Oral History Project

About the Project

Share your personal Techer story and photos. The good, the bad, the life-on-life’s terms tales, tell us about you. Whether you were last at Caltech one year or 50 years ago, tell us about your life’s journey. CAA has partnered with industry-leader PCI to collect your stories. Call PCI’s dedicated Caltech line at 877-603-4361. (You will be offered the opportunity to purchase a book; purchases provide financial support for the project.)

What Techer tales will you share?

  • Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at Caltech?
  • Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
  • Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
  • Did you find the love of your life at Caltech?
  • Were you on campus during a historical moment?
  • What was your Ditch Day experience?

Your Story

How it Works

PCI Partnership

To support our effort to capture as many Techer stories as possible, the CAA is partnering with PCI, whose trained staff of real, live human beings will work with us to interview you. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the Caltech Alumni Oral History Project book that we can share with all Techers. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

Do I have to buy something?

No. This project is being done at no cost to the CAA. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the Caltech Alumni Oral History Project book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other Caltech Alumni branded merchandise such as a shirt or hoodie. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the Caltech Alumni Oral History Project book. We sincerely appreciate every person that participates in the project and chooses to purchase the book.

What’s Next?

Soon you will receive email and postcard communications from the PCI with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share your stories with us and take part in this project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories until August 2021. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in February 2022. We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you regarding your memories of Caltech!

Frequently Asked Questions?

To get answers to frequently asked questions regarding this project, please visit our Caltech Alumni Oral History Project FAQ webpage.

Contact Information

If you have any other questions regarding the project, please reach out to PCI customer service desk at 1-800-982-1590 or the Caltech Alumni Association at oralhistory@alumni.caltech.edu.

What to Look For

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the CAA, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your story.