Reflections on unlikely Oxy connections, the legacy of Delta sorority, and an overlooked magazine milestone
The Magic of Oxy
What a great article on Tammy Bird ’84 and her incredible dedication on behalf of her South L.A.-area high school students (“Catalyzing the Public Good,” Fall 2025). I can’t tell you how grateful I am to you in telling her story in the magazine. As I’m sure you are aware, it was the 1992 Rodney King incident and resulting neighborhood riots that brought Mike Hoover ’65 into the story.
Hoover was born missing a “fear gene.” At Oxy, he kept a few rattlesnakes in his dorm and allowed them to “exercise” in the evenings out of their cage! (Fortunately, I had no knowledge of this and would have slept in a car.) Adventure photography was his calling, and learning of Tammy introducing an outstanding science program in a primarily Black school immediately caught his attention.
What were the chances of Tammy, with her focus on providing a first-class multifaceted science experience for kids at three different high schools, joining world-renowned photographer-adventurer Hoover? And, both at Occidental? Magic. And the story goes on.
Ron Whitney ’64
Santa Rosa
Century Note
Congratulations to Dick Anderson on the publication of his 100th issue of Occidental magazine, which in typical fashion went unremarked in the Fall 2025 issue. Because Dick has been editor for 26 years—longer than anyone else in the magazine’s 106-year history, as far as I know—many readers may not realize the breadth and scope of his accomplishments.
The magazine Dick was hired to revive was a sad, thin tabloid-size survivor of major budget cuts. Dick turned it back into a real, four-color magazine filled with news, features, and striking photography and illustrations that offered a whole new perspective on Oxy. Suddenly the Admission Office started using reprints of articles for recruitment; College fundraisers began using articles to support grant proposals; and the President’s Office put current issues on display for visitors.
Under Dick’s editorship, the magazine has won multiple regional and national awards. But what is most impressive about his leadership is his willingness to report on campus controversies—the kind of articles not often seen in other alumni magazines. (Any USC alumnus can testify to this.) Dick’s insistence on giving readers a complete picture of Occidental is rare. Most college administrations won’t countenance it, and most editors won’t push for it. Dick is not most editors.
Jim Tranquada
Ventura
Tranquada was director of communications at Occidental from 2000-23.
Deltas Deserved Better
I am writing to express the significant disappointment felt by me, many of my Delta Omicron Tau sisters and other non-Delta Oxy alumni I have talked with, regarding the placement of the articles “Change Comes to the Delta House” and “At 125, Alpha Sorority Gets a Glow-up” (Fall 2025).
Placing these two articles in the same edition—and especially following each other—was thoughtless and callous. For many Deltas, this article is the first they are hearing about the fate of their beloved 124-year-old Delta Omicron Tau sorority and its house. I applaud the success of the Alpha house renovation; however, the Delta article placement in the same issue and immediately after really drove the nail in the coffin.
As your article correctly showcases, the history and friendships fostered by Delta Omicron Tau extend far beyond the years spent at Oxy. These connections deserve to be honored with more consideration than was shown by this editorial decision.
Beth Kartub Raff ’82
Santa Ana
