Sagehen philanthropy has an extraordinary impact on the daily lives of students, faculty and staff. Your giving directly supports academic excellence, faculty-student research, scholarships, study-away programs, college-to-career programs and so much more. Last academic year, over 6,800 annual giving donors contributed $5.3+ million to the Pomona Annual Fund. Take a closer look below at the impact annual Sagehen gifts make year after year. Chirp!
You Make a Difference!
Thank you for passing the torch of generosity!
Your gifts may be measurable in dollars, but your impact on student lives and their Pomona experience is immeasurable, equipping and inspiring the next generation of global leaders, scholars, artists and problem solvers.
Maya Nitschke-Alonso ’23
Public Policy Analysis (PPA) – Physics
Pomona-Pitzer Women’s Soccer, Mid-fielder
“The Pomona community is comprised of people who provide thoughtful support through challenging classes. In addition to resources like the Writing Center and mentor groups, I have consulted many different people for guidance and inspiration on my journey. I think ‘pass the torch’ illustrates how Sagehens experience so much growth over the course of our four years in school and uplift each other during that process. It has been beautiful to watch my friends and my younger teammates realize their individual passions and find specific directions to pour their energy or creativity into. If I were to meet alumni or potential donors, I would describe to them the amazing clubs and programs that students start but cannot get off the ground because of funding. I believe that more funding for the Associated Students at Pomona College (ASPC) not only makes these experiences more robust but makes pursuing extra-curricular activities more equitable and accessible for students who instead choose to work a campus job.”
Supporting the Pomona Educational Experience
Building student-faculty relationships.
Intensive Summer Experience Poster Conference.
Campus life.
Faculty-student research.
Off-campus adventures.
Commencement.
Study Away programs.
Career Development Office chats.
Music, theatre and the arts.
Jonathan Lethem
Roy Edward Disney ’51 Professor of Creative Writing and Professor of English
With Pomona Since 2010
“I believe ‘the Torch’ is what exists in the space between us; it is lit from both sides, by the energy of the encounter, and is in the conversation between generations, between apprentice and instructor, student and professor.”
Prof. Lethem views the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) as an opportunity that students can take advantage of to intensify their commitment to academic pursuits, pointing to Nina Potischman ’21 as an example. He distinctly remembers the impressive number of hours they worked together, and likened the self-activated and unstructured experience to a miniature MFA program. Potischman was awarded a Marshall Scholarship to earn two master’s degrees at the University of Exeter and the University of Sussex. Another former student, Tom Lin ’18, has received critical acclaim for his first novel, The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, which was named a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and recipient of the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction.
Topics: “He Smelled Like Lavender and Boy: Exploring Tenderness, Intimacy, and Alienation Within Coming of Age Novels”; “Writing Fiction and the Study of Fiction Writing”
Nicole Weekes
Harry S. and L. Madge Rice Thatcher Professor of Psychological Science and Professor of Neuroscience; Chair of Psychological Science
With Pomona Since 1998
“The generosity of my faculty mentors has allowed me to now walk these halls and classrooms. Nothing would make me more proud than to see my students remember what they were given and to pass that along.”
Prof. Weekes has advised students through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) for more than 25 years. SURP is a constant example Weekes uses to illustrate how Pomona compares favorably to larger institutions because students have direct access to its world-class faculty. Whether she is working in the neuroscience lab or facilitating independent literature reviews, she enjoys working with students whose research interests critique her own research topics and the neuroscience field more broadly.
Topics: “Meditation and Indigenous Healing”; “Social Justice approaches to Psychological Science and healing”; The use of hallucinogenic drugs in the facilitation of psychotherapy”
Sustaining Impact
Recurring gifts provide ongoing and expanded support with scheduled monthly or quarterly gift payments, set up easily through the online giving form. For example:
- A monthly gift of $47 totals $564 a year.
- A monthly gift of $209 totals $2,500+ a year and boosts the donor to the Torchbearer leadership level.
Julie Siebel ’84
Alumni Association Board Member
Chair of Regional Alumni Chapters Committee
"The words inscribed on both sides of the College Gates have influenced my life, the decisions I’ve made and the paths I’ve taken for as long as I can remember. As a child growing up in the shadow of the campus, a second-generation Pomona student, alumna, staff member and volunteer, I believe it is my responsibility to pass the torch. My hope is that we continue to prepare future generations of Sagehens to depart, bearing their added riches in trust for humankind.
The world in which we live today has benefitted immeasurably from the knowledge and leadership Sagehens have already provided. My recurring, monthly gift signals my support of President Starr’s leadership and her ability to navigate the complexities of our Sagehen community. And as a member of the Alumni Association Board, it is important to me to that I share my time, talent and treasure with the College."
David Ullman ’61
40+ Consecutive Years of Giving to Pomona
"To me, 'pass the torch' means helping future generations of Sagehens in my modest way to get the same, rich education that I got for their and society’s benefit. I am a long-time donor because my four years at Pomona and my liberal arts education opened my eyes to many things: literature, music, history and political science. Those years put me, an upper middle-class Jewish kid from Brentwood, into contact with so many intelligent and diverse people—like Joe Grippo ’61, a tough Italian kid from the south side of Chicago. I always remember sitting at the Coop and sharing thoughts with him."
How to Make an Annual Gift
The Pomona College fund year is July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Make your gift before the fund year ends (every year!) to make your Sagehen impact. Thank you!
Ways to Give
- Call the Annual Giving Office at (909) 607-6096.
- Give securely online.
- Mail a check:
- Pomona College, Office of Annual Giving, 333 North College Way, Claremont, CA 91711
