“From now on, your ability to make a plan will matter a lot less than your ability to respond and adapt to unexpected new inputs, whether those new inputs come in the form of crisis or opportunity. If you should find your mind wandering a little bit in the two hours we have to go here, maybe spend a minute thinking about what kind of story you might like to tell when you’re back on the stagegetting your honorary Ph.D. in 10   or 20 years. Then get ready for it to all play out nothing like you expected.”

—Mikey Dickerson ’01 to the Class of 2015, after receiving his honorary doctorate

It’s early May, and Pomona students are stressing out in droves over final papers and upcoming exams. But never fear—help is near, with a wagging tail and a droopy ear. During the annual “De-Stress” event on the Smith Campus Center lawn, students take a little time off from studying to do something that is medically proven to reduce stress—that is, pet a puppy. For those allergic to doggie fur, the event also includes games, frozen snacks and plenty of pizza and camaraderie.

Members of the Class of 2015 show support for a classmate who just received a diploma during Pomona’s 122nd Commencement in May. During the ceremony, Michael Dickerson ’01, Andrew Hoyem ’57, Judge Stephen Reinhardt ’51, and France Córdova spoke and received honorary degrees from the College. Videos of the speakers are available at www.pomona.edu/events/commencement/archive/2015.aspx.

President David Oxtoby welcomes the members of the Class of 2015 to a Senior Dinner on April 7 beneath José Clemente Orozco’s fresco of Prometheus in Frary Hall.

Since 2000, Walker Beach has been the site of The Claremont Colleges’ increasingly popular celebration of Holi, the springtime festival of colors and love that originated in India. Organized by the Claremont Hindu Society, with the support of the Office of Chaplains, the festival is celebrated as a carnival of bright colors, with participants throwing dry colored powder or colored water at each other until both crowd and surroundings appear to have been tie-dyed. Last March, more than 400 students from across the campuses took part in the 2015 festivities.

Each summer, the students working in Chemistry Professor Mal Johal’s research lab take a break from their work on ultra-thin assemblies to create a dessert version of the periodic table for one of their weekly barbecues. Past efforts have included cookies and cakes—this year, it was brownies, complete with rainbow sprinkles for the radioactive elements. Posing with their creation are: (from left, front row) Carlos Hernandez ’18, Devin Gladys ’17, Zi-Chen Liu ’18, Samuel To ’18, (back row) Kavoos Kolahdouzan ’18, Vanessa Machuca ’18, Conner Kummerlowe ’16 and Hannah Wayment-Steele ’15. 

Dance, Ethnicity and Nationalism looks at dance as a vehicle for achieving political goals and establishing ethnic identities. Students study such examples as Irish step dancing, Ukrainian and Russian folk dancing and the Hawaiian hula, all of which have served past regimes. Instructor: Anthony Shay

Disease, Destruction, & Disaster examines disaster as a social phenomenon and trends in managing and responding to threats and catastrophe. Students look at such case studies as Hurricane Katrina, Fuku-shima and the Ebola outbreaks. Instructor: Brady Potts

Drone Theory focuses on the drone as part of a network of ubiquitous, always-active sensors for automated data collection, processing and response. Looking at the drone through critical media theory, students think about asymmetrical power and remote control, and the historic relationship between military and media technology. Instructor: Mark Andrejevic

Here are just a few of the many interesting and unique individual accomplishments reported by members of the admitted Class of 2019:

• One auditioned and was cast in a small role in the movie The Hunger Games (2012).
• One authored a neuroscience textbook in 11th grade: A Friendly Guide To The Adolescent Brain.
• One wrote five Apple Apps, which achieved 1,000,000 total downloads.
• One has written four full-length novels.
• One is a sous chef for a Michelin-starred restaurant.
• One is a master bee-keeper, the youngest in the state.

Save the Date: October 3, 2015 

The focus will be on the wonders of physics, astronomy and mathematics during Pomona’s 2015 Founders Day, which will feature the official opening of the beautiful new Millikan Laboratory and the renovated Andrew Science Hall. The dedication ceremony is set to begin at 1:30 p.m., and to be followed by a range of interactive science and math activities for all age groups throughout the afternoon, ending around 7 p.m. Food trucks will be available for dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.