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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).

Tetsuo Otsuki
Tetsuo Otsuki: 1942-2012
The Elephant in the Room: Reflections on 125 Years
Spring12_Reading
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë alumni have published hundreds (if not thousands) of books in just about every genre you can download. Here are 18 for the ages
Spring12_Weller
Occidental's founding president has always been something of an enigma. But a treasure trove of family keepsakes and archival research reveals a fuller portrait of Rev. Samuel H. Weller
He was a rising star in ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's philosophy department when he took his own life in 1966. Today, his name is synonymous with teaching excellence. Who was Donald Loftsgordon?
Its Presbyterian roots. Its early financial struggles. The fire that destroyed its Boyle Heights campus. The perseverance of a school to realize its destiny. Occidental's early history has...
Occidental's liberal arts mission has been shaped by presidents, professors, protests, and progress. We look back at a dozen milestone movements
As Occidental prepares to induct its inaugural class into the Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming & Family Weekend, the playing field has never been more level for men and women. And...
From planning the freeway system and aiding the conservation movement to bringing the Dodgers and the Olympics to town, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë alumni have been integral to the development of the City of Angels...
Robert T. Moore, Moore Laboratory, ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë
After more than 60 years of sitting in oak case drawers, the 60,000-plus specimens in ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's Moore Lab of Zoology are more vital than ever, as advances in DNA sequencing technology offer new...
Fascinated by sharks from an early age, marine biologist Lisa Natanson '81 takes to the ocean, her $17 knife close at hand, to explore the mysteries of nature's most toothsome predators
ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's marine biology program studies California's near-shore environment
If these mementoes from the Roy Dennis Trophy Room could talk, they would share many stories of ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë's rich sports heritage
In a banner year for TV and film production at ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë—including "NCIS," "Private Practice," and "CSI"—"Arrested Development" sneaks onto campus as the Bluth family saga springs back to life
FallWeb_Numerology
A retired jersey, Labs for the Liberal Arts, new professors, and Facebook friends

Features

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
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...

First Word

From the Quad

Current year scholarship recipients Alyssa Zatarain '29 and Sunny Tuazon '29
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.
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

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...
Administrative Law Judge Brian Gee ’87
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

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