By Osiel Ocampo ’26
Listen Listen Listen to Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone (VIDEO)
How do you measure time? Two graduations and an incoming class, congratulations classes of ‘23, ‘24, and ‘28 respectively. Fourteen months, an academic year, Fall and Spring semesters, a summer, and a solar eclipse. A lot has happened during our hiatus, but fret not we’re back and better than ever. My name is Osiel, an Art and Chicané Latiné Studies double major, and all I want to do is contextualize my experiences. I write to you from Sumner Hall, the Office of Admissions, as a Summer Fellow. I’m pleased to meet you, you can expect to hear more, much more, from me in the very near future. I adore people watching (chances are if you’ve stopped by Admissions this summer, I’ve stared at you).
Summer is in full effect here in Claremont. Purple is everywhere: in your peripheral vision, below your feet, above your head, between your fingers, and dancing in the midday breeze. The Jacaranda tree lined streets and passageways are in full bloom. Off in the distance the eucalyptus trees sway, raining down their fragrant leaves. Acorns pitter patter as they descend from majestic oak trees. All the while, squirrels race and yell at one another asserting their dominance.
Campus during the summer is quiet. Oh, so quiet. Even still prospective students, their families, and tour guides go out in droves. The careful ear can discern tour guides’ anecdotes and their why Pomona. A slow pace envelopes the campus. Buildings remain pleasantly cool as student workers and researchers make their way to and from.
It all comes together during lunchtime, Frary akin to an oasis, becomes the place to be. Friends reconnect and replenish over chicken and eggplant parmesan with a side of niche and esoteric conversation. Nothing is off limits. Lunchtime conversations are essential, nurturing thought and connection. The Frary aesthetic, often compared to Hogwarts, lends to this perfectly. Large yet intimate.
I’ll leave you with this, “since [we’ve been] gone [it feels like we’ve learned to] breathe for the first time. [We’re] so moving on, [with you] yeah, yeah. Thanks to you [no seriously thank you all for engaging with us] now [we] get what [we] want. Since we’ve been gone.”