Dear Pomona Community,
I hope you are enjoying a restorative summer. On campus, our work building the Center for Global Engagement—both its physical home and its programs—continues apace. Students, faculty and staff are pursuing projects that fulfill our Global Pomona vision of enabling students to be engaged, curious and prepared to act with courage and self-awareness in an ever-changing, interconnected world. I am excited to share progress updates with you below.
After all the input and engagement from our community in developing the Center’s vision, it is exciting to see the CGE taking shape, both physically and academically. When completed, it will feature innovative student residential areas, collaborative workspaces, a large community dining and event forum, classrooms and offices. Our programs will expand interdisciplinary learning, immersive global and local initiatives, language and dialogue, and pathways for visitors and partnerships. You can read about the vision and emerging programs on the CGE website.
The CGE will offer space and initiatives for the whole Pomona community and beyond. To support this goal, we welcome ongoing input about longstanding and future programming. Please continue to share your ideas and questions through our online feedback form at the bottom of our FAQs page—or reach out to me any time.
Construction Is Underway
Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Campus Services Robert Robinson provided updates on construction work as demolition began last month. This initial phase started in mid-June and will continue through mid-August. Pomona and our contractors are doing all they can to minimize disruptions. Those on campus can expect increased construction vehicle traffic in the area, elevated noise levels and occasional vibrations. We appreciate everyone's patience as this work moves us closer to a new Center.
Intentional Design and Sustainability
The CGE home will contribute to Pomona's commitment to a greener campus. Our new Center was intentionally designed from the outset to use about half the energy of a typical building its size, and 45 percent less water indoors. The CGE website FAQs contain more information about the building's sustainability features. I look forward to sharing future news about how CGE programming will propel environmental justice and learning about climate concerns here and around the world.
Global-Local Learning in Action
Earlier this year, Pomona students and faculty crisscrossed Southern California visiting energy installations that hold the key to meeting our state's ambitious decarbonization goals. This interdisciplinary field study, led by Professors Heather Williams, Marc Los Huertos and Tom McHenry, exemplifies program elements that the CGE will catalyze: faculty collaboration, hands-on learning in the field, interconnected local and global issues, and inclusive engagement with faculty, students, staff and experts on the ground.
Program Continuity
Staff from Oldenborg and the International and Domestic Programs Office (IDPO) have relocated to Montgomery Hall, at the corner of College and Bonita Avenues (accessed from Bonita across from Wig Hall). Thanks to a tremendous amount of planning and months of collaborative work, we are thrilled to be able to continue all programming, both throughout construction and in the future CGE. I'm grateful to the talented staff, faculty fellows and partners across campus who made this continuity possible. In the months ahead, you will hear more about how the CGE will provide our Pomona community with opportunities for research, academic learning, immersive experiences and projects that connect with partners in the U.S. and abroad.
Thank you to all the faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors who are continuing to support the development of the CGE throughout the summer.
Warmly,
Kara Godwin
Assistant Vice President and Chief Global Officer