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, Â鶹ÊÓƵalumni embrace the College's mission
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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).

Â鶹ÊÓƵ President Harry J. Elam, Jr.
President Elam
Following a milestone campaign year, Â鶹ÊÓƵbuilds on its values and strengths
Author and Occidental Professor of Politics Peter Dreier
Faculty
In a pair of new books, Â鶹ÊÓƵpolitics professor Peter Dreier tips his cap to the mavericks, iconoclasts, and rebels who have shaped baseball history
Venture capitalist Josh Schlisserman
Profiles
Josh Schlisserman ’19 helped raise $2.5 million as a summer intern in Silicon Valley—and after Scooter Braun kicked him out of his office, he’d found his calling as a venture capitalist
Professor Woody Studenmund in April 2022.
Profiles
Economics legend Woody Studenmund closes the textbook on a 52-year career
Professor Linda Lyke
Academics
“Occidental will forever be an indelible part of me," says the professor of art and art history, who is retiring after 46 years at the College
Lynn Mehl, professor of kinesiology and psychology
Faculty
After 45 years at Oxy, choosing a favorite class is "like choosing your favorite child," says the professor of kinesiology and psychology
Thomas Burkdall, associate professor of writing and rhetoric
Faculty
“I plan to write a mystery, travel, and read whatever strikes my fancy."
Susan Gratch, Occidental professor of theater and performance studies
Faculty
Professor of Theater and Performance Studies Susan Gratch brings the curtain down after 37 years at Oxy
Dennis Eggleston, professor of physics
Faculty
"We’ll see what opportunities present themselves and what life allows."
Oswald celebrates Occidental's 135th birthday
Campaign
Break out the cake!
Occidental President Harry J. Elam, Jr.
President Elam
As Inauguration Day draws near, President Harry J. Elam, Jr. reflects on the lessons of the pandemic, the evolution of academic excellence, and the necessity of a culture of care
Professor Linda Lyke
Faculty
As five retiring faculty take their classroom curtain calls, we asked a few prized pupils to toast their Â鶹ÊÓƵmentors
Lencia Kebede ’16 performs at Apollo Night in 2016.
President Elam
Oxy’s music community lifts every voice (and instrument) to celebrate the installation of President Elam
Inside President Elam's office at Â鶹ÊÓƵ
President Elam
A look inside President Elam’s office tells his story in five artifacts
Jillian Hopewell '89 of Migrant Clinicians Network
Profiles
Jillian Hopewell ’89 has spent her career advocating for better care for underserved populations—and a $5 million gift will boost those efforts

Features

Occidental biology major Hannah Tawadrous '26
Academics
Lessons in Biology
Oxy’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 Â鶹ÊÓƵcommunity
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, Â鶹ÊÓƵalumni embrace the College's mission
Two-time Emmy winner Emma Choate ’20 with her 2-year-old Irish wolfhound, George.
Arts
When Emmy Met Oxy
From casting to costumes to music direction and composition, three Occidental alumni live out their Hollywood dreams while being honored by their peers
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

From the Quad

From left, Lizzie Friedrich ’25, Lily Calvert ’25, and Hayden Jennings ’25 share a red-carpet moment during the 2026 Slamdance Film Festival.
Student Life
A Ticket to Slamdance
Â鶹ÊÓƵstudents and alumni find pathways into the Slamdance Film Festival, gaining industry exposure and experience following its move to Los Angeles
Occidental's men's soccer team celebrated on Patterson Field on November 8 after their 1-0 victory over the University of Redlands.
Athletics
Oxy’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

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media
Filmmaker Thom Harp '92
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

Â鶹ÊÓƵTalk

More Â鶹ÊÓƵTalk
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...

Last Page

Dale and Shirley Morter photographed on January 1, 2000.
Impact
A Couple’s Legacy
A scholarship gift honoring Shirley and Dale Morter ’56 will bring students from southwestern Pennsylvania to Occidental

Issue Archive

a man with a black suit jacket and black baseball hat on a sports field
Spring 2026
Fall 2025 Occidental Magazine cover with different face portraits
Fall 2025
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Occidental Magazine 2025 cover
Summer 2025
The cover of the Spring 2025 issue of Occidental Magazine showing three alumni comics sitting together on a couch
Spring 2025
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