planned for you.
Homecoming & Family Weekend offers something for every Tiger. Step into your student’s world at the Tiger Spotlight, where clubs and organizations showcase their passions, or check out engaging panels highlighting the amazing work and research being done by Oxy students. Curious to be back in the classroom? Sit in on a Student for a Day session or experience discovery firsthand during our inaugural Oxy Faculty Lab Crawl. Questions for the President and Trustees? Join conversations with them on Saturday.
Of course, Homecoming is also about celebration. Enjoy time with your student or fellow alumni at Oswald’s Homecoming Celebration & Harvest Festival on the Quad, complete with games, food, and plenty of Tiger spirit. Experience the vocal talents of the world-renowned Glee Club at their annual concert, or delight younger Tigers at the always-popular Occidental Children’s Theater. And, of course, cheer on our Tiger athletes at multiple Homecoming competitions. Oxy staff will be on hand to help make your Homecoming & Family Weekend experience a great one. Whether you’re reliving old traditions or discovering new favorites, we’re thrilled to welcome you home.
Io Triumphe!
Kelsey (Boesche) Belli Associate Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement
ALL-DAY ACTIVITIES
Barack Walk Tour (Self-Guided)
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)
Explore our beautiful campus at your leisure. Tour brochures will be available at the Check-In Canopy.
Oxy’s Undergraduate Research Conference
Student Posters Display
Lobby, 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.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
11 – 11:50 a.m.
Student for a Day—The Emotional Impact of Unconventional Song Form in Metallica’s Ballads
Booth 204, Booth Music Hall
Assistant Professor of Music Stephen Hudson explores how Metallica’s ballads, like “Fade to Black,” reshape standard rock song form to create a tragic yet cathartic experience. Unlike typical rock songs that return to the chorus after a bridge, Metallica’s ballads often follow characters who “get lost” in extended bridges, never returning to resolution. This structure mirrors emotional struggle, allowing fans to process their own feelings through the music. Many have even credited these songs with
EVERYONE WELCOME!
Renew and Reuse: Touchdown Thrift
Concession Stand, Kemp Stadium
Come and check out Touchdown Thrift over Homecoming & Family Weekend! This student-run shop gives new life to pre-loved goods—promoting sustainability, affordability, and reuse.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Check-In Canopy Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Academic Quad)
changing—or saving—their lives. Professor Hudson shows how musicians can use familiar forms in unconventional ways to create powerful, shared emotional experiences.
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
FEAST Garden Micro-Tour
FEAST Bruce Steele Garden (1882 Campus Road)
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 student-run organic garden, home to a flock of chickens, raised garden beds, a native plant nursery, and the occasional naughty squirrel.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lowercase Printshop Open House
Lowercase Press Room, Academic Commons
Discover The Lowercase: Oxy’s Underground Print Shop, a creative space in the library where the historic art of letterpress printing is alive and thriving. Stop by during the open house to explore the presses, see the craft in action, and experience this unique blend of tradition and design.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Backstage Pass: Exploring Media Arts & Culture at Oxy (Session 1)
Tour meets in front of Weingart Hall
Join us for an insider’s tour of the Media Arts & Culture program’s dynamic creative spaces in Weingart. Discover the incredible facilities available to MAC students— including the new cutting-edge production classroom, professional-grade sound booth, editing lab, maker space, and equipment center. You’ll hear directly from Director of Digital Media and Production Diana Keeler and Equipment Specialist Brock Forrette as they guide you through these hands-on spaces, sharing how they bring video and media projects to life at Oxy.
12 – 12:50 p.m.
Supporting Your Future Doctor: The Pre-Health Pathway at Oxy
Mosher 1, Norris Hall of Chemistry
Discover how Occidental students excel in competitive prehealth tracks while developing leadership identities through liberal arts education. This student panel will share insights on coursework planning, research opportunities, and highimpact programs supporting future healthcare professionals.
12 – 1 p.m.
Tiger Spotlight: Showcasing Student Life Academic Quad
Curious about what it’s like to be part of a student organization at Oxy? Come experience the energy and creativity of our amazing student clubs and organizations! Enjoy interactive displays, connect with current members, and take part in the fun by voting for your favorite group— the winning organization will receive a special prize. Plus, cool off with a sweet treat from the Kona Ice Truck, serving free refreshments on the Quad. Don’t miss this lively celebration of student life at Oxy!
1 – 2 p.m.
Student for a Day—The Art and Science of Perceptual Illusions
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join Associate Professor of Cognitive Science Sasha Sherman for an engaging exploration of perceptual illusions—mind-bending phenomena that reveal how our brains shape what we see, hear, and feel. Inspired by the viral 2015 “dress” illusion, this event will examine why people perceive colors and sensations differently across multiple senses. Beyond the science, we’ll explore how illusions have long been used in art and magic to captivate and challenge our perception, with hands-on opportunities to experiment with illusions through drawing and digital design.
1:15 – 2:05 p.m.
Campaigning for Change: Inside Oxy’s Campaign
Semester
Mosher 1, Norris Hall of Chemistry
Get an inside look at Campaign Semester, Occidental’s one-of-a-kind program that lets students earn a full semester of credit while working on political campaigns across the country. Hear directly from students who recently participated, as they share stories from the field and reflect on how the experience shaped their academic and professional paths. The panel will be moderated by Professor Regina Freer, chair of the Politics Department and co-director of Campaign Semester.
Makerspace Open House
Critical Making Studio, Academic Commons
Join us for our Open House and take a guided look at the innovative tools and creative possibilities our space offers. From 3D printing and design software to audio, video, and crafting technologies, the Critical Making Studio is a hub for exploration and experimentation. You’re invited to stop by and see live demonstrations, ask questions, and imagine what you can create. Everyone is welcome, see what making looks like at Oxy!
2 – 4 p.m.
Oxy Arts Open House: Flesh of the Forest
Oxy Arts, 4757 York Boulevard
Flesh of the Forest brings together nine artists from the African diaspora whose work engages with the forest as a rich, multilayered site of history, memory, sensation, and feeling. Through sculpture, video, installation, photography, and painting, the forest emerges as a surreal landscape of danger, whimsy, enchantment, vulnerability, abundance, and darkness that precipitates alternate ways of seeing, hearing, and knowing beyond what is immediately visible. The works on view also imagine new forms of human and nonhuman interaction that dispense with exploitative entanglements between empire and land. Taken together, the exhibition highlights the Afrodiasporic contours of both landscape and surrealism as avant-garde art practices that prompt alternative pathways for life and living at and after the edge and end of the world.
2:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Oxy Faculty Lab Crawl: Discover Science in Action!
Tour departs from the Academic Quad
Join us for Oxy’s first-ever Faculty Lab Crawl—a guided tour through four dynamic science departments where you’ll meet professors, explore student research, and take part in hands-on demonstrations. Visit the stars with Sabrina Stierwalt in astrophysics, dive into reactions with Jeffrey Cannon in chemistry, explore life’s building blocks with Joseph Schulz in biology, and uncover the workings of the mind with Kevin Urstadt in cognitive science. Discover the incredible scientific work happening at Oxy—one lab at a time. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Please note, the locations for these four labs are spread out around campus. Shuttles will not be provided for transportation between labs and not all locations are ADA accessible. We apologize for any inconvenience. Tour capacity is limited.
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Student for a Day—Understanding Dogs’ Social Intelligence (Session 1)
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
As a result of 40,000 years of domestication and extensive social experience with humans, domestic dogs have developed surprisingly sophisticated social intelligence. In this session, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Zachary Silver, director of the Occidental Canine Intelligence Lab, will provide an overview of how we study intelligence in our canine companions and preview some of the upcoming research happening on campus.
3 – 4 p.m.
Sustainability Walking Tour
Tour departs from Academic Quad
The Office of Sustainability is leading a collaborative effort to develop the Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CASP) to further integrate sustainability into Oxy’s culture, operations, and academics. Join Assistant Director of Sustainability Alison Linder for a walking tour highlighting our sustainability achievements and ongoing projects. After the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to sample olive oil produced from Oxy’s own groves at the Parent & Faculty Community Gathering at 4:30 p.m. on the Quad (see page 7). Walking shoes are recommended.
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
Global Changemakers: A Conversation with Oxy Fellowships Applicants
Mosher 1, Norris Hall of Chemistry
Join students as they share their experiences navigating the fellowship application process and how research, service, and a global perspective have shaped their journeys.
3:30 – 4:20 p.m.
Generative AI and the Liberal Arts: Rethinking Computer Science Today
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join the Computer Science Department in a conversation about the current moment around generative AI! With the explosion of large language models (LLMs), computer science is simultaneously everywhere even while many believe it is no longer necessary to learn to program by hand. In this discussion, we will share our views on how AI has changed both education and society. What are the opportunities and pitfalls as people use these tools, and how should we think about its impact on learning, jobs, and more? Our newest computer science faculty will start with a short panel discussion, before opening up for a wider-ranging conversation with the audience.
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Backstage Pass: Exploring Media Arts &
Culture at Oxy (Session 2)
Tour meets in front of Weingart Hall
Join us for an insider’s tour of the Media Arts & Culture program’s dynamic creative spaces in Weingart. Discover the incredible facilities available to MAC students—including the new cutting-edge production classroom, professionalgrade sound booth, editing lab, maker space, and equipment center. You’ll hear directly from Director of Digital Media and Production Diana Keeler and Equipment Specialist Brock Forrette as they guide you through these hands-on spaces, sharing how they bring video and media projects to life at Oxy.
4:30 – 6 p.m.
Campus
Corks Parent & Faculty Community Gathering
Academic Quad
Campus Corks is a relaxed event on the Quad designed to bring the Oxy community together. Parents are invited to connect with one another and have the opportunity to engage with faculty. Enjoy wine and light appetizers while getting to know other Tiger families and strengthen the ties that define the Oxy experience.
SATURDAY,
$20 per person; admission includes beer and wine. Free if you are not drinking beer or wine. Non-alcoholic beverage options available. Guests under 21 are welcome, as long as they’re accompanied by a responsible adult for the duration of the event.
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
A Celebration of Harry J. Elam, Jr.: Presidential Portrait Unveiling
Ahmanson Reading Room and Library Gallery, Academic Commons
You are invited to help us honor the presidency of Dr. Harry J. Elam, Jr. at the unveiling of his presidential portrait, painted by Kenturah Davis ’02. Come join President Elam and his wife, Dr. Michele Elam, and celebrate his presidency with a toast. Space is limited.
6 – 7 p.m.
Student Music Recital
Bird Studio, Booth Music Hall
Enjoy an informal recital featuring current Oxy students! You will hear students perform solo vocal and instrumental selections as well as chamber music and jazz ensemble selections.
OCT. 18
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
Breakfast With the Parent and Family Council
Lower Herrick, Herrick Memorial Chapel and Interfaith Center
The Occidental College Parent and Family Council is hosting a casual continental breakfast during Homecoming & Family Weekend. This gathering will give families the chance to connect with one another, meet Council members, and learn about the many ways families strengthen the Oxy experience. Following breakfast, you are welcome to attend the first Parent and Family Council meeting of the year. You’ll hear from President Tom Stritikus and members of the Parent and Family Council about ways to get involved. By invitation only.
Check-In Canopy Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Academic Quad)
Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join President Tom Stritikus for a conversation with families, alumni, and community members about what's happening at Occidental College. This is your opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and hear directly from President Stritikus.
Occidental Children’s Theater Performance: Rapunzilla, The Monster with the Golden Hair
Thorne Hall Patio
The critically acclaimed Occidental Children’s Theater celebrates 30 years with an original story, Rapunzilla, The Monster with the Golden Hair, plus three adventurous adaptations of traditional folktales from Bali, the country of Georgia, and the Brule Sioux people of the Dakotas.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Alpha Family Gathering and Open House
Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha House, 4549 Alumni Avenue
Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha, Oxy’s oldest sorority, welcomes alumni and families back for a special Homecoming & Family Weekend gathering. Tour our newly renovated house, connect with active members, and celebrate 125 years of Alpha’s history and community.
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Again Again Concert for Kids
Thorne Hall Patio
Join us for a fun-filled children's concert with Again Again! This dynamic duo, made up of lifelong friends Anne Montone ’99 and Jennifer Cook ’99, brings a unique style of family music that everyone can enjoy.
11a.m. – 12 p.m.
Learning Justice in Los Angeles: Summer Internships in Action
Mosher 1, Norris Hall of Chemistry
In this panel, students from Oxy’s UEP & UEPI Justice Summer Internship Program will share their experiences working with community partner organizations across Los Angeles. From working in Los Angeles City Hall, to providing street medicine to unhoused individuals, organizing tenants against displacement, to planning for the 2028 Olympics in L.A., to supporting immigrant families through legal advocacy in L.A. and in Greece, to cultivating urban farms, this year’s interns will reflect on their experiences advancing social change during a summer defined by ICE raids and wildfire recovery.
11
a.m. – 12 p.m.
Student for a Day—Understanding Dogs’ Social Intelligence (Session 2)
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
As a result of 40,000 years of domestication and extensive social experience with humans, domestic dogs have developed surprisingly sophisticated social intelligence. In this session, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Zachary Silver, director of the Occidental Canine Intelligence Lab, will provide an overview of how we study intelligence in our canine companions and preview some of the upcoming research happening on campus.
11 a.m.
Men’s Water Polo vs Chapman University
De Mandel Aquatics Center
The Homecoming athletics action begins with men’s water polo as the Tigers take on conference rival Chapman University at the beautiful De Mandel Aquatics Center. Please enter through the outdoor basketball court behind Rush Gymnasium.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Oxy Arts Open House: Flesh of the Forest
Oxy Arts, 4757 York Boulevard
Flesh of the Forest brings together nine artists from the African diaspora whose work engages with the forest as a rich, multilayered site of history, memory, sensation, and feeling. Through sculpture, video, installation, photography, and painting, the forest emerges as a surreal landscape of danger, whimsy, enchantment, vulnerability, abundance, and darkness that precipitates alternate ways of seeing, hearing, and knowing beyond what is immediately visible. The works on view also imagine new forms of human and nonhuman interaction that dispense with exploitative entanglements between empire and land. Taken together, the exhibition highlights the Afrodiasporic contours of both landscape and surrealism as avant-garde art practices that prompt alternative pathways for life and living at and after the edge and end of the world.
12 – 2 p.m.
Oswald’s Homecoming Celebration & Harvest Festival
Academic Quad
Join everyone’s favorite tiger, Oswald, for a festive seasonal celebration on the Quad! Enjoy live music from student bands, a step showcase presented by the Intercultural Community Center, and an array of activities for all ages, including face painting, cookie decorating, a photo booth, a bounce house...and a ferris wheel!
Enjoy delicious BBQ, with both chicken and vegetarian options. For guests 21 and older, the Tiger Tavern beer and wine garden will also be open. Alumni affinity groups and Greek organizations will host meet-ups on the Quad, making this a true community celebration.
BBQ: $15 per person, $10 children (10 and under), Free for children under age 2.
Tiger Tavern: $10 per person (21+ only, Government ID required for alcohol service. We appreciate your understanding of the requirement to show a Government ID. Student ID not accepted for Tavern payment.)
1:30 – 2:50 p.m.
Federal Reserve (i.e. Central Bank) Independence
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join Economics Associate Professor Andrew Jalil, recent recipient of the Linda and Tod White Teaching Award, for a fascinating lecture on the Federal Reserve, focusing on the effects of monetary policy and the importance of central bank independence. The session will be introduced by Professor Emeritus Woody Studenmund P’15
2 – 2:50 p.m.
Stories from the Sea: A 50-Year
Retrospective of the Vantuna Research Group
Bioscience 113, BioScience Building
The Vantuna Research Group is celebrating 50 years of marine biology research at Occidental College. In this special session, you'll hear from the program’s director, Dan Pondella ’87 M’93, along with current students and alumni, as they share insights into their groundbreaking research and fieldwork. The event will also feature screenings of the awardwinning short film Rebirth of a Reef and a new documentary highlighting the legacy of Dr. John S. Stephens P’76, our alumni, and the Vantuna Research Group.
3 - 4 p.m.
Shaping Oxy’s Future: A Dialogue with Members of the Board of Trustees
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join members of Occidental College’s Board of Trustees, Art Peck ’77 P’10 P’14, Enrique Lopez ’89, and Bob Johnson ’77 for an open dialogue moderated by ASOC president Trisha Bhima ’27. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from board members, ask questions, and share your perspectives on the issues that matter most to our community.
MEET THE PANELISTS
Art Peck ’77, P’10 P’14, chair of Occidental’s Board of Trustees, is co-founder and executive chair of The Great and an Everviolet advisory board member. Former Gap Inc. president and CEO, Peck spent 23 years at Boston Consulting Group. Throughout his career, he has championed inclusivity, diversity, and social responsibility.
Bob Johnson ’77 is a Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney, Peabody award-winning film producer, and former senior music executive with Atlantic Records whose clients include prominent musicians, film and TV talent, athletes, and artists. A civic activist, he has produced concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and served on numerous boards, including LA Works, ACLU Foundation, Rock the Vote, and Operation USA.
Dr. Enrique Lopez ’89, a native of Zacatecas, is an associate professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Research Neuropsychologist previously with Cedars-Sinai and HarborUCLA Medical Center. His work has focused on HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders among minority populations, and he has held leadership roles across psychiatry, rehabilitation, and AIDS research initiatives.
Thirty Years of Storytelling and Spectacle: Celebrating the Occidental Children’s Theater
Keck Theater
Join us in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Occidental Children’s Theater—a remarkable legacy of creativity, collaboration, and performance. Experience the history of this unique program through archival videos and photos, hear reflections from former company members, and celebrate the many people who have shaped the Theater over the years. It’s a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and honor three decades of imaginative work.
4
– 5 p.m.
A Celebration of the Woody Studenmund Endowed Professorship in Economics
Global Forum, Johnson Hall
Supporters of the Woody Studenmund Endowed Professorship in Economics are invited to a special reception to celebrate the successful establishment of the professorship. Enjoy an afternoon of gratitude and a toast to honor Professor Emeritus Woody Studenmund’s transformative impact as a teacher, mentor, and scholar. By invitation only.
4 – 5 pm.
Student for a Day—How to Survive a Korean Zombie Apocalypse: History, Culture, and the Undead
Mosher 1, Norris Hall of
Chemistry
Join Assistant Professor of Asian Studies Min Joo Lee for an immersive exploration of Korean horror films through the lens of the zombie genre. This course delves into what makes Korean zombies distinct—from their cultural symbolism to their cinematic evolution—and examines how these films reflect deeper themes in Korean society. You will also gain insights into Korean history, providing a richer context for understanding the genre's unique impact and global rise. Surviving the apocalypse has never been this enlightening. Viewer discretion is advised.
4 p.m.
Men’s Soccer vs. University of La Verne
Patterson Field, Kemp Stadium
Cheer on the SCIAC conference title-contending Tigers as they face Leopards. Please enter through the Spectator Gate (see map)
5 – 6 p.m.
Glee Club’s Annual Homecoming Concert
Herrick Memorial Chapel & Interfaith Center
Enjoy the long-standing Homecoming tradition of a concert by the world-renowned Occidental College Glee Club.
6:30 – 8 pm
Athletics Hall Of Fame Meet and Greet
Cannon Plaza
We recognize our rich tradition of student-athlete success with the induction of the 2025 class into the Occidental College Athletics Hall of Fame. Tiger alumni who participated in Oxy Athletics are welcome to join us for a social event designed to celebrate five inductees: Reiner Kolodinski ’81 M’01 P’10 (Men's Basketball), Rebecca Kopchik Carcamo ’94 M’96 (Track & Field), Olivia Sabins P’04 (Athletics Department Coordinator), Jacqueline Shimamoto ’14 (Softball), and Murray Via ’54 (Baseball). See page 13 for more about this year’s inductees.
7
p.m.
Women’s Soccer vs. Chapman University
Patterson Field, Kemp Stadium
Cap off a spirited Homecoming Saturday by cheering on the Tigers as they take on SCIAC rival Chapman University. The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inductees will be introduced at halftime. Please enter through the Spectator Gate (see map)
Endowed Professorship Honors Studenmund’s Enduring Influence
Occidental College is proud to announce the establishment of the Woody Studenmund Endowed Professorship in Economics—a lasting tribute to Professor Studenmund’s extraordinary impact on generations of Oxy students.
Studenmund—who was named the De Rycke Distinguished Professor of Economics in 2007—was the bedrock of the Economics Department prior to his retirement in 2022. An expert in the principles of free market economics and econometrics, Studenmund’s approach emphasized a range of capabilities, including “critical thinking skills, the ability to write well, the ability to work well on a team, and the ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds,” in his words. “If we develop someone with those skills, then they’ve got the ability to apply those skills to a wide variety of fields.” The results of his approach speak volumes: Oxy economics alumni have become CEOs, financial leaders, founders, and even Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees.
“Woody has had a profound effect on shaping and growing our department to the success it is today,” says Lesley Chiou, professor of economics. “He has influenced countless generations of students and faculty by being a tireless advocate for their education and growth.”
The creation of the Studenmund Professorship is a testament to the power of collective giving. More than $3.1 million was raised from more than 80 dedicated alumni, families, and friends to establish this critical tenure-track faculty position. An invaluable lead gift from Brad Fauvre ’87 was the catalyst for this effort and inspired the outpouring of support from the Oxy community that followed. A pair of powerful gifts brought the multi-year campaign to completion: first from Chris Brickman ’86; and finally from Board of Trustees Chair Art Peck ’77 P’10 P’14 and Kirsten Peck ’79 P’10 P’14, and their children Grace Peck ’10 and William Peck ’14
This endowed professorship will strengthen the Economic Department’s ability to attract and retain exceptional faculty to teach one of the most popular majors at Oxy.
Occidental College recognizes and thanks the entire Economics Committee for their dedication, generosity, leadership, and service:
Chris Brickman ’86
Nikki Dedic ’10
Brad Fauvre ’87
Ian Husted ’13
Robert D. Kirchman ’80
Art Peck ’77 P’10 P’14
Benjamin Phelps ’03
Steve Robinson ’77
Sid Saravat ’15
Susan Schroeder ’84
Clare Shuey ’16
Dan Springer ’85
Christian Tregillis ’89
This Homecoming & Family Weekend, we celebrate our many generous donors and Professor Emeritus Woody Studenmund with a special lesson on “Federal Reserve (i.e. Central Bank) Independence” by Economics Associate Professor Andrew Jalil and an invite-only reception.
Celebrating the Impact of the Legacy Society
Established by the Board of Trustees in 1994, the Occidental College Legacy Society recognizes and celebrates the generous and future-focused individuals who have created an Oxy legacy through estate gifts. We are thrilled to welcome members back to campus to honor their lasting commitment and reflect on the incredible impact their generosity has made on campus.
The influence of legacy giving can be felt in every corner of the Oxy experience. From scholarships that open doors for deserving students, to endowed professorships that attract and retain exceptional faculty, to programs that send Tigers out into the world for immersive learning opportunities, Legacy Society members shape what is possible at Oxy. Together, more than 1,000 alumni, parents, and friends have committed to ensuring that future generations will benefit from a transformative liberal arts education.
This gathering is not only a chance to celebrate our past but also to look ahead. The support of the Legacy Society is vital to the College’s continued success in providing a rigorous, inclusive, and innovative education. We encourage you to imagine the difference your own legacy could make. Whether through a gift in your will, a named scholarship, or support for a favorite program, every commitment—large or small—has the power to change lives.
If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join this remarkable community and help write the next chapter of Oxy’s story. To learn more or start a conversation about creating your Oxy legacy, visit giftplanning.oxy.edu or email us at giftplanning@oxy.edu. Together, we can ensure that Occidental continues to inspire, challenge, and empower students for generations to come.
The 2023 Legacy Society Dinner at Descanso Gardens showcased the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy’s Living in a Wildlife Corridor exhibit featuring work by Oxy faculty, students, and alumni.
The Legacy Society enjoyed a special day in 2019 at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, surrounded by art, history, and beautiful gardens.
In 2016, the Legacy Society gathered at the Pasadena Museum of History, featuring an exhibition curated by ProfessorEmeritus Bob Winter.
Legacy Society luncheon at the Magic Castle, 2014.
OCCIDENTAL ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025
This weekend, the Occidental Athletics Hall of Fame welcomes five new inductees into its ranks. Established in 2012, the Hall of Fame honors outstanding achievement in competition, service, dedication, and commitment to Occidental athletics.
On Saturday evening, you can mingle with this year’s inductees at the Hall at the Hall of Fame Meet & Greet (6:30 - 8 p.m., Cannon Plaza). They will then be introduced at halftime of the Men’s Soccer game vs. Chapman University (7 p.m., Patterson Field). On Sunday, the class will be formally inducted at a private brunch ceremony at Cannon Plaza.
Reiner Kolodinski ’81 M’01 P’10 (basketball) led the Tigers to the SCIAC championship with an 11-1 conference mark and advanced to the NCAA Division III Western Regional playoffs in the 1979-80 season. A 5'11" point guard, Kolodinshi was selected as All-SCIAC second team in 1979, and All-SCIAC first team and All-District in 1980. After graduating from Oxy, he played pro basketball in Germany for two years with ASC Göttingen and was a member of the 1983 German championship team.
Department Coordinator Olivia Sabins P’04 joined the Occidental Athletic Department in February 1989 and was a mainstay of the department for more than 36 years, retiring in June 2025. As the face of Oxy Athletics, she served thousands of folks who’ve walked through our doors or called our office. In addition to coordinating athletics business, she mentored students and staff alike and was a key contributor to the familial atmosphere of the department.
Murray Via ’54 is Occidental's all-time career batting leader in baseball with a .435 career average and holds the school single-season batting record at .500 (in 1954). Playing center field for Coach Bill Anderson, Via was selected First-Team All-Conference First Team for three consecutive years and co-captained the championship 1954 team, which was inducted in the Oxy Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. A longtime supporter of the baseball program and team historian, he and fellow Tiger Ed Harper '51 co-authored Bringing Back Bengal Baseball, published in 2014.
Rebecca Kopchik Carcamo ’94 M’96 is widely regarded as the best female distance runner in the history of Oxy athletics, A two-time SCIAC champion in cross country (1991 and 1993) and a seven-time Division III All-American in cross country and track and field, she was the 5k national champion in track and field in 1992 (with a time of 17:57.46) and national runner-up in cross country in 1991 (with a personalbest time of 17:33).
Jacqueline Shimamoto ’14 is Oxy’s all-time hits leader in softball and batted over .400 in every season with the Tigers. Playing center field, she was a four-time All-SCIAC selection and two-time First Team All-SCIAC selection (in 2013 and 2014). A career .422 hitter with 139 career hits, 52 for extra bases, she was a Second Team National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region selection in 2014. Shimamoto leads the Tigers in a number of performance metrics, including career batting average (.422), career hits (139), and most hits in a single season (50, in 2014). Her .455 batting average in 2014 is second only to Jill Normington ’94, who hit .476 in 1991.
GET INVOLVED + OXY FUND
Homecoming & Family Weekend is just the beginning—there are so many ways to stay connected with Occidental long after the weekend ends. Alumni and families play an essential role in strengthening the Oxy community through leadership, service, and engagement. Whether you’re planning events in your region, joining the Parents Council, or helping organize a milestone reunion, your involvement ensures that the Oxy spirit continues to thrive year-round.
REGIONAL EVENTS & ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEES
Spend time with the Oxy community close to home! Regional events—like happy hours, lectures, museum outings, ballgames, and more—are a great way to connect with fellow Tigers in your area. If you’d like to help plan the fun, consider joining your Regional Engagement Committee. Contact alumni@oxy.edu to learn more.
PARENTS COUNCIL
The Parents Council brings Oxy families together while supporting the student experience. Members connect with other parents, serve as ambassadors for the College, and serve as philanthropic leaders. Interested? Reach out to giving@oxy.edu to get started.
REUNION COMMITTEES
Calling our ’1s and ’6s class years! Save the date for Alumni Reunion Weekend, June 5-7, 2026. Reunions are about reconnecting, celebrating, and giving back. Alumni Reunion committees for these milestone classes help shape a memorable weekend and inspire classmates to support Oxy through class giving. To join a 2026 milestone reunion committee, contact Kelsey Belli at belli@oxy.edu.
These are just a few of the many ways to get involved and stay connected with Oxy. For more information, please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement at alumni@oxy.edu. No matter how you choose to participate, your time, energy, and generosity help sustain the traditions, connections, and opportunities that define the Occidental experience.
Your support makes Oxy stories possible.
For 138 years, bright, curious, and talented students have come to Occidental to experience a distinctive, innovative liberal arts education against the global backdrop of Los Angeles.
Gifts to the Oxy Fund have an immediate impact on all areas of campus, including immersive teaching and research opportunities, holistic mental and physical health services, robust student life programming, and resources that prepare our students to make the world a better place.
To make your gift in support of current and future Tigers, visit giving.oxy.edu or scan this QR Code.
2025 ALUMNI & PARENT LEADERSHIP
We offer our deepest gratitude to Occidental’s volunteer leadership for their steadfast dedication and support of the College.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Jake Stevens ’08 President Kwame Do ’16 President-Elect
John Collinson ’89 Vice President, Philanthropy Committee
Deanna Smith Kilgour ’86 P’18 Vice President, Enrollment Committee
Jacob E. Valk ’13 Vice President, Careers & Mentorship Committee
Anne (Mikolajcik) de Ridder ’98 Member-at- Large
Alex Graves ’09 Co-Chair, Enrollment Committee
Isaac Glanzrock ’17 Co-Chair, Careers and Mentorship Committee
Ross Pumfrey ’67 Co-Chair, Engagement Programs Committee
Sid Saravat ’15 Co-Chair, Philanthropy Committee
Maya Angulo ’21
Carol Baker ’86 P’19
Samuel Bergen ’04
Jordan Brown ’13
Reena Carroll ’02
Regina Clemente ’03
Pat Gillette ’73
Lauren Greeno ’06
Cynthia Haynes ’13
Ryan Henderson ’18
David H. Jackson ’75
Mina Lopez ’88
Clarissa Martinez De Castro ’89
Robin McWilliams Mathews ’72
Andrew Pappas ’04
Angela Patriarca ’03
Richard Reyes ’12
Michelin (Rowars) Sharp ’96
Esther Teodoro ’95
Veronica Toledo ’10
Brian Wee ’99
Lisa Yang ’97
PARENTS COUNCIL
Dr. Percy L. Abram III and Dr. Nina Maisterra P’28
Christine L. Anderson P’25
Meghan F. Astrachan and Isaac-Daniel T. Astrachan P’25
Yolanda T. Becker and Dr. Bryan N. Becker P’24
Willa J. Bernstein and Kevin M. Murphy P’23
Joseph J. Summerill IV and Wesley D. Bizzell P’27
Hollis Brookover and Milt Gillespie P’27
Erika L. Brewer and William D. Brewer P’21
Annette J. Butner and Chris A. Butner P’26
Sonya M. Clark-Herrera and Eugene H. Clark-Herrera P’25
Mindy F. Duryea and Sandy Y. Draper P’24
Azadeh Foyouzi-Mohebbi and Afshin Mohebbi-Gilani P’23
Jason and Anissa Hamlin P’29
Dr. Sushma Hegde and Dr. Sridhar B. Seshadri P’27
Eva T. Holm and Douglas S. Holm P’19
Karen Hogan and Jeff Hogan P’27
Leah N. Levine and Robert B. Levine P’21
Sang Mi Lim and Yung C. Lim P’24
Caroline M. Moassessi and Kurosh Moassessi P’25
Kelly Ann Morrow and David P. Morrow P’26
Tracy L. Pesikoff and Joshua A. Pesikoff P’26
M.Jacinta Pister and J. Richard Whitmore P’12 P’16 P’20
Paula M. Ramey-Pérez and Paul L. Pérez P’23
Terry A. Rajendran and Dr. Sundar Rajendran P’23
Ellen Sacchi and Guido Sacchi P’24 P’27
Lisa Silverberg and Grey S. Staples III ’86 P’22
Rebecca Smith P’24
Lindsey H. Simon P’29
Hillary D. Spruance and Jacob V. Spruance Sr. P’25
Laura S. Sweeney and Joe Sweeney III P’26
Penny Thompson-Burke and Josh Burke P’27
Carren Walker P’28
GENERAL INFORMATION
HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND 2025
ACADEMIC COMMONS (LIBRARY) HOURS
Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
BOOKSTORE HOURS
Enjoy a 10% discount at the Bookstore for Oxy Wear and Oxy Gifts during Homecoming & Family Weekend. Use code SPIRIT25
Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
POSTAL OPERATIONS CENTER HOURS
Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday & Sunday: Closed
DINING AT OXY
The Marketplace
Located on the second floor of the Johnson Student Center, it offers à la carte dining options during the following hours
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
The Tiger Cooler
Located in Samuelson Pavilion, across from the Johnson Student Center, it offers grilled items and snacks during the following hours:
Friday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday: 1:30 – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 5 – 10:30 p.m.
The Green Bean
Located on the second floor of the Johnson Student Center, adjacent to Branca Patio, it offers coffee, snacks, and cold drinks during the following hours:
Friday: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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 POLICY
To provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our alumni, families, 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.
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.
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 are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 immediately (9-911 from a campus phone). If you call 911 from a cellphone, you may need to give the dispatcher your location (Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, LA 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.
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 Homecoming & Family Weekend. Please refer to the inside cover of this program for shuttle stop locations and hours.
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 harrassment, 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.