Thousands Bid Farewell
To Class of 2007

To a graduating class of 285, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa encouraged each to be "leaders, achievers, dreamers, and also patriots, in the truest sense of the word," in their new lives outside of CMC.
"An obligation we share," Villaraigosa said, "is to create a better worlda moral responsibility for the condition of planet earth."
Commencing into an era of "gargantuan consequences," Villaraigosa recounted the graduates as a generation that came into age post Sept. 11, describing an eruption of policy failures in Iraq, the wake of genocide in Darfur, and the needs of the environment.
Joining Villaraigosa at the podium was President Pamela Gann, who presented the mayor with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, sponsored by Trustee Ray Remy '59 and Myra E. Moss, professor of philosophy/religious studies and government.
Participating in commencement ceremonies for the first time in their new leadership roles were Harry McMahon '75 P'08 '09, chair of the Board of Trustees, and Gregory Hess, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. Robert Valenza, the Dengler-Dykema Chair of Mathematics and the Humanities, and recipient of this year's Glenn R. Huntoon Award for Superior Teaching, served as faculty marshal. The invocation was lead by Father Joseph Fenton, chaplain of The Claremont Colleges. Valedictorian was Fulbright scholar Jonathan Strahl, summa cum laude, and seniors Zachry Ross Fragapane and Lauren Mikov read the Latin Salutation, Per ocvlos lovis! Senior class president Alexis Martin Piazza '07 presented the graduating class.
In her charge to departing seniors, Gann asked the graduates to "always remember the best of one another.
"And know that as you leave," she said, "you take with you our affection, pride, and genuinely best wishes."
Commencement exercises concluded with a reception on Parents Field.