By Balan Selvamuthukumaran ’27
When I was in high school, one of the things I cared most about, no matter where I might go in the future, was the beauty of the university. Shallow, perhaps, but I truly believed that living somewhere with elegant arches, gothic buildings, and the like would help me become a better person and scholar. There was something about attending a place that looked like a classic college—where students cared about learning, professors were wise mentors, and so on. This was reflected in the list of schools I applied to, filled with New England liberal arts colleges that were old and designed to be gorgeous in every season.
I applied to Pomona because I thought (and still think) it was the most beautiful of the Claremont Colleges. Of course, I had other reasons, but Pomona’s beauty was certainly a factor. Even so, I didn’t fully appreciate the campus and surrounding area until I became a student and had the chance to explore it in depth. Every so often, I find myself strolling around Pomona—whether crossing Marston Quad between classes or lying on the lush grass of Walker Beach at golden hour—and marveling at it all. I can’t believe I actually go to school here; it almost feels like a brochure.
I most often feel this way during golden hour and afterwards, at sunset. If you’re in the right spot, you can catch a breathtaking glimpse of Baldy in the distance, tinged with pink and the last rays of red. It’s gorgeous, just like every other part of Pomona, and it’s clear the campus was designed to inspire awe. If you’re a prospective student reading this and need a reason to come, come for the beauty, even if for nothing else.
