The Participant – Spring 2026

Volume 59 | Issue 1

strips of mural details in the shape of a sound wave

The Mural of the Story

Public art at Pitzer doesn’t just dress up campus—it’s a reminder of our community’s voices and values.

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8 Number of new murals added to the Pitzer campus during the 2025-26 academic year
heatshot of Chi Adi against an orange background with a pattern of computer icons

Senior Stories

Stella Stringer ’26, Chi Adi ’26, Joaquin Valdez ’26 share their post- graduation plans and how they plan to take what they’ve learned into the world beyond college.

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headshot of Robbie Figueroa '17

Fertile Ground

Fintech entrepreneur Robbie Figueroa ’17 learned at Pitzer that cultivating some risk is necessary in order to create impact.

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Chawne Kimber sits on a bench while holding one of her quilts

The Fabric of a Life

Like her critically-acclaimed quilts, Pitzer Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Chawne Kimber has threaded together many elements during her career.

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a portrait of Rahim Chilewa included in a collage

Chronicling College Life with Style

Rahim Chilewa ’27 has turned his passion for storytelling and fashion into the new
magazine Blaremont.

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News & Updates

Around the Mounds

Activist and educator Angela Y. Davis will address the Class of 2026 as this year’s keynote speaker; Professor of Secular Studies and Sociology Phil Zuckerman sparred with the New York Times’ Ross Douthat in a recent public conversation; the first student tech club starts with Pitzer Connect; and more

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The founds of the Pitzer Connect tech club pose on the porch of the Grove House

Faculty Distinctions: Of Fireflies and K-Pop

Our faculty’s latest accomplishments dive deep into the richness of nature, global cultural trends and much more

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Acosta poses behind the scenes of the documentary “BTS Army: Forever We Are Young.”

Sustainability Roundup: Mindful of a Green Future

A look at various sustainability efforts pursued by the College community in 2025-26

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A student sells used clothes at the Pitzer EcoReps Sustainability Fair

Pitzer Awarded $1 Million Grant from The Fletcher Jones Foundation

The award will expand opportunities for adult learners in the college’s New Resource Student (NRS) program.

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a group of students walk in front of McConnell Center
language attitudes and the pursuit of social justice and this year book covers

Community Bookshelf

A troubador’s songbook, help for teens with BDP, a technicolor dream coat and other recent publications from our Pitzer Community

Commentary

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Brant Clock Tower

Letter from the President

Strom C. Thacker describes how Pitzer focuses on educating every student to think critically, act courageously and engage compassionately with a rapidly-changing world.

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Professor Fanthome and Siena Giacoma sit at a table together in Scott Courtyard

Office Hours for the Soul

The important life lessons that Siena Giacoma ’27 has learned from Professor Eduard Fanthome

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cover of the Spring 2026 issue of The Participant

Read it in Print

Volume 59 | Issue 1

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Office of Communications and Marketing

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