Impact.
One word, so frequently spoken at Claremont McKenna College—a virtuous cycle in which CMC impacts and improves the lives of generations of students, and all those whose lives they touch.
One word, blossoming into limitless stories. The roots of these stories are deep—beginning perhaps with the trajectory of a student’s life altered after a favorite professor’s class or conversation; the engagement of a different viewpoint at the Athenaeum; the intersection of an unfamiliar discipline in the liberal arts; or the forging of lifelong relationships over tables at Collins.
These are the stories, and the storytelling, we treasure most—from a young alumna helping the environment absorb more carbon dioxide through genetically engineered pines and poplars; to a grandparent and grandchild sharing the CMC experience despite six decades between them; or lifelong pals banding together to start an endowed scholarship—stories like these enrich and define us.
Honor Mission

Robin Peterson '22
Claremont McKenna's once-a-year surf-ski day was a compelling bonus to Robin Peterson's list of pros for the College.

Rachana Muvvala '24
When Rachana Muvvala ’24 played the stock market game in a high school economics class, she was hooked.

Brooklyn Button '22
After attending high schools in the Netherlands, Iowa, and California because of family moves, Brooklyn Button ’22 knew what to look for in a college.

On the Frontlines of National Security
In his work as a policymaker, Richard Johnson ’01 draws upon skills he learned at CMC

Their CMC Bond Spans Decades
A grandfather and his grandson share an affinity for their shared alma mater

A Bond Stronger than Time
As CMC has grown over the past six-plus decades, so has the friendship of Bob McCrary ’58 P’92 and John Poer ’58 P’90.


Breaking Stereotypes
Christine Wight Huddleson ’91 served as first female president of CMC student government

Optimism for Empathy
Neuroscience major Allie Gould ’20 fell in love with philosophy and won a best paper award

Inside the Pandemic Moment
Via their summer research projects, students explored what they were living through


Advancing Inquiry and Debate
CMC wins Institutional Excellence Award from Heterodox Academy

Unimagined Possibilities
For John Snider ’77, a CMC education brought a lifetime of contentment and professional success



His Films Transport Us
Netflix VP Tendo Nagenda ’97 sees limitless possibilities in storytelling


A Community That CAREs
CARE Center Director Vince Greer on how diversity and inclusion work starts with each of us



Building Relationships
After 40 years on campus, Prof. Nicholas Warner extols the CMC culture

Definitely an Asset
For Prof. Marc Massoud P’89, four decades at CMC add up to a significant impact


A Passion for Innovation
CMC’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship bears Randall Lewis’ name to honor the real estate leader

Once in a Lifetime
Prof. Jennifer Feitosa discusses her research into improving team dynamics with diversity

Building Bridges
Chelina Odbert ’99 helps underserved communities with her design and community development nonprofit
Integrated Sciences

A Voice of Reason and Trust
Public health expert Katya Calvo Corado ’01 researches COVID-19

Fueled Up for Success
Lydia Li ’13, a Forbes 30 Under 30 changemaker for energy, specializes in environmental impact investing

A Systems Thinker
Harriet Nembhard ’91, Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa, couples efficiency with imagination

Empowered by Science
Kelly Watanabe’s ’20 science education has prepared her to help others and achieve breakthroughs

Major Psychology Grants
Four faculty celebrate grants for research in emotions, memory, body language, and preparing undergrads for STEM research

International Impact
Environmental chemistry students collaborate on research overseas to revive Bangkok canals

The 3-2 Program
In the 1950s, CMC started a dual-degree program in management and engineering with Stanford

CMC Names Founding Chair for Integrated Sciences
Dr. Ran (“Ron”) Libeskind-Hadas will lead a next-generation interdisciplinary curriculum for the College.

An Ardor for Arbor
Maddie Hall ’14, recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for science, uses her interdisciplinary skills to create super trees

Entrepreneurial Chemist
Timothy Gallagher ’19 has great plans for his scientific journey, including a PhD from Scripps Research

CMC's Scientific Method
Professor of Biology Emily Wiley shares CMC’s plan for teaching the integrated sciences

Dr. Tanya
Tanya Remer Altmann ’94 has a breakneck schedule as a pediatrician, writer, and TV personality

Data Science Pilot Project
Collaborative learning helps CMC students find the pulse of interdisciplinary science
Expand Opportunity

Carson Stubstad ’22
Sometimes when Carson Stubstad walks around campus at a quiet moment, he’s transported back to when he visited Claremont McKenna College for the first time...

Desmond Mantle ’23
Desmond Mantle ’23 chose to attend Claremont McKenna College for many reasons.

Nicolas De Mello ’23
As captain of the Claremont Club Soccer team, Nicholas De Mello ’23 found a way to further his engagement with the sport through his Appel Fellowship writing project.

She Saw Herself at CMC
Now Courtney Hooks ’23 thrives in small, liberal arts college environment

Where Trust Is Natural
At CMC, Adhitya Venkatraman ’22 has found a place to grow academically and experientially.

Two Brothers, Two Paths
Amjad Khan ’01 and Ata Khan ’08 talk about their time at CMC and what they’ve accomplished since then

Big Dreams
Jimena Landa ’22 created her own internship with the Mexican delegation to the U.N. and joined the Model U.N. team

A World of Opportunities
Global internships got Jefferson Chang ’22 out of his bubble for life-changing experiences

Here and Abroad
JaDa Johnson ’21 found the right community at CMC, and study abroad solidified her career aspirations

An Uplifting Community
Jeffrey Kim ’23 is developing academically, personally, and professionally at CMC

Leadership Development
Kravis Leadership Institute celebrates 25 years of courage, creativity, and collaboration

Global Awareness
Shaw Wagener ’81 reflects on the value of personal connections for Wagener Family Global Scholars

The Personal Touch
Connecting with a professor at the Athenaeum brought Brittany Ruiz ’08 to CMC

Scholars Win Spirit Award
QuestBridge scholars express thanks for scholarships in a video that makes the CMC Planner a media star
History

CMC Expands Science Curriculum
Joint management engineering program brought first science professors to campus

Alumnus Established Computer Labs on Campus
Tech titan Ryal Poppa ’57 GP ’08 made significant contributions to benefit CMC students

Prof. Martin Diamond Earns National Recognition
Time magazine praised Diamond’s commitment to his students


First Professors in Fulbright Scholar Program
Faculty rewarded for their research, teaching prowess

First Faculty: Women at the Men’s College
Women scholars and administrators contributed to CMC’s early success

Early Faculty: A Tour de Force of Recruitment
President Benson hired top academics to join CMC during its first four years





A History of the Athenaeum: Chapter 3
Social and Intellectual Life at the Athenaeum: 1980-89

How I Met My Husband of Almost 63 Years
Jil Stark ’58 GP’11 shares some personal history with Jack Stark ’57 GP’11




Pioneering Women and a Name Change for the College
1976 and 1981 brought big changes for CMC

Early Faculty: Jacob Anton de Haas
Professor of international economics became a major promoter of CMC

The First President and First Lady
Dr. George C. S. Benson and Dr. Mabel Benson developed the intellectual framework for CMC

The First Convocation
The newly incorporated Claremont Men’s College held an impressive ceremony in 1947

A Special Bond
The Tortugateers of Prado Dam build a bridge to the early days with their endowed scholarship
Athletics

1947: Pomona-Claremont Sagehens Are Born
A partnership with Pomona College allowed CMC students to compete on existing varsity sports teams

1954: Football and Track Find a Home
The new complex became home to football and men’s track and field

1958: Arce Leads New Athletic Department
Claremont-Mudd Stags era begins with Bill Arce leading new athletic department

1967: Swim and Dive Team Wins Championship
Claremont-Mudd men’s swimming and diving became first Stag team to score national title

1978: Athenas Win First SCIAC Title
Cross country team trailblazes to take first women’s SCIAC title for CMS

1988: SCIAC All-Sports Trophy Sweep
The 1987-88 year was a first, as CMS won all three SCIAC All-Sports trophies

1993: Axelrood Pool Makes a Splash
In 1993, the Matt M. Axelrood Aquatics Center opened to campus and CMS Aquatics

1993: CMS Volleyball Reaches NCAA Quarterfinals
Win over Trinity propels Athenas volleyball to first NCAA quarterfinals in program history

2010: Perizzolo Captures Two National Titles
With pair of national championships, Annie Perizzolo ’11 made CMS Women’s Swimming and Diving history

Maroon and Gold to the Core
Chris Brandt ’85 P’14 P’18 says CMC Athletics changed his life