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Cool Change illustration for Occidental magazine
Cool Change
After years of sleepless nights and hot-weather hacks, every residence hall finally has air conditioning—much to the relief of current and future Tigers

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).

Occidental’s women's basketball team after winning the 2024 SCIAC Post­season Tournament championship.
Playing through injuries, fatigue, and in front of opposing crowds, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë’s ‘relentless’ women’s hoops team wins its way into the NCAA tourney
Spectators view the OCLAA oral history gallery in the Academic Commons in February 2024.
Realizing a long-standing goal of Occidental’s Latino Alumni Association, two dozen alumni share their stories with students for an oral history project
Max Podemski '06
In his first book, city planner and architecture buff Max Podemski ’06 traces the DNA of urban housing
Sebastian Lechner '24, Patt Morrison, Larry Mantle, Occidental
Patt Morrison ’74 shares a curated collection of books with Special Collections—and 50 years of words and wisdom in conversation with Larry Mantle
Professor of Mathematics Tamás Lengyel
A internationally renowned scholar in the math community, a mathematical constant and a sequence of numbers were named in his honor
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë GOLD reception
A new mentorship initiative looks to bridge the gap for young alumni between academic life and the professional world
Occidental students at OCLAA's Bienvenidos reception in fall 2022
OCLAA aims to boost the José F. Silva ’84 Endowed Scholarship Fund to commemorate a pioneering graduate's commitment to his community
Jon Keates, vice president for institutional advancement at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë from 1999 to 2007
Jon Keates, vice president for institutional advancement at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë from 1999 to 2007, died April 19, 2024, at his home in Altadena. He was 80.
Coach Rod Lafaurie and members of the 2023 men's soccer team
From its first SCIAC championship to a berth in the Sweet 16, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë men’s soccer soared to new heights this season. But Coach Rod Lafaurie and his players are hungry for more
President John Brooks Slaughter in 1988
Occidental's 11th president arrived on campus in 1988 amid national fanfare and great expectations—and in the 11 years to follow, John Brooks Slaughter brought out the best in ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë
Dean of Students Emerita Brig Knauer
Over 25 years of leadership in Occidental’s Office of Student Affairs, Brigida Knauer (1935-2023) shepherded residential life into the modern era
Professor of History Emeritus Wellington Chan
An estate commitment from Gary Kaplan ’71 honors Professor Emeritus Wellington Chan—whom he helped bring to Occidental more than 50 years ago
President Harry J. Elam, Jr. in November 2023.
In an atmosphere of urgency and unease, a campuswide series of initiatives works to support community and safety
Oswald greets visitors to campus during Explore Occidental Fall Preview Day in November 2023.
Want to get involved in recruiting the next generation of Tigers? Here's how
Colleen Robertson '05 and Angelo Carotenuto '05 of LivTours
Nearly 20 years removed from their days in Keck Theater, LivTours’ Colleen Robertson ’05 and Angelo Carotenuto ’06 reunite on the international stage

Features

Two-time Emmy winner Emma Choate ’20 with her 2-year-old Irish wolfhound, George.
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
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...
Warren Montag, the Louis M. Brown Family Professor of English
Warren Montag: Activist and Ally
Whether it was 18th-century British literature or 20th-century European critical theory, Montag approached the syllabus with rigor, grace, warmth, and plenty of deadpan humor—and he...
President Tom Stritikus and Professor of Kinesiology Stuart Rugg at Commencement in May 2025.
Stuart Rugg Stays Fired Up
With seemingly boundless energy, a passion for teaching, and his signature catchphrase, Rugg helped build kinesiology into a signature program at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë
Professor Peter Dreier at Anderson Field
Peter Dreier Comes Full Circle
After 32 years as a professor at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë, Dreier will return in 2026 as an adjunct—to teach his first-ever class on poverty and inequality and take one more swing at Campaign Semester

First Word

From the Quad

Bob Johnson '77, Kenturah Davis '02, and President Harry Elam Jr.
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
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.
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
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë professors and students engaged in summer research and internships
How I Spent My Summer Vocation
From artificial intelligence in the classroom to immigrant rights in the city, the Occidental landscape has been abuzz with activity for faculty and students alike

Mixed Media

Detail from Turtle Walker poster
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."
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

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...

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