Welcome, 2017–18 Alumni Board
Attendees of the 2017–18 Alumni Board Kick-Off Meeting: (top row, left to right) Lazaros Chalkias ’16, Craig Arteaga-Johnson ’96, Jon Siegel ’84, Matt Thompson ’96, Kayla McCulley ’09, Alfredo Romero ’91, Harvey Alpern ’60, Don Swan ’15; (bottom row, left to right) Rocio Gandara ’97, LJ Kwak ’05, Jumal Qazi ’02, Maria Vides ’18, Jan Fukushima ’72, Stacey Abrams ’16, Diane Ung ’85, Jahan Boulden PZ ’07, Belinda Rabano ’88
THE ALUMNI BOARD welcomed President Starr to its first meeting of the year with a basket of gifts sent by alumni authors, filmmakers, poets, musicians and vintners. President Starr and members discussed priorities for the year and topics important to on- and off-campus Sagehens, including free speech and alumni-student mentorship. During lunch, the board heard from Elvis Kahoro ’20, who was featured in the recent New York Times article “When Affirmative Action Isn’t Enough.” Working committees met, including Alumni Engagement, chaired by Don Swan ’15, which focuses on learning and career programs for alumni; Athletic Affinity, chaired by Mercedes Fitchett ’91, which supports events such as Rivalry Weekend and promotes the Champions of Sagehen Athletics fundraising initiative; Current Matters, chaired by Rocio Gandara ’97, which responds to time-sensitive issues within the Pomona alumni community as they arise; and 4/7, chaired by president-elect Diane Ung ’85, which organizes community service events around Pomona’s “special day” in April. The Alumni Association president for 2017–18 is Matt Thompson ’96. A complete list of members and a nomination form.
Fall/Winter Book Club Selection: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
GRAB A BLANKET (or, if you’re in Claremont, maybe a fan) and cozy up with The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, the Pomona College Book Club selection for fall. This New York Times bestseller was adapted earlier in the year into an Emmy-nominated HBO television film, directed by Tony Award–winning playwright and director George C. Wolfe ’76. In a September 2017 interview for the website Shadow and Act, Wolfe spoke about the project: “I think it is a phenomenal story. Henrietta Lacks, a woman who, with limited education and a vibrant and colorful personality, transformed modern medicine. When she died, her cells gave birth to the biotech industry. I found it so fascinating that someone who on paper had limited power, in death had tremendous power and that her family knew nothing about it.”
To join the Book Club, learn more about in-person discussions in your area, and access exclusive discussion questions, faculty notes and video content, visit pomona.edu/bookclub.
Mentor Current Students with Sagepost 47
DO YOU REMEMBER feeling unsure about your path after Pomona? Are you interested in ways that you can give back to the student community? Sagepost 47 is Pomona’s alumni-student mentorship program, founded by a team of students and alumni in 2014. The program connects alumni mentors with students, provides support for career and graduate school exploration and allows students to participate in mock interviews in a variety of fields. Visit sagepost47.com to learn more or sign up to become a mentor.
Sagehens Bid a Fond Farewell to Prof. Lorn Foster
LORN FOSTER, Pomona’s Charles and Henrietta Johnson Detoy Professor of American Government and Professor of Politics, has announced his retirement at the end of this academic year—his 40th at the College. A special fund supporting student internships and Pomona’s golf program has been established in his honor. Foster fans who wish to honor his legacy with a gift should visit pomona.edu/give and select the “Lorn S. and Gloria F. Foster Fund” from the gift designation menu. To hear about events celebrating Professor Foster, make sure your information is up to date.
Show Your Sagehen Pride with New Pomona-Pitzer Athletics Gear
BIG NEWS FOR Sagehen fans: Announcing the launch of a new online Nike store for Pomona-Pitzer Athletics! Get in the game with your favorite gear at sagehens.com—just click the “Nike Store” tab on the navigation bar. Your order will be shipped directly to your door. And don’t forget to support your favorite team with a gift to Champions of Sagehen Athletics!
New Pomona-Pitzer Athletics Filter in the Mobile Alumni Directory
SAGEHEN CONNECT—a free app featuring an alumni directory and mapping resource to connect you with Sagehens in your area—has been bringing alumni together since 2013. Now, a new filter allows users to search by athletic participation from the Directory search tool. Visit pomona.edu/sagehenconnect to find out how to download the app to your iOS or Android device.
Alumni Travel/Study
April 4–11, 2018
Explore Cuba with the Claremont Colleges
Join CMC and Pitzer alumni on this three-college tour as we cross a cultural divide, exploring the art, history and culture of the Cuban people.
May 25–June 4, 2018
The Camino de Santiago: A Pilgrimage into the Past
Join John Sutton Miner Professor of History and Professor of Classics Ken Wolf on one of the great journeys of the world, the Camino de Santiago, done in the way it was meant to be traveled: on foot.
For complete tour information, please visit pomona.edu/alumni/lifelong-learning/alumni-travel-program or email alumni@pomona.edu.
Tributes
Pictured are: (top row, left to right) Frannie Sutton, Maia Pauley, Martha Castro, (bottom row, left to right) Claire Goldman and Lianna Semonsen.
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS whose parents are alumni were invited to swing by Seaver House to say hello and snap a photo. Thanks to those who took part, and welcome to the Pomona family.