Family Weekend Reunites Pomona Students with Parents

A group takes a photo

Every November, Sagehens welcome their parents, siblings and good friends to Pomona College for Family Weekend.

The annual three-day affair gives families the chance to catch up over meals, attend lectures, explore campus and catch a game or two. This year, 348 family members and guests visited 127 students.

Families are Sagehens, too, and deeply woven into life at Pomona.

Hosted November 7-9, Family Weekend 2025 included a moderated conversation with Bill Nye, the beloved “Science Guy,” a brief State of the College address delivered by President G. Gabrielle Starr and the John A. Payton ’73 Distinguished Lectureship featuring Kwame Anthony Appiah, “The Ethicist” for New York Times Magazine.

More than 570 people filled Big Bridges Saturday evening to watch Appiah in conversation with Ellie Anderson, assistant professor of philosophy.

Up next, Winter Break Parties, a longstanding Pomona tradition that bring together past and current families, alumni and students in cities around the world to celebrate the holiday season.

Expand the photo: A mascot in front of a building A mascot in front of a building

Cecil welcomed families to Pomona College at the start of Family Weekend.

Expand the photo: A group of people laugh A group of people laugh

Career Development Office advisors spoke with families about the resources they offer to students.

Expand the photo: A conversation with two people A conversation with two people

Prof. Ellie Anderson, left, and Kwame Anthony Appiah in discussion at the annual Payton Distinguished Lectureship.

Expand the photo: A family of three smiles for a photo A family of three smiles for a photo

Families stopped on Marston Quad to take pictures in front of Big Bridges.

Expand the photo: Three people chat Three people chat

Families stopped by tables outside the Career Development Office to learn more.

Expand the photo: A group of people sitting around a table A group of people sitting around a table

Writer and philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, left, held a roundtable with students ahead of the Payton Distinguished Lectureship.

Expand the photo: Three people stand for a picture Three people stand for a picture

Pomona President G. Gabrielle Starr, from left, Kwame Anthony Appiah and Prof. Ellie Anderson at the Payton Distinguished Lectureship.

Expand the image: A family of three
A family of three

Stover Walk was another popular photo destination for visiting parents during Family Weekend.

Expand the image: A family sitting around a table
A family sitting around a table

Parents had the opportunity to grab lunch with their children during Family Weekend.

Expand the photo: A mascot with parents A mascot with parents

Cecil made the rounds during Family Weekend, posing for pictures with visiting parents.

Expand the photo: A man talks to a class A man talks to a class

Writer and philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah spoke with philosophy students during Family Weekend.

Expand the photo: Four people standing around a table Four people standing around a table

The Career Development Office hosted parents outside Alexander Hall during Family Weekend.

Expand the photo: A family in front of a sign A family in front of a sign

Visiting parents got to check out the Pomona Farm during Family Weekend.

Expand the photo: A woman answers a question A woman answers a question

Parents had the chance learn about the resources the Career Development Office has for students.

Expand the photo: A mascot hugs a child A mascot hugs a child

Cecil made quite the impression on all visitors during Family Weekend.

Expand the photo: A man talks to students A man talks to students

Writer and philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah spoke with students ahead of his Payton Distinguished Lectureship.