Spring 2026
At CMC, we lean into the most powerful approaches to what we have always done best. Guided by our singular mission, these past 13 years of presidential collaboration, innovation, and ambition have made us one of the strongest models in all of higher education.
At CMC, we lead.
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CMC Reflections: Hiram and Priya
For the final CMC Magazine of his tenure, President Hiram Chodosh opened up his customary “From the President” letter space for a thoughtful and reflective Q&A with him and his wife (and longtime Athenaeum director), Priya Junnar.
CMC Leads
Looking back at 13 years of responsible leadership through milestone programs and personal reflections across three impact areas of the College—Creating an Indivisible Learning Community, Developing Future Leaders, and Expanding Student Opportunities—that helped define President Hiram Chodosh's tenure at CMC.
Welcome to CMC: Class of 1980
At their 45th reunion during Alumni Weekend 2025, six Class of 1980 classmates gathered for a campus conversation to reflect on the history of the landmark year they arrived to campus—1976, the first year of co-education at then-Claremont Men’s College.
Ibukun Owolabi ’28 and other early risers get a head start at The Hub on the first day of the spring semester.
Photo by Anibal Ortiz
For the final CMC Magazine of his tenure, President Hiram Chodosh opened up his customary “From the President” letter space for a thoughtful and reflective Q&A with him and his wife (and longtime Athenaeum director), Priya Junnar. Both spoke about the road ahead to June 30, what gives them hope for higher education, and their special partnership at CMC and beyond.
On June 26, 2013, President Hiram E. Chodosh shared a message on his first official day at Claremont McKenna College. In it, he remarked how impressed and excited he was to join a community of “brilliant faculty, charismatic students, visionary trustees, superb staff, and dedicated alumni, parents, and friends.” And then he got to work as CMC’s fifth president—specifically by posing “one central question” that had emerged from the earliest trips, meetings, and conversations following his appointment a few months prior. “How do we build on the College’s stunning success?”
Creating an Indivisible Learning Community
Part One
Developing Future Leaders
Part Two
Expanding Student Opportunities
Part Three
During CMC’s Alumni Weekend 2025, members of the Class of 1980 gathered for their 45th reunion. As the first four-year graduating class after the College officially adopted co-education during the fall of 1976, CMC Magazine asked six 1980 classmates—four women and two men—to join us for a campus conversation to reflect on the history of the landmark year, focusing on their arrival to then-Claremont Men’s College and all that followed.
Oxford Bound
For the third time in five years, a CMC senior—Samuel N. Johnson-Saeger ’26—has been awarded the highly competitive and prestigious Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University.
Bringing Art to Life
Learn more about CMC’s Walker Collection of Public Art by taking a virtual tour with Tiffany Choi ’27 of the College’s Art Council.
William C. Dudley Named CMC’s Sixth President
Philosopher, scholar, and sitting college president William C. Dudley has been named the sixth president of CMC, effective July 2026.
Gould Center @ 40
As the Gould Center celebrates its 40-year anniversary, Professor Amy Kind is helping CMC re-imagine the power of the humanities.
faculty books
Two new faculty books are earning rave reviews: Professor Minxin Pei’s examination of modern China (“The Broken China Dream”) and Professor Nicholas Buccola’s comparison of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Barry Goldwater (“One Man’s Freedom.”)
CMS athletics
CMS men’s water polo captain Nick Kennedy ’26 has made a splash in and out of the pool. Plus, standout CMS performances from winter and early spring.
alumni news
looking back
First-Year Guide Carly Kirsch ’24 leads students from the graduating Class of 2026 on the trails at Leo Carrillo State Park during their Welcome Orientation Adventure trip in August of 2022.
Photo by Anibal Ortiz
CMCAA president’s message
Time certainly moves quickly. In his final letter for the magazine, Antoine Grant ’07 reflects on his tenure as President of the CMC Alumni Association—and expresses gratitude to the entire community for supporting and sustaining CMC.
class notes
Enjoy our spring edition of Class Notes from across several CMC generations. Alumni in Action features include: Scott Akasaki ’98 and Ella Brissett ’25.
Additional highlights:
- Fifty Years of CMC’s Washington Program
- Family Weekend 2026
- CMS Hall of Fame Celebration
paw-ting shot
President Chodosh cradles Theo, who, yes, assured us that he's going to miss all the friendly faces (and treats) at CMC. We'll miss that wagging tail on campus too, buddy!
Photo by Aaron Morey
magazine staff
Managing Editor
Thomas Rozwadowski
Visual Editor
Anibal Ortiz
Design
Jay Toffoli
Production Editor
Malia Whitenack
Senior Writers
Anne Bergman
Brenda Bolinger
Photographer
Isaiah Tulanda ’20
Digital Magazine
Michelle Fu
Isa Terrell
Helena Paulin
Class Notes
John Faranda ’79
Rebecca Pelén
Contributors
Karina Ramirez del Real ’22
Valerie Ramos
Elisa Ferrari
Laurian Ghinitoiu
Chad McElroy ’26
Aaron Morey
Julie Riggott
Shay Studios
Strategic Communications and Marketing: Leadership
Alex Boekelheide
Helena Paulin
Thomas Rozwadowski
Office of Advancement: Leadership
Andrew Carrillo
Abby Flores
Beth Milev ’05
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Sharon K. Basso