Occidental Seeks Its 13th President

Colleges and Universities A-Z Occidental College
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<p>Occidental Seeks Its 13th President
(November 3, 2005)</p>

<p>Occidental College is conducting a national search for a chief executive officer to succeed President Ted Mitchell, who left the College on August 31 to head the San Francisco-based NewSchools Venture Fund.</p>

<p>During Mitchell’s six years as president, applications to Occidental set a new record each year, even as the College maintained its status as one of the country’s most diverse nationally ranked liberal arts colleges. Routinely drawing top ratings from national college guides, Occidental twice has been named one of the country’s hottest colleges by Newsweek and was identified by the Wall Street Journal as one of a handful of “colleges for a new era.” Gifts to Occidental set a new record in 2004-05, rising to $20.9 million, more than double the total raised six years ago. The College welcomed 14 new tenure-track faculty this fall, and has another seven searches underway.</p>

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<p>Oxypomona</p>

<p>Thanks for posting! Occidental thread has been rather quiet, yes?</p>

<p>My husband and son will be in southern California this weekend and hope to visit Pomona, Oxy and Redlands!</p>

<p>I know that Oxy is ranked one of the top 30 LACs by US News and World Report and that Oxy is considered to be a very diverse campus, but besides that, I haven't gotten a real "feel" for your school. How would you describe Oxy?</p>

<p>Thanks!
FresnoMom</p>

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<p>Oxy gives incredible financial aid. Being out of state I was unfamiliar with the reputation and I wasn't prepared for the tough academics. I came from being a top student to being a middle of the road achiever here. Definatly some brilliant people, and high expectations of all students. The best thing about this school is the faculty. they are involved, interested, and most make teaching their top priority. Your professors will know you personally. They will care about your sucess as much as you will. Even the administrations office has a friendly feel. Though they have fair amount of expected red tape, even the staff at the registrars office will know your name, major, etc. after only a couple visits. The student body is very diverse, political and quite quirky. Lots of people going in many different directions. Oxy may be a small school but it lacked any really community feeling. Expect great classroom lectures and discussions with classmates, but little continuation of that outside the classroom. As a result it can be hard intially to make friends at first. find your niche. Oxy is 15 minutes away from everything but close to nothing. Get a car if you want to see Los Angeles.</p>

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<p>Thanks OxyPomona</p>

<p>Did you participate in the Living and Learning Communities Freshman year? That seemed like a good way to get to know others in your class.</p>

<p>Do you know anything about the music dept? My S does not want to major in music but he does want to play in the band.</p>

<p>Do you participate in Intermurals?</p>

<p>My S and DH visited last weekend and S really liked OXY!</p>

<p>Thanks!
FresnoMom</p>