On a day filled with gratitude, awe, and inspiration at every level of the landmark Robert Day Sciences Center, Claremont McKenna College honored the heart of its community efforts at the building’s signature gathering spot.
During a luncheon at the base of the Social Stairs for CMC’s Board of Trustees and invited guests, Board of Trustees Chair Ken Valach ’82 paid tribute to the building’s namesake, Robert Day ’65 P’12, his family, and the W. M. Keck Foundation.
Wearing his “Robert Day tie,” Valach presented the longtime philanthropist’s CMC Trustee stole and an official resolution from the Board to Day’s children in attendance, Joe and Jon ’12. “Robert would be so proud of this building,” Valach said.
Likewise, President Hiram Chodosh saluted Day for seeing “the future in front of us when no one else could,” for his unwavering belief in what Day called “the Claremont magic.”
“He would be so grateful to each and every one of you here,” President Chodosh said of CMC’s longest-serving Trustee who passed away in 2023. “You have exceeded the expectations of a man whose aspirations knew no bounds.”
Not alone in his efforts, President Chodosh also thanked Day’s “CMC brothers,” George Roberts ’66 P’93 and Henry Kravis ’67, who both made significant contributions—Roberts to spur data science integration in 2018 and Kravis to his namesake department of integrated sciences in 2022—that helped propel the College’s ambitious vision.
Valach and President Chodosh further singled out David Mgrublian ’82 P’11, who preceded Valach as Board Chair, for his belief and determination while working every angle of the Robert Day Sciences Center creation process. “No one has put more into a project the way David did with this building,” Valach said of his friend.
In a surprise moment for President Chodosh and his wife, Priya Junnar, Valach returned to the stage to thank them for their leadership, vision, and grace. After pointing out how both welcome everyone to CMC with smiles and open hearts, he noted how one of the most iconic parts of the new building—the central gathering space below the main atrium where students can sit, connect, collaborate, and embody CMC’s social warmth—would fittingly be named the Chodosh Social Stairs.
As part of the touching tribute, the pair received a standing ovation from above and below the stairs as a banner was unfurled to reveal their name, which will soon be etched in the finished concrete near the top level, visible for generations to come.
Read more about the evening dedication and view photos from throughout the day.
Read President Chodosh’s full remarks from the ribbon cutting.