Living in a Wildlife Corridor

August 30, 2023

An immersive exhibit at Descanso Gardens underscores the diversity and proximity of Southern California wildlife—and the efforts under way to improve their mobility

Occidental Magazine

Occidental magazine brings you campus news, in-depth features, and profiles of exceptional alumni. For the 2023-24 academic year, the magazine will publish two print and digital issues (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024) and two digital-only issues (Summer 2023 and Winter 2024).

Features

Obituaries

The Other Side of Roland Griffiths

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine professor, who died in October, was lauded for his ‘mind-blowing’ studies of psychedelics. But Barry Sears ’68 remembers his ‘wicked sense of humor’

Occidental's Philosophy Department faculty

Academics

The New Philosophers

Building on an academic legacy as old as the College itself, Occidental’s Philosophy Department has evolved to include a mix of voices far beyond the traditional canon

Campaign

For Access. For Distinction. For Campus. For Today.

The Oxy Campaign For Good checked all the boxes—and the College is already realizing its benefits

Profiles

Into the Mystic

From Spring 2009: After a lifetime of rigorous research on the effects of drugs on animals and humans, neuroscientist Roland Griffiths ’68 meditates on the spiritual powers of hallucinogens

Gay and Lesbian Association members in 1984.

Alumni Engagement

Rainbow Connections

Nearly 40 years after its formation, Out@Oxy has a new name and a renewed mission—to support Occidental’s LGBTQIA+ student community and curate a queer history of the College

Meko Winbush '03, winning director of Project Greenlight

Profiles

All Eyes on Meko

Winning Project Greenlight and making her first feature film has opened doors for Meko Winbush ’03. In return, she endured eight months in front of the camera

Alumni Engagement

Jean and Bill Griswold’s Remarkable Journey

“We want to ensure that future generations will have access to the same transformative opportunities we enjoyed”

Alumni Engagement

News and Kudos From the Board of Governors

As the academic year begins, the Occidental Alumni Board of Governors is gearing up for a busy fall season.

Oxy History

Diplomatic Community

Occidental's ties to foreign relations run deep—not just in the U.S. government, but in Japan and South Africa as well

First Word

President Elam

‘I Wish I Could Be Here Longer’

After four years at the College, President Harry J. Elam, Jr. will depart next June—but he has a full agenda as The Occidental Promise comes into focus

From the Quad

Athletics

Welcome to the Athletics Hall of Fame

Record-setting champions in swimming and track, a pair of dominant hoops teams, and a triple threat in basketball, softball, and volleyball earn their stripes

Writer, artist and non-binary activist ALOK at Occidental College on Oct. 3, 2023

Arts

Worth Noting: “Oxy Live!” and US News

A new arts initiative brings an eclectic lineup of cultural luminaries to campus. Also: Oxy climbs to a 14-year high in the latest US News Best Colleges rankings

Ruby Siehl ’24, Professor Shana Goffredi, and Bianca Dal Bó '24 aboard the R/V Atlantis

Academics

A Vessel for Student Research

Biology Professor Shana Goffredi and two Oxy seniors explore the ecosystem off the Southern California coast

Adam Kinzinger, 2023 Jack Kemp ’57 Distinguished Lecturer at Occidental College

Academics

Making the Case for Democracy

Jack Kemp ’57 Distinguished Lecturer and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger has a message for students: “You will be the generation that changes everything”

Isabel Wilkerson speaks at Occidental College's 2023 Commencement.

Academics

Wilkerson to Seniors: Embrace Your Power

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Isabel Wilkerson addresses the Class of 2023 at Occidental's 141st Commencement ceremony

A view of the AGC administration building

Alumni Engagement

Six New Trustees Elected to Board

The Occidental College Board of Trustees welcomed six new members to its ranks in July. Trustees are elected to four-year terms and can serve up to 12 consecutive years following their...

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media

Onward to Chicago, by Larry A. McClellan ’66

Alumni Engagement

Mixed Media

New books by Kevin Adler ’07, Professor Andrew Shtulman, Larry McClellan ’66, and Ralph Kuncl ’70

A performance of Fetch Clay, Make Man featuring four Black actors onstage

Arts

Power Dynamics

Exploring the unlikely friendship between two Black cultural icons—Muhammad Ali and Stepin Fetchit—professor and playwright Will Power’s Fetch Clay, Make Man packs a punch with L.A...

Oxy Talk

More Oxy Talk

Keegan McChesney '16 and David Wigglesworth '50 M'53

Obituaries

Dave and Me

Separated by 66 years but drawn together by an Oxy bumper sticker, David Wigglesworth ’50 M’53 and Keegan McChesney ’16 became fast friends a decade ago. Keegan remembers his oldest friend...

Tye Hernandez ’23 (track and field), an economics/politics double major from Brea.

Athletics

Senior Moments

Ten standout student-athletes from Occidental’s Class of 2023 discuss the challenges and rewards of sticking with their sport through the pandemic

Last Page

Occidental College Professor of Chemistry Frank Lambert

Academics

Lessons From Lambert

Fifty-seven years after an ill-fated grade placed his academic dreams in jeopardy, Dr. Elliott Oppenheim ’69 recalls the counsel of his mentor, Professor of Chemistry Frank Lambert