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Life After Fire illustration for Occidental magazine, Spring 2025
Life After Fire
The Eaton and Palisades fires in January took their toll on members of the Occidental family, including students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. With a long rebuilding process ahead, they find strength and support among the...

Occidental magazine brings you campus news, in-depth features, and profiles of exceptional alumni. For the 2024-25 academic year, the magazine published two print and digital issues (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025) and one digital-only issue (Summer 2024).

Vince Cuseo, Occidental Admission
Vince Cuseo has been instrumental to the success of ɫƵ’s admission efforts for the last 22 years—and his commitment to ɫƵ’s mission can’t be measured by test scores
Ming Cho Lee '53
The Tony-winning set designer and legendary Yale professor, who died last fall, dedicated himself to theater and to teaching, Ann Sheffield ’83 recalls
Jean Wyatt
Professor of English Jean Wyatt is retiring after an unprecedented 51 years in the classroom. This tribute is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Professor of Spanish and French Studies Felisa Guillén is retiring after 31 years at ɫƵ. This tribute to her legacy is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Scott Bogue
After 35 years at ɫƵ, Professor of Geology Scott Bogue will retire in September. This tribute to his time at ɫƵ is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Jacalyn Rodriguez
Professor of Psychology and Latino/a Studies Jaclyn Rodríguez ’77 is retiring after 37 years at ɫƵ. This tribute to her career is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Professor of Biology Gary Martin is hanging up his flip flops after 41 years at ɫƵ. This tribute to his career is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Robert Ellis, ɫƵ
Norman Bridge Distinguished Professor of Spanish & Spanish and French Studies Robert Ellis has retired after 37 years at ɫƵ. This tribute is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Nalsey Tinberg
Professor of Mathematics Nalsey Tinberg is retiring after 41 years at ɫƵ. This tribute to her career is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Eric Frank
Professor of Art & Art History Eric Frank is retiring after 35 years at ɫƵ. This tribute to his career is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Professor of Cognitive Science and Philosophy Saul Traiger is retiring after 36 years at ɫƵ. This tribute to his career is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Irene Girton, ɫƵ
Professor of Music Irene Girton is retiring after 21 years at ɫƵ. This tribute to her career is part of the Spring 2021 magazine.
Participants in ɫƵ Women in Philanthropy: Values, Vision, and Voice
An ɫƵ volunteer leadership panel examines the impact and influence of women in philanthropy
Arts in a Pandemic
ɫƵ faculty and students embrace, explore, and experiment with technology to keep arts classes, exhibits, and performances humming
Namandjé Bumpus ’03
With heart, energy, and a passion for research, Namandjé Bumpus ’03 becomes a role model for others as a trailblazing director at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Features

Mast Reforestation CEO Grant Canary '05
Seeding the Forests
Utilizing biomass burial and carbon credits, Mast Reforestation CEO Grant Canary ’05 is on a mission to revive scorched landscapes in the American West
Marcel Ophuls '50 in an undated photo
Contrarian Documentarian
Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Marcel Ophuls ’50, who attended Occidental for three years before dropping out to finish his studies at the Sorbonne, died May 24 at the age of 97...
Life After Fire illustration for Occidental magazine, Spring 2025
Life After Fire
The Eaton and Palisades fires in January took their toll on members of the Occidental family, including students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. With a long rebuilding process ahead...
Assistant Professor Janna Ireland
Advanced Projects in Photography
With two exhibits opening simultaneously and a new teaching space at ɫƵ, Assistant Professor Janna Ireland navigates her burgeoning career as she parents two growing boys
Eddie Gorton ’01, Paul “PK” Kim ’98, and David Murphy ’02
Sitting Down With the Stand-ups
Paul “PK” Kim ’98, Eddie Gorton ’01, and David Murphy ’02 trace their comic odysseys from talent shows and laundromats to Thorne Hall and the Laugh Factory
Professor William D. Ward at his desk in the Hall of Letters on Occidental’s Highland Park campus.
Unseen Occidental
From 1898 to 1914, ɫƵ called Highland Park home—and a treasure trove of photos from the 1910s offers a glimpse of campus life before the move to Eagle Rock

First Word

From the Quad

Mariah Rutiaga Amaya ’22 outside the Hameetman Career Center.
Vital Signs
Recent ɫƵ grads from a variety of disciplines are enrolling in top-tier medical schools in unprecedented numbers, applying their own life experiences to the future of healthcare
ɫƵ professors and students engaged in summer research and internships
How I Spent My Summer Vocation
From artificial intelligence in the classroom to immigrant rights in the city, the Occidental landscape has been abuzz with activity for faculty and students alike

Mixed Media

Terry Kitchen '81 performs "We All Dream."
Mixed Media
A host of new works by ɫƵ alumni explore explore themes of democracy, resilience, and human connection—as well as our fascination with horses, dragons, and ocean life
Carole MacNeil ’84 with her mom, Eleanor, in 2019.
Mixed Media
New books by Carole MacNeil ’84, Jessica C. Harris ’08, Jessica Keith ’00, Marsha de la O ’74, and the latest documentary short by César Martínez Barba ’17

ɫƵ Talk

Occidental Board of Trustees Chair Art Peck '77
The Occidental Imperative
Business veteran Art Peck ’77 brings his leadership acumen to the Board of Trustees at a critical juncture in higher education when the College’s mission—and messaging—are more important...
Administrative Law Judge Brian Gee ’87
Judgment Calls
Separated by 2,700 miles, National Labor Relations Board administrative law judges Brian Gee ’87 and Ira Sandron ’71 find common ground in ɫƵ

Last Page

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