President John Brooks Slaughter in 1988
The Journey of John Brooks Slaughter
Occidental's 11th president arrived on campus in 1988 amid national fanfare and great expectations—and in the 11 years to follow, John Brooks Slaughter brought out the best in Oxy

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). 

Emmons Health Center, COVID-19 vaccine
As California takes major strides in the fight against the pandemic, the College makes plans to bring students, faculty, and staff back to campus this fall
Belonging at Oxy, Daniella Michelin '94
When artist Jocelyn Pedersen, who teaches a class in Book Arts, learned that students would not be returning to campus in the spring, she wanted to give members of the Oxy community a chance...
Arts in a Pandemic
Oxy faculty and students embrace, explore, and experiment with technology to keep arts classes, exhibits, and performances humming
Occidental Core Writing Program
Regardless of one’s major or career path, Oxy’s writing proficiency requirement has proved essential to professional success. But don’t just take our word for it
COVID testing in the Quad, January 2021
After nearly a full year of remote learning, hope springs eternal of a return to campus this fall
Oxy Athletics
A new multi-constituent commission examines Oxy's athletic programs with a focus on issues of competitiveness and diversity
Fall Semester, Remote Learning, Occidental
Introducing new courses, embracing technology, and challenging traditional approaches to classroom pedagogy, Oxy faculty reimagine the remote learning experience
CTSJ Matrix
Oxy’s Critical Theory & Social Justice Department puts social justice upfront
Madeline Aubry, Campaign Semester
Campaign Semester takes on many forms as Oxy students get out the vote
Leslie Garcia, Class of 2024
No global pandemic can keep the Class of 2024 from chasing their academic dreams—only a bad Wi-Fi connection
1971 Sylmar Earthquake
A Class Notes extra: As the 50th anniversary of the Sylmar earthquake rumbles near, members of the Class of ’74 remember the moment that shook Oxy
Thorne Hall, Oxy Campus
As the novel coronavirus brings campus life to a standstill, Occidental soldiers on
COVID-19
In a race against two calendars—academic and pandemic—how did Oxy transform in less than two weeks from a high-touch curriculum to a remote learning model?
Emily Jo Wharry '20
Many special senior moments have been upended by COVID-19—and a traditional Commencement will have to wait. But the Class of 2020 has made memories that no virus can destroy
Jack Kemp Stadium, Oxy Athletics
The SCIAC spring sports season ended abruptly—and these senior student-athletes will miss their Oxy families almost as much as the thrill of victory

Features

Lori Howard ’81 of Pinch Me Provence
A Pinch of Provence
Lori Howard ’81 kept a place in her heart for France following her study abroad experience at Oxy. Now she’s curating custom holiday experiences for a growing clientele in the French...
Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Keala Ede
Longboard of the Law
As the first Native Hawaiian judge in Minnesota history, Keala Ede ’00 brings a commitment to justice to his courtroom—and a taste of surf culture to the shores of Lake Superior
Members of the Occidental Class of 2027
New Faces of 2027
Occidental’s 140th-anniversary class is among its most diverse—and they have a lot to say about everything from activism and athletics to culture and chocolates
Roland Griffiths '68
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’

First Word

From the Quad

Coach Rod Lafaurie and members of the 2023 men's soccer team
Kicking and Dreaming
From its first SCIAC championship to a berth in the Sweet 16, Oxy men’s soccer soared to new heights this season. But Coach Rod Lafaurie and his players are hungry for more
Adam Kinzinger, 2023 Jack Kemp ’57 Distinguished Lecturer at Occidental College
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”

Mixed Media

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

Professor of History Emeritus Wellington Chan
One for the History Books
An estate commitment from Gary Kaplan ’71 honors Professor Emeritus Wellington Chan—whom he helped bring to Occidental more than 50 years ago
Assistant professors Sohaib Khan (religious studies), Season Blake (philosophy), Jamie Amemiya (psychology), and Zachary Silver (psychology).
Thinking Globally
Occidental’s largest-ever cohort of new tenure-track faculty brings a world of ideas to the classroom

Last Page

Dean of Students Emerita Brig Knauer
Flowers for Brig Knauer
Over 25 years of leadership in Occidental’s Office of Student Affairs, Brigida Knauer (1935-2023) shepherded residential life into the modern era
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