Welcome, Nathan Dean ’10
In July Pomona College welcomed Nathan Dean ’10 as the new National Chair of Annual Giving. Nathan will serve a two-year term as the College’s primary proponent for annual giving and as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
Working to lead and support fundraising for top priorities, Nathan will partner with the Office of Advancement and the Board of Trustees Advancement Committee to set and monitor Annual Fund goals, assist with volunteer recruitment and serve as a spokesperson for Annual Fund initiatives.
Visit pomona.edu/give and support current students through the Annual Fund today!
Say Hello to Alisa Fishbach,
our new Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement
The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement welcomed Alisa Fishbach as its new director this past summer. Alisa is a graduate of Occidental College and brings with her to Pomona College more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit and corporate management, event production, fundraising and higher education community building. In addition to her background in higher education, Alisa has extensive experience in theatrical production and promotion, working with Broadway’s Shubert Organization and Theatre L.A., Los Angeles’ consortium of performing arts organizations. Alisa was born in India and lived there and in Iran and Hawaii before settling in California, where she enjoys life with her family. Alisa shares that, as a product of the liberal arts, her commitment to the philosophy and tenets of the mission of Pomona College is firmly rooted, and she is thrilled to be working on behalf of Sagehen alumni and families. Chirp! Chirp!
Save the Dates for Big Sagehen Celebrations in Spring 2021
We are excited to announce two celebratory virtual events coming next spring to bring some joy and rejuvenation to all.
Our annual 4/7 Day will celebrate and honor Sagehens for their local and global contributions. All are invited for a special day of recognizing and discovering the extraordinary impact that alumni make in so many ways in their hometowns and across the world, bearing their added riches!
On May 1, classes whose years end in 1 or 6 are invited to our Pomona College Reunion Celebration. Planning is underway for an online event filled with opportunities for alumni in reunion to gather, reminisce, explore and celebrate! And don’t forget, it’s never too early to start contributing to your Reunion Class Gift. Visit pomona.edu/class-gift to give today.
Watch your email for details on these special spring events! Need to update your contact information? Go to pomona.edu/update-your-info.
Shifting to Virtual Alumni and Family Events This Year
Along with many other changes in the pandemic (hello Zoom!), our alumni and parent programs have pivoted quickly to reshape our events and continue to provide opportunities to come together in our virtual world. Thanks to Alumni and Parent Engagement and the partnership of the Career Development Office (CDO), the Benton Museum at Pomona College, the Orange County Regional Alumni Chapter and others, the fall presented a variety of online events for alumni and parents to engage with Pomona. To highlight a few of those:
In September, the Pomona College Orange County Regional Alumni Chapter hosted “DACA 101: The Supreme Court Decision, the Sagehen Community and Beyond,” a panel discussion on the current state of the DACA program and the impact on the Pomona community should DACA end. Panelists included:
- Gilda Ochoa, professor of Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies at Pomona College and moderator
- Arely Zimmerman, assistant professor of Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies at Pomona College
- Paula Gonzalez ’95, immigration attorney and co-founder of the Pomona College Pro Bono Legal Network
- Daniel Caballero, assistant director, First-Generation & Undocumented Student Programs at Pomona College
- Aldair Arriola Gomez ’17
In October, the CDO and Alumni & Parent Engagement launched “Trustee Talks from the Workplace,” a series featuring Pomona College trustees sharing career experiences and advice with students and young alumni. With nearly all industries impacted by current public health and economic conditions, the talks focus on how industries are adapting, as well as job market realities and current and future opportunities. This first talk focused on “Hollywood in the Time of COVID” and featured panelists:
- Aditya Sood ’97, president, Lord Miller, Pomona College trustee
- Gregory McKnight ’90, partner, United Talent Agency
- Ryan Engley, assistant professor of media studies and moderator
At the end of October, the new event series “Faculty Chirps & Chats,” presented by the Alumni Association Board, began with “Six Days Left! A (Most Unusual) 2020 Election.” Each month, alumni and families are invited to join Pomona College faculty talks where speakers will discuss their current research, projects and interests. This recent chat featured a close look at the 2020 election and a lively bipartisan discussion about the fight for the White House and the Senate. Panelists included:
- David Menefee-Libey, Pomona College professor of politics and coordinator of public policy analysis
- John J. Pitney, Claremont McKenna College Roy P. Crocker professor of politics
- Don Swan ’15, Alumni Association president and moderator
Watch your email for ongoing event announcements and registration information.