Bryan Scott ’17 at Jack Kemp Stadium in February 2026.
Out of the Foxhole
After smashing multiple records at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë and gutting out an eight-year career in professional football, what’s next for Bryan Scott ’17?
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Occidental Magazine

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).

NASA Astrobiologist Jason Dworkin ’91
Profiles
Astrobiologist Jason Dworkin ’91 has devoted the better part of two decades to a NASA mission to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. What will we learn when OSIRIS-REx arrives home next year?
Mel Malberg '79, editor of Women of Walt Disney Imagineering
Profiles
Mel Malmberg ’79 documents the true-life adventures of the Women of Walt Disney Imagineering
2022-23 Obama Scholars
Academics
Five years after its launch, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë’s Obama Scholars Program expands its cohort and doubles down on its mission
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë President Harry J. Elam, Jr.
President Elam
In a joyous ceremony showcasing the arts and ‘New Harmonies,’ Harry J. Elam, Jr. is inaugurated as Occidental’s 16th president
"New Harmonies" are at the heart of ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's Integrated Strategic Plan.
Academics
What will the College look like in 2030? ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's Integrated Strategic Plan identifies 11 key issues
The ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë Campaign For Good
Campaign
With one year remaining, The ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë Campaign For Good propels past the $225 million mark
Oswald and Elizabeth Benson '02
Alumni Engagement
Alumni Reunion Weekend returns to campus—and Oswald put on a party to remember
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë President Harry J. Elam, Jr.
President Elam
Following a milestone campaign year, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë builds on its values and strengths
Author and Occidental Professor of Politics Peter Dreier
Faculty
In a pair of new books, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë politics professor Peter Dreier tips his cap to the mavericks, iconoclasts, and rebels who have shaped baseball history
Venture capitalist Josh Schlisserman
Profiles
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.
Profiles
Economics legend Woody Studenmund closes the textbook on a 52-year career
Professor Linda Lyke
Academics
“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
Faculty
After 45 years at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë, 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
Faculty
“I plan to write a mystery, travel, and read whatever strikes my fancy."
Susan Gratch, Occidental professor of theater and performance studies
Faculty
Professor of Theater and Performance Studies Susan Gratch brings the curtain down after 37 years at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë

Features

Derek Shearer photographed in March 2026
Faculty
The Ambassadude Abides
As a diplomat, dealmaker, and master connector, Derek Shearer brought global leaders, policymakers, and a U.S. president to the classroom over his 45 years at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë
Bryan Scott ’17 at Jack Kemp Stadium in February 2026.
Profiles
Out of the Foxhole
After smashing multiple records at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë and gutting out an eight-year career in professional football, what’s next for Bryan Scott ’17?
Members of the 1971 ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë rugby team.
Athletics
Pitch Perfect
Larry Layne ’71 came to love rugby as a student-athlete—and an estate gift will provide a swift kick to its future at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë
L-R: Associate professors Alaa Abdelfattah (economics), Tiffany Wheatland-Disu (Black studies), Madeline Wander ’08 (urban and environmental policy), Joel Walsh (computer science), Margaret Gaida (history), and Kai Yui Samuel Chan (politics).
Faculty
16 Faculty, 16 Stories
Fifteen new tenure-track faculty and a veteran kinesiology professor discuss their favorite classes, their passion for teaching, and what brought them to ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë (hint: Location!)
Dean Simons ’59 and John Ingle ’50 in Moliere’s The Would-Be Gentleman (1962)
Arts
Theatre Brats
Two children of ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë professors grew up immersed in the magic of Shakespeare, Shaw, and Gilbert & Sullivan—in an era when a plucky little drama festival became their whole world
Occidental biology major Hannah Tawadrous '26
Academics
Lessons in Biology
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë’s biology program blends exploration and experimentation, empowering students to uncover and explain life’s diverse ecosystems

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.
Student Life
A Ticket to Slamdance
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë students and alumni find pathways into the Slamdance Film Festival, gaining industry exposure and experience following its move to Los Angeles
Obama Scholar Derek Jimenez '27
Impact
Overcoming Every Hurdle
First-generation college student and Obama Scholar Derek Jimenez ’27 is reshaping the intersection of community, culture, and affordable housing

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media
Filmmaker Thom Harp '92
Arts
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

ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë Talk

More ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë Talk
2025-26 Kemp Lecturer Tim Miller with Occidental Professor Caroline Heldman.
Alumni Engagement
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

Last Page

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

Issue Archive

a man with a black suit jacket and black baseball hat on a sports field
Spring 2026
Fall 2025 Occidental Magazine cover with different face portraits
Fall 2025
Occidental Magazine 2025 cover
Summer 2025
The cover of the Spring 2025 issue of Occidental Magazine showing three alumni comics sitting together on a couch
Spring 2025
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