Claremont McKenna College Alumni Association

The Washington, D.C. community gathered last night for an evening of great company, amazing ambiance, and delicious food. Alumni connected with old friends and welcomed the newest D.C. residents to the area at Dauphine’s in Midtown Center. Are you living in New York, Los Angeles, or Seattle? Similar receptions are coming your way! Register here: https://online.cmc.edu/events/alumni-events-page

1946 Challenge

www.CMC.edu/1946 The has 9 hours to go. We still need 500 donors to meet the goal of 1,946 donors in 1,946 minutes!

1946 Challenge Join me in the 1946 Challenge and make an impact today!

Each fall, a wave of CMCers make their across the country for new opportunities. The Bay Area is a hot spot for recent grads, and this past Thursday CMCers of all ages gathered at Radhaus in the Marina District. Good times were had by all as we reconnected, met old and new friends, and discussed all things CMC. Join us for an alumni welcome event in a city near you soon! https://online.cmc.edu/events/alumni-events-page

On Thursday, September 8, join the CMC community and cheer on the Yankees as they go head to head against the Minnesota Twins. At 5:30 p.m. (before the 7:05 p.m. game) connect with alumni and parents in the Tri-State area at the Mastercard Batter's Eye Deck. Enjoy great conversation and delicious all-inclusive ballpark menu including hot dogs, hamburgers, cold beverages, and more. Can't wait to see you there!
Register here: https://online.cmc.edu/new-york-yankees-vs-minnesota-twins

We're only only a few weeks away from Alumni Weekend 2022! Join us in Claremont and see your classmates! Arne Hendrickson ’72 (pictured during his college days) is excited to reconnect with his lifelong friends and reminisce about their four years on campus. A former Green Hall RA, Arne is part of our newest class of the Golden Medallion Society. Congratulations to the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972! We look forward to celebrating you, and all CMC alumni, at the end of the month. Scroll to see alumni enjoying each other’s company at past Alumni Weekends and on campus. Registration closes Monday, May 16. Sign up today by visiting https://online.cmc.edu/alumni-weekend-registration

On this Throwback Thursday were taking it back to Stag-a-Palooza at Alumni Weekend 2019 when guests were surprised and delighted as an incredible jazz band with a New Orleans flair paraded through the crowd as they enjoyed lunch. Alumni Weekend at CMC is full of surprises! What's in store for you this year? Be sure to register and find out! https://online.cmc.edu/alumni-weekend

Flashback Friday! Today we take it back to Alumni Weekend 2017 where the dancing at Monte Carlo Night was off the charts! In our opinion, a perfect party always results in a spontaneous conga line. 💃🕺 Register now for Alumni Weekend 2022! https://online.cmc.edu/alumni-weekend

Graduates of the last decade, who made the biggest impact on your CMC experience? This year, during the 4th annual, Going for the GOLD challenge, you can directly impact the lives of current CMC students.

Mark your calendars for April 5 - 6!

New alumni merchandise available in the CMC Supply Shop now! https://www.cmcsupplyshop.com/

That feeling when registration is live for Alumni Weekend 2022 at CMC! Join us Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 - 29. Learn more and register here: https://online.cmc.edu/alumni-weekend

Way back Wednesday! We're taking it back to Alumni Weekend 2019 here in Claremont. Little did we know it would be three years before we could gather together again to celebrate the incredible friendships and connections made at CMC. We are joyfully preparing for Alumni Weekend 2022 - May 26 - 29. Be on the lookout...registration will open this week!

Happening today at 4:00 p.m. PT! Join Trustees David Mgrublian '82 P'11, Christopher Walker '69, and Emily Meinhardt '10, and CMC Archivist, Sean Stanley for a look at the growth of our beautiful campus over the years. The exhibition will highlight key building projects, a brief history of campus buildings and notable campus architects, and a look at CMC's impressive public art initiative. You won't want to miss this opportunity to explore original and new iconic campus sites. Register and join here: https://cmc-its.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lceyvrT0pHdUpfZk0T9MUT908UHnivCsG

There are many in our CMC community who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Today we honor, remember, and celebrate them.

Since its founding, the ROTC program has had an important impact on this community. Known as the Golden Lions, our program is one of the largest west of Texas and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018. CMC cadets learn ethical leadership, critical thinking, and adaptability.

Today, we invite you to learn more about the ROTC’s impact on CMC at 12:00 PT. Join us for “Veterans and the ROTC at CMC” by visiting https://cmc-its.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qdu2tqzsoGdFDh2j-T-S-LOHG8w5ZBIjO.

Ew, David! Happy Halloween from the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement. From CMC to Schitt’s Creek to your hometown, we wish you a safe and festive holiday. Best wishes, warmest regards!

CMC came out in force last night at Stranahan's Whiskey Distillery in Denver! Guests were treated to a tour and tasting, followed by the opportunity to mix and mingle in the private lounge. It was the perfect setting to catch-up with old friends and meet some new ones as well! Thanks to the amazing Denver Chapter Leadership team and Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Dianna (DT) Graves '98 for making this such a warm and wonderful night.

Tonight, the CMC Res Publica Society gathered together at the newly opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to hear former lieutenant governor of Maryland Michael Steele speak about the current state of our country’s politics.

Last night, alumni, parents, and a few students gathered to enjoy a beautiful night in Honolulu to celebrate CMC’s 75th anniversary with President Hiram Chodosh. Swipe to see the festivities!

Thank you to Dylen Fujimoto ‘24 and Mikala Wilson for capturing photos from the night!

What can $19.46 buy? Student comfort! New bed sheets, a nifty laundry basket, and twinkle lights help to create a comfortable dorm room. Your support of $19.46 to the Student Emergency Fund can help those CMCers who need extra help to make their dorm rooms feel like home. To show your support, visit https://www.givecampus.com/schools/ClaremontMcKennaCollege/1946-challenge-fy22.

Alumni, parents, and Washington Program students gathered to celebrate as well as the 50th anniversary of the Washington Program. Swipe to see the festivities!

CMC Supply Shop new product alert! Be the first to grab a new CMC 17oz. official S'well bottle. Pick from three custom matte colors. CMC on campus community, you can now pick up your Supply Shop purchases at Story House! Simply choose the pick-up option at check out. To purchase your S'well, visit https://bit.ly/3iCDVXr

It was a fun night at Yankee Stadium! CMC alumni and parents gathered at the Batter’s Eye Deck to enjoy good food, a spectacular view of the field, and great company! They also enjoyed an exciting game as the Yankees battled for a wild-card spot against the division leading Tampa Bay Rays.

Alumni and Parents, you’re invited to celebrate the start of the academic year! Please join us for our annual Convocation ceremony, tomorrow, September 2 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific. Watch the ceremony live here: https://livestream.com/claremontmckennacollege/cmcconvocation2021

The ceremony will feature President Hiram Chodosh and Albert L. Park, Bank of America Associate Professor of Pacific Basin Studies, who will discuss “What Now?

We hope you join us!

New Student Parties 2021 Photo Dump! Thanks to all alumni, current students, and parents who joined us in 25 cities (and virtually) to welcome our newest CMCers and their families. Incoming students will be making their way to campus in just a few days! Do you have any advice for our new students? Let us know in the comments!

In 2006, CMC’s Commencement ceremonies were held for the first time on Pritzlaff Field, named after John Pritzlaff III ’76. It has hosted noteables speakers such as former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, bestselling author Wes Moore, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

Did you celebrate your graduation on Pritzlaff Field? Let us know if the comments!

It’s GIVEAWAY time! Today in our countdown, we are celebrating the year 2005. See how you can win a special CMC candle!

Graduates and guests gathered at Badgley Garden for CMC’s commencement ceremonies until 2005. Named in honor CMC benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Frank Badgley’s son, the tree lined site saw thousands of CMC students transition from undergrads to alumni, and featured notable speakers including former LA Mayor Tom Bradley, actor and filmmaker Sidney Poitier, and author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

To celebrate those who graduated on Badgley Garden, we’re giving away a special Badgley Garden candle 🕯! To enter and win, share your favorite graduation memory and tag one of your classmates in the comments. You have until Sunday, June 20 (11:59 p.m. PT).

Did you receive your diploma on Badgley Garden 🎓? If you have images of that day, please share with us in the comments!

Today in our countdown, we’ll focus on the year 2002. In 2002, Lorraine Bains ’88 became the first female president of the CMC Alumni Association (CMCAA). Her involvement with the Alumni Association began in 1990 and still continues to this day. Learn more about Lorraine by visiting our stories!

Would you like to learn more about the CMC Alumni Association and its incredible volunteers such as Lorraine? Visit https://online.cmc.edu/get-involved/alumni-leadership.

Today in our countdown we focus on the year 2001. CMC’s strong sense of community was evident on the morning of September 11, 2001. As the nation held its collective breath, CMC students held one another. The first three photographs are from the inter-faith service held soon after the attacks. The last two photographs are from the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony held in 2002.

Head over to our stories to see how Josh Keough ’04, Marc Bathgate ’05, Adrienne Cohen ’05, and Ben Royas ’03 remember this day on campus.

We hope you will join us today, June 10 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific as gifted Holocaust scholar Professor Wendy Lower discusses her powerful book The Ravine: A Family, A Photograph, a Holocaust Massacre Revealed. Her book is the product of a 10 year investigation of a single photograph--an exceptionally rare “action shot” documenting the horrific final moment of the murder of a Jewish family.

To register, please visit https://cmc-its.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuf-mvpzMrHtGpebIqDjw1Hgdw3_2iR5mx

Can you guess this 80's alum? A lifelong Montanan, this CMCer served as his state’s Attorney General and Governor. During his time at CMC, he majored in PPE (philosophy, political science, and economics), studied abroad in England, and was the 1987-88 ASCMC President. Like totally enter your guess in the comments!  Tubular! 👾 📼

Can you guess this alum? He is a native of Newport Beach, California and graduated from CMC in 1979. During his time at CMC, he majored in political science, lived in Phillips Hall, and enjoyed sailing. Enter your guess in the comments!

After CMC’s Board of Trustees voted in favor of coeducation in 1975, six transfer students - Barbara (Christman) Hutchings, Maria (Payne) Rasmussen, Deborah Hasty, Mary Eiland, Catherine (Higgins) Kamm, and Robin Jennifer (Jones) Braithwaite - received their CMC diplomas at the 1978 commencement ceremony at Badgley Garden. Longtime registrar, Katherine Lowe (Scripps 1936), was declared honorary alumna at the same ceremony. These women went down in CMC history as the “Pioneers.”

Swipe to see a recreation of this iconic image taken at the 2021 Graduation Ceremony!

Pictured from left to right: Katharine Lowe, Barbara (Christman) Hutchings, Maria (Payne) Rasmussen, Deborah Hasty, and Mary Eiland in 1978. Learn more about the Pioneers by heading over to our stories!

“Society had changed very fundamentally. This was not a pendulum that was going to swing back, and an institution that did not admit women would have had a hard time calling itself a leader,” Jack Stark ’57 GP'11 once remarked on the importance of the admission of women at CMC.

On April 24, 1975, CMC's Board of Trustees voted 28-13 in favor of coeducation.

Join us on Monday, May 17, for a special Connects panel with members of the "Pioneers," the earliest classes of female students at the College. They will share their experiences, their favorite CMC memories, and the lessons that have stayed with them throughout their lives. To register, please visit https://cmc-its.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlc-GhqjkuHtyLY-phAuBUV0T3vhcdrei_

Robin Bartlett '67 is our countdown feature today. Here he recalls how he came to CMC and the impact it made on him.

"I came to CMC sight unseen, having taken a train from Seattle and a bus out of L.A. The bus let me off near Pomona College and I huffed it over to McKenna Auditorium carrying two heavy suitcases. I made my decision to come to CMC because I was sick of the Seattle rain. When I saw the inside cover of the CMC catalog with a photo of Dr. Ladell Payne outside, teaching a class with kids wearing shorts, T-shirts, and sandals, I said to myself, 'That’s where I want to go to college.' I never looked back, and those four years were some of the happiest of my life with many fond memories."

Head over to our stories to read about Robin's CMC memories and how he cherished these memories as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the Vietnam War.

Since retiring from 25 years of service as the Executive Director of The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in March 2020, Janlee Wong ’73 has stayed incredibly involved in the NASW California Chapter, fighting for justice for numerous marginalized communities during the pandemic.

(Content Warning: Discussion of Hate Crimes Against Asian-American Communities)

As the Executive Director at NASW, Janlee had the freedom to work in social justice and public policy. After decades of advocacy and activism, he worked to pass a number of important legislative bills within the past year. Notably, Janlee worked on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which passed the U.S. Senate with a 94-1 vote. This act includes an important component focusing specifically on the heightened
violence against the Asian-American community.

Noting his family’s Chinese-American background, Janlee understood he needed to speak up for the Asian-American community and was conscious that his personal experience should not be seen as representative of all Asian-Americans. Hence, when remembering the victims of the March 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, Janlee emphasized the importance of understanding the unique background and culture of the Chinese-American and Korean-American victims.

As a long-time activist and advocate, Janlee has some advice for CMC students. Head over to our stories to read his advice!

On today’s countdown we are focusing on the year 1961. In 1961, CMC welcomed Jack Stark ’57 GP'11 as alumni director and assistant to President George Benson P'61. He later became president in 1970 and led the College through some fundamental institutional changes, including the transition to coeducation and the renaming of Claremont Men’s College to Claremont McKenna College.

Upon his retirement on 1999, the Board of Trustees honored Mr. Stark with the title President Emeritus of Claremont McKenna College and was named a life member of the board.

Stark is a beloved and devoted member of the CMC community who cares deeply about its progress, often attending events and engaging with current students. Head over to our stories to learn more about him!