2024 EVENT AND KEY LOCATIONS MAP
Shuttles will run regularly to all designated shuttle stops, during shuttle hours. In addition, guests may text for a shuttle from all designated shuttle stops during shuttle hours for faster service. Text-a-cart details are listed at the designated shuttle stops.
KEY LOCATIONS
Dana Brandsey ’02 Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement
WELCOME HOME!
Welcome to Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024! In these pages, you will find all of the information you need to make the most of your Homecoming experience. Take a look at the schedule of activities (pages 4–9) and discover all the exciting events we have planned for you.
There is something for every Tiger in this weekend’s diverse programming. Celebrate the launch of the Branca Institute for Music on Friday evening with a concert in Thorne Hall, featuring Oxy music students playing the greatest hits from legendary music attorney John Branca ’72’s most renowned clients, including Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, The Bee Gees, The Beach Boys, and Rodgers & Hammerstein. Get a taste of your student’s college life, or relive your own experience, by participating in one of our Student for a Day sessions, curated and led by Oxy faculty. Join new President Tom Stritikus for a community discussion. Chill out on the Quad Saturday afternoon at Oswald’s Homecoming Celebration, featuring the student spirit parade, fun games and activities, and delicious fare. Enjoy the vocal stylings of our world-famous Glee Club at their annual Homecoming concert and, if you’ve brought the little ones, Occidental Children’s Theater is a sure hit for the young (and the young at heart). Cheer on Tiger athletes at multiple Homecoming competitions. And so much more.
During the course of the weekend, Oxy staff will be on hand to help make your Homecoming & Family Weekend experience a great one. We look forward to having you on campus and spending time with you.
Io Triumphe!
ALL-DAY ACTIVITIES
FRIDAY, 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. | SATURDAY, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Barack Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour
Enjoy this unique self-guided tour of campus highlighting President Barack Obama ’83’s time at Oxy. Tour brochures will be available at the Check-In Canopy.
Special Collections and College Archives exhibits
Lobby and Gallery, Academic Commons
Peruse images and artifacts from Oxy students' Get Out the Vote initiatives throughout the years, U.S. presidential campaign items dating back to 1840, vintage Homecoming images and paraphernalia, and items celebrating President John Slaughter's legacy at Oxy.
FRIDAY
EVERYONE WELCOME!
Oxy’s Undergraduate Research Conference Student Posters Display
Lobby, Academic Commons
Drop by the Academic Commons for a glimpse into some of Oxy’s best student research work, straight from our annual Summer Research Conference.
Check-In Canopy Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Academic Quad)
10 – 11 a.m.
Student For a Day – Journey to a Black Hole
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Astrophysicist and Associate Professor of Physics Sabrina Stierwalt will lead a tour of the most mysterious objects the universe has to offer. Learn how we know black holes exist, what would happen if you fell into one, and whether or not a black hole will ever swallow the Earth. Professor Stierwalt will also share insights from her own research into how supermassive black holes form.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Intercultural Community Center Open House (session 1)
Intercultural Community Center, 1501 Campus Road
The Intercultural Community Center would love to host you at our Homecoming 2024 Open House. Come and see our space, build community, and learn about our current initiatives that continue to uplift the experiences of BIPOC, first-generation, and LGBTQ+ students. Light refreshments will be provided.
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Campus Tour (session 1)
Tour departs from the Academic Quad
Discover why Occidental was named one of America’s 10 most beautiful college campuses as you learn about the communal and intellectual campus life of today’s students. Tour led by an Office of Admission student tour guide. This tour will take you to all parts of campus. Comfortable shoes, a hat, and a refillable water bottle are recommended.
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sustainability Tour
Tour departs from the Solar Array Parking Lot
In January 2024, President Harry J. Elam, Jr. signed the Second Nature Climate Commitment, pledging to develop a comprehensive action plan for campus climate resilience and mitigation. This plan will expand on and enhance existing sustainability efforts on campus. Join Oxy’s new Sustainability Coordinator Alison Linder and Assistant Sustainability Coordinator Isa Merel ’23 for a walking tour showcasing our sustainability achievements and ongoing projects. This tour will take you to all parts of campus. Comfortable shoes, a hat, and a refillable water bottle are recommended.
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Student For a Day – Judicial Resilience and Retreat: Navigating Democratic Backsliding
Worldwide
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about global perspectives on judicial politics and democratic backsliding. Led by Igor Logvinenko, associate professor of diplomacy and world affairs, and Michael Dichio, assistant professor of political science at the University of Utah, this session dives into a new collection of articles exploring how courts across the globe navigate democratic challenges. The project began at Occidental in 2022, bringing leading global voices on judicial politics to Eagle Rock. From the U.S. judiciary’s role in both safeguarding and challenging democratic norms, to diverse case studies from Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, discover how judicial systems are reacting to political pressures. Don’t miss out on this engaging exploration of judicial politics, democracy and threats of authoritarianism in today’s political landscape!
12 – 1 p.m.
Writing Center Open House
Ground Floor, Academic Commons
The Writing Center offers all students resources to support their writing at any stage in the writing process, for any task or genre, and in any discipline. Students can work 1:1 with peer writing advisers or faculty specialists.
1 – 2 p.m.
Disability Services Open House Room 17, Academic Commons
Drop in and meet staff and learn more about how the Office of Disability Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and support for students with disabilities.
1 – 2 p.m.
Celebrating 25 Years of Research: Climate Insights & Student Discoveries
Room 219, Academic Commons
Join us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Oxy’s Undergraduate Research Center with an engaging program featuring Associate Professor of Geology Darren Larsen speaking on “How Alpine Glaciers Reveal Climate Shifts: A Student-Faculty Research Journey.” Discover how collaborative research is uncovering new insights into climate change, followed by a poster gallery display of student research showcasing a diverse range of innovative research projects. Dive into the world of undergraduate research and see how our students are making an impact!
1 – 2 p.m.
Student for a Day – How Do Children Think About and Respond to Social Inequality
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Assistant Professor of Psychology Jamie Amemiya will provide an overview of the developmental research on children’s understanding of and response to societal inequalities. It will cover the ages at which children notice inequalities and how their explanations for why inequalities exist and shape their behavior and motivation.
1 – 4 p.m.
Discover 3D Printing Open House
Ground Floor, Academic Commons
Discover 3D printing with us at Oxy’s Critical Making Studio. Join us for live demonstrations where you’ll learn how to find models online, create your own designs, and witness the process of bringing models to life using software alongside our 3D printer. Plus, print and take home your very own 3D printed souvenir.
4 p.m.
Oxy Arts Open House – Invisibility: Powers and Perils
OXY ARTS, 4757 York Boulevard
Invisibility: Powers and Perils is a group exhibition highlighting the work of artists, scientists and activists doing ground-breaking and urgent work on rendering visible the people, histories and planetary conditions that have been erased within the cultural mainstream, restoring the power of privacy and invisibility to those who have been denied it, and helping to make legible the limits and character of our own conception of the invisible and it’s all-too urgent eco-political ramifications. The exhibition is presented as part of the Getty Pacific Standard Time Initiative, where 50+ institutions across Los Angeles present concurrent exhibitions around a central theme. The ’24-’25 theme is Art and Science Collide.
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Student for a Day: Understanding Dog’s Social Intelligence
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
As a result of 40,000 years of domestication and extensive social experience with humans, domestic dogs have developed surprisingly sophisticated social intelligence. In this session, Professor Zachary Silver, director of the Occidental Canine Intelligence Lab, will provide an overview of how we study intelligence in our canine companions and preview some of the upcoming research happening on campus. We’ll tune in to our livestream to watch the dogs in action at the lab as they navigate challenges and showcase their unique problem-solving skills.
3 – 4 p.m.
Campus Tour (session 2)
Tour departs from the Academic Quad
Discover why Occidental was named one of America’s 10 most beautiful college campuses as you learn about the communal and intellectual campus life of today’s students. Tour led by an Office of Admission student tour guide. This tour will take you to all parts of campus. Comfortable shoes, a hat, and a refillable water bottle are recommended.
3 – 5 p.m.
Intercultural Community Center Open House (session 2)
Intercultural Community Center, 1501 Campus Road
The Intercultural Community Center would love to host you at our Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024 Open House. Come and see our space, build community, and learn about our current initiatives that continue to uplift the experiences of BIPOC, first-generation, and LGBTQ+ students. Light refreshments will be provided.
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Student for a Day: The 2024 Election Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join Assistant Professor of Politics Isaac Hale ’11 for a preview of the 2024 election. This class will cover the presidential election and important races around the country. It will also provide a brief overview of popular election forecasting models and pose key questions about the health of American electoral democracy.
4 – 5:30 p.m.
Campus Corks: A Wine Social with Deans and Families
Academic Quad
Join us for “Campus Corks,” an opportunity to connect with Oxy deans, parents, and community members over wine and charcuterie. A wine expert will be present to share insights about the wines being served. Enjoy a relaxed outdoor setting that encourages community and conversation. $30 per person (21+ only, Government ID required for alcohol service. We appreciate your understanding of the requirement to show a Government ID. Student ID not accepted for wine service payment.) This is a ticketed event. Individuals under 21 are not required to purchase a ticket; however, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the duration of the event.
6 – 7 p.m.
The John Branca Institute for Music Inaugural Celebration Concert
Thorne Hall
Celebrate the establishment of the John Branca Institute for Music, a music teaching and learning facility at Oxy. Glee Club, jazz band and orchestra students and faculty of the Music Department will perform the greatest hits from music attorney John Branca ’72’s most renowned clients, including Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, The Bee Gees, The Beach Boys, and Rodgers & Hammerstein. Read more about the John Branca Institute for Music on pages 12-13.
SATURDAY
Check-In Canopy Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Academic Quad)
10 – 10:50 a.m.
Family Hour with the President
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
Join us for a Town Hall meeting hosted by President Tom Stritikus, where families of students are invited to engage in an open dialogue about Oxy’s current initiatives, strategic plan, and the student experience. This is an opportunity to hear directly from President Stritikus, ask questions, and share your thoughts in an open forum. Your voice matters, and we look forward to your participation in this important conversation.
10 – 11 a.m.
Occidental Children’s Theater Performance: Cinderalice in Wonderland
Thorne Hall Lawn
The critically acclaimed Occidental Children’s Theater celebrates 29 years with an original story, Cinderalice in Wonderland, plus three adventurous adaptations of traditional folktales from China, Haiti and the Yurok people of Northern California.
11 a.m.
Men’s Water Polo vs. La Verne De Mandel Aquatics Center
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Again Again Concert for Kids
Thorne Hall Lawn
Join us for a fun-filled children’s concert with Again Again! This dynamic duo, made up of lifelong friends Anne Montone ’99 and Jennifer Cook ’99, brings a unique style of family music that everyone can enjoy.
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Leadership Reception: Meet and Greet with President Tom Stritikus
Cannon Plaza
Volunteers and members of Oxy’s premier donor recognition societies are invited to a special reception to meet President Tom Stritikus and to celebrate their leadership and support of the College.
*By Invitation Only
Oxy Arts Open House - Invisibility: Powers and Perils
OXY ARTS, 4757 York Boulevard
Invisibility: Powers and Perils is a group exhibition highlighting the work of artists, scientists and activists doing ground-breaking and urgent work on rendering visible the people, histories and planetary conditions that have been erased within the cultural mainstream, restoring the power of privacy and invisibility to those who have been denied it, and helping to make legible the limits and character of our own conception of the invisible and it’s all-too urgent eco-political ramifications. The exhibition is presented as part of the Getty Pacific Standard Time Initiative, where 50+ institutions across Los Angeles present concurrent exhibitions around a central theme. The ’24-’25 theme is Art and Science Collide.
INVISIBILITY: POWERS & PERILS
2 – 2:50 p.m.
Alumni Hour with the President Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
SEPTEMBER 17FEBRUARY 22
requirement to show a Government ID. Student ID not accepted for Tavern payment.) This is a ticketed event. Individuals under 21 are not required to purchase a ticket; however, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the duration of the event.
Join us for an Alumni Town Hall meeting with President Tom Stritikus, where alumni are invited to reconnect, ask questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the College’s future. Hear firsthand about exciting new initiatives, campus developments, and ways to stay involved with the Oxy community.
3 – 4:30 p.m.
Middle Eastern & North African Students Association’s Chai & ChatAcademic Quad
Oxy’s Middle Eastern and North African Students Association (MENASA) is hosting a Middle Eastern tea ( ) and pastry-tasting event. This event is a special opportunity for you to learn about the work of MENASA while socializing, building connections, and meeting other MENA-identifying students and families on campus. Don’t miss this inaugural event and the chance to try Middle Eastern tea and pastries while stepping into the world of the Middle Eastern and North African diaspora in LA!
3 – 7 p.m.
Vantuna Research Group’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
Sycamore Glen
Vantuna Research Group invites alumni, staff, and current students to join us for an evening of reminiscing, reconnecting, and honoring five decades of undergraduatedriven research. Founded in 1974 by Dr. John Stephens, Jr., the VRG program has led the way in serving students, training future marine scientists, and performing ecological and environmental studies throughout the Southern California Bight – including the longest continuous study of rocky reefs in the world. This milestone celebration will be a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet current students, and celebrate our shared legacy. Dinner and refreshments will be served.
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Equity, Excellence, Diversity, and Inclusion: The Legacy of John
Brooks Slaughter
Choi Auditorium, Johnson Hall
In the 25 years since President Slaughter ended his 11-year tenure at Occidental, the College has continued to define its mission through the lens that he put in place. How is the College living up to those ideals? And how can we fulfill the promise of Occidental? Join us as we celebrate President Slaughter’s enduring legacy at Oxy with a panel discussion featuring alumni and faculty leaders from his era in Choi Auditorium, immediately followed by a brief reception in the Global Forum. Read more about President Slaughter’s legacy on pages 10-11.
4 p.m.
Women’s Soccer vs. Chapman
Patterson Field, Jack Kemp Stadium
4:30 – 6 p.m.
ViSTA Reception (Volunteers in Service of
Tiger Admission)
Collins House Patio
Occidental Admission is so grateful to the alumni and parent ViSTA volunteers who partner with us in connecting with future Oxy Tigers and their families. All current volunteers are invited to attend the reception as a small gesture of our appreciation. Alumni or Oxy parents and family members who are interested in learning more about the ViSTA program should please join us as well. We are always eager to expand our volunteer rosters in order to find even more opportunities to represent the Oxy community on and offcampus!
5 – 6 p.m.
Occidental College Glee Club Annual Homecoming Concert
Herrick Memorial Chapel & Interfaith Center
Enjoy the long-standing Homecoming tradition of a concert by the world-renowned Occidental College Glee Club.
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Athletics Hall of Fame Meet and Greet
Cannon Plaza
We recognize our rich tradition of student-athlete success with the induction of the 2024 Occidental College Athletics Hall of Fame class. Join us for a social event designed to celebrate our five inductees: Andy Steben ’69 P’99 (Men’s Track & Field), Sue (Rene) Brazee ’82 (Women's Tennis), Trevor Moawad ’95 (Men’s Soccer & Men's Basketball), Finn Rebassoo ’03 (Men's Basketball), and the 2007-2008 Women's Basketball Team Read more about the inductees on page 14.
7 p.m.
Men’s Soccer vs. Cal Tech
Patterson Field, Jack Kemp Stadium
The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees will be introduced at halftime (approximately 7:45 p.m.).
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.
During his 11 years as president of Occidental College, John Brooks Slaughter habitually took his phone and correspondence to the benches outside of his office in the Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center—so often that trustees installed a plaque that read “John Slaughter Cigar and Conversation Bench” to commemorate his retirement in 1999. As students headed back to their residence halls after their morning classes, he later recalled, “Many of them would come sit down on the benches and we’d talk. And when I think about the joy I had as president of Occidental, the first thing that comes to mind is the opportunities I had to interact with students.”
Slaughter’s affection for his students was reciprocated. “President Slaughter was the man,” former ASOC President and current trustee Leo Olebe ’97 said in a 2021 interview for Occidental magazine. “He had this way of communicating with students and connecting. We felt respected, we felt heard, we felt encouraged to share our ideas. We felt like we were a true and honored part of the Occidental College community.”
“He was such a hero of mine,” said Eddie Jauregui ’98, a first-generation college student from Carson. “President Slaughter had a lot of challenges that were sort of laid at his feet, but I think a lot of students of color in particular really admired that man. I certainly did.”
Slaughter—who died on December 6, 2023, at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, at age 89—cemented his place in Occidental history through his humanity, positivity, and integrity. In his 1988 Convocation address, he told students: “We expect you to dream about a future for this college and this nation that is free of fear, intolerance, and injustice. And we expect you to energize us with your dreams and your enthusiasm for making them come true.”
Over a decade marked by cultural, financial, and philosophical challenges, Slaughter led the College through an extraordinary period of change, transforming the makeup of not only the student body but of the faculty and governing body as well. “Building on work begun by the faculty to diversify curriculum and bring students of color to campus, Slaughter spearheaded a strategic planning process that focused Oxy in a new direction with a mission built on the four cornerstones of excellence, equity, community, and service,” Emerita Professor of Mathematics Nalsey Tinberg P’11 P’13 wrote in Occidental magazine in 1999.
“I have been blessed to have many opportunities during my professional career to do some things that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, but I’m quick to tell people that of all the things that I’ve done, the 11 years I served as president at Occidental College was truly the most enjoyable and wonderful period of my professional career,” Slaughter said in a conversation with then-President Jonathan Veitch in April 2012 on the occasion of Occidental’s 125th anniversary.
From the first days of his presidency, Slaughter embraced Occidental’s tradition of outstanding academic achievement while recognizing the mutuality of excellence and equity. At his inauguration in April 1989, he declared, “Quality and equality are inseparable and diversity is synonymous with what is best in America.” With the blessing of Donn Miller, who became chair of the Board of Trustees in 1990, Slaughter led the College through the formulation of a widely accepted strategic plan and mission statement that positioned Occidental to become one of the country’s best and most distinctive liberal arts colleges.
“I could have written initially the strategic plan we ended up with by myself,” Slaughter recalled, “but it would not have had any significance because what we really needed was to build a sense of community on the campus.” The resulting strategic plan, endorsed by faculty in September 1990 and by the Board of Trustees the following month—was called Of Excellence and Equity. (“John Slaughter loved alliteration,” Professor of English Emeritus Eric Newhall ’67 noted in 2021.)
During the Slaughter years, Occidental students won three Rhodes scholarships—ending a 27-year drought—as well as three Trumans, three Marshalls, 18 Goldwaters, 17 NSF fellowships, 15 Watsons, and a host of other national awards. Despite difficult circumstances, including a major earthquake and civil unrest, student applications eventually rose to record levels as the College’s interdisciplinary and multicultural academic programs drew national recognition.
By the time Sam Sharp ’96 arrived at Occidental from a predominantly white school in suburban Denver, he recalled, “More than 50 percent of the [Occidental] student body were students of color and active about issues of equity and justice. And it wasn’t just students of color; the whole campus was active about those issues. President Slaughter’s vision of multiculturalism really permeated the College. And there was no way to be on campus without being inside that vision.”
Over the course of his presidency, Slaughter’s impact on the College culture would become manifest. He oversaw Compass for a New Century: The Campaign for Occidental, which raised a record $72 million over five years for a variety of academic programs, student scholarships, and construction projects. He spearheaded the opening of the Child Development Center, the rededication of Herrick Chapel and Interfaith Center, the creation of Samuelson Pavilion, and the renovation and expansion of Johnson Student Center.
When U.S. News & World Report began measuring campus diversity in its 1998 rankings, Occidental was No. 1—a status it would retain over the next four years. By the time of Slaughter’s departure in 1999, nearly 25 percent of Oxy’s 118 tenured or tenure-track faculty were nonwhite. The Board of Trustees became less homogeneous as well, electing its first female chair, Ginny (Goss) Cushman ’55, in 1996.
In his final Founders Day address in April 1999, Slaughter said: “I have always believed that Occidental’s commitment to a mission that embraced the ideal of the mutuality that exists between excellence and equity began on that April day in 1887. To be sure, the world was different then, the words that were used may have been different then, and the founding fathers of this fledgling college may have envisioned this future through a mirror darkly then, but it is clear that they saw the need for an institution in the still raw City of Angels that someday would emerge as an ‘Oasis of Hope’ for future generations. Occidental College is such a place today, and all who are here can be proud of the roles they have played in making it so.”
Slaughter is survived by his wife, Dr. Bernice Slaughter; son, John II; and daughter, Jacqueline. A celebration of President Slaughter’s legacy will be held on Saturday, October 19, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Choi Auditorium.
John Branca ’72 Announces $5 Million Gift to Establish the John Branca Institute for Music at Occidental
Legendary attorney John G. Branca ’72, partner and head of the music department at Ziffren Brittenham, one of the most respected entertainment law firms in the world, and Occidental College have announced a $5 million gift from Branca that will establish the John Branca Institute for Music, a music teaching and learning facility at Occidental College in Los Angeles. David Kasunic, associate professor of music at the College, will serve as the Institute’s inaugural director.
The transformative gift will support the continued expansion of the Music Department with a wider focus on contemporary music and enhancement of the music business curriculum. It will also allow for adding cutting-edge technology and up-to-date sound production facilities for use by students in the College’s nationally renowned music program, which Billboard magazine named to its list of top music business schools for four consecutive years.
The Institute will work with community colleges, in particular Los Angeles City College (LACC), to establish a direct pathway to increase transfer opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives interested in furthering their education in music to come to Oxy. The Institute will also develop special programming and joint research activities in conjunction with the Harvard Negotiation Project, which is based at Harvard Law School and directed by Professor Jim Sebenius of the Harvard Business School. Peter Grueneisen of nonzero architecture has been engaged to renovate the Music Department’s facilities.
“Occidental College has a diverse student body and provides the best, most personalized undergraduate education in Los Angeles,” said Branca, who graduated from the College cum laude and with honors as a political science major.
“As a trustee and alumnus, I am proud of the College’s mission and academic excellence,” he added, pointing to such notable Occidental alumni as President Barack Obama ’83 and Warner Music Group CEO Steven Cooper ’68.
“John is a giant in the music business and he is a true believer in the kind of personalized teaching and learning that can only happen at a small liberal arts college,” Occidental College President Harry J. Elam, Jr. said. “John’s gift, coupled with the state-of-the-art music production facilities we already have in place, will make Occidental a truly exceptional place to study music. We are so grateful to John for his generosity and vision in supporting the John Branca Institute for Music.”
“Los Angeles City College and our nationally renowned Herb Alpert Music Program are pleased to be partnering with Occidental College on a music pathway,” said Amanuel Gebru, president of LACC. “Like our alumnus John Branca, this program will encourage students to pursue the opportunity to transfer from LACC to Oxy."
The College’s music program embeds music theory and practice within a broader liberal arts curriculum, preparing students to become well-rounded graduates entering the music industry. Students develop an understanding of music as a creative work, as a cultural and historical expression, and as a performance medium. Notably, the program is among Occidental's fastest growing majors and sixth in size overall. The College’s location in Los Angeles provides unparalleled access to the world’s most vibrant music scene. Recently, Occidental formalized its relationship with Warner Music Group, which includes student internship opportunities and events with WMG executives for students from all majors who are interested in a career in the business of music.
More than 30 of Branca’s clients have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His clients have included Aerosmith, the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, the Beatles catalog, the Doors, Dr. Dre, Fleetwood Mac, Berry Gordy, Enrique Iglesias, Interscope Records, Michael Jackson, the Elvis Presley Estate, the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, the Rolling Stones, and Carlos Santana. As co-manager of the estate of Michael Jackson, Branca has shepherded the creation of a successful touring show, an acclaimed Las Vegas production, the Tony Award-winning MJ The Musical, and the forthcoming biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua.
An Occidental trustee since 1992 and founding member of the Barack Obama Scholars Program Advisory Council, he also serves on the board of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which gives scholarships to minority youths for higher education. In 1998, a gift from Branca toward the renovation and expansion of the Johnson Student Center at Occidental led to the naming of the Branca Family Patio, honoring his parents, Barbara Werle and John Branca Sr.
OCCIDENTAL ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2024
This weekend, the Occidental Athletics Hall of Fame welcomes five new inductees into its ranks. Established in 2012, the Hall of Fame honors outstanding achievement in competition, service, dedication, and commitment to Occidental athletics.
On Saturday evening, you can mingle with this year’s inductees at the Hall at the Hall of Fame Meet & Greet (6:30 - 8 pm, Cannon Plaza). They will then be introduced at halftime of the Men’s Soccer game vs. Cal Tech (7 pm, Patterson Field). On Sunday, the class will be formally inducted at a private brunch ceremony at Cannon Plaza.
Andy Steben ’69 P'99 (Men’s Track & Field)
A physical education major at Oxy, Andy competed in three NCAA Championship meets, pole vaulted in three AAU Championships, won the NAIA Men’s Championship in each of his three tries (from 1967 to 1969), and placed fifth in the 1968 Olympic trials. Andy set the school record in the pole vault in 1969 (his 16'8" is still second on the all-time list). He went on to spend 45 years as the College's pole vaulting coach.
Sue (Rene) Brazee ’82 (Women’s Tennis)
A psychology major at Oxy, Sue was the No. 2 singles player for the 1981-82 Tigers squad, which won the first-ever NCAA Division III national championship in women’s tennis in May 1982. (Sue and her teammates, together with Coach Lynn Mehl, were inducted into the Occidental Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.) A four-time All-SCIAC selection, Sue was also a 1981 AIAW All-American and a 1982 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division III All-American.
Trevor Moawad ’95 (Men’s Soccer & Men’s Basketball)
A politics major at Oxy, Trevor played both basketball and soccer for the Tigers, earning All-SCIAC honors in soccer as a junior and senior. He went on to be both director of mental conditioning and director of the IMG Performance Institute at the IMG Academies, and laterormed Moawad Consulting Group, where he worked with some of the nation’s biggest top college and professional football programs. In 2017, he established the Trevor Moawad Leadership Award, which is presented annually to two Oxy senior student-athletes who make an exceptional commitment to making their teammates better both on and off the field. Trevor passed away in 2021 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Finn Rebassoo ’03 (Men’s Basketball)
A physics major at Oxy, Finn is the No. 2 all-time scorer for the men’s basketball program, finishing his career with 1,562 points. He became the first player in SCIAC history to be named first-team All-Conference for four consecutive years and was SCIAC player of the year as a senior, when he led the Tigers to an unprecedented 14-0 record in SCIAC play, a school-record 17-game winning streak, and an overall 25-3 season that took Occidental all the way to Division III’s Elite Eight in 2003. After graduating from Oxy, Finn had a brief professional stint with the Bakken Bears in Denmark before obtaining an M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from UC Santa Barbara. Today, he is a staff scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Women’s Basketball Team 2007-08
The Tigers set single-season records for wins in conference play (12-2) and overall (20-5) and notched their first SCIAC championship in 28 years—the first of five consecutive conference titles. Team members include: Stephanie Babij ’11, Bri Brown ’09, Natalie Kolodinski Greenhouse ’09, Kassy Griswold ’11, Asha Jordan ’09, Brittany Mally ’10, Laur Mohler ’10, Gillian Nugent ’10, Stacie Roshon Roller ’08, Madeline Rose ’11, Samantha Rossi ’10, Jenny Wilhelm Shore ’10, Zoe Walsh ’11, Dior Williams ’10, Caitlin Morgan Wright ’11, and Britinee Yasukochi ’10. Head Coach Jamie Hoffman and Assistant Coaches Avi Meyerson and Anahit Aladzhanyan ’07 will be honored as well.
Your support makes Oxy stories possible.
For 137 years, bright, curious and talented students have come to Occidental to experience a distinctive, innovative liberal arts education against the global backdrop of Los Angeles. Gifts to the Oxy Fund have an immediate impact on all areas of campus, including immersive teaching and research opportunities, holistic mental and physical health services, robust student life programming, and resources that prepare our students to make the world a better place.
To make your gift in support of current and future Tigers, visit give.oxy.edu or scan this QR Code.
2024 ALUMNI & PARENT LEADERSHIP
We offer our deepest gratitude to Oxy’s volunteer leadership for their steadfast dedication and support of the College.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Jacob R. Stevens ’08 President
Jordan A. Brown ’13 Vice President
Steven C. Case ’80 Vice President
Williams Kwame Do III ’16 Vice President
Angela Patriarca ’03 Member-at-Large
Maya B. Angulo ’21
Carol Baker ’86 P’19
Samuel E. Bergen ’04
Melvin Canas ’95
Reena Carroll, MSW ’02
Regina M. Clemente ’03
John C. Collinson ’89
Clarissa Martinez De Castro ’89
Anne (Mikolajcik) de Ridder ’98
Sharon K. Emanuelli ’73 P’16
Patricia K. Gillette ’73
Isaac L. Glanzrock ’17
Alex P. Graves ’09
Lauren D. Greeno ’06
Cynthia Haynes ’13
Ryan W. Henderson ’18
Dr. Kenneth C. Kalunian ’75
Deanna D. Kilgour ’86 P’18
Araceli Naranjo ’99 P’28
Andrew G. Pappas ’04
Ross Pumfrey ’67
Richard M. Reyes ’12
Siddharth Saravat ’15
Esther Teodoro ’95
Veronica M. Toledo ’10
Jacob E. Valk ’13
Lisa J. Yang ’97
PARENTS COUNCIL
Annette J. Butner and Chris A. Butner P’26
Azadeh Foyouzi-Mohebbi and Afshin Mohebbi-Gilani P’23
Caroline M. Moassessi and Kurosh Moassessi P’25
Carren Walker P’28
Christine L. Anderson P’25
Dr. Sushma Hegde and Dr. Sridhar B. Seshadri P’27
Ellen Sacchi and Guido Sacchi P’24 P’27
Erika L. Brewer and William D. Brewer P’21
Eva T. Holm and Douglas S. Holm P’19
Hillary D. Spruance and Jacob V. Spruance, Sr. P’25
Joseph J. Summerill IV and Wesley D. Bizzell P’27
Karen Hogan and Jeff Hogan P’27
Kelly Ann Morrow and David P. Morrow P’26
Laura S. Sweeney and Joe Sweeney III P’26
Lisa Silverberg and Grey S. Staples III ’86 P’22
M. Jacinta Pister and J. Richard Whitmore P’12 P’16 P’20
Meghan F. Astrachan and Isaac-Daniel T. Astrachan P’25
Mindy F. Duryea and Sandy Y. Draper P’24
Paula M. Ramey-Pérez and Paul L. Pérez P’23
Penny Thompson-Burke and Josh Burke P’27
Rebecca Smith P’24
Sang Mi Lim and Yung C. Lim P’23
Sonya M. Clark-Herrera and Eugene H. Clark-Herrera P’25
Terry A. Rajendran and Dr. Sundar Rajendran P’23
Willa J. Bernstein and Kevin M. Murphy P’23
Yolanda T. Becker and Dr. Bryan N. Becker P’24
GENERAL INFORMATION
HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND 2024
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement........................(323) 259-2601
ACADEMIC COMMONS (LIBRARY) HOURS
Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
BOOKSTORE HOURS
Enjoy a 20% discount at the Bookstore for Oxy Wear and Oxy Gifts during Homecoming & Family Weekend.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
POSTAL OPERATIONS CENTER HOURS
Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed
ATHLETICS HOURS
Alumni Gymnasium*
Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
De Mandel Aquatics Center
Friday: 12 – 2 p.m. Saturday: Closed Sunday: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
*Alumni Gymnasium hours include: fitness center, Bill Henry Track, McKinnon Family Tennis Center & outdoor basketball court. All hours are subject to change. Current athletic facility hours can be viewed at oxyathletics.com
DINING AT OXY
Dining payments are by student meal plan or cash only. ATM is located in the mail center on the ground floor of the Johnson Student Center.
The Marketplace
Located on the second floor of the Johnson Student Center, it offers à la carte dining options during the following hours
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.– 7:30 p.m.
The Tiger Cooler
Located in Samuelson Pavilion, across the JSC Quad from the Johnson Student Center, it offers grilled items and snacks during the following hours:
Friday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday: 1:30 – 10 p.m. Sunday: 4 – 10 p.m.
The Green Bean
Located on the second floor of the Johnson Student Center, adjacent to Branca Patio, it offers coffee, snacks and cold drinks during the following hours:
Friday: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT OXY
The College’s alcohol license requires that Campus Dining be the sole provider and server of all alcohol events on campus. Alcohol may not be served or consumed in common spaces except as part of a registered College event.
SMOKING POLICY
In order to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our alumni, students, staff and faculty present on campus during Homecoming & Family Weekend, it is the policy of Occidental College that smoking or vaping of
tobacco or any substance, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited in all enclosed buildings, facilities, and designated outdoor event spaces or within 30 feet of any of the foregoing. The College expects all visiting guests on campus to comply with local, state and federal laws. Although marijuana is legal under California law, it remains illegal under federal law. Therefore, marijuana use on campus is prohibited.
MEDICAL OR OTHER EMERGENCIES
1. Call Campus Safety at (323) 259-2599. A Campus Safety officer will respond and assist as needed.
2. If you believe you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 immediately (9-911 from a campus phone). If you call 911 from a cell phone, you may need to give the dispatcher your location (Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, LA 90041). Then immediately call Campus Safety (323-259-2599) and report the incident, or have someone else assisting with the situation call Campus Safety while you remain on the line with 911.
3. When calling 911 or Campus Safety, be prepared to provide the following information: (a) whether the subject is breathing, conscious or bleeding; (b) the subject’s gender and age; (c) your name and phone number.
4. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher and answer as many questions as possible regarding the subject’s condition.
ACCESSIBILITY
The College endeavors to make its facilities available to everyone, however its hillside location and historic architecture are exempt from certain requirements of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. With advance notice of at least 21 days from guests with disabilities, the College will make a reasonable attempt to accommodate their needs, but does not guarantee accessibility. Guests are responsible for providing their own auxiliary aids, such as wheelchairs, if needed. Service animals specifically trained to perform work or a task are welcome on campus. Shuttle rides are provided between campus building entrances during Homecoming & Family Weekend. Please refer to the inside cover of this program for shuttle stop locations and hours.
Please note:
Campus Safety will NOT provide rides to off-campus locations, nor will they pick up from off-campus locations, for accessibility or general rides. As an alternative to walking alone after dark, Campus Safety does provide safety escorts upon request, on campus and as far as Ave. 50 to the east, York Blvd. to the south, Eagle Rock Blvd. to the west, and Las Colinas Ave. and Escarpa Dr. to the north.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Occidental College is committed to providing a nondiscriminatory and harassment-free learning, living and working environment for all members of the Occidental community, including students, faculty, administrators, staff and visitors. The College prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of an individual’s protected characteristic (such as race, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, etc.) The College also strictly prohibits all forms of sexual or gender-based harrassment, discrimination, and misconduct, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Misconduct of this nature is contrary to Occidental’s institutional values and is prohibited by state and federal law. Occidental College’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy and Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy are available at oxy.edu/civil-rights-title-ix. Inquiries or complaints concerning the application of either policy may be referred to the College’s Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator, Alexandra Fulcher, at afulcher@oxy.edu or (323) 259-1338.