CMC Currents

An Exciting Return to Campus!

Generating an incredible burst of back-to-school energy, 337 first-year and 13 transfer students arrived on campus to start their Claremont McKenna College journeys. Along with their families and friends, new students engaged in Orientation activities designed to smooth the transition to college life, before saying “farewell” and embarking on their Welcome Orientation Adventure (WOA) trips.

New CMCers spent their initial days exploring their campus home and the curricular and co-curricular activities that define the CMC experience, from digging into grand challenges in the new Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences, to sharing a meal and deep discussion at the Athenaeum, or cheering on CMS athletic teams.

On the first day of classes, the entire CMC community formally celebrated the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year and welcomed new faculty members at the College’s annual Convocation ceremony.

Read on for more about the start of the new academic year, including photos and President Chodosh’s full Convocation remarks.

Introducing the 2024-25 Ath Fellows

CMC’s spirit of responsible leadership is in full swing this fall at the Ath, with an impressive lineup of world-renowned speakers. Meet this year’s four Ath Fellows and learn how each plans to contribute to constructive dialogue across campus.

Obama Voyager Scholarship Awarded

Chumnan Jim Sangsvang ’26 was honored with the coveted Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. Known as the Voyager Scholarship, the award recognizes emerging leaders and their dedication to public service and a more inclusive democracy.

Professor Kumar Receives Guggenheim

Emerita Professor Nita Kumar was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, a highly competitive grant that invests in scholars, artists, scientists, writers, and cultural visionaries. Chosen through a rigorous application process, the Guggenheim Fellows were selected on the basis of prior career achievement.

Campaign Ads Confirm Biases

Election research by Professor Cameron Shelton shows that televised campaign advertising increases the probability that viewers who identify with a particular political party will embrace its positions, prefer its candidates, and turn out to vote.

Full Steam Ahead

A captain for the 2024 national champion Claremont Foxes women’s rugby team, Caroline Bullock ’24 has pushed herself since graduating in May. She is now in a talent pipeline for the 2025 and 2029 Rugby World Cups—and possibly even a future Olympics.

Jack Stark is Turning 90!

Help us celebrate CMC President Emeritus Jack Stark ’58 GP’11 as he marks his 90th birthday in September. Share a special memory or tribute by emailing us here by September 20.

The 1946 Challenge

Join the CMC community for the seventh annual 1946 Challenge on October 16 and 17, and help us reach 1,946 donors in 1,946 minutes. You can give early, offer a matching challenge, and become an advocate today! Thank you for supporting CMC and our students.

Journey to Patagonia

Patagonia will take your breath away with its snowy peaks, massive glaciers, biodiverse forests, and maze-like waterways. Join Jason Keller, Kravis Professor of Integrated Sciences: Ecology, and members of the CMC community on a remarkable adventure to the Chilean Fjords and Argentina’s Staten Island from October 10-19, 2025. Registration is open now!

Worldmeet Singapore a Success

Members of the CMC community explored Singapore for the third annual Worldmeet, which was focused on the island nation’s global significance. Next up: Buenos Aires. Worldmeet IV takes place in Argentina, June 11-15, 2025. We hope you will join us!