Dear Oldenborg,

 

For 60 years, you’ve been a cornerstone of the Pomona College experience for countless students. That’s why this year we’re celebrating the people, experiences and programs that brought you — the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations — to life.

Our “Dear Oldenborg” celebration will build toward special events during Alumni Weekend on Friday, May 1, including a final language tables lunch* within your storied walls. As we prepare to say farewell to Oldenborg to make room for the construction of Pomona’s new Center for Global Engagement, we do so knowing that your spirit will live on in its residence hall and classrooms.

Oldenborg, you’re woven into untold Sagehen stories. Now, we’re coming together to celebrate your story and carry it forward.

Yours,

Pomona College

P.S. Check back often for event updates, stories and reflections.

*Language tables will be held in Frank Blue Room starting in the fall of 2026.

Special Events

Celebrate Oldenborg May 1 During Alumni Weekend

Student speaking to Oldenborg audience

“Dear Oldenborg” Community Storytelling Session

Friday, May 1, 10-11:30 a.m.
Rose Hills Theatre

Join us for a unique storytelling event featuring Sagehen alumni, faculty, staff and students as they share stories — both heartfelt and humorous — inspired by the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations over the past 60 years. Free and open to the public.

Oldenborg Dining Hall at Pomona College

Oldenborg Center Open House and Final Language Tables Lunch

Friday, May 1, 11:30-1:30 p.m.
Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages

Visit Oldenborg and enjoy a final language tables lunch within its storied walls as we prepare to bid farewell to the building to make room for Pomona’s new Center for Global Engagement. Tickets: $15.70

Register

Pomona students, faculty and staff may attend by tapping their ID card and are not required to register or purchase a ticket.

Oldenborg Stories

Read More
Building photo of the Oldenborg Center

A Look at Oldenborg, Past and Present

For nearly 60 years, the center has played numerous roles and been home to a wide range of experiences for all who have visited.

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Adelina Grotenhuis, Miyu Owada and Nhi Nguyen

Oldenborg Grants Support International Studies

The grants enable Pomona students to apply their language proficiency, intercultural knowledge and research skills through community engagement.

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A woman in glasses stands and smiles

Third Culture Kid Found a Home at Pomona

Tina Blair ’70 embraced her global identity at Pomona through language study, cultural connections and Oldenborg’s international community.

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two Pomona students standing in front of a door

From Oldenborg to Silicon Valley

Mark Housley ’78, who spent his childhood in Oldenborg’s residence halls, shares how Pomona helped launch his successful career in tech.

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Dannhi Nguyen in South Korea

Immersive Learning for Critical Language Scholars

Politics major Dannhi Nguyen ’27 says living in Oldenborg’s Korean hall helped her practice classroom language skills in a relaxed setting.

Oldenborg Center with "Oldenborg 60" graphic
Share a Photo

What Does Oldenborg Mean to You?

Did you become fluent in French? Make lifelong friendships? See the world differently? Upload a photo to our digital mosaic and share what the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations means to you — as we celebrate its 60th year at Pomona.

Oldenborg Center, bench and tree

Help Us Take a Walk Down Memory Lane

Do you — or someone you know — have a great Oldenborg story to share? We’d love to hear it. Fill out this form and you might see it featured here or on our social media channels.

Oldenborg’s Next Chapter

The Center for Global Engagement

Pomona’s new center will enhance global learning across languages, cultures and disciplines. Located where Oldenborg now stands and building on its legacy of immersive language learning and global engagement — the center will be a completely novel living, breathing liberal arts laboratory.