A stone’s throw from a red sandstone hunk on which Sagehens of the past carved their class numerals and motto, “Not to live but to live well,” in Greek, Sagehens of the present and future gathered to celebrate their beloved Pomona College’s founding.
President G. Gabrielle Starr (top right) kicked off Pomona’s annual Founders Day Celebration on October 15 with a State of the College Address inside Little Bridges Auditorium. Scores of students, staff, faculty and College administrators then mingled on Marston Quad over lunch as the Draper Center accepted donations from the Sagehen community.
Starr told the story of Charles Sumner, who saved the College from a serious financial challenge in its early days; expressed pride in Pomona becoming one of the most highly-regarded colleges in the nation; and touted the milestones Pomona has hit in its 138 years.
“Pomona is a ‘we,’” Starr said, “and it’s a ‘we’ that does all kinds of things. We argue with each other, we disagree, we learn. We care about each other an extraordinary amount. We chirp together. We plan for the future, and we do things that are consequential on this campus.”
Starr emphasized that Pomona can also be better, and more true to its ideals.
“We always look higher—to who we can become and what we can do,” she said. “It’s crucial for all of us here to remember that the acts we carry out today, the things we’re doing now, lay the foundation for the future.”
Nayla Ward ’29, a first-generation Sagehen from Georgia, found comfort in learning Pomona has initiatives in place to support a diverse student body. Jared Sedlis ’29, a Massachusetts native, said he took great interest in hearing about Pomona’s globalization efforts “because we live in an interconnected world.”
What lies ahead for all Sagehens is a promise to give more college-aged students from middle-income families an avenue to Pomona, Starr said. Admissions officers do tireless work recruiting new students every year, she added, and record fundraising has made it possible for Sagehens to graduate in four years and debt-free.
“Having a day where we think about where we’ve been helps motivate [us on] this shared path we’re taking on together,” said Michael Steinberger, associate professor of economics and chair of the department. “I particularly appreciate that the events today bring together staff, faculty and students to say that we are together in this incredibly important mission.”
Founders Day also provided an opportunity for Sagehens to give back. The Draper Center partnered with local organizations to collect canned and packaged food, books and clothing. Pomona staff looking for ESL support had the chance to sign up for a personal tutor.
“Now more than ever, with what’s going on in the world, it’s important to focus on what we as a College can do,” said Sefa Aina, associate dean and director of the Draper Center. “Giving back is the nature of higher ed, but specifically at Pomona, it’s nurtured. All of our big events are centered around giving, around community service, around an externalizing of our energy and of our gifts.”
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