Arts & Culture

Before the pandemic, students across the 5Cs were prepping for a first-time theater collaboration, “The Addams Family Musical.” But when campuses abruptly closed last March, the students were left wondering how their ambitious production could still work. The answer? Pivot from a live theater production to a remote and socially distanced film shoot.

Even amid a pandemic—with physical distancing and virtual learning the norm—Robert Cain ’21 knew he could count on one creative and social outlet. Shooting photos with his camera.

And the truth is, he had to. As a media studies major, Cain still needed to get out and capture life as it was (or wasn’t) happening for classes and his senior thesis.

CMC Archivist Sean Stanley thinks of himself as an archeologist, uncovering Claremont McKenna’s history as captured in rare recordings, a trove of early student newspapers, and correspondence that date back to before the College’s founding in 1946.

Over the past few years, historical monuments in public spaces have been flash points for anti-colonial and Black Lives Matter protestors. One side has argued for their removal while the other side for their preservation.

A discussion at the Ath contextualized these efforts, providing historical perspectives from three experts whose work focuses on understanding the meaning and intentions of monuments.

It premiered nearly 2,500 years ago, but even today the play Antigone can still pack a relevant punch.

“Antigone is a classic,” said M. Shane Bjornlie, professor of Roman and Late Antique History at CMC. “It deals with family betrayal, transgressive behavior, and all sorts of really difficult topics.”

Larry Burik, vice president for facilities and security at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, is joining Claremont McKenna College as associate vice president of Facilities Management and Capital Projects.

In his new role at CMC, Burik is responsible for planning, budgeting, and management of all campus facilities, including new construction and renovations, preventive and corrective maintenance, housekeeping and grounds operations, energy and water conservation programs, and building access systems. 

For someone who doesn’t spend a lot of time on social media, Tori Johnson ’21 sure knew how to make a bold, visual statement about it.

As he spoke before the unveiling of a new campus sculpture of his wife, Jil ’58 GP’11, Jack Stark ’57 GP’11 recalled a conversation he had with Donald McKenna in 1970.

Jack had just been named president of CMC when the founding trustee pulled him aside at a dinner. “He said, ‘You know, I voted for you for president. I thought you’d be OK. But I thought Jil would be an absolutely first-class college president’s wife.’ Very perceptive guy, that Donald McKenna.”

Just in time for Claremont McKenna College students to return to classes, the campus saw the installation of four extraordinary sculptures that will grace the quad in front of Collins Dining Hall. Carol Bove, the internationally renowned artist who created them, came from New York to personally oversee the installation of the artworks on Jan. 13. (see time-lapse video)