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SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ President Tom Stritikus addresses the audience from the podium on his Inauguration Day

The Inauguration of Tom Stritikus

On Friday, April 25, 2025, SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ inaugurated its 17th President, Tom Stritikus. Members of the SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ community—including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents—joined us on campus for the day’s events.

Inauguration Day Program (PDF)

Event Photos

  • Inauguration attendees arrive at the Remsen Bird Hillside theater on the afternoon of April 25 amid colorful signage.

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  • SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Trustees Leo Olebe '97 and Lande Ajose '87.

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  • The Inauguration stage at Remsen Bird Hillside Theater.

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  • The Occidental Jazz Ensemble, fronted by vocalist Loren Battley, the College's jazz and commercial voice instructor, brought down the house with their rendition of the Ashford and Simpson composition "California Soul."

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  • Désirée LaVertu directs the SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Glee Club in a performance of "California Dreamin'," accompanied by the Occidental Jazz Ensemble.

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  • Lisa Link P'18, chair of the Occidental Board of Trustees, conducts the investiture of President Stritikus.

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  • President Stritikus delivers his inaugural address, titled "Purpose and Place."

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  • Board of Trustees Chair-elect Art Peck '77 P'10 P'14 chaired the Presidential Search Advisory Committee that selected President Stritikus.

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  • Scripps President Amy Marcus-Newhall '84 P'24 discusses Stritikus as a tennis player and strategic leader.

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  • Ron Crutcher, president emeritus of Wheaton College and the University of Richmond, got to know Stritikus through his service on the American Council of Education.

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  • Ernest House Jr., senior policy director of Keystone Policy Center and a trustee of Fort Lewis College during Stritikus' time there.

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  • Associated Students of SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ (ASOC) president Cecilia Grané ’26 speaks at Inauguration.

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  • President Stritikus talks with House, Crutcher, Board of Trustees Vice Chair Maurine Halperin P'16, and Marcus-Newhall.
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  • SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ faculty talking and eating lunch together preceding the president's inauguration ceremony.

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  • Occidental students talking together in front of food tents at the Inauguration Day reception.

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  • Professor of Music David Kasunic, right, talks with Mark Gad '18 (a graduate research fellow at the Rockefeller University) and Perri Goldstein at the all-community social event preceding the Inauguration.

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Photos by Marc Campos and Sarahi Apaez.

SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ President Tom Stritikus standing in front of Gilman Fountain

President Tom Stritikus

President Tom Stritikus joined SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ in July 2024. We are excited to celebrate his installation as SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½â€™s 17th president.

About President Stritikus
The Remsen Bird Hillside Theater on the SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, full of people in the stands

Schedule of Inauguration Events

President Stritikus’ installation ceremony will mark a new chapter for SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½. Join fellow SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ community members—including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents—as well as esteemed guests, as we gather and officially welcome President Stritikus. 

View schedule
Gilman Fountain at night on the SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ campus

Guest Information

Drawing on the cultural and intellectual resources of the global city of Los Angeles, Occidental provides a springboard for putting theory into practice and ideas into action. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful campus for this special event.

Get details
SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ president Tom Stritikus talks to students on campus at Matriculation

Guestbook

Please share your best wishes for President Stritikus by signing our virual guestbook.

Sign guestbook
Questions About Inauguration?

Office of the President
(323) 259-2691
inauguration@oxy.edu