Occidental Magazine

December 14, 2025

From uplifting inner-city scholars in South Central L.A. to prison moms in Colorado to a Monterey Park community in need, SA��ʴ�ý alumni embrace the College's mission

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).

Features

Occidental biology major Hannah Tawadrous '26

Academics

Lessons in Biology

SA��ʴ�ý’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.

Student Life

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 SA��ʴ�ý community

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, SA��ʴ�ý alumni embrace the College's mission

Six members of the Occidental Class of 2029 and a transfer student from the Class of 2027

Student Life

Tales of the Tigers of ’29

Curious, creative, and community-minded, Occidental’s newest class arrives with passion, purpose, and the promise to shape the future

Two-time Emmy winner Emma Choate ’20 with her 2-year-old Irish wolfhound, George.

Arts

When Emmy Met SA��ʴ�ý

From casting to costumes to music direction and composition, three Occidental alumni live out their Hollywood dreams while being honored by their peers

Retiring professors Elmer Griffin, Margi Rusmore, Stuart Rugg, Peter Dreier, Alexandra Puerto, Stuart Rugg, and Ron Buckmire

Faculty

Exit Interviews With Retiring Faculty

Occidental says goodbye to seven retiring professors—and some of their brightest pupils express their appreciation for a combined 233 years of service to the College

Obituaries

Remembering Steve Hinchliffe ’55, Devoted Steward of Occidental

Throughout his 47 years as an SA��ʴ�ý trustee, Hinchliffe held an unwavering belief in the power of a liberal arts education

Obituaries

The Soft-spoken Wisdom of Wellington Chan

Wellington K.K. Chan, National Endowment for the Humanities Distinguished Professor of the Humanities and Professor of History Emeritus at Occidental, died November 5 at Huntington Memorial...

Obituaries

Remembering Marsha Kinder: Pioneer, Collaborator, Mentor

Marsha Kinder founded film and media studies at Occidental, and her work influenced generations of alumni filmmakers and scholars

First Word

President Tom Stritikus, Kevin Adler '07, and Adler's wife, Tajah Tubbs

President Stritikus

Community, Service, and the SA��ʴ�ý Promise

Occidental students and faculty are asking profound questions, conducting rigorous research, and applying critical thinking to our biggest global challenges

From the Quad

Athletics

Meet the 2025 Athletics Hall of Famers

Reiner Kolodinski ’81, Rebecca Kopchik Carcamo ’94, Murray Via ’54, Olivia Sabins, and Jacqueline Shimamoto ’14 join a select group of SA��ʴ�ý legends

Occidental's men's soccer team celebrated on Patterson Field on November 8 after their 1-0 victory over the University of Redlands.

Athletics

SA��ʴ�ý’s Fall Three-Feat

Men’s soccer nets its second SCIAC title in three years, while women’s soccer and men’s water polo return to postseason play after sensational seasons

The Alpha sorority house in October 2025.

Student Life

At 125, Alpha Sorority Gets a Glow-up

A multi-generational group of dedicated alumnae comes together to renovate their beloved Alpha House and restore governance to the thriving sisterhood

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 SA��ʴ�ý education

OTS and SA��ʴ�ý students meet at La Selva. Picture taken at La Selva’s welcome sign.

Undergraduate Research

Social Roots in the Rainforest

Science, students, and synergy converge at La Selva Research Station

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 SA��ʴ�ý presidents in the Academic Commons—and artist Kenturah Davis ’02 reveals how she captured his dreams on canvas

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media

Detail from The Metamorphosis of Bunny Baxter

Arts

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

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

SA��ʴ�ý Talk

More SA��ʴ�ý 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

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...