Generations of Sagehens, one creative challenge — and a fond nod to 60 years of Oldenborg.
Oldenborg-inspired wins went to Priscilla Perez ’26 for a T-shirt design and Xuehuai He ’25 for a sticker and tote — signaling to the center’s bright, playful spirit.
In the Pomona-themed category, Greg Wright ’12 won for a sticker and tote design featuring a playful freeway exit sign — a playful reference to Pomona’s love of 47.
Pomona College’s first-ever Student-Alumni merchandise design competition brought together generations of Sagehens in a creative collaboration paying tribute to campus life and honoring the 60-year legacy of the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations.
The competition was first proposed during a Pomona Alumni Board retreat last fall by member Jesse Stoneman ’12 who suggested creating a program that would celebrate Pomona’s creative community and deepen alumni engagement. Launched through a partnership between student leaders and alumni, the competition invited participants to submit original designs for Pomona-themed merchandise this spring.
The contest was created to honor Oldenborg as it approaches its demolition in May, celebrating its history and impact on the campus and broader community. At the same time, it acknowledges the exciting transition ahead, as construction of the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is scheduled to begin in the fall, ushering in a new era of immersive language learning and global engagement.
“As someone who has lived in Oldenborg and is very sad to see the building go this year, I hope these designs will serve as beautiful reminders of memories there,” ASPC President Grace Zheng ’26 said. “Many designs also included small, thoughtful details that you would only fully appreciate as a Sagehen, which made the submissions feel especially personal and meaningful.”
This year’s winning designs reflect both Sagehen pride and the creative ingenuity that Pomona seeks to cultivate. In the Oldenborg-themed category, Priscilla Perez ’26 earned top honors for a T-shirt design, while Xuehuai He ’25 was recognized for a sticker and tote bag design. The designs depict Oldenborg through colorful illustrations paying homage to the center and honoring its international roots. In the Pomona-themed category, Greg Wright ’12 won for a sticker and tote bag design featuring a playful freeway exit sign referring to the College’s affinity for the number 47.
“The fact that you arrive at Pomona via Exit 47 is simply one more piece of evidence proving that it is the most commonly occurring number in the world,” says Wright.
Organizers say they viewed the competition as an opportunity to support campus initiatives through shared proceeds. Winning designs will be available for purchase during Alumni Weekend, April 30-May 1, and soon through the Coop Store website.
Seventy percent of the profits will be donated, with proceeds from general Pomona-themed items supporting Pomona College Internship Program (PCIP) as well as Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), and Oldenborg-themed merchandise bolstering the CGE.