Summer 1999 I 1 Campus News
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Martin Espada. well-wishers. Jace Withy-Allen gets a garland or two. and family share a Kodak moment. Poetic Justice Colors Commencement Ideals of activism and diversity invoked as the Class of 1999 claims diplomas at Pitzer's 35th graduation ceremony. The May 16 ceremony began with 195 Pitzer seniors, brightly but changed it. You have made our objective real: education attired in orange and white robes, marching to the familiar for social responsibility." strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" while congratulatory rela This year's commencement ceremony also included spe tives and friends gathered beneath a giant canopy on the Brant cial moments. Joel Getlin, a senior class speaker, read a fable Tower lawn. he had written entitled "Boundless." ''A look out at the world Political poet Martin Espada delivered a keynote address is also accompanied by a look inward," he noted. ''Always ven focusing on themes that echoed among all the speakers: activ ture into your interior space; you have an infinite frontier to ism, justice and diversity. "Ifyou achieve justice, you have trans explore." Silvia Elvis with her kids, formed life into poetry," said Espada, who flavored his com Another senior class speaker, Griselda Suarez, discussed the Abigail and Aaron , and a classmate, in foregro und, ments with lines of his verse. He is the author of five books of need for diversity and greater respect for diversity: "Everyone Alex Espinosa. poems, including "Imagine the Angels of Bread," winner of needs to acknowledg~ and celebrate h is or her differences." the American Book Award, and "Rebellion is the Circle of a Later, Terry F. Lenzner, newly appointed Pitzer trustee, Lover's Hands," winner of the Paterson Poetry Prize. climbed the podium to present a diploma to his son, William. Espada added: "The greatest inheritance of tradition is the And alumni association President Meg Perry '72 welcomed the struggle for social change. Don't think all of the struggles have new graduates into the family of Pitzer alumni. been won." ''I'm overwhelmed by the feeling of four years having gone President Marilyn Chapin Massey praised the students for by in a snap," said graduate Eliot Baker after the ceremonies. activism already undertaken: "You are agents of change in a Another graduate, Darlene Olfman, added: "I enjoyed the pro Photos by Nancy Newman-Bau er changing world. You have not removed yourself from the world, cess. It's been wonderful being here." Summer 1999 I 1 Campus News enable Pitzer to continue attracting WASC: Pitzer talented students, regardless of their personal financial circumstances, she Sets New added. "If we are to sustain our deep commitment to access into the future, Standard we must increase our endowment for scholarships significantly." Pitzer received a ringing endorsement this The Fletcher Jones Foundation, based winter from its accrediting body, which in Los Angeles, has been one of the most also praised the College for setting a new generous and important foundation standard for education. supporters of Pitzer College. Foundation In a memo to the Pitzer community in President John P. Pollock served on the March, President Marilyn Chapin Massey Pitzer board of trustees from 1967 to 1976. said that the Commission of the Western In recent years, the foundation has helped Association of Schools and Colleges Pitzer complete its campus-wide informa (WASC) officially accepted the report of tion network by funding the wiring of the evaluation team that visited the College Holden, Sanborn and Mead halls. Prior in December. "In addition to reaffirming grants include funding The Fletcher Jones our accreditation, WASC explicitly praised Co·stars Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin flank Susan Dolgen at "The Out-of-Towners" premiere. Language and Culture Laboratory, a the College's integration of its educational Photo by Eric Charbonneau Fletcher Jones Professorship in Political objectives," she said. donors, noting that half of Pitzer students exchange information. Studies, a student loan fund and annual The letter dated Feb. 25 from the have some kind of scholarship support. "I This program is unique in higher support for Pitzer's academic programs. Commission said: "The evaluation team thank you on behalf of all the students," education, says Carol Brandt, vice presi found much to commend in its visit, she said. "You are all supporting wonder dent for international and special pro particularly how Pitzer has developed its fully talented students." grams. "Other colleges use two-way video distinctive educational objectives so that Pitzer Jocks Susan Dolgen, a Pitzer trustee and conferencing for distance learning," she they form a seamless whole. Interdiscipli chairman of CSSSA's board of trustees, co said. "But it's unusual to use it for intercul nary perspectives, social responsibility and Join Sagehen chaired the event with Martin, Hawn and tural exchange and to share that resource intercultural understanding infuse the Jonathan 1. Dolgen, chairman of Viacom with the local community." curriculum and programs of the College." Hall of Fame Entertainment Group. "It is important to Pitzer established the "Doorways to WASC suggested that other colleges and raise money for educational institutions," Asia" program under a two-year, $160,000 Three Pitzer graduates-a record-setting universities would do well to emulate Susan Dolgen said. "It is important for grant from The Freeman Foundation. football player and All Americans in tennis Pitzer's example, in effect saying that the schools to get visibility. Pitzer has wonder Among its goals are to increase teaching and basketball-were inducted into the College is setting a new standard for such ful professors. They develop a social and learning about Asian countries, Pomona-Pitzer Athletic Hall of Fame at education. conscience in students and self-esteem. I'm cultures and languages for students in ceremonies held in April. As a sign of its endorsement, the really proud of Pitzer." public schools and at Pitzer. Dan Daley '89 was honored for his commission set the date of the College's The evening began with the arrival of The program has succeeded in building performance on the football field. In his next full evaluation 10 years from the last the movie's stars. Hawn arrived with her bridges. At one point, the local high-school senior year, Daley caught 17 passes in one one, in the fall of 2008. longtime companion, actor Kurt Russell, students asked their Chinese counterparts game, tying a small-college division record. Massey also told the community that and their two sons, Oliver Hudson and how many siblings they each had. Because Daley tied the mark set by Jerry Rice from the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute, currently Wyatt Russell. Martin was accompanied by of the "one-child" policy of the Chinese Mississippi Valley State, who went on to housed at Scripps College, will be coming his good friend, actor Martin Short. Other government, however, the Chinese students set a National Football League record for to Pitzer College in the fall when its attendees included Pitzer trustees, parents, there said they had none. The local receptions. Daley also holds school records current lease expires. "Having the institute alumni, students and staff members. students' reply? "We are now your brothers for receptions in a season, at 62, and for a on our campus will enhance the opportu After the movie, the post-premiere and sisters," Brandt said. career, at 227. In his senior year, he was nities for our students to work on impor party with a New York Central Park theme named SCIAC Player of the Year. tant social issues concerning the Hispanic took place in a 5,000-square-foot white community and to take part in ground tent erected on the Paramount grounds. Foundation Gives breaking research," Massey said. The Waiters in black-tie delivered drinks, and institute is a natural fit for Pitzer, partly Scholarship Funds multiple buffets offered guests fennel-cured because its president is Harry Pachon, salmon with herb creme fraiche, grilled ahi The Fletcher Jones Foundation last month Pitzer's Kenan professor of political studies, tuna and New York steak sandwiches. granted Pitzer College $280,000 to and because its mission complements that Both Martin and Hawn said they were augment The Fletcher Jones Foundation of the new Center for California Cultural glad they could help. "It's important to Endowed Scholarship Fund, which was and Social Issues, as developed in the contribute to the arts in any way we can," established in 1983 with a gift of comprehensive planning process, she Hawn said. "I'm very happy to be a part of $100,000. The Fund now will support five Daley, left, Duque and Nelsen. Photo by Schenck and added. Established in 1985, the institute Schenck Photography it." student scholarships annually. conducts and disseminates objective, Added Martin, "I think any time we "This gift responds to Pitzer's greatest policy-relevant research and its implica Rick Duque '89 was selected for can help young people it's important. They need," President Marilyn Chapin Massey tions to decision-makers on key issues basketball. Duque was named an Honor are a big part of our society." said in accepting the grant. Scholarships affecting Latino communities. able Mention All American. He was the Massey also announced appointments to fill the Kenneth S. Pitzer and the Jean M. Pitzer professorships. Steve Naftilan Pitzer Opens becomes the Kenneth S. Pitzer Professor of Physics, and Susan Seymour becomes the Virtual "Doorway Jean M. Pitzer Professor of Anthropology. These chairs were endowed under the to Asia" generous terms of the will of Kenneth Students on this side of the Pacific Pitzer, Massey said. Ocean-many of whom have never traveled beyond their hometowns-had a Film Benefit Raises chance to interact with their counterparts in China over the spring under a unique Scholarship Funds program that uses technology to bridge cultures.