Bold Ideas for a Better World: 70 Years of Innovative Education
Thursday, Sept. 25
For the past 70 years, Harvey Mudd College has advanced STEM education and practice by educating a diverse cohort of engaged STEM leaders through exceptional teaching, hands-on learning and research, and community building. We invite you to join us for a celebration of the College’s 70th anniversary with a symposium highlighting Harvey Mudd’s impactful pedagogical innovations, strong history of academic excellence and meaningful contributions to STEM discovery and education. Together, let’s imagine the bold future that lies ahead.
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025
Academic Symposium
2–4:30 p.m., Galileo Hall
Harvey Mudd College has taken an innovative liberal arts approach to STEM education, helping students better understand how their work can impact society. This symposium will highlight key achievements, such as the Clinic Program and entrepreneurship, while celebrating the ongoing efforts by our faculty to integrate the humanities, social sciences and the arts into our outstanding STEM curriculum—giving our students even deeper insights into the societal impact of their work. We’ll also showcase bold new initiatives through the College’s Innovation Accelerator—a key part of the College’s STEM for a Better World strategic plan—including important work to develop new teaching methods to improve student success and the potential creation of new institutes and centers of excellence to address key challenges facing society.
As part of the symposium, President Harriet B. Nembhard hosts a conversation with Dr. David Agus, renowned physician, author and founding CEO of the Ellison Medical Institute, a medical research center focused on AI and molecular analytics for advanced therapies and disease prevention.
Dr. David Agus
Dr. David B. Agus is one of the world’s leading doctors and pioneering biomedical researchers. He is the founding CEO of the Ellison Medical Institute and a professor of medicine and engineering at the University of Southern California. A medical oncologist, Agus leads a multidisciplinary team of researchers dedicated to the development and use of technologies to guide doctors in making healthcare decisions tailored to individual needs. An international leader in global health and approaches for personalized healthcare, Agus serves in leadership roles at the World Economic Forum and is co-chair of the Global Health Security Consortium. He is also a CBS News contributor. Agus’ three books, The End of Illness, A Short Guide to a Long Life and The Lucky Years: How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health, are all New York Times and international bestsellers. His latest book, The Book of Animal Secrets: Nature’s Lessons for a Long and Happy Life, was released in December 2023. He is a 2017 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Summer Research and Scholarship Poster Celebration and Reception
4:30–6 p.m. Jon C. and Jean A.S. Strauss Plaza, Norman F. Sprague Center
Recently lauded as a top research college by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Harvey Mudd ranks No. 2 in the U.S. for the percentage of its alumni who go on to earn a PhD in science and engineering.
Join us for a showcase of the collaborative scholarship and research work by our students across disciplines and stay for a reception celebrating 70 years of Bold Ideas for a Better World at Harvey Mudd College.
Full Schedule
| Time | Event [schedule subject to change] |
|---|---|
| 2–2:15 p.m. | Welcome by President Harriet Nembhard |
| 2:15–2:40 p.m. | President Nembhard in Conversation with Dr. David Agus, Ellison Medical Institute |
| 2:40–3 p.m. | Clinic Program Presentation |
| 3–3:15 p.m. | Presentation by Nicole Wallens, Director of Sponsored Research |
| 3:15–3:30 p.m. | IdealPV HMC student entrepreneurship team |
| 3:30–3:40 p.m. | Break |
| 3:40–4:10 p.m. | Panel discussion with Innovation Accelerator Labs, moderated by Karl Haushalter |
| 4:10–4:25 p.m. | Presentation by Ken Fandell, Michael G. and C. Jane Wilson Professor in Arts and the Humanities |
| 4:25–4:30 p.m. | Closing |
| 4:30–6 p.m. | Reception and Poster Session on Strauss Plaza |