MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRS
Dear Friends,
This has been an exciting time of growth for Occidental College. After an endorsement from the Board of Trustees in April, the College began its implementation of the Occidental Promise, the strategic vision for the College that will guide us to 2030. Occidental rose two places in US News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges rankings, landing at No. 35 nationally, a 14-year high. And of course, we closed out The Oxy Campaign For Good, together raising more than $252 million for student scholarships, academic programs, campus modernization, and other high-priority needs. This marks the most successful comprehensive fundraising campaign in Oxy’s history.
And it’s been an exciting time for the Barack Obama Scholars Program. For the first time, two summer programs ran simultaneously. During the oncampus summer program for rising juniors, scholars completed an internship or research experience, convened weekly for leadership training, and were mentored by leaders in various fields and members of the Obama Scholars Advisory Council, including Bob Johnson ’77, Roger Guenveur Smith ’77 H’11, Jeh Johnson H’15 P’17, and Maya Soetoro-Ng H’18. Rising seniors completed individualized experiences off-campus, sponsored by the Obama Scholars Program, that were tailored to their specific passions and interests. Their impressive work included running a community project coaching studentathletes from disadvantaged backgrounds and preparing them for college, undertaking an internship with WestEd conducting education research, and participating in the Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute Fellowship at UC Berkeley.
As the academic year comes to a close, we are encouraged by the promise of our next cohort, and the work of the program leaders who are hard at work preparing for another full summer of campus activities. Thank you for your investment in the future of the public good.
With gratitude,
Hector De La Torre ’89 P’20 and Sara El-Amine ’07 H’18
Obama Scholars Program Advisory Council Co-chairs
MEET THE 2023-24 OBAMA SCHOLARS
Melany Bennett ’24: Melany is a diplomacy and world affairs major from Los Angeles and a nontraditional transfer student from Los Angeles City College awarded a Jack Kent Cooke transfer scholarship in 2022. Raised in Tampico, Mexico, Melany is the founder of the nonprofit Tampico Project to help create pathways for students in her hometown to access educational opportunities and cultural enrichment programs in the liberal arts. At Occidental, she has served as the student representative of the Board of Trustees’ Institutional Advancement and Communications Committee and was a member of the Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy team. She plans to get a master’s degree and pursue a career in the U.S. State Department in public diplomacy, specializing in Latin America.
Raul Cruz Robinson ’25: Raul is a psychology and Spanish double major from Brooklyn, N.Y., who is committed to empowering younger generations to fight gentrification in metropolitan cities and improve the quality of life in underserved neighborhoods and areas. Through his work with NYCFC, the professional soccer team, Raul contributed to several community initiatives, including writing monthly newsletters to spread awareness about political issues and serving as a soccer coach who combined the sport with education about the importance of voting. Raul hopes to be a mentor and role model for those that have aspirations of creating meaningful social change. After graduation, he plans to continue assisting and advocating for underserved communities in Los Angeles as well as in Brooklyn.
Yenni Guadalupe Gonzalez Salinas ’25: Yenni is a firstgeneration college student from Nashville, Tenn., majoring in history with a minor in Latino/a and Latin American studies. A daughter of immigrants, Yenni is committed to dismantling the systems that perpetuate worker exploitation. As an intern in the Nashville District Attorney’s Office, Yenni empowered Spanishspeaking victims and witnesses through the criminal court system and connected them to victim compensation and mental health resources. On campus, Yenni is a Comparte coordinator who assists Occidental’s cleaning staff with improving their English speaking and writing skills through weekly classes and serves as an equity ambassador at the Intercultural Community Center (ICC). After graduation, Yenni plans to attend law school.
Raja Bella Hicks ’25: Raja is a diplomacy and world affairs major from Salt Lake City. Coming from a multicultural background, she is deeply interested in creating more equitable communities–specifically for immigrants and refugees. In her hometown, Raja served as the diversity, equity, and inclusion intern at Zions Bancorp and as her high school’s Rotary International Service director. On campus, she teaches community art classes at Oxy Arts and is an Upward Bound mentor. Off campus, she volunteered on Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ campaign to elect the city’s first female mayor. After Oxy, Raja plans to attend law school or earn a master’s degree in international affairs.
MEET THE 2023-24 OBAMA SCHOLARS
Joy Mopeli ’25: Joy is a diplomacy and world affairs major with a double minor in urban and environmental policy and public health from Lesotho. Joy is committed to advancing antipoverty efforts in Africa and the African diaspora by working in international development and promoting intercultural knowledge exchanges. Joy has worked on diverse community development initiatives, including researching indigenous African agricultural practices, campaigning for climate protection policy, tutoring at the Baylor Clinic in Eswatini, and interning for Sentebale, which provides medical and social welfare support for young people living with HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. At Oxy, Joy currently holds leadership positions in the Black Students Alliance and is serving as a resident advisor, an ICC equity ambassador, and a program assistant with the Young Initiative. She hopes to pursue a career in global health.
Francesca Romero ’25: Francesca is a first-generation diplomacy and world affairs major with minors in politics and Latino/a and Latin American studies from Walnut Creek. She is committed to making the legal system more equitable for underrepresented and low-income communities. Francesca is a LEDA Career Fellow, José F. Silva ’84 Memorial Latino/a Scholarship recipient, and a mentor in Oxy’s Upward Bound program. She has served as a housing intern for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, is currently secretary of Oxy’s National Society of Leadership and Success, and is a member of the Latine Student Union and Oxy Law Society. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and work with community-based organizations.
Jessie Salinas ’25: Jessie is a first-generation geology major from Phoenix. He is passionate about improving the representation of the Hispanic community in policy decisions as well as conserving the natural environment for future generations. An Eagle Scout, he has held leadership positions in various student organizations on campus, including YorkConnection, Oxy Club Soccer, COSMOS Scholars, and Oxy Fishing Club. Jessie plans on interning for the Urban and Environmental Policy program on campus. He hopes to pursue a master’s degree in geology after graduation and aspires to be an archeologist and activist.
Matthew Vickers ’25: Matthew is a diplomacy and world affairs major and English minor from Koloa, Hawai‘i, who is committed to improving housing access and equity. As a student researcher, Matthew studied the works of Trinidadian thinker C.L.R. James and his influence on 20th-century Marxist movements, the historiography of the Haitian Revolution, and Caribbean politics. He is chair of Oxy’s Young Democratic Socialists of America and has volunteered for various organizations and campaigns. He writes for the student newspaper The Occidental and is a student-athlete on Oxy’s cross country and track and field teams. After graduation, Matthew plans to pursue a Ph.D. in political science. -
SPEAKER SERIES
Kristina Kvien ’87 P’20
Discusses Modern Diplomacy as Obama Scholars Speaker
On October 21, 2022, Occidental College welcomed 2022 Obama Scholars Program Distinguished Speaker Kristina Kvien ’87 P’20. She discussed her accomplished career in public service in a conversation with Larry Caldwell, Louise Gamble Professor in Political Science Emeritus, and Igor Logvinenko, associate professor of diplomacy and world affairs.
SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT
Deandre Ortiz ’24 is helping high school studentathletes earn academic scholarships like the one he received from Occidental. As an Obama Scholar, the former Oxy men’s basketball player—a Black studies and politics major—launched Above the Room Elite, a nonprofit basketball program for student-athletes in his hometown of Fitchburg, Mass. After an inaugural summer spent playing in tournaments along the East Coast, the program’s teams will now compete nationwide, and several of Ortiz’s players are considering college athletic scholarship offers. “At the end of the day, the goal is to give these kids a shot at life,” Deandre says. “I was fortunate to work with them and I’m looking forward to doing it for years to come.”
WE REMEMBER JOHN BROOKS SLAUGHTER
John Brooks Slaughter, Occidental College’s 11th president and member of the Obama Scholars Advisory Council, died on December 6, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. Praised by students and faculty for his friendly, positive leadership, his warm, gracious personality, and strong sense of personal integrity, Slaughter’s community-building initiatives included a true belief in shared governance. He embraced Occidental’s tradition of outstanding academic achievement while recognizing the mutuality of excellence and equity. Slaughter spearheaded the renovation and expansion of Johnson Student Center and the creation of Samuelson Pavilion, the opening of the Child Development Center, and the rededication of Herrick Chapel and Interfaith Center.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Bernice Slaughter; son, John II; and daughter, Jacqueline. A celebration of his life and legacy will be held during Homecoming and Family Weekend in October.
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CO-CHAIRS
Hector De La Torre ’89 P’20 Public Policy Leader
Sara El-Amine ’07 H’18 Political Strategist
MEMBERS
David H. Anderson ’63 Environmental Attorney
Denise Campbell Bauer ’86 U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco
Ann Blume P’14 Community Leader
Bruce Blume P’14 Community Leader
John Branca ’72 Entertainment Attorney
Bill Davis ’80 Former Public Radio Executive
Laurent Delanney ’82 Global Sports Marketing Executive
Dr. Susan DiMarco P’17 Civic Leader
Shaun L. Donovan P’25** CEO and President of Enterprise Community Partners
Fred DuVal ’76 Policy Consultant
Mark Fabiani P’21 Political Strategist
Prof. Alan G. Freeman ’66 M’67 P’89 P’91 Theater Director and Writer
Elizabeth E. Gilbert P’25 Landscape Architect
Maurine Halperin P’16 Education Leader
Philip Halperin P’16 Education Leader
Wahid Hamid ’82 H’11 International Investor
Octavio Herrera ’98 Software Entrepreneur
Bob Johnson ’77 Entertainment Attorney
*Deceased **Past Obama Speaker
Chris Johnson ’83 Business Executive
Jeh Johnson H’15 P’17** Former Secretary of Homeland Security
Melody Malmberg ’79 Author, Editor
David Martin ’61 Architect
Rob McKay ’86 H’03 President, McKay Family Foundation
Ian McKinnon ’89 Investment Manager
Ted Mitchell H’07** President, American Council on Education and Occidental President Emeritus
Steve Olson Attorney
Jacinta Pister P’12 P’16 P’20 SVP Global Manufacturing at Simpson Strong-Tie (retired)
David Plouffe** Campaign and Policy Adviser
Prof. Ryan Preston-Roedder Faculty Mentor
Ben Rhodes** Writer and Political Commentator
Eve Riley P’17 Lawyer (retired)
Joel Riley P’17 Physician
Joe Rohde ’77 Artist, Designer, Writer, Executive, Speaker
Janette Sadik-Khan ’82 H’10 Urban Transportation Planner
John Brooks Slaughter H’99* Professor of Engineering and Education and Occidental President Emeritus
Roger Guenveur Smith ’77 H’11 Actor, Director, and Writer
Maya Soetoro-Ng H’18 Matsunaga Institute for Peace, University of Hawaii
Joe Solmonese** Corporate Consultant
Vinai Kumar Thummalapally Former Ambassador
Jonathan Veitch
Occidental President Emeritus
Richard Whitmore P’12 P’16 P’20 Education Leader
FOUNDING DONORS
We are grateful to these leaders who have made cumulative gifts of $1,000,000 and above since the inception of the Obama Scholars Program.
David H. Anderson ’63 and Linda L. Anderson
Ann and Bruce Blume P’14
Estate of James A. Conlin ’74
Helen* and Carl Craig P’63*
Janice C. Gonzales ’63 and Joe Gonzales*
Anonymous
We thank and recognize the following donors who made generous gifts, estate gifts, and/or pledge commitments to the Obama Scholars Program during the 2023 fiscal year, which began on July 1, 2022, and ended on June 30, 2023.
Estate Gifts
We appreciate those individuals who included Occidental’s Obama Scholars Program in their estate plans during this past fiscal year.
David E. Martin ’61
Gifts of $10,000 and above
Liz B. Blackman ’80 and Victor M. Mason ’81
John G. Branca ’72
Barbara Dugan Johnson and Christian M. Johnson ’83
Diane Schinnerer ’60 and Dr. Donald Schinnerer ’59
Gifts of $5,000 and above
Suzanne F. Greenberg ’82
Dr. Greta J. Mandell ’72 and Peter Mandell P’92
Dr. I. Bernice Slaughter and Dr. John B. Slaughter H’99*
Stow L. Witwer ’58 P’85 GP’18
Gifts of $2,500 and above
Dr. Susan J. Bethanis ’82
Linda Brandenburger ’60
Keli P. Carico and Christopher D. Carico ’83
Kathie Freeman ’65 M’72 and Prof. Alan Freeman ’66 M’67 P’89 P’91
Nina J. Gutin, Ph.D. ’85
Leni Richardson ’56 P’85*
*Deceased
Gifts of $1,000 and above
Lyssa Axeen and Dr. David Axeen H’07
Amanda J. Boesche
Jane (Zimmerman) Ettinger ’81 and Robert M. Ettinger
Ferial Hamid and Wahid S. Hamid ’82 H’11
Victoria G. Harding ’87
Janice R. Johnson ’75 and Bob L. Johnson ’77
Debra F. Kipp ’76
Annamarie Marsh-Louie and Alan Louie ’82
Janette I. Sadik-Khan ’82 H’10 and Mark Geistfeld
Brenda Y. Shockley ’68 H’17
Lisa Ferreira and Kenneth D. Sulzer ’82 P’14
Rondal D. Tobler ’84 P’17
James R. Tucker ’67
The Rev. Jon S. West ’61 and Marcia West
Dr. Pamela P. Young ’68
Anonymous
Gifts up to $1,000
Kevin F. Adler ’07
Olamide V. Ajose, Ph.D. ’87 and David Nixon
Dave Albertine and Peggy Albertine P’06
Frederick H. Balian
Kelsey R. Belli
Sandra Santana and Manuel H. Bernal ’87
Jennifer N. Brainerd ’92 and Trevor M. Norton ’91
Dr. Brita A. Bruemmer ’82 and Steve Bruemmer
Lt. Cdr. Dawn P. Callahan, M.D. ’09
Jasmine Chapman and Kenny Chapman
Gretchen R. Cheney
Robin A. Craggs and Garret R. Keith P’21
Carola Donnerhak
Sara H. El-Amine ’07 H’18
Greg Fishwick, Ph.D. ’72
Rosalyn (Harrison) Fleischer ’87 M’89 and Gregory R. Fleischer
Denise Frost and Saul S. Gonzalez P’19
Piper L. Galt ’14 and John M. Ugai ’14
Lisa J. Garcia and Mark D. Garcia ’87
Kay L. Giles, J.D. and Michael E. Mariani P’14
Prof. Shana K. Goffredi
Raphael F. Gonzalez ’19
Susan M. Grosbard ’79
Barbara A. Haley ’71
Taylor Hancock
Lela E. Harris ’88
While great care has been taken in preparing this honor roll, occasionally mistakes may occur. Please inform the College of any errors or omissions by contacting the Office of Donor Relations at donorrelations@oxy.edu.
Gifts up to $1,000 (Contined)
Charlene Ho ’01
Rev. Jack D. Hodges ’61 and Diane L. Hodges ’61 P’88
Mary C. Hoffman ’69 M’70
Lynn Holland, Ph.D. ’77 and Ross Buchanan ’78
Prof. Maryanne Horowitz and Prof. Ellis Horowitz
Uzma Husain and Imad Husain ’83
Michelle Jones
Robert Jones ’67 and Sharon Jones ’67
Gail Kemper and Dr. Lawrence B. Kemper ’57
Amy Kinch and Ashby M. Kinch ’92
Philip C. Ladew ’97
Kimberly J. Leong ’80
Kathie Lloyd ’67
Delmy G. Lopez ’96
James V. Lustig, M.D.
Prof. Candace Mixon
Lisa E. Morita ’84 and Scott Vila
Janet A. Nippell ’73
Jacinta Pister and Richard Whitmore P’12 P’16 P’20
Lori A. Quick and Edward L. Chun P’19
Bonnie E. Regan ’96 and Scott Regan
Zeljko G. Sakota ’01
Helen S. Shafran ’87
Erica C. Shinohara ’02 and Paul M. Harper ’02
Priscilla C. Smith and Donald F. Smith ’55
Lisa K. Taniguchi ’86 and Bradon Y. Kimura
Carolyn E. Tanner ’90
Lorraine Toly ’68
Suzanne Tonnis ’97 M’99 and Frederick W. Thompson ’97
Barbara G. Valiente P’26*
Brooke Vuong, M.D., MHA, MS2 ’05 and Eli Moreno-Sanchez ’04
Linda S. Warren ’81
Gabriella Weltman ’20
MaryAnne S. Werner and Christopher M. Werner ’86
Stephanie F. West, D.V.M. ’80
Janice R. Willson ’64 and Prentiss Willson Jr. ’65
Ina S. Woolman ’67 and David Woolman
Erika L. Yuen ’02
Anonymous
HONORING ROGER BOESCHE
In January, Occidental and local high school students collaborated with Oxy Arts and L.A. Parks & Recreation to paint the Yosemite Drive and La Roda Avenue intersection as a means to curb speeding. Boesche Society co-chair Janette Sadik-Khan ’82 H’10 paved the way for the project. Tiger paws mark the spot now known as Boesche Way, inspired by Professor Roger Boesche’s legacy of inspiring those around him to “practice active democracy and engage in the public ideas, policies, and debates that shape lives.”