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Bryan Scott ’17 at Jack Kemp Stadium in February 2026.
Out of the Foxhole
After smashing multiple records at Oxy and gutting out an eight-year career in professional football, what’s next for Bryan Scott ’17?

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).

Professor of History Emeritus Wellington Chan
Wellington K.K. Chan, National Endowment for the Humanities Distinguished Professor of the Humanities and Professor of History Emeritus at Occidental, died November 5 at Huntington Memorial...
Thomas A. Slobko, chief information officer and professor of mathematics emeritus at Occidental
Thomas A. Slobko, chief information officer and professor of mathematics emeritus at Occidental, died September 17 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Pomona. He was 85.
Oxy professors and students engaged in summer research and internships
From artificial intelligence in the classroom to immigrant rights in the city, the Occidental landscape has been abuzz with activity for faculty and students alike
Members of the Pacific Crossings “Dream Team”: From left, Nakatsuka, Gilder Lehrman program coordinator Leah Baer, administrative assistant Thea Wilson ’24, and Hong.
Associate Professor Jane Hong and a “dream team” of educators bring 150 years of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history into focus
Professor of History Emeritus Wellington Chan
An estate commitment from Gary Kaplan ’71 honors Professor Emeritus Wellington Chan—whom he helped bring to Occidental more than 50 years ago
Occidental's eight new tenure-track faculty joined the College in fall 2022.
From art and art history and Black studies to music, politics, and psychology, Oxy welcomes eight new voices to the classroom
Professor and filmmaker Broderick Fox films artist Devan Shimoyama for his documentary, Manscaping.
Professor and filmmaker Broderick Fox explores the relationship between barbershops and masculinity in his new documentary, Manscaping
"New Harmonies" are at the heart of Oxy's Integrated Strategic Plan.
What will the College look like in 2030? Oxy's Integrated Strategic Plan identifies 11 key issues
Author and Occidental Professor of Politics Peter Dreier
In a pair of new books, Oxy politics professor Peter Dreier tips his cap to the mavericks, iconoclasts, and rebels who have shaped baseball history
Professor Woody Studenmund in April 2022.
Economics legend Woody Studenmund closes the textbook on a 52-year career
Lynn Mehl, professor of kinesiology and psychology
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
“I plan to write a mystery, travel, and read whatever strikes my fancy."
Susan Gratch, Occidental professor of theater and performance studies
Professor of Theater and Performance Studies Susan Gratch brings the curtain down after 37 years at Oxy
Dennis Eggleston, professor of physics
"We’ll see what opportunities present themselves and what life allows."
Professor Linda Lyke
As five retiring faculty take their classroom curtain calls, we asked a few prized pupils to toast their Oxy mentors

Features

Derek Shearer photographed in March 2026
The Ambassadude Abides
As a diplomat, dealmaker, and master connector, Derek Shearer brought global leaders, policymakers, and a U.S. president to the classroom over his 45 years at Oxy
Bryan Scott ’17 at Jack Kemp Stadium in February 2026.
Out of the Foxhole
After smashing multiple records at Oxy and gutting out an eight-year career in professional football, what’s next for Bryan Scott ’17?
Members of the 1971 Oxy rugby team.
Pitch Perfect
Larry Layne ’71 came to love rugby as a student-athlete—and an estate gift will provide a swift kick to its future at Oxy
L-R: Associate professors Alaa Abdelfattah (economics), Tiffany Wheatland-Disu (Black studies), Madeline Wander ’08 (urban and environmental policy), Joel Walsh (computer science), Margaret Gaida (history), and Kai Yui Samuel Chan (politics).
16 Faculty, 16 Stories
Fifteen new tenure-track faculty and a veteran kinesiology professor discuss their favorite classes, their passion for teaching, and what brought them to Oxy (hint: Location!)
Dean Simons ’59 and John Ingle ’50 in Moliere’s The Would-Be Gentleman (1962)
Theatre Brats
Two children of Oxy professors grew up immersed in the magic of Shakespeare, Shaw, and Gilbert & Sullivan—in an era when a plucky little drama festival became their whole world
Occidental biology major Hannah Tawadrous '26
Lessons in Biology
Oxy’s biology program blends exploration and experimentation, empowering students to uncover and explain life’s diverse ecosystems

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.
A Ticket to Slamdance
Oxy students and alumni find pathways into the Slamdance Film Festival, gaining industry exposure and experience following its move to Los Angeles
Obama Scholar Derek Jimenez '27
Overcoming Every Hurdle
First-generation college student and Obama Scholar Derek Jimenez ’27 is reshaping the intersection of community, culture, and affordable housing

Mixed Media

Filmmaker Thom Harp '92
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

Oxy Talk

2025-26 Kemp Lecturer Tim Miller with Occidental Professor Caroline Heldman.
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

Last Page

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