| 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! |
