On Mar. 29-30, a symposium at Pomona College titled “The History and Future of Care Robots” brought together scholars and students from various fields to discuss care robotics’ ethics, design, and use in healthcare.
Author: Ananya Vinay
What is college for?: Inclusion in an exclusive institution
Panelists Susan McWilliams Barndt, Guillermo Douglass-Jaimes and Stef Torralba convened on March 21 to discuss higher education and unpack layers of elitism at the Claremont Colleges.
Homegrown talent: 5C alums turned novelists speak on their debut novels
On Mar. 20, four 5C alumni novelists Francesca Capossela PO ’18, David Connor PO ’15, Julius Taranto PO ’12 and Tyriek White PZ ’13 shared excerpts from their debut novels and discussed their career trajectories. The event was organized by Pomona English professor Jonathan Lethem. Excerpts explored themes such as surrealism, intergenerational ties, trauma, supernatural and grief.
Panel discusses abortion, religion, activism at Kathleen Wicker Endowed Lecture
The Kathleen Wicker Endowed Lecture at Scripps College featured a panel on reproductive justice, highlighting the impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade. Panelists Dr. Jennifer Koosed, Dr. Susana Gallardo, and Dr. Gillian Frank argued for a reworking of abortion rights discourse. They discussed the misuse of the Bible in anti-abortion arguments, structural limitations of former pro-abortion activist efforts and the need for a nuanced approach to reproductive justice.
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony: An Ode to Joy by Pomona College Orchestra and Choir
On Feb. 23 and Feb. 25, the Pomona College orchestra and choir performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at Bridges Hall of Music. The 200th anniversary of its premiere, the concert sold out within 24 hours. The famous final movement of the symphony is commonly known as “Ode to Joy.” Many audible gasps emerged from the audience when the choir rose from their seats in unison and joined the orchestra.
The Barber of Little Rock: Reviving the Lifeblood of Communities
The consequences of a segregated economy remain ever present in the discriminatory financial institutions of today. The documentary The Barber of Little Rock was screened at Pitzer College on February 20, featuring the story of Arlo Washington, the founder of People’s Trust, a community bank. It discusses his efforts to combat the racial wealth gap by increasing access to financial services, where he has the only bank within 10 miles of his neighborhood.
Washington sees capital as the lifeblood of a community and aims to revive the lifeblood of his home by providing small loans and grants to those in need.
Scripps Presents Jessica Bendinger: Fight for Your Voice
Jessica Bendinger, renowned for scripting iconic films like “Bring It On” and “Stick It,” spoke at Balch Auditorium, as part of a Scripps Presents event on Feb. 8. Bendinger shared insights into her storytelling journey from childhood to Hollywood. She discussed deriving inspiration from personal challenges, including growing up with divorced parents and battling mononucleosis, which fueled her passion for storytelling and entertainment.
‘The Texture of Joy’: Tish Harrison Warren on why joy is a choice
On Feb. 1, Tish Harrison Warren reflected on the complex process of defining and cultivating true joy and contentment.
Art21 Screening: The tangible process of art
The Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College recently hosted a screening of two documentaries by Art21, a nonprofit organization dedicated to contemporary art. The documentaries, “Everyday Icons” and “Bodies of Knowledge,” highlighted the artistic processes of Rose B. Simpson and the Guerrilla Girls, respectively.
Algorithms and organisms: Ken Rinaldo’s artistic exploration of technology and living systems
Ken Rinaldo, a celebrated artist, spoke at the Benton Museum of Art on Nov. 17 about his bio-art works, which meld technological and natural realms to analyze and amplify living systems. His work included robotic art installations and sound sculptures. His work addresses biological concerns and envisions interspecies and trans-species communication. The talk concluded with a workshop where participants created microbial self-portraits.