‘Pomona is a We’: Founders Day Celebrates College’s Past, Present and Future

Starr then told the story of Charles Sumner, who saved the College from a serious financial challenge in its early days; expressed pride in Pomona becoming one of the most highly-regarded colleges in the nation; and touted the milestones the College has hit in its 138 years.

“Pomona is a we,” Starr said, “and it’s a we that does all kinds of things. We argue with each other, we disagree, we learn. We care about each other an extraordinary amount. We chirp together. We plan for the future, and we do things that are consequential on this campus.”

Starr emphasized that Pomona can also be better, and more true to its ideals.

“We always look higher—to who we can become and what we can do,” she said. “It’s crucial for all of us here to remember that the acts we carry out today, the things we’re doing now, lay the foundation for the future.”

Classmates Jared Sedlis ’29 and Nayla Ward ’29 find themselves part of that future.

The two reserved time on Founders Day to hear Starr reflect on the College’s origin and explain the path forward.

Ward, a first-generation Sagehen from Georgia, found comfort in learning Pomona has initiatives in place to support a diverse student body. Sedlis, a Massachusetts native, said he took great interest in hearing about Pomona’s globalization efforts “because we live in an interconnected world.”

“It’s good to hear how the College has our future in mind,” he added.

What lies ahead for all Sagehens is a promise to give more college-aged students from middle-income families an avenue to Pomona, Starr said. Admissions officers do tireless work recruiting new students every year, she added, and record fundraising has made it possible for Sagehens to graduate in four years and debt free.

In addition to expanding equity and access, Pomona’s strategic vision includes “a commitment to expand the size of our faculty,” Starr said, “and broaden the range of knowledge with which we engage, discover and create.”

Among the faculty celebrating the College’s founding, Michael Steinberger, associate professor of economics and chair of the department, spent much of the morning wishing everyone a happy Founders Day.

“Having a day where we think about where we’ve been helps motivate [us on] this shared path we’re taking on together,” Steinberger said. “I particularly appreciate that the events today bring together staff, faculty and students to say that we are together in this incredibly important mission.”

During her address, Starr shared updates on the Return to Pomona series, an initiative that brings alumni back to campus to interact with current Sagehens; the Global Pomona Project that includes building the expansive new Center for Global Education in place of the existing Oldenborg Center; and a popular pilot program that is providing books and course materials to students at no charge.

Hamilton Health Box continues to be an invaluable resource for the campus community, Starr added, and the Institute for Inclusive Excellence is carrying out the College’s mission to create an environment where students feel they belong.

Founders Day also provided an opportunity for Sagehens to give back.

The Draper Center partnered with local organizations to collect canned and packaged food, books and clothing. Pomona staff looking for ESL support had the chance to sign up for a personal tutor.

Such opportunities to strengthen the community through service and generosity are consistent with the founding of the College, said Sefa Aina, associate dean and director of the Draper Center.

“Now more than ever, with what’s going on in the world, it’s important to focus on what we as a College can do,” Aina said. “Giving back is the nature of higher ed, but specifically at Pomona, it’s nurtured. All of our big events are centered around giving, around community service, around an externalizing of our energy and of our gifts.”

“I’ve been here for 20 years,” Aina added. “It’s not hard to get behind an ethos like that.”