An annual luncheon in the garden of the president’s residence has been a Torchbearers highlight for years. In 2020, physical distancing required Caltech to take the event online. On October 15, President Thomas F. Rosenbaum welcomed Torchbearers to a special Zoom panel featuring three students who provided a glimpse into undergraduate life during this time of remote learning.

The panel was moderated by Vice President for Student Affairs Kevin Gilmartin, the William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of English and Allen V. C. Davis and Lenabelle Davis Leadership Chair, Student Affairs, who said, “My commitment to the role of vice president is shaped by an awareness that Caltech’s research and teaching mission has never been more critical to our shared responsibility as citizens.”

“A lot of what makes Caltech wonderful is the social-connected nature of everybody here, and it’s become uniquely difficult to retain that sense of community,” commented computer science major Logan Apple (class of 2021). He went on to say, “But the IHC [Interhouse Committee] put together a number of programs to reconnect everyone as much as possible.”

A recording of the event has been posted online, where you can hear more about academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities at Caltech today. These remarkable students will remind you that the future is in capable hands!