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, �鶹��Ƶ 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

�鶹��Ƶ’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 �鶹��Ƶ 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, �鶹��Ƶ 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 �鶹��Ƶ

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

Alumni Engagement

From the Readers

Reflections on unlikely �鶹��Ƶ connections, the legacy of Delta sorority, and an overlooked magazine milestone

Los Angeles

Hey, Isn't That Steve Carell?

Hollywood and advertisers flock to campus as production booms at �鶹��Ƶ

Impact

Overcoming Every Hurdle

First-generation college student and Obama Scholar Derek Jimenez ’27 is reshaping the intersection of community, culture, and affordable housing

First Word

Occidental students relax near Lucille Gilman Fountain on an idyllic fall afternoon.

President Stritikus

Why �鶹��Ƶ's Work Matters

President Stritikus on the power of community partners and shared purpose in preparing �鶹��Ƶ students to lead impactful lives beyond campus

From the Quad

LA County High School for the Arts performs at Day 1 of the Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 14, 2025.

Los Angeles

Summer With the LA Phil

A donor-funded 10-week internship program will take 10 �鶹��Ƶ students inside the operations of the LA Phil

Illustration for Occidental's Center for Community-Based Learning

Los Angeles

Weaving Community Into Curriculum

Working with faculty across the academic spectrum, Occidental’s Center for Community-Based Learning has become part of the institutional fabric

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 �鶹��Ƶ 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

�鶹��Ƶ’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 �鶹��Ƶ education

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media

Arts

Fertile Imagination

Thom Harp ’92 waited for years to direct his first movie—and after a long birthing process, he’s the proud father of two features

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

�鶹��Ƶ Talk

More �鶹��Ƶ 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...