Pomona College Alumni Association Board Meeting Minutes
August 14, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Via Zoom
Members In Attendance: Aldair Arriola-Gomez ’17, Andrew Brown ’77, Chris Byington ’12, Alisa Fishbach, Paula Gonzalez ’95, Marcel Green ’90, Terril Jones ’80, Carol Kruse ’84, Jeff Levere ’12, Megan Kaes Long ’08, Linda Luisi ’81, Jim McCallum ’70, Vicki Paterno ’75, Lew Phelps ’65, Andrea Ravich ’06, Amy Van Buren Rhodes ’07, Alfredo Romero ’91, Julie Siebel ’84, Don Swan ’15, Andrea Venezia ’91, Dominic Yoong ’88
Members Absent: Nirali Devgan ’22, Andrew Knuckle ’00, Veronica Roman ’95
Special Guests: Aiza Keesey, Maria Watson
Staff and Representatives: Kevin Dettmar, Pritina Irvin, Mariam Khwajazada, Kerry Martin, Cris Monroy ’14, Kristen Romero, Nathan Seaver-Dean ’10, Lucy Takahashi
Call to order, Welcome and Introductions: President Don Swan ’15 called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The members who were present introduced themselves. The meeting minutes from June 26, 2021 were approved unanimously by vote.
President’s Report: Don gave an update on the College’s hard work, as we prepare to welcome the classes of 2024 and 2025 to campus this fall.
Presentation & Conversation with Maria Watson, VP of Advancement: Maria thanked Don and the Alumni Board for their commitment to Pomona College. Maria provided a presentation for the Board around the work of Advancement, Alumni Giving and Participation, and Building a Culture of Philanthropy for Pomona College. She encouraged the Alumni Board to continue to be ambassadors for the Alumni Community and the College.
Class of 2025 Admissions Summary Cris Monroy ’14: Cris gave a presentation on Admitted Students (International and Domestic) and the matriculating class (454 first-year students this fall).
Looking Forward: Back to Campus: Alisa Fishbach presented the Board with a brief snapshot of Alumni & Family Engagement planning, as we move back to in-person events and back on campus:
- Focus in on new Sagehens and their families; Welcoming ’24 and ’25 class years (as new students) back to campus.
- A&FE hosted 22 New Student Welcome events both virtually and in-person this Summer.
- To date, over 90% of Faculty and Staff have been vaccinated.
- A hold has been on all external meetings on campus until late September to allow students to get acclimated to campus and for initial COVID protocols to take hold.
- Family Weekend has been moved to October 15-16, from the traditional timeframe of February.
- Alisa informed the Alumni Board members of the staff that are back working at Seaver House, ramping up to full time throughout this fall.
Faculty Representative Update: Professor Kevin Dettmar gave an overview of the preparations underway for Faculty as they ready for the return of in-person teaching. Professor Dettmar also mentioned that Faculty are beginning to focus on the upcoming search for a new Dean, as Bob Gaines is entering his last year as Dean of the College.
Engagement Committee Report: Paula Gonzalez ’95 gave an overview of the committee’s breakout discussion. They Committee will focus on 3 goals for the year and have determined a regular cadence to meet.
Regional Chapter’s Committee Report: Julie Siebel ’84 met with the RC committee members and confirmed the first few meeting dates. Julie also briefly discussed the challenges and opportunities of the RC committee in the year ahead.
Development Committee Report: Megan Long ’08 met with the members of the Development committee and provided the Board with an overview of the committee’s goals for the year: Stewardship, Elevating the Donor Experience, and Giving Advocacy
Review ’21-’22 Schedule / Key Dates Don Swan ’15: Don Swan & Alisa Fishbach gave an overview of the ’21-’22 key dates for the Alumni Board
Adjournment: Don Swan ’15 adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Next Alumni Board Meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2021, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom