“Come Home” to CMC on Alumni Weekend in May

It’s common knowledge that the familial bond between CMC and our alumni is strong, extending across generations and spanning decades. And perhaps nowhere is that special relationship more visible than on Alumni Weekend, which occurs this year from May 1–3.

“Alumni Weekend is all about reconnecting,” says Evan Rutter ’06, CMC’s director of alumni and parent relations. “The prime benefits are reconnecting with your alma mater, reconnecting with classmates from long ago, catching up with old friends, and meeting new CMC students. Also, for alumni who graduated in years ending with a ‘0’ or ‘5,’ this will be the first reunion held in conjunction with the other Claremont Colleges, and the first held during the academic year.”

Special activities include a wine tasting on Elm Tree Lawn at Scripps College, featuring alumni and parent wineries; golf with fellow alumni at Red Hill Country Club; an afternoon beer tasting during “Stag-a-palooza”; numerous Continuing Education seminars with alumni and faculty; an opportunity to meet our new president, President Hiram E. Chodosh, at a town hall breakfast; and the chance to enjoy the ever-popular class dinners.

Other highlights of what will be a jam-packed Alumni Weekend include:

    • The inaugural Angel Summit, which will feature a panel discussion on “Best Practices for Angel Investing” from prominent alumni in business and venture capital, followed by a pitch event for new venture ideas at the startup stage. Sponsored by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Angel Summit aims to facilitate the exchange for ideas, serve as a possible platform for financing, and provide a networking opportunity for entrepreneur-minded alumni and current students.
    • A tour of the Sam Maloof home and workshop. Described by the Smithsonian Institution as “America’s most renowned contemporary furniture craftsman” and by People magazine as “The Hemingway of Hardwood,” Maloof’s own business card was more modest. It just said: “woodworker.” “I like the word,” he told a Los Angeles Times reporter, “It’s an honest word.”
    • The CMC Art Tour, which will acquaint alumni with one of the best-kept secrets on campus: CMC’s prolific art collection. Join the Student Art Council on a tour of the many masterpieces housed at CMC.

CMCers know that education is a lifelong process. That’s why we are offering a range of Continuing Education seminars throughout the weekend. Keep your college degree current by attending one or more sessions that will feature CMC alumni, faculty, and staff, and will cover a variety of topics from the academic to the off-beat. They include:

  • The 2016 Election – speaker, Jack Pitney, Crocker professor of politics
  • Where to Put Milk? A few simple lessons in thinking like an economist – speaker, Eric Helland, William F. Podlich professor of economics and George R. Roberts fellow
  • We Got Wine: Reflections on two decades in the wine business and current trends in California and European wine – speaker, Tony Poer ’90 (and guests)
  • When to Go to War: White, Waltz, and Walzer – speaker, Jenny Taw, associate professor of government
  • The Future of Journalism and the News Media. Is there One? – speakers, Len Apcar ’75, Ken Greenberg ’75, Mike Shear ’90, Nick Owchar ’90, and Lori Kozlowski ’00; moderator, Jeff Klein ’75 P’08 P’11 P’14
  • Women in STEM – speakers, Sue Matteson King ’85 P’18, Kathleen Fitzpatrick ’80, Cheri Strelow ’80, Deanna Needell, and Amy Hollshwandner ’17
  • ISIS – speaker, Ken Nightingale ’65

Legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim (alas, a Williams College grad) wrote the following lyrics to a song called “Old Friends” that encapsulate the feeling that prevails on Alumni Weekend:

But us, old friends
What’s to discuss, old friends?
Here’s to us
Who’s like us?
Damn few

Unalloyed fun, educational opportunities, programming variety, but most of all the chance to reconnect with old friends and maybe make a few new ones; it will all be there waiting for you on Alumni Weekend at CMC.

For a complete listing of Alumni Weekend events and to register to attend, please click on the following link: cmc.edu/alumni-weekend