In this episode, two freshmen — Loren and Simone who come from opposite ends of the United States and who quickly became good friends in Cutler Hall last fall — reflect on how they met, their first year at Loomis, and their hopes for the future.

Today we welcome Mohamad Hafez to the Pelican Scoop. Mohamad spoke with producer Mary Forrester at the opening of his exhibit, Unsettled Nostalgia, in the Sue and Eugene Mercy Jr. Gallery. In addition to his own work, the exhibit features an artistic collaboration that Mohamad created over the course of this school year with members of the Loomis community.   Originally from Damascus, Syria, Mohamad was raised in Saudi Arabia and educated in the United States. According to his artist's statement, his work reflects the inherent conflict between the influences of East and West that are part of his identity, and echoes the political turmoil in the Middle East through the compilation of found objects, paint, and scrap metal. An architect by profession, Mohamad creates "surrealistic" streetscapes that are structural in appearance and infused with political allusions. He lives and works in New Haven, Connecticut.

The exhibit runs through the end of May.

Today we are speaking with Scott MacClintic and Jen Solomon, Director and Associate Director of Innovation respectively, about the Pearse Hub for Innovation, the PHI, which is currently under construction as part of Loomis Chaffee's new campus center.

Scott is a member of the class of '82, a long-time teacher in the Science Department, and is currently Director of the Kravis Center for Excellence in Teaching.

Jen is new to the Island this year. She teaches biology and physics and lives in the dormitory Richmond Hall.

Science teacher Neil Chaudhary '05 presented his lecture "Science and the Common Good" to members of Loomis Chaffee's Class of 2021 gathered for a special Freshman Seminar class on January 30. In his talk, Neil encouraged the students to consider the relationship between science and the common good and the role of humanity in the universe.

In this episode, we hear a conversation among Sam Olshin, the architect for the new campus center; Student Council vice president Sarah Bennett; and Pelican Scoop director Keller Glass.

Mr. Olshin answers questions about the new campus center's role on campus, the design inspiration for the building, and how that design reflects Loomis Chaffee's values.

Former U.S. secretary of state George P. Shultz '38 paid a return visit to the Island for a question-and-answer session with Head of School Sheila Culbert in front of an all-school audience on October 27, 2017.

During the 45-minute conversation, Secretary Shultz shared stories and insights from his work with five U.S. presidents, his knowledge and opinions about issues at the forefront of current public discourse, and reflections on his time as a Loomis student 80 years ago.

This episode features a conversation between Dean of Enrollment Lynn Petrillo and Senior Associate Director of Admissions Liz Stewart about the process of applying to the Loomis Chaffee school.

Pelican Scoop director Keller Glass shares audio he recorded of Tibetan monks preparing a traditional sand mandala in Founders Chapel.

A conversation with Scott MacClintic '82, Director of Loomis Chaffee's Kravis Center for Excellence in Teaching, about how to study and learn more efficiently.

Science teacher James Sainz about dark matter, scientific inquiry and her work with the international research project, The Darkside Collaborative.