Dear Fellow Alumni,
Twenty years ago, I ended my first year at Claremont McKenna College and returned home just a few dozen miles west for the summer in Los Angeles. What a difference a year makes! Experiences, friendships, perspectives, opportunities—they come and go, but they leave an indelible mark on us.
Two decades later, I feel as engaged, invigorated, and connected as ever. CMC, for me and many others, continues to provide and facilitate new experiences, friendships, and perspectives. As I accept the presidency of the Alumni Association, I’ve been embraced by CMCers around the country, and part of my charge this year is to fuel those organic and authentic gatherings, strengthening the bonds you have with each other and with our alma mater.
We aim to translate many of the aspects of your CMC experience on-campus into relevant and re-imagined experiences for your lives today off-campus. For me, one of those defining elements was the ability to debate with anyone, anywhere—at Collins, on Green Beach, at the Ath, in Bauer, at the Press. CMC never shied away from intellectual sparring matches or an excuse to celebrate together. This year, I would like to experiment with bringing that spirit on the road, with programming that reminds us of our time at the Athenaeum.
Our Alumni Association has been working tirelessly to create wonderful programs in our local chapters, in addition to virtual and campus events. These programs offer fantastic opportunities to connect, network, and stay current on what is happening at CMC and in the world. I hope each of you will make it a point to get involved this year—whether it’s attending an event, connecting with a longtime friend, helping a student, or participating in one of our many virtual educational programs.
A notable highlight this year was Worldmeet III in Singapore, where Professor Minxin Pei P’12 joined us for informative tours, as well as discussions focused on the country’s global political and business landscape. Next up … Buenos Aires! We are thrilled to invite CMC alumni, families, faculty, and students to Worldmeet IV in Argentina, June 11-15, 2025. You might also choose to join CMC in discovering Patagonia, October 10-19, 2025. We would love for you to join us!
In addition, please plan a return to campus for Alumni Weekend 2025, which runs June 5-8! This event is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with classmates and faculty, and to witness the incredible transformations that have taken place on campus. From faculty lectures to gourmet meals and family-friendly fun at Stag-a-Palooza, Alumni Weekend is the perfect opportunity to make new memories at CMC. And for those really looking to turn back the clock, you can stay on campus in a residence hall of your choice. All alumni are welcome at Alumni Weekend, but we are paying close attention to classes ending in 5 and 0.
This year, my goal as President is to emphasize our efforts to bring more family members into the CMC community. We recognize that our alumni families play a crucial role in their lives and well-being. By making a concerted effort to increase others at our events and activities, we hope to enrich the CMC experience for everyone involved. We aim to create a more inclusive and supportive community, allowing family members to connect, share experiences, and build lasting friendships. We believe this will not only strengthen individual alumni relationships, but also foster a more vibrant and connected alumni network.
With gratitude,
Antoine Grant ’07
President
CMC Alumni Association