Wanting More Than Baby Food: Convocation 2026

At a time when students are being asked to navigate an increasingly complex world, the value of a liberal arts education lies not only in what students learn, but in how they learn to think, question, interpret, and engage. 

That idea was at the heart of Pitzer College’s Convocation ceremony in Benson Auditorium, where Associate Professor of Art Sarah Gilbert reflected on the role of education in helping students examine the forces shaping culture and society. 

Gilbert drew on philosopher Theodor Adorno, who, after escaping Nazi Germany, wrote extensively about “uncomfortable connections between the easy consumption of mass culture and the inclination of a society to become unthinkingly swept up in political propaganda.” 

According to Gilbert, Adorno had a metaphor for mass culture produced by industry and capital: baby food that’s been processed and spat back out. 

“It is pre-digested in order to excuse you from the difficult labor of thinking,” said Gilbert. 

Gilbert believed Adorno’s metaphor remains apt in an era of AI-generated content (or “slop”) and political pressure questioning the value of higher education. Wrangling with a difficult reading and shaping your own ideas is much harder than being spoon-fed information in short spurts. 
 

“Maybe there are a lot of pundits and certainly a lot of tech bros banking on young people craving pre-digested food,” said Gilbert. “Your professors, on the other hand, are banking on you and your deep curiosity. It is what we live for.” 

Gilbert, who chairs Pitzer’s Faculty Executive Committee, reassured students that challenging assignments are not trapdoors. 

“When you’re assigned something hard, it’s because [professors] have deep trust in your capacity,” said Gilbert. “We’re not trying to go over your head. It’s because we know that if you give it a shot and you chew and chew and chew on it… and you talk about it with us, that you’ll be astounded by what you’re capable of understanding.” 

Pitzer’s newest students also heard from other leadership at Convocation. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Chawne Kimber emphasized how much professors care for their students. 

“Get to know your professors,” said Kimber. “I continue to be impressed by the deep commitment this faculty has to our mission and core values, and to your development as both scholars and humans.” 

Student Senate President Amirah Haque ’27 encouraged her fellow students to branch out and make mistakes. 

“Learning is going to be incredibly hard,” said Haque. “That is guaranteed. That is why you’re here. But what is also guaranteed are the worlds of knowledge that are unlocked with every little bit of research you do, every conversation you have with a professor, and it all does open doors.” 

Pitzer students never have to handle their difficulties alone. Staff are always ready to help students, a point emphasized by Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Andrés Fernández. Every year, Student Affairs staff ask graduating seniors how they would advise their first-year selves. Fernández said that three tips come up the most: go to faculty’s office hours, use the Writing Center’s resources, and seek academic coaching. 

“I can tell you that the students that I’ve watched thrive at Pitzer are not necessarily the ones that arrive the most prepared,” said Fernández. “They’re the ones … who leaned into resources, to relationships, to asking for help when they needed it.” 

President Strom C. Thacker shared his admiration for Pitzer’s incoming students and how their presence on campus has already made a difference. 

“You were all selected to be here at Pitzer College… because of your accomplishments, your values, and your desire to carry Pitzer’s mission forward and to make the world a better place,” said Thacker. “Each and every one of you belongs here.” 

Watch the full Convocation Ceremony here.