Dear Sagehen community,
This week our campus once again reverberates with the sights and sounds of a lively academic community as spring semester begins. Whether you traveled far or stayed close by, I hope the winter break gave you space for rest and renewal along with time for family and friends.
The past several weeks have been stressful here in Southern California as wildfires have wreaked havoc in the Altadena and Pacific Palisades areas. While our campus has been spared, several of our colleagues have suffered the heartbreaking loss of their homes in the fires. Many of you have found ways to help. For example, a room in Smith Campus Center quickly filled with donations of food, clothing, household goods and other practical items in a drive led by Staff Council and Human Resources. These generous contributions were quickly distributed to affected Pomona families, and we thank everyone who made this meaningful effort possible. In times of need, Sagehens always step forward to help. The Dean of Students team has reached out to help students impacted by the fires, and we encourage any faculty or staff affected directly by the fires to get support through our Office of Human Resources.
We are relieved the winds that returned to our area this past Monday night did not cause damage to the campus. Special thanks to our outstanding grounds crew, led by Ron Nemo, for their quick work in cleanup.
Two days ago, our nation witnessed the peaceful transition of power that the founders wisely outlined in our Constitution more than two centuries ago. There is sure to be change, in the country and the world, as there always is with a new administration in Washington D.C. I invite us all to use this time to listen to each other, take care of one another and to seek peace in our world rather than division. Alumni such as Leyth Swidan 鈥16, a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State, is one of many examples of how Sagehens are engaging and tackling global challenges.
The College is also closely monitoring decisions that the new White House administration is announcing. Our focus, as always, is the safety and wellbeing of everyone on our campus, especially our students. We recognize that uncertainty can cause distress and encourage you to reach out to the College鈥檚 various resources available if they might be helpful.
Opportunities for engagement will continue this semester, such as the workshops being offered on our campus as part of our Year of Dialogue 鈥 be on the lookout for future programming. In addition, the work to establish the President鈥檚 Advisory Committee on Social Responsibility (CSR) will take off this semester. Membership will include students, faculty, staff and alumni. The committee鈥檚 charge will be to review investment questions as well as other campus concerns brought to its attention in proposal form. I鈥檓 also excited to continue the work that President Starr began last semester on shared governance with campus constituencies.
There is much activity to look forward to in the months ahead. Departmental annual lectureships are on the horizon, and Hen Talks will showcase our own faculty. Music, theatre and dance will present dozens of performances, and a new exhibit will open at the Benton Museum of Art on Feb. 13 titled 鈥Jonathan Lethem鈥檚 Parallel Play: Contemporary Art and Art Writing.鈥 I look forward to welcoming alumni back to campus in early May and celebrating the Class of 2025, with their family and friends, at commencement that same month.
The achievements of our Sagehen community continue to inspire me. As just one example, 鈥攁 first for Pomona. The NCAA noted that she not only was a 21-time all-American鈥攕he also carried out more than 2,500 hours of clinical and scientific research and published three journal articles, while also volunteering at a children鈥檚 hospital and serving the Red Cross as a blood donor ambassador. She is now enrolled in an M.D./Ph.D. program at Harvard Medical School and MIT. A special thank you to the swimming and diving coaching staff and Sagehen Athletics for their role in mentoring all our athletes. Alumni like Alexandra are proof that liberal arts education at Pomona indeed shapes the leaders of tomorrow.
Having been a member of the faculty here for the past 21 years, it is a most unexpected honor to serve as acting president for the first half of 2025 while President Starr takes a well-deserved sabbatical. I am excited to support the continuing work of implementing the College鈥檚 strategic vision. Among its priorities, our future Center for Global Engagement will be a major focus this spring.
As we move through the semester, we will see crystal clear days and snow on Mt. Baldy. The scent of citrus blossoms will fill the air. I love this time of year and the promise of spring. I am looking forward to forming new relationships on campus and having the opportunity to see many of you more frequently in the weeks ahead. Thank you, each one, for the part you play so well in making Pomona a place of creativity, curiosity and excellence.
Best wishes,
Bob
Robert Gaines, acting president and Edwin F. and Martha Hahn Professor of Geology