2017 Oxy Fund Impact Report

2017 OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE

Oxy Fund Impact Report

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A word from

Anne Wilson Cannon ’74 National Chair, Oxy Fund

Dear Tiger, What is the Oxy Fund, anyway?

The Oxy Fund is the sustaining resource that supports the greatest needs of the College such as scholarships, academics and student activities. Annual gifts to the Oxy Fund allow the College to provide the education and experience that we all take pride in. Put simply, gifts to the Oxy Fund keep the College up and running year after year.

Member, Board of Trustees

But at Oxy, these gifts do more than just keep the lights on. They illuminate research. They spotlight creativity.

They shine upon opportunities that students won’t find elsewhere. Because this isn’t “elsewhere.”

This is Occidental.

Without question, our key priority is providing every student access to the full breadth of an Oxy education throughout their academic journey. That means the life of an Oxy student entails boundless opportunities.

The opportunity to live and learn on a beautiful residential campus in the heart of Los Angeles. The opportunity to learn from passionate, accessible professors. The opportunity to take part in intensive academic programs that combine theory and practice. The opportunity to benefit from small classes where students can listen and be heard. And the opportunity for countless other experiences such as best-in-class career counseling, internships, research and study abroad.

All of these fantastic opportunities are possible because of you.

So this year, we thought you’d like to meet five students at different points in their Oxy journey to see what they’re learning both inside and outside the classroom, and how they’re planning to put these lessons to work.

Because at the heart of Oxy is opportunity. And at the heart of those opportunities is you.

With gratitude, Anne Wilson Cannon ’74

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Hailey Lister CLASS OF 2020 MAJOR:

Still undecided, but likely cognitive science or chemistry

Many college students are “brainy,” but first-year Hailey Lister takes this description to a different level.

A native of Spokane, Wash., Hailey chose Oxy because “even as a visitor, I felt like I was in an environment where I could pursue and discover new passions.” And Hailey’s biggest passion is the human brain. She is contemplating a major in cognitive science or chemistry—or maybe both.

“I have always known that I want to study the brain. I love the dual aspect of cognitive science—it can apply to many fields after graduation, and it integrates many different disciplines. No other major will allow me to explore the brain through social, computational and biological lenses. However, I am also fascinated with chemistry.

Studying chemistry will allow me to understand fully how the brain works on a neurological level. I feel the two majors go hand-in-hand.”

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2017 OXY FUND IMPACT REPORT

Hailey jumped into several Oxy extracurriculars in her first year.

She serves as vice president of Neuroleague—a community outreach program that aims to educate and share a love of the brain with local elementary school children.

The organization Boundless Brilliance is also close to Hailey’s heart. As community service coordinator, she helps to further their mission to encourage the advancement of young girls in STEM-related pursuits. In addition, Hailey is involved in Public Health Club, Oxy Women’s Leadership Club and Dance Production.

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Thank you so much for your support. It gives opportunities that help Oxy give their students wonderfully unique and worthwhile experiences.”

·· Biology ·· Economics ·· Diplomacy and world affairs ·· Sociology

OXY FACTS

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MAJORS

for students to choose from, plus the options for a self-designed course of study

·· Psychology ·· Mathematics

TOP ·· Urban and environmental MAJORS policy 5

Ian McPherson CLASS OF 2019 MAJORS: biochemistry and economics

When sophomore Ian McPherson started his college career at Occidental, he wasted no time getting involved.

In fact, his list of accomplishments and co-curricular commitments reads more like that of a graduating senior.

Ian is a double major studying pre-pharmacy biochemistry and economics. In his first year, he choreographed a hip-hop routine for Dance Production and he participates in Hyper Xpressions, a student-run dance company. Ian is involved in campus cultural clubs, and is currently carrying a 22-unit load consisting of six classes (three of which are lab science courses). All of this begs the questions—what drew this dynamic second-year student to Oxy? And what will he accomplish here next?

“I chose to go to Oxy for various reasons—the small class sizes, the research opportunities and the chance to be surrounded by peers who are passionate about learning and making a difference in the communities they are a part of,” Ian says. “Oxy had a strong pull on me.”

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2017 OXY FUND IMPACT REPORT

While he is certainly taking advantage of all Oxy has to give, Ian has already given back. Between his academic workload and holding leadership positions in campus organizations, he has also been heavily involved with Oxy’s Telefund because he wants to “help fund the institution that has given me so many opportunities.”

And what will keep Ian busy in the next two years leading up to his graduation?

“I definitely want to graduate with honors in both biochemistry and economics,” he says. “Outside of academia, I want to choreograph two more dances for Dance Pro, become more involved with the pre-health club, and hopefully help finish making an official mobile app for Occidental with the Oxy app development team.”

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Without your generous gifts, I would not be able to attend this fine institution. The only thing I can say is thank you. Each dollar given has made its impact on the Occidental community in more ways than you know.�

OXY FACTS

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There are over 100 clubs and organizations on campus including 15 athletic clubs or intramural sports

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NCAA Division III sports 7

$4.6M raised for the 2017 Oxy Fund

70% of students received financial aid

14 students participated in Campaign Semester

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2017 OXY FUND IMPACT REPORT

35 over 35 students participated in the InternLA program

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Oxy students and alumni awarded prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research fellowships

students and alumni received Fulbright Awards

110 students participated in our annual summer research program

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Oxy track and field athletes competed in the NCAA Championships 9

Joscelyn Guzman

At Oxy, life-changing courses, professors and opportunities mark students’ journeys. Religious studies major Joscelyn Guzman ’18 had such an experience this spring in Professor Kristi Upson-Saia’s course, Death, Dying and Afterlife in the Ancient Mediterranean World.

CLASS OF 2018

“It was one of my favorite classes at Oxy,” says Joscelyn. “Unfortunately, at the beginning of the semester, my grandfather passed away. I struggled with grief, but Professor Upson-Saia was understanding. Focusing on the topic of death was a therapeutic process. I was able to bring my grandfather into discussions, readings and assignments. I am grateful to have had that opportunity.”

MAJOR:

religious studies

Joscelyn, a first-generation student from Modesto, desired a small school where she could build personal relationships. Oxy was appealing to her; education was an early academic interest, and she could work and volunteer in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest district in the United States.

After two semesters of academic exploration, Joscelyn discovered she enjoyed classes in religious studies, and declared it as her major.

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2017 OXY FUND IMPACT REPORT

“Being able to study and think critically about religion excited me. I wanted to utilize my time at Occidental learning in the religious studies department. The professors are exceptional. Their enthusiasm is infectious!”

While it is said that religion and politics don’t mix well, Joscelyn proved the adage wrong when the religious studies major participated in Oxy’s Campaign Semester in fall 2016. “Campaign Semester was an amazing experience. I worked on Roy Cooper’s gubernatorial campaign in North Carolina. The race was close and my candidate ultimately won by about 10,000 votes out of 4.6 million votes cast! Being a part of the victory in such a close election was an emotional but rewarding experience and the whole process taught me a valuable lesson that people can truly make a difference.”

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I never imagined little ol’ me from the small city of Modesto would experience the opportunities I have had at Occidental, and all of them are in part because of your gifts.

So, thank you.”

OXY FACTS

NEARLY ¾ OF STUDENTS participate in off-campus programs in the U.S. and around the world

Students also have a wide range of internship opportunities in L.A. — from the mayor’s office to Paramount Pictures 11

Ashkan Mortazavi CLASS OF 2017 MAJOR:

economics

Generosity is contagious, and Oxy students don’t wait until graduation to pay it forward.

Take Ashkan Mortazavi ’17.

The economics major from Kirkland, Wash. faced a challenge familiar to many students: how to pay for college.

Through a combination of donor generosity and his own hard work as a full-time residential adviser, Ashkan is covering his college expenses and earning his Oxy degree.

Says Ashkan, “Being an RA has allowed me to see the vulnerable side of students. It’s taught me that no one is a stranger to hardship, and we all want someone by our side.”

This compassionate streak also led Ashkan to establish “Date Night,” a student-targeted event with a social conscience.

“My first year, I was able to raise a little over $2,000, and that money was used to build a well in rural Liberia that serves a village of over 300 individuals. It stands to this day with Occidental’s name on the plaque.”

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2017 OXY FUND IMPACT REPORT

In addition to his philanthropic work, Ashkan distinguished himself at Oxy in a way that few others have: by studying abroad at the University of Cambridge.

“Oxy selects one student a year to study at the University of Cambridge.

When I heard about the program, which was set up by an Oxy alumnus, I really wanted to be that student. My drive and desire to achieve this led me to put a poster on my wall that said, ‘Success is about spending a few years of your life like most people won’t, so you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.’”

“My study abroad program has opened doors for me that were never possible before.”

Ashkan’s post-Oxy plans include working as a research analyst in the New York City office of NERA Economic Consulting.

Ashkan Mortazavi ’17 and Brandon Lehr, associate professor of economics

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Giving does not go unnoticed. After I graduate, I hope I can give back to the students in the same way that I have received.”

There is always that one professor you won’t forget. For Ashkan, it is newly tenured Associate Professor of Economics Brandon Lehr.

“Professor Lehr has been a fundamental part of my time here. He guided my academic career in the field of economics, helping me secure a slot as a visiting student for one year at the University of Cambridge, and other opportunities.

“I owe Professor Lehr for many of my successes, but mostly for developing my interest in economics.”

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Onye Nwabueze CLASS OF 2017 MAJOR:

cognitive science

Oxy senior Onye Nwabueze is many things: San Francisco native. Cognitive science major. Education minor. Recordbreaking athlete. But in a single word—driven.

Her innate desire to ask more, learn more and achieve more helped her to maximize her Oxy experience, shaping her into the accomplished and dynamic person she is today.

“I remember taking a cognitive linguistics class; at the end of the term I asked the question, ‘Wait—so we still don’t know if language is innate or learned or where it comes from?’ says Onye. I decided to look for answers to that question, and I used my senior comprehensive project to do so.”

Onye’s drive to succeed isn’t limited to the classroom. Currently ranked eighth on Oxy’s all-time performance list for the 100-meter and 200-meter track and field events, she says, “It’s an honor to be recognized, but seeing my name up there only pushes me to work harder and try to improve. Every time I pass that board, I get a spark of determination to move my name higher on that list. My dissatisfaction is not a negative feeling—it’s a constant reminder that I can do better.”

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2017 OXY FUND IMPACT REPORT

Onye is already looking ahead, but still reflects fondly on her time at Oxy. “I will miss the constant grind to succeed. I will miss the people I work for and with.

Mostly, I will miss my extracurricular activities, and the professors who helped me grow and inspired me to be who I am today.”

As for life beyond Oxy, Onye plans to channel her natural curiosity and cognitive science education into the fast-growing field of user-experience research and design.

Onye Nwabueze ’17 and Ronald Solórzano, professor of education Professor Ronald Solórzano didn’t really set out to impress Onye Nwabueze, but that is exactly what he did.

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Thank you for changing the world by supporting young innovators

“I was blown away by the amount of things I learned. I would leave every class stimulated and ready to learn and talk more about the nation’s current education system and ways to improve it. His was one of many classes that made me value my education and my academic path.”

and critical thinkers to explore and achieve in the world of academia.”

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1600 Campus Road Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314 Address Service Requested

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2017 OXY FUND IMPACT REPORT