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, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë alumni embrace the College's mission
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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).

FallMag14_ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂëTalk
In a world of blogs, tweets, alerts, and clickbait, is there still room for news? Five ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë journalists working in old and new media are optimistic. Here's why.
FallMag14_Quad5
As government officials train their attention on sexual assault at colleges, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë bolsters its policies, procedures, and personnel
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With an infusion of olive trees, drought-resistant plants, and grass, the main entrance to Occidental gets a beauty of a makeover
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ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë welcomes its largest-ever international class for its 128th year. Also: 18 fast facts about the Class of 2018
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Nine new and familiar faces step into the classroom in tenure-track positions as the College cultivates the next generation of great minds
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As the Board of Trustees extends Jonathan Veitch's contract through the end of the decade, the president hopes to build on the College's momentum
One alumnus expresses shock and dismay over the trustees' decision to keep Veitch, and Bob McMillen '53's Olympics moment prompts old memories and new questions.
Back in the Saddle
FallMag14_GoldBug
Pasadena's Gold Bug gallery is crawling with curiosities—from jewel-encrusted insects to stuffed critters who died naturally. After seven strange, successful years, Theodora Coleman '08...
FallMag14_Ippolita
Ippolita Rostagno '86 studied in Italy to be a sculptor. As an English literature major at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë, she aspired to be a choreographer. She ultimately found her calling designing luxury jewelry...
FallMag14_ike
Handicapper Bob Ike '85 has made a career out of picking the ponies. Now he wants to change the game as an owner and online cashier
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In 1969, 42 ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë students were suspended after protesting military recruiting on campus at the height of the Vietnam War. Nearly half of them never graduated. Forty-five years later, have old...
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Cassidy Bednark '98 turned a turntable passion into a bankable profession with a mix of persistence, prowess, and more mixtapes than you can shake your booty at. After a decade with the...
FallMag14_Joanna
Joanna (Hall) Gleason '72 is ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's most-celebrated actress, disappearing into every role while wowing critics and audiences alike. This fall, as she ignites the screen in The Skeleton Twins...
Summer14_Commencement
Words of advice to ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's graduating Class of 2014: Step out, take chances, and embrace life's journey

Features

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
Occidental alumni Eric Chen, Tammy Bird, Mike Schmidt, and Jenny Dean Schmidt
Profiles
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, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë alumni embrace the College's mission
Two-time Emmy winner Emma Choate ’20 with her 2-year-old Irish wolfhound, George.
Arts
When Emmy Met ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë
From casting to costumes to music direction and composition, three Occidental alumni live out their Hollywood dreams while being honored by their peers
Gibby Professor of Science Margi Rusmore
Faculty
Margi Rusmore Reaches the Apex
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's inaugural Gibby Professor of Science may be exiting the classroom, but there are still mountains to climb—as well as prepping her data (and her extensive rock collection) for future...

First Word

From the Quad

Current year scholarship recipients Alyssa Zatarain '29 and Sunny Tuazon '29
Impact
Unlocking the Future
For first-generation college students Alyssa Zatarain ’29 and Sunny Tuazon ’29, current-year scholarship support opened the doors to an ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë education
Bob Johnson '77, Kenturah Davis '02, and President Harry Elam Jr.
President Elam
A Portrait Worth a Thousand Words
Harry J. Elam Jr. takes his place among the gallery of ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë presidents in the Academic Commons—and artist Kenturah Davis ’02 reveals how she captured his dreams on canvas
Claire Wilson-Black ’26, Talia Goddard ’27, and Brandon Kim ’27
Student Life
Carrying the Torch
As planning heats up for the 2028 Summer Olympics, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë students are doing their part to ensure a just and sustainable Games
Mariah Rutiaga Amaya ’22 outside the Hameetman Career Center.
Academics
Vital Signs
Recent ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë grads from a variety of disciplines are enrolling in top-tier medical schools in unprecedented numbers, applying their own life experiences to the future of healthcare

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media
Detail from Turtle Walker poster
Arts
Much Ado About Turtles (and Keanu)
From John Wick to Wittgenstein, and a sea turtle mystery to an underwater thriller, there's something for everyone in our summer reading (and viewing) roundup
Terry Kitchen '81 performs "We All Dream."
Arts
Mixed Media
A host of new works by ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë alumni explore explore themes of democracy, resilience, and human connection—as well as our fascination with horses, dragons, and ocean life

ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë Talk

More ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë Talk
Occidental Board of Trustees Chair Art Peck '77
Profiles
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...
Administrative Law Judge Brian Gee ’87
Profiles
Judgment Calls
Separated by 2,700 miles, National Labor Relations Board administrative law judges Brian Gee ’87 and Ira Sandron ’71 find common ground in ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë

Last Page

Issue Archive

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
Cover of Fall 2024 issue of Occidental Magazine
Fall 2024
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