What Does It Mean to Learn Fearlessly?

Dear Pitzer Community,  

At a time when the pace of change can feel overwhelming due to rapid advances in technology as well as environmental and political challenges, this question matters more than ever. Our students are entering a world that demands more than technical expertise. It requires curiosity, critical thinking and the courage to participate fully in an unknowable future.  

That conviction lies at the heart of Pitzer’s new strategic vision, embraced by our community last fall: to ignite change for a more just, sustainable, inclusive world by educating every student to think critically, act courageously and engage compassionately.  

This newly adopted vision reflects principles that have a long tradition at Pitzer. Education here has always meant more than mastering a field of study. It means asking difficult questions, exploring unfamiliar perspectives, and connecting ideas across disciplines, cultures and communities. Learning takes place in classrooms and laboratories, but also in creative work, community engagement and the everyday conversations that challenge us to see the world differently.  

The stories in this issue of The Participant offer a glimpse of that spirit in action.  

You will encounter the work of Dean of Faculty Chawne Kimber, whose acclaimed quilts and scholarship demonstrate how creative practice can become a powerful form of social inquiry. Her work reflects the kind of intellectual and artistic exploration that encourages students to look beyond familiar boundaries.  

You will read why the U.S. Fulbright Program named Pitzer the nation’s top producer of Fulbright students among baccalaureate institutions. The honor reflects a culture of mentorship in which faculty, staff and alumni are working together to help students carry ideas from the classroom into meaningful global engagement.  

And you will hear from students including Stella Stringer ’26, who plans to work within the financial sector to advance sustainability, reflecting the growing determination among students to engage complex systems in pursuit of meaningful progress.  

The cover story traces the history of mural painting at Pitzer, which has long given students a visible way to express their ideas and convictions. Over time, these murals have become part of the cultural landscape of our campus and reminds that learning often begins with the courage to make one’s voice heard.  

Across these stories runs a common thread: a commitment to learning that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply engaged with the world.  As I reflect on the work of our students, faculty and alumni, I am continually inspired by the ways they approach the future with curiosity, creativity and a willingness to challenge assumptions.   

Provida Futuri, 

Strom C. Thacker