Spring 2025
Marking important Integrated Sciences milestones with President Hiram Chodosh; Jimmy Doan on building community as CMC’s new Dean of Students; Riley Capuano ’26 on getting a chance to shine in CMS Athletics; and how Steve Grove ’00 is reinventing his relationship to work and community by ‘going local.’
The future is now as students work in a
"Codes of Life" lab.
Photo by Isaiah Tulanda ’20
table of
contents
features
CMC’s Future History: Inside Integrated Sciences
As CMC moves closer to realizing its bold integrated sciences vision, President Hiram Chodosh addresses this important moment in CMC’s accelerating trajectory.
Making His Mark
After more than a decade at MIT, CMC’s new Dean of Students, Jimmy Doan, is supporting student success and making connections along the way.
Hitting Her Stride
Late to running and needing CMS to take a chance on her, Riley Capuano ’26 has emerged as one of the best Division III athletes in the country.
Going Local
By moving from Silicon Valley to Minnesota, former Google executive Steve Grove ’00 is reinventing his relationship to work, family, and community.
Students look ahead as the Spring semester starts.
Photo by Anibal Ortiz
As CMC moves closer to realizing its bold integrated sciences vision, President Hiram Chodosh addresses this important moment in CMC’s accelerating trajectory.
The start of the 2025-26 academic year will be historic for CMC. This summer, the Robert Day Sciences Center—the College’s iconic new BIG-Bjarke-Ingels Group designed building and home to the Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences—will open before its grand unveiling to students returning for the fall semester, and later, community members at a special public event on Sept. 26.
As CMC moves closer to realizing the full impact of its bold integrated sciences vision, we spoke with President Hiram Chodosh about the decision points, planning, and momentum that led to this important moment in CMC’s accelerating trajectory.
Walk by Jimmy Doan’s office, and you’ll be greeted with a choice.
Sunrise or sunset? Scary movies or romantic comedies? Cats or dogs? Glinda or Elphaba?
The surveys strung on his outside window spur students to stop, debate, and laugh. As Claremont McKenna’s new Dean of Students, Doan believes these spirited one-on-one conversations are crucial to fostering belonging and connections in the College’s vibrant community. He’s a regular at Ath teas, attends almost every CMC evening event, and talks with students while walking his dog across campus after work with his husband, Luke Sutherland, who is an Assistant Director of Human Resources at CMC
After a humble start, Riley Capuano ’26 has emerged as one of the best Division III athletes in the country.
Riley Capuano ’26 is not being overly humble.
Instead, the two-time All-American in cross country—who finished second in the nation in the 1500 meters at the 2024 NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships—is trying to stick to the facts of her CMS Athletics journey.
By moving from Silicon Valley to Minnesota, former Google executive Steve Grove ’00 is reinventing his relationship to work, family, and community.
Steve Grove ’00 found himself at CMC after the kind of epiphany that often strikes an eager 19-year-old itching for adventure:
Perhaps this is my time to move away and explore.
A decade and a half later, he found himself in Minnesota after the kind of epiphany that often strikes when you’ve challenged yourself professionally and are itching to settle down in your 40s:
Perhaps this is my time to return home.
Professor Ioannis Evrigenis to Lead The Open Academy
Professor Ioannis “Yannis” Evrigenis has been named Claremont McKenna College’s next Director of The Open Academy.
Navigating Conflict with a Purpose
On the forefront of viewpoint diversity and freedom of expression, Vince Greer has made it his mission to help CMC students engage in constructive dialogue.
‘Take Nothing Good for Granted’
An admiring crowd packed the Athenaeum and paid rapt attention as Emeritus Professor John Roth returned to CMC to take the podium and offer thought-provoking inspiration.
Dialogue Across Difference
To tell the story about the renowned debate between William F. Buckley and James Baldwin, Professor Nicholas Buccola took a “parallel lives approach.”
campus life
A spin around campus with Athenaeum speakers in our “Heard at the Ath” feature; a national honor for the Gould Center’s Humanities Labs; and a visit from Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) and Governor Jared Polis (D-CO), recent recipients of The Dreier Roundtable’s Civility Awards.
faculty news
Professor Shanna Rose finds inspiration in Public Policy students, driven by their unique aspirations and interests. Paul Hurley, a Philosophy professor, examines the learning that continues beyond the years at CMC.
CMS seasonal summary
CMS Athletics has continued to shine this academic year with a series of memorable honors and wins. Here are highlights from our fall and winter seasons.
from the president
Editor's Note: On March 7, President Chodosh shared a special message with the CMC community about his next chapter, re-published here in his President’s letter space for those who may have missed it. This letter and the accompanying story touch on themes and success stories in this issue of the magazine, including CMC’s national leadership on constructive dialogue and civic engagement, the powerful evolution of our integrated sciences program, and the steadfast commitment of students (Riley Capuano ’26), staff (Jimmy Doan), alumni (Steve Grove ’00), and numerous faculty members.
alumni news
looking back
1976’s Orientation marked the end of CMC's 30-year run as an all-male college with 60 women registering for the fall semester.
CMCAA president’s message
Dear Fellow Alumni,
As we welcome spring, I’ve been reflecting on the energy and momentum of this past year. The best part of serving as your Alumni Association President has been the opportunity to engage with so many of you—whether at local events, on campus, or even in casual meet ups and conversations. No matter the setting, one thing remains constant: the deep connection we share with each other and with CMC.
That spirit of connection has fueled the work of the CMCAA Board of Directors. I am grateful for all the Board has accomplished in 2024-2025—from introducing new regional programs to strengthening campus ties with students, and enhancing our communication tools. We set out to create programming that reminds us of the thought-provoking discussions, camaraderie, and intellectual curiosity that defined our time spent at the Athenaeum—and it has been an honor to see that come to life at alumni gatherings across the country. Each of these moments reaffirms what makes our community special.
class notes
in memoriam
parting shot
Student athletes run past Roberts Pavilion, CMS Athletics’ premier facility for training and competition. George R. Roberts ’66 P’93 was recognized during this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony for his contributions and commitment to the program and its scholar-leader-athlete excellence.
Photo by Anibal Ortiz
magazine staff
Managing Editor
Gilien Silsby
Production Editor
Malia Whitenack
Design
Jay Toffoli
Visual Editor
Anibal Ortiz
Senior Writer
Anne Bergman
Photographer
Isaiah Tulanda ’20
Digital Magazine
Michelle Fu
Isa Terrell
John Ziouras
Class Notes
John Faranda ’79
Rebecca Pelén
Contributors
Karina Ramirez del Real ’22
Valerie Ramos
Alicia Di Rado
Jeremy Kniffin
Robyn Norwood
Julie Riggott
Chad McElroy ’26
Sidney Smith IV ’25
Tristen Tate ’26
Executive Directors of Strategic Communications and Marketing
Helena Paulin
Thomas Rozwadowski
Acting Head and Associate Vice President of Advancement
Andrew Carrillo
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Sharon K. Basso