Schedule | Family Weekend | Parent Relations

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
9 a.m.–6 p.m.	Registration & Information Center Living Room, McConnell Center Pick up your nametag, complimentary tote bag, and schedule of events. Shop the Pitzer Store and enjoy your new Pitzer gear!
10 a.m. 1 p.m. 3 p.m.	Campus Tours Meet at Pitzer Hall Led by a student guide, tours last approximately one hour. You will see many aspects of Pitzer’s beautiful campus, including McConnell Dining Hall, a residence hall, the Gold Student Health and Wellness Center, the Keck Science Center, the Mounds, classroom space, unique drought-tolerant landscaping, the Grove House, and much more. Comfortable walking shoes suggested.
Noon	Lunch with the Campus Community Dining Hall, McConnell Center See why Pitzer’s dining hall ranks among the best in the country. Service is available until 1:30 p.m.
Noon–5 p.m.	Pitzer College Art Galleries Nichols Art Gallery, Broad Center Visit the gallery to explore our latest exhibition, Publishing Against the Grain. Publishing Against the Grain highlights the current state of publishing and art criticism as it exists in small journals, experimental publications, websites, and radio, as well as other innovative forms.
1:15–2:45 p.m.	*Diversity Issues in Higher Education* Shelva Paulse, Assistant Dean of Faculty for Academic Affairs Fletcher Hall 112 Join Shelva Paulse in a discussion about race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
2:45–4 p.m.	Open House: Innovative and Flexible Classroom Space Avery Hall 202 Since our founding, Pitzer faculty and students have embraced the value of interactive teaching and learning environments. Pitzer recently began this effort by renovating two small classrooms in Avery Hall during the summer of 2018. Combining the two rooms, the redesigned and remodeled space now contains several innovative features that create a flexible and vibrant learning environment. The reimagined classroom also demonstrates Pitzer’s leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability. This initial project serves as a model for future classroom renovations on our campus.
3–3:45 p.m.	The Home for Athletics, Health, and Wellness on Campus! Pomona College, Rose Hills Theatre, Smith Campus Center* Coming off another historic season for Sagehen Athletics, Lesley Irvine, athletic director and chair of physical education, and other key department leaders will share exciting progress fueled by current momentum on campus for athletics and wellness. Come and CHIRP all about the exciting advancements being made! *Transportation to Pomona College will be provided at 2:30 in front of Pitzer’s Avery Gates off of Mills Avenue. Transportation back to Pitzer will be provided immediately following the program.
3–5 p.m.	John D. Sullivan Memorial Lecture The Dreamt Land: Chasing Dust and Water Across California Mark Arax, Author George C.S. Benson Auditorium Join us for a talk with author Mark Arax who will discuss his forthcoming book, The Dreamt Land: Chasing Dust and Water Across California. In the world of journalism, Arax stands out as a rarity. On one hand, he is a skilled investigative reporter who unearths secrets from the depths of shadow governments. On the other hand, he is a gifted writer whose feature stories and books are distinguished by the “poetry of his prose.” A top graduate of Fresno State and Columbia University, Arax left the Los Angeles Times in 2007 after a public fight over censorship of his story on the Armenian Genocide. He has taught literary nonfiction at Claremont McKenna College and Fresno State University and served as a senior policy director for the California Senate Majority Leader. Presented by the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability.
5 p.m.	Dinner with the Campus Community Dining Hall, McConnell Center Service is available until 7:30 p.m.
5:15–6:45 p.m.	Pitzer Society Reception and Silent Auction (by invitation only) Multipurpose Room, Gold Student Health and Wellness Center Pitzer Society members and their students are invited to attend this special pre-dinner gathering with President Melvin L. Oliver, Suzanne Oliver, the Pitzer College Board of Trustees, and faculty.
6:45–9 p.m.	Pitzer Society Dinner and Live Auction (by invitation only) Founders Room, McConnell Center Hosted by President Melvin L. Oliver, Suzanne Oliver, and the Pitzer College Board of Trustees, this annual event during Family Weekend recognizes members of the Pitzer Society. The Pitzer Society is open to all donors who annually give $1,963—the founding year of Pitzer College—or more. All proceeds from the Pitzer Society Silent and Live Auctions will benefit Student Research Awards and the Pitzer Internship Fund. Due to limited space, we cannot accommodate students at this dinner.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
8:30–9:30 a.m.	Rise and Shine: Meditation and Yoga Yoga Studio, Second Floor, Gold Student Center Start your day with some mindful stretching. Mats provided; limited space available.
8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.	Registration & Information Center Living Room, McConnell Center Pick up your name tag, complimentary tote bag, schedule of events, and an energizing snack. Shop the Pitzer Store and enjoy your new Pitzer gear!
9–11 a.m.	*Distinguished Scientist Lecture* Branwen Williams, Associate Professor of Environmental Science Burns Lecture Hall, Keck Science Center Arctic Climate, as Documented by Algal Rocks Human-caused climate change is warming Arctic temperatures and melting Arctic sea ice. These changes are occurring faster than those in other regions around our planet, in part because of important sea ice-temperature dynamics. Yet records of Arctic change are largely limited to the era of satellite observations because of the logistical difficulties in collecting data in the cold, remote high-latitude environment. Fortunately, encrusting coralline algae, a species of plant that forms a hard, rock-like skeleton, encodes surrounding environmental conditions into its skeleton. These algae grow for hundreds of years on the shallow sea floor in the Arctic providing invaluable records of climate change both during and preceding a human influence. In this talk, Professor Williams will discuss the process of collecting these algae from their extreme habitats, extracting the climate information recorded in their skeletons, and interpreting the information in the context of longer-term natural and human-caused climate change. A Q&A session will follow.
10 a.m.–10:50 a.m.	Life After Pitzer: Alumni Perspectives Presented by the Pitzer College Alumni Board Avery Hall 201 Learn how alumni believe their Pitzer education prepared them to meet the uncertainties of life after college and how they live out Pitzer’s core values in their personal and professional lives.
10 a.m.	Brunch with the Campus Community Dining Hall, McConnell Center Join us for a great meal, fantastic conversation, and wonderful company (and the best tater tots in the west). Service is available until 1 p.m.
11–11:50 a.m.	Study Abroad: Student Perspectives Moderated by Michael Ballagh, Associate Vice President for International Programs Avery Hall 201 This session will explore the variety and vitality of our Study Abroad programs and the impact that they have on our students’ appreciation for global diversity.
Noon–4 p.m.	Alumni Board Meeting (closed meeting) Members of the Pitzer College Alumni Board will meet to discuss upcoming alumni events and opportunities.
1:15–4 p.m.	*Depicting the Face* (by registration only) Jessica McCoy, Associate Professor of Art Meet in the Scott Hall Courtyard At the Robert Redford Conservancy, Professor McCoy will guide participants in a studio drawing session in which participants will learn about and practice portraiture. The session will begin with portrait composition, facial measurements, and anatomy and advance to drawing a portrait from live models. Participants will receive one-on-one feedback to help them observe and render the nuances of the human face. This workshop is open only to those that have pre-registered. Participants will be escorted to the Conservancy promptly at 1:15 p.m. It is an enjoyable 10–15 minute walk. There will be no outside access to the Conservancy property once the group leaves Pitzer’s main campus. Comfortable walking shoes suggested.
1:15–2:30 p.m.	Pitzer Learning Experience: Part One Participate in the informative and interactive session of your choice. Open House: Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability Brinda Sarathy, Director, Robert Redford Conservancy (RRC) Meet in the Scott Hall Courtyard Explore the beautiful Conservancy and meet RRC student fellows! The Conservancy helps the College act on its commitment to environmental sustainability. Its focus on innovative programming and interdisciplinary education around environmental challenges aims to promote both the longevity of Southern California’s natural environment and the wellbeing of its peoples.Participants will be escorted to the Conservancy promptly at 1:15 p.m. It is an enjoyable 10–15 minute walk. There will be no outside access to the Conservancy property once the tour group leaves Pitzer’s main campus. Comfortable walking shoes suggested. *Why Learn Mathematics? Historical Answers to a Persistent Question.* Jemma Lorenat, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Avery Hall 202 Quantitative reasoning is a graduation requirement for Pitzer College students, suggesting that learning mathematics should be part of any liberal arts education. While the Pitzer requirement is new, looking back to Western antiquity, numbers and geometry were two of the four classical liberal arts. Moreover, there is textual evidence of mathematics teaching that dates back to 3000 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia. However, the values of learning mathematics have shifted dramatically over time and place. This talk will survey contrasting historical discussions on the potential powers associated with mathematical knowledge. The Great Transformation Will Barndt, Associate Professor of Political Studies Fletcher Hall 110 How might we think beyond the current political moment? How might we imagine politics after the departure of Trump? What will—and what will not—be possible politically? And how might we go about answering these kinds of questions? Professor Barndt teaches and writes about political parties and democratic populism in the United States and Latin America.
2:45–4 p.m.	Pitzer Learning Experience: Part Two Participate in the informative and interactive session of your choice. Cooking Demonstration: Dips and Spreads Marco Rios, Executive Chef of Bon Appétit at Pitzer College Founders Room, McConnell Center Most people choose to buy pre-made dips and spreads that can easily be made at home. Watch Pitzer’s amazing executive chef demonstrate how to make these yummy sides! The Different Dimensions of “Race” Jessica M. Kizer, Assistant Professor of Sociology Avery Hall 202 We often think about race as someone’s self-identification. However, race actually encompasses much more than that. In this talk, we will unpack “race” as a social construct or an idea that we have made up in society. Further, we will connect our understandings of what race is with our own experiences and in how we view the world. Why are Danes So Happy? Scandinavia and Societal Well-Being Phil Zuckerman, Professor of Sociology and Secular Studies Fletcher Hall 112 Based on two years of living and doing research in Denmark, Professor Zuckerman will discuss contemporary Scandinavian society and what makes the Nordic nations so successful, prosperous, and content.
3–4 p.m.	Open House: Black Student Union Pitzer Hall, Third Floor BSU is a group that celebrates Black and African heritage. This open is house is a great opportunity to meet BSU participants and learn more about the organization and its activities. *Open House: Asian Pacific American Coalition* Mead Hall 132 APAC (Asian Pacific American Coalition) is a student-led identity group at Pitzer for students who identify as APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American). This open is house is a great opportunity to learn more about the organization and its activities.
4:15–5:30 p.m.	Pitzer Today and Tomorrow: A Leadership Conversation George C.S. Benson Auditorium Join us for a special Family Weekend event! The event includes a performance by the 5C improvisational group Without a Box followed by the Parent Volunteer Service Award announcement and a celebration of the Parent Challenge winners. The evening culminates with a panel discussion with Pitzer leadership led by President Melvin L. Oliver.
5:30 p.m.	Family Weekend Celebration Dinner Dining Hall, McConnell Center Pitzer students and their families are invited to this special buffet-style celebration dinner. Wear your Pitzer orange! Service is available until 7:30 p.m.
7:45–9 p.m.	Story SLAM Student Impact Council Shakedown Cafe The Student Impact Council (SIC) is a student-driven philanthropy group that works with Pitzer’s Advancement Office to educate the student body on the importance of giving back as both students and alumni. Please join us for our third Story SLAM. The theme is family! What does family mean to you? Have a funny story about your family? Or a special family tradition? Come share, listen, laugh, and connect!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
8:30–9:30 a.m.	Rise and Shine: Meditation and Yoga Yoga Studio, Second Floor, Gold Student Center Start your day with some mindful stretching. Mats provided; limited space available.
9–10:30 a.m.	Parent Leadership Council (open meeting) Founders Room, McConnell Center The Parent Leadership Council serves as the official representative body for the Pitzer Parent Association. Come learn about how you can become more involved as a volunteer.
10:30 a.m.	Brunch with the Campus Community Dining Hall, McConnell Center Service is available until 1 p.m.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18

All Day

Be a Pitzer Student for a Day!
Join your student for classes on Pitzer’s campus. A class schedule will be provided in the program.

10 a.m.–Noon

Office Hours
Stop by Pitzer College administrative offices to meet the staff and get your questions answered about the services they provide.

* Schedule is Subject to Change