Introducing Tom Stritikus

June 6, 2024

Occidental’s president-elect is a first-generation college graduate and a firm believer in the transformative power of a liberal arts education

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

Occidental College's 17th president, Tom Stritikus, in April 2024.

Profiles

Introducing Tom Stritikus

Occidental’s president-elect is a first-generation college graduate and a firm believer in the transformative power of a liberal arts education

Vidiots reopened for business in June 2023 at the former home of the Eagle Theatre,

Los Angeles

Neighborhood Watch

Eagle Rock and Highland Park have become magnets for new businesses, including the resurrected Eagle Theatre (now home to Vidiots). What’s changed—and what’s still in fashion?

Professor of History Maryanne Horowitz in a 1978 photo.

Academics

You’re the Inspiration: Maryanne Horowitz

A professor of the history of ideas, Horowitz has encouraged generations of students to pursue fulfilling careers. She may be saying goodbye to Oxy, but she’s not the retiring type

Professor of Biology Roberta Pollock, photographed in her lab in April 2024.

Academics

You’re the Inspiration: Roberta Pollock

“Mentoring students and making a difference in their lives has been the highlight of my career,” says Pollock, who played a central role in the College's response to the pandemic

Professor of Biology Beth Braker at Eaton Canyon in Altadena.

Academics

You're the Inspiration: Beth Braker

Over the years, Braker has taken about 200 students to Costa Rica to do research at La Selva—and her work there isn't done yet

Occidental Children's Theater performer Amanda Wagner ’16.

Arts

Theater of the Absurd

Occidental Children’s Theater has delighted audiences of all ages for 29 seasons—but what’s next after Cinderalice in Wonderland ? We went to Jamie Angell for answers

Alumni Engagement

Looking for Career Advice? Ask an Oxy GOLD Mentor

A new mentorship initiative looks to bridge the gap for young alumni between academic life and the professional world

Los Angeles

Hats Off to Patt!

Patt Morrison ’74 shares a curated collection of books with Special Collections—and 50 years of words and wisdom in conversation with Larry Mantle

Alumni Engagement

Silva Scholarship Turns 30 With Yearlong Endowment Effort

OCLAA aims to boost the José F. Silva ’84 Endowed Scholarship Fund to commemorate a pioneering graduate's commitment to his community

First Word

President Elam

Three Insights From the Last Four Years

As he prepares to depart from Occidental, President Harry J. Elam, Jr. shares three insights into leadership that he will carry away with him

From the Quad

Rebecca Solnit and Paul Holdengraber onstage at an Oxy Live! event at Occidental College

Los Angeles

An Evening of Eavesdropping

Oxy Live!—the College’s new conversation series featuring a world-class lineup of artists—engages audiences in dialogues about culture and society

Occidental’s women's basketball team after winning the 2024 SCIAC Postseason Tournament championship.

Athletics

Bringing the Heat

Playing through injuries, fatigue, and in front of opposing crowds, Oxy’s ‘relentless’ women’s hoops team wins its way into the NCAA tourney

Coach Rod Lafaurie and members of the 2023 men's soccer team

Athletics

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

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

Mixed Media

More Mixed Media

Onward to Chicago, by Larry A. McClellan ’66

Alumni Engagement

Mixed Media

New books by Larry McClellan ’66, Professor Andrew Shtulman, Kevin Adler ’07, 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...