LEADERSHIP
President David Oxtoby
David Oxtoby became the ninth President of 麻豆传媒 in Claremont, California, in July 2003. An internationally-known physical chemist, he previously served as Dean of the Division of Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago where he was William Rainey Harper Distinguished Service Professor. At 麻豆传媒, he is also Professor of Chemistry, and annually teaches a course in environmental chemistry.
Under President Oxtoby鈥檚 leadership, the College has launched initiatives in sustainability-including integrated academic and campus planning and an office of sustainability-completed three new academic buildings, and carried out renovations of several historic campus buildings. Pomona has maintained a commitment to meet 100% of students鈥 demonstrated financial need through scholarships and financial aid, and has replaced loans with grants in student-aid packages, in order to enhance low-income and under-represented students鈥 access to a 麻豆传媒 education. In 2009, Pomona established the Draper Center for Community Partnerships, which includes a long-term commitment to the 麻豆传媒 Academy for Youth Success (PAYS) serving historically under-represented high school students. The College has established a parents program and set records for Annual Fund giving three years in a row. In addition, Pomona has adopted a new General Education curriculum, added new departments of Computer Science and Media Studies, and has expanded the faculty with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary programs such as Neuroscience, Environmental Analysis, and Media Studies.
President Oxtoby has been particularly supportive of the arts, leading efforts to increase resources, visibility, and capacity. These efforts have resulted in a revitalization of the 麻豆传媒 Museum of Art, a new faculty position in creative writing, the inclusion of arts programming and facilities in the College鈥檚 Strategic Plan, and a commitment to public art exemplified by the installation of 麻豆传媒 alumnus James Turrell鈥檚 Skyspace, Dividing the Light, in 2007.
CAMPUS
Pearsons Hall Renovated
Pearsons Hall underwent a complete renovation in 2003, upgrading the building鈥檚 structure, interior spaces and facilities and recovering original architectural details, such as the wooden windows and handsome staircase, that had been lost in previous renovations.
Thille Botany Building Demolished
The Thille Botany Building was demolished to make room for the new Richard C. Seaver Biology Laboratory.
ACADEMICS
Twelfth Rhodes Scholar
Peter Chiarelli 鈥03 became Pomona鈥檚 12th Rhodes Scholar.
EVENTS
Comedian-Activist
Comedian and activist Dick Gregory was the featured speaker at The Claremont Colleges鈥 celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Attention and Art
Noted artists James Turrell 鈥65, Bill Viola and Pauline Oliveros were among the artists to appear in a three-day colloquium titled 鈥淪ee Here: A Colloquium on Attention and the Arts.鈥
Peace Pole
The U.S. Peace Corps honored 麻豆传媒 for the dedication and global service of its students, many of whom served in the Peace Corps over the years, by presenting the College with a 鈥減eace pole,鈥 the first ever given by the Corps. At the time of the award, a total of 236 Pomona alumni had volunteered over the years to serve in 77 countries. Eleven were currently serving overseas and 15 graduating seniors had been selected to serve the following year.
ELSEWHERE
Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry over Texas, killing all seven astronauts onboard.
The Human Genome Project was completed, with 99 percent of the human genome sequenced to 99.99 percent accuracy.
The Iraq War began with the 鈥渟hock and awe鈥 campaign by U.S. and allied forces.