During this year’s ImpactCMC Weekend in September, CMCers built connections, took part in meaningful conversations, and rejoiced together—officially launching the College’s 50 Years of Co-Education Celebration.
In one of several meaningful panel discussions throughout the weekend, CMCers packed the Ath for a look back at the College’s journey from all-male to co-ed with those who led the way: Jack ’57 and Jil Stark ’58 GP’11 and members of CMC’s first class of women, including Kathy (Evans) Hurley ’80 P’07, Kathleen Fitzpatrick ’80, Cheri Strelow ’80, and Carrie George ’80 P’14 P’16, with CMC Trustee Sue Matteson King ’85 P’18 moderating the lively lunchtime discussion.
Before a community-wide celebratory twilight toast, Friday concluded with an inspiring keynote address from Tasia Filippatos ’94, President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International.
“While we are here tonight to celebrate 50 years of co-education, I think we are actually here to celebrate something even bigger … We are here to celebrate courageous leadership,” Filippatos said.
“Fifty years ago, CMC chose to broaden who could walk through its doors. The result was not simply a larger community. It was a stronger one. A community enriched by a wider range of ideas, experiences, and backgrounds. Women did not simply become part of the CMC story. They helped write its next chapter. And today, a new generation of CMC students and alumni is writing the chapter after that … with the same courage to open doors, widen the conversation, and build a legacy worthy of the next 50 years.”
CMCers who hadn’t yet met CMC President Will Dudley enjoyed multiple opportunities to welcome him and Dr. Carola Tanna to the CMC community, including a Q&A in the Robert Day Sciences Center on Saturday, followed by a ribbon-cutting at the new “Milestone Crossing.”
Enjoy some of our favorite photos from ImpactCMC Weekend below, with more available in our online album. Also, be sure to watch our 50 Years of Co-Education kickoff video featuring co-chairs Mari Adam ’80 and Lorraine Bains ’88.
Continue to mark the moment with us throughout the year as we honor where we’ve been, celebrate where we are, and look ahead to what’s next. Save the Dates: Family Weekend 2027 (February 13–15) and Alumni Weekend 2027 (June 3–6), the celebration’s capstone event.
