Richard Loucks, a former Pomona College student, wrote the school's alma mater song, "Hail, Pomona Hail" in 1910. It was originally performed as the finale of a blackface minstrel show. Research confirmed that minstrel shows featuring students in blackface were common on campus around this time. Notes and interviews with Loucks, as well as photographs from the school archives provide evidence that he wrote the song for a minstrel performance. The school administration has since examined this history to determine how to address the song's origins in light of modern sensibilities.

1. Research done by Cyrus Winston

13. Above: The personally typed notes of Richard Loucks about the blackface show he wrote for. Notes Slide 1 of 2

14. Above: The personally typed notes of Richard Loucks about the blackface show he wrote for. Notes Slide 2 of 2

15. Left: Excerpt from an interview with Loucks where he discusses the blackface performance he wrote for. Interview Slide 1 of 4

16. Left: Excerpt from an interview with Loucks where he discusses the blackface performance he wrote for. Interview Slide 2 of 4

17. Left: Excerpt from an interview with Loucks where he discusses the blackface performance he wrote for. Interview Slide 3 of 4

18. Left: Excerpt from an interview with Loucks where he discusses the blackface performance he wrote for. Interview Slide 4 of 4

20. Above: The cast of a blackface performance, circa 1911

21. Above: The cast of a blackface performance at Holmes Hall, dated 1910.

22. Above: Female student blackface performers , circa 1900-10.

23. Above: Student blackface performers , circa 1908.

24. Above: Student blackface performers , circa 1900-10.

26. Above: Student performers in a scene from “Primitive Indian Life,” dated 1913.

28. Above: Student performers in a scene from “Black Dragon,” dated 1914.

30. Above: Student performers in a scene from “Primitive Indian Life,” dated 1913.