Throughout the year, the Office of Marketing & Communications (OMC) chronicles the stories of Occidental College—including the impressive work our faculty and students are doing in and out of the classroom, Oxy’s many unique programs, and the achievements of our alumni across many fields.
News stories from the Oxy Newsroom
Occidental Magazine articles
Standalone Twitter posts
News Stories from the Oxy Website
Buckmire Named SIAM Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
December 16, 2020
Ron Buckmire, Occidental’s associate dean for curricular affairs and professor of mathematics, has been named the first-ever vice president for equity, diversity, and inclusion at the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), the world’s largest professional association devoted to applied mathematics.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1339271078431035397
First-year composition student wins international music competition
December 14, 2020
Oxy’s thriving music department continues to attract talented students, including Timothy Shortell who won a $3,000 young artist grant this fall.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159597225043072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1338626576414543873
Oxy Students Gain Access to Virtual Preceptorships at Huntington Hospital
December 7, 2020
Through a new partnership between the hospital and the College’s Office of Pre-Health Advising, 25 pre-health students have taken part in a tailored preceptorship program.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159581162173072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1336732852914970630
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6197b5a7411c/jvpq42fx58-7910425
Undergraduate research yields results for faculty and students alike
November 30, 2020
Across departments at Occidental, students benefit from the collaborative process of discovery with their faculty mentors.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159563354878072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1333838789979082765
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6197b5a7411c/jvpq42fx58-7910425
New research illuminates how glaciers have responded to past climate changes
November 19, 2020
Professor Darren Larsen and former student Aria Blumm ’19 analyzed sediment from a glacial lake to learn about glacier fluctuations and climate shifts over the last 10,000 years.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159540339213072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1333471111288328204, https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1331008126666084352
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CH-21z4jsdZ/
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6197b5a7411c/jvpq42fx58-7910425
Occidental Helps Launch Liberal Arts College Racial Equity Leadership Alliance
November 12, 2020
Occidental College President Harry J. Elam, Jr. has joined with leaders from five other liberal arts colleges to organize a national coalition to address racial inequities at liberal arts colleges.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159512815668072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1327314292044144641
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/b7c50883b658/jvpq42fx58-7904645
Meet Pre-Health Director Kat Wang
November 6, 2020
Occidental’s new director of pre-health, Kat “Miao” Wang, joined the College earlier this year and has shown great energy and enthusiasm in her role.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159505246823072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1326223191686123520
Campaign Semester Takes on Many Forms as Oxy Students Get Out the Vote
October 29, 2020
With the 2020 election right around the corner, Oxy students are busy getting out the vote as part of Campaign Semester, the only undergraduate program in the country that offers a full semester’s credit for a fully immersive experience into the American political process.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159481600873072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1332774522488020993, https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1324510814469017600
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6729111761913556992
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/b7c50883b658/jvpq42fx58-7904645
Occidental Makes Difficult Decision To End Football Program
October 13, 2020
Occidental College will discontinue its football program, ending three years of deliberations about its future that ultimately reflect the unique challenges specific to Occidental football and the substantial financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Harry J. Elam, Jr. announced.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159428116723072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1316178589709209600
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/bb011816f608/jvpq42fx58-7900493
Kahane United Nations Program Welcomes New Director
October 12, 2020
Trainer and advocate Cynthia Rothschild leads the Kahane Oxy-at-the-U.N. Program, which is continuing in a remote format this fall.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159445977813072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1316126065144860677
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/bb011816f608/jvpq42fx58-7900493
Oxy Awarded $1 Million NSF Grant To Address U.S. Shortage of STEM Graduates
September 26, 2020
A five-year, $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation will make it possible to build on the success of an Occidental College program addressing the national shortage of STEM graduates by recruiting academically talented but financially needy students during their first year in college.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159396618183072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1314975734901936135
Students combat the spread of COVID-19 as contact tracers
September 22, 2020
A new public health practicum lets students address a pressing need by interning with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159386307628072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1309536909455228929, https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1310693769105281025
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6716460129757347840
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/31e09beb01fe/jvpq42fx58-7896869
Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month
September 21, 2020
For this year’s Latinx Heritage Month, taking place September 15 through October 15, virtual events and exhibits will celebrate Latinx heritage at Occidental and in the creative world.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159377995208072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1309623217728950272
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6722579950140055552
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/31e09beb01fe/jvpq42fx58-7896869
New First-Gen Coalition offers support to first-generation students at Oxy
September 21, 2020
Recognizing the unique needs of this cohort, particularly during remote learning, the coalition of staff, students and faculty have planned targeted workshops, social mixers and peer mentoring.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159367486078072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1309912623668961286
New Oxy.edu website: /about-oxy/equity-inclusion/first-gen-coalition
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/31e09beb01fe/jvpq42fx58-7896869
Virtual Learning Heads to the Solar System for Physics Students
September 16, 2020
Students in Assistant Professor Sabrina Stierwalt’s Physics 162 class are headed out of this world by way of virtual reality headsets this fall.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159337029663072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1306721093965803521
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6713930593626791936
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/e8014d7392e9/jvpq42fx58-7892773
New biology course explores the COVID-19 pandemic in real time
September 14, 2020
Co-taught by an Oxy professor and an Oxy alumna who is an infectious disease expert, the class features an impressive lineup of guest speakers including primatologist Jane Goodall and Pasadena Director of Public Health Dr. Ying-Ying Goh.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159350758493072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1306002361228427264
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6712110077538660352
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/e8014d7392e9/jvpq42fx58-7892773
“WE LIVE! Memories of Resistance” Opens at Oxy Arts
September 10, 2020
Oxy Arts’ Fall 2020 exhibition WE LIVE! Memories of Resistance brings together 14 In Plain Sight artists that engage the contemporary stakes of historical remembrance and collective memory.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159416575203072
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/e8014d7392e9/jvpq42fx58-7892773
Dean’s Award Winners 2020
September 9, 2020
Each year, the Dean of Students recognizes seniors who, through their involvement on- and off-campus, embody Oxy’s four pillars of Equity, Excellence, Community and Service.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159358518863072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1307052028238143490, https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1305580833110134785
On Campus newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/e8014d7392e9/jvpq42fx58-7892773
Occidental Announces Further Measures to Address COVID-19 Deficit
September 3, 2020
Even after implementing millions of dollars in cost-saving measures since March, Occidental College announced August 17 that it will need to furlough 129 staff members—27% of the College’s non-faculty workforce.
Occidental Magazine, Summer-Fall 2020
Occidental magazine is mailed to more than 24,000 alumni, friends of the College and parents of current students. The magazine is posted online at oxy.edu/magazine and promoted on social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Making It Work
From remote worship to online meditation, and testing to teaching, these six alumni have mobilized in the fight against COVID-19.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159523355088072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1334301362729922561, https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1328828515257643008
Urban Cowboy
Whether he's ranching. riding, or rapping, Compton Cowboys leader Randy Hook '12 brings swagger to the saddle.
Fall Speed Ahead
Introducing new courses, embracing technology, and challenging traditional approaches to classroom pedagogy, Oxy faculty reimagine the remote learning experience.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159568758548072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1334941295433969665
Inside the Matrix
Oxy’s Critical Theory & Social Justice Department puts social justice upfront.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1336458796441415682
Pivoting Mid-Campaign
Campaign Semester takes on many forms as Oxy students get out the vote.
Everything's Clicking
No global pandemic can keep the Class of 2024 from chasing their academic dreams—only a bad Wi-Fi connection.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159576726943072
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1336074006055809024
Occidental’s Eleven
Behind the screens with the College’s largest-ever entering group of tenure-track faculty.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occidental/posts/10159544775293072
Standalone Twitter Posts
Fall semester is right around the corner, and faculty have been preparing their remote courses all summer long. Get a preview of what students can expect. http://youtube.com/watch?v=mQpzTkGFHYM&list=PLG4TEaHkrMcz4--BU6REMI4trYKcoNaCk
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1296860123076460546
With support from a new @NSF grant, Associate Professor @bhavnasham will continue a study to “explore the social, political and cultural rationales of women in diverse communities” who use potentially toxic skin bleaching products.
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1297227072524488709
While a student at Oxy, Trustee Gloria Duffy '75 set her sights on making a difference in U.S. relations with the Soviet Union. Her education prepared her to be a leader. Her determination led her to the U.S. Department of Defense. #OxyForGood [with Campaign video]
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1298748053751439362
In a new article for @washingtonpost, Associate Professor of Politics @jennpiscopo analyzes whether or not women leaders have been better at fighting Covid-19. https://t.co/AJgLIc2fcH?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1299033187331571713
Principal investigator @bhavnasham, associate professor of urban and environmental policy, will continue a study of skin-whitening beauty products, thanks to a three-year, @NSF grant.
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1300928428791738369
Remote teaching isn't stopping our Physics Department from planning (virtual) field trips! Students in Assistant Professor Sabrina Stierwalt's astronomy class will soon receive Google cardboard VR headsets to visit planets outside of our solar system. [with photo]
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1304127929899646976
Associate Professor @jennpiscopo has done extensive research on gender and elections around the world. In a new article for @SmithsonianMag, she dives into the history of "the women's vote" and how it has transformed politics in the past century. https://t.co/wLurs19Dzz?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1313915974165258240
A virtual historical exhibit about Latinx Heritage and LGBTQ+ identity at Oxy and in #NELA can now be viewed online. The exhibit was curated by the ICC and Special Collections with significant contribution from Jack Tripp ’21. http://specialcollections.oxycreates.org/latinxheritageoxy/
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1317254755044020226
Biology major Kialani Mackey ’21 is at work communicating science to the public through a new article related to antibodies and COVID-19 tests.
Learn more about her lab cohort via their Instagram account: http://instagram.com/oxymicropath. https://t.co/IVeQnNvMWi?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1320430680497598466
Ming Cho Lee '53 reimagined Broadway design in the 1960s and 1970s. The Tony-winning stage designer arrived at Oxy in 1949 and found his home in studio art classes and the theater stages on campus. We mourn his loss this week. https://t.co/K3Hf91rs1v?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1321149980644646913
Associate Professor of Diplomacy and World Affairs @Phillip_Ayoub offers his perspective on political outreach to the LGBTQ+ community in a new article for the @washingtonpost. https://t.co/dol1jTihZn?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1321240517418635264
Need a stimulating new podcast for your daily walk? Students from Oxy's Young initiative invite you to listen to their new series, which engages speakers from around the world, bringing community voices and specialists’ experiences into conversation. https://t.co/rU6tBsAxUD?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1321495451976323075
For Nobel Prize week, students in @itsmedoctorbrie's intro astronomy course were tasked with creating "Star Cards" to celebrate lesser known women and/or POC astronomers. Thanks to Vanessa Garza '23 we can all view their work online.https://sites.google.com/oxy.edu/physicstemplate/occidental-college?authuser=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1327406155086356486
As part of Homecoming at Home, viewers took a tour of some lesser known spots on campus, including Clancy Morrison's apartment, the original pipe organ space in Thorne, and Oxy’s infamous tunnels.
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1328073790899843074
It's International Education Week and Oxy's International Programs Office is celebrating our global Tigers who add so much to our community. https://t.co/8R9pQN9MlR?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1328388970955333634
From the John Parke Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy comes a new podcast covering community activism, social justice and education. Listen to the first four episodes now. https://t.co/rU6tBsAxUD?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1331300816116969477
Our students are inspiring. @TeachForAmerica highlights Roberto Garces Mendez '24 who is attending Oxy classes virtually while advocating for equitable school practices and working part-time. https://t.co/De9NfhbZDz?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1334627477008777216
As a first-year medical school student, Cruz Riley '17 is confronting a pandemic and systemic inequality being exacerbated by it. @TIME highlighted his experience in a recent story. https://t.co/WheANj6WvC?amp=1
https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1335011758734499841
Assistant Professor Sabrina Stierwalt recently explained the importance of the recently lost Arecibo Telescope in Puerto Rico. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/astrophysicist-sabrina-stierwalt-says-loss-181236814.html and https://twitter.com/Occidental/status/1337223836698365952