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). 

President John Brooks Slaughter in 1988
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
Sally and Jack Samuelson smile for trustee Dave Berkus ’62's camera.
Perpetuating the architectural legacy of Myron Hunt’s master plan for campus, Jack Samuelson ’46 brought his own flair to more than two dozen projects at Oxy
Professor of Psychology Emeritus Dave Cole M’48 in 1974
Professor of Psychology Emeritus Dave Cole M’48 brought personality to the classroom and beyond
Anne Wolf, former Oxy’s Bookstore manager
With goodwill and a dash of whimsy (Obama-branded diaper covers!), Anne Wolf made the Oxy Bookstore a destination for more than textbooks
Trevor Moawad, Oxy soccer, 1994
Remembering Bishop Beverly (Taylor) Shamana '61, Grant Woods '76, and Trevor Moawad '95 M'01
Professor Emeritus Andrew Rolle '43
As prolific in the library as he was in the classroom, Andrew Rolle '43, who died in March, chronicled California, the American West, and Occidental with an honest and unflinching gaze
Ming Cho Lee '53
The Tony-winning set designer and legendary Yale professor, who died last fall, dedicated himself to theater and to teaching, Ann Sheffield ’83 recalls
Jaden Burris
Ilah Richardson ’23 and Jaden Burris ’22 were deeply immersed in the Oxy community—and their deaths three weeks apart left a hole in our hearts
Tom Somerville, Occidental Glee Club
Sharing the joy of performing with generations of students, Thomas Somerville epitomized Glee
Clifton Kroeber, Norman Bridge Professor of Hispanic American History Emeritus
Remembering professors emeriti Clif Kroeber, Patrick Wells, and Allen Gross
Frank Lambert
The lasting joy of Frank Lambert’s 100 years on Earth was ‘teaching organic chem at Oxy’
James Lare
From urban studies to government internships, professor of politics emeritus James Lare ’55 opened new doors for generations of students
Glen Johnson
There were few bigger Oxy boosters than Glen Johnson ’61—and that’s not hyperbole
Kevin Bryan Musician
Kevin Bryan ’87’s trumpet case was “merely an extension of his arm,” says fellow musician and freshman roommate Jack Lees ’88
Alvin Hudson
Remembering Alvin Hudson, emeritus professor of physics

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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