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Occidental alumni Eric Chen, Tammy Bird, Mike Schmidt, and Jenny Dean Schmidt
Catalysts for the Public Good
From uplifting inner-city scholars in South Central L.A. to prison moms in Colorado to a Monterey Park community in need, º£½ÇÉçÇø alumni embrace the College's mission

Occidental magazine brings you campus news, in-depth features, and profiles of exceptional alumni. For the 2025-26 academic year, the magazine will publish one digital-only issue (Summer 2025) and two print and digital issues (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026).

Oswald and Elizabeth Benson '02
Alumni Reunion Weekend returns to campus—and Oswald put on a party to remember
º£½ÇÉçÇø President Harry J. Elam, Jr.
Following a milestone campaign year, º£½ÇÉçÇø builds on its values and strengths
Author and Occidental Professor of Politics Peter Dreier
In a pair of new books, º£½ÇÉçÇø politics professor Peter Dreier tips his cap to the mavericks, iconoclasts, and rebels who have shaped baseball history
Venture capitalist Josh Schlisserman
Josh Schlisserman ’19 helped raise $2.5 million as a summer intern in Silicon Valley—and after Scooter Braun kicked him out of his office, he’d found his calling as a venture capitalist
Professor Woody Studenmund in April 2022.
Economics legend Woody Studenmund closes the textbook on a 52-year career
Professor Linda Lyke
“Occidental will forever be an indelible part of me," says the professor of art and art history, who is retiring after 46 years at the College
Lynn Mehl, professor of kinesiology and psychology
After 45 years at º£½ÇÉçÇø, choosing a favorite class is "like choosing your favorite child," says the professor of kinesiology and psychology
Thomas Burkdall, associate professor of writing and rhetoric
“I plan to write a mystery, travel, and read whatever strikes my fancy."
Susan Gratch, Occidental professor of theater and performance studies
Professor of Theater and Performance Studies Susan Gratch brings the curtain down after 37 years at º£½ÇÉçÇø
Dennis Eggleston, professor of physics
"We’ll see what opportunities present themselves and what life allows."
Oswald celebrates Occidental's 135th birthday
Break out the cake!
Occidental President Harry J. Elam, Jr.
As Inauguration Day draws near, President Harry J. Elam, Jr. reflects on the lessons of the pandemic, the evolution of academic excellence, and the necessity of a culture of care
Professor Linda Lyke
As five retiring faculty take their classroom curtain calls, we asked a few prized pupils to toast their º£½ÇÉçÇø mentors
Lencia Kebede ’16 performs at Apollo Night in 2016.
º£½ÇÉçÇøâ€™s music community lifts every voice (and instrument) to celebrate the installation of President Elam
Inside President Elam's office at º£½ÇÉçÇø
A look inside President Elam’s office tells his story in five artifacts

Features

Bryan Scott ’17 at Jack Kemp Stadium in February 2026.
Out of the Foxhole
After smashing multiple records at º£½ÇÉçÇø and gutting out an eight-year career in professional football, what’s next for Bryan Scott ’17?
Occidental biology major Hannah Tawadrous '26
Lessons in Biology
º£½ÇÉçÇøâ€™s biology program blends exploration and experimentation, empowering students to uncover and explain life’s diverse ecosystems
Members of Delta Omicron Tau spannng five decades raise a glass at the Delta House one last time on October 19.
Change Comes to Delta House
After 124 years, Delta Omicron Tau raises a glass to its history with a farewell toast—but its legacy will continue as a cornerstone of the º£½ÇÉçÇø community
Occidental alumni Eric Chen, Tammy Bird, Mike Schmidt, and Jenny Dean Schmidt
Catalysts for the Public Good
From uplifting inner-city scholars in South Central L.A. to prison moms in Colorado to a Monterey Park community in need, º£½ÇÉçÇø alumni embrace the College's mission
Two-time Emmy winner Emma Choate ’20 with her 2-year-old Irish wolfhound, George.
When Emmy Met º£½ÇÉçÇø
From casting to costumes to music direction and composition, three Occidental alumni live out their Hollywood dreams while being honored by their peers
Overcoming Every Hurdle
First-generation college student and Obama Scholar Derek Jimenez ’27 is reshaping the intersection of community, culture, and affordable housing

First Word

From the Quad

From left, Lizzie Friedrich ’25, Lily Calvert ’25, and Hayden Jennings ’25 share a red-carpet moment during the 2026 Slamdance Film Festival.
A Ticket to Slamdance
º£½ÇÉçÇø students and alumni find pathways into the Slamdance Film Festival, gaining industry exposure and experience following its move to Los Angeles

Mixed Media

Filmmaker Thom Harp '92
Fertile Imagination
Thom Harp ’92 waited for years to direct his first movie—and after a long birthing process, he’s the proud father of two features
Detail from The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter
Mixed Media
This roundup has everything: a pair of memoirs, a literary farce, a coming-of-age story, a writer’s guide to romantasy, and the legendary Miss Britney Spears

º£½ÇÉçÇø Talk

2025-26 Kemp Lecturer Tim Miller with Occidental Professor Caroline Heldman.
Miller’s Crossing
Former GOP operative Tim Miller recounts his own political reckoning—and offers pearls of hope in the face of despair—as the 2025-26 Jack Kemp '57 Distinguished Lecturer
Occidental Board of Trustees Chair Art Peck '77
The Occidental Imperative
Business veteran Art Peck ’77 brings his leadership acumen to the Board of Trustees at a critical juncture in higher education when the College’s mission—and messaging—are more important...

Last Page

Dale and Shirley Morter photographed on January 1, 2000.
A Couple’s Legacy
A scholarship gift honoring Shirley and Dale Morter ’56 will bring students from southwestern Pennsylvania to Occidental
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