The 62nd annual Commencement ceremonies will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, on Pritzlaff Field, featuring keynote speaker Surin Pitsuwan '72, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Activities for CMCers and their family and friends then continue May 28-31 with Alumni Weekend, honoring those from graduating classes ending in "4" or "9."
Information on both of these annual CMC events, including complete schedules and travel information, are included below.
Joining featured speaker Surin Pitsuwan at the podium on May 16 for Commencement 2009 ceremonies will be President Pamela Gann; Senior Class President Naomi Bagdonas '09, who will present the Graduating Class; Gregory Hess, vice president for academic affairs, dean of the faculty, and the Russell S. Bock Chair of Public Economics and Taxation; and Harry T. McMahon '75 P'08 '09, Board of Trustees chair.
William Ascher, the Donald C. McKenna Professor of Government and Economics, and recipient of this year's G. David Huntoon, Sr., Award for Superior Teaching, will serve as faculty marshal. Father Joseph Fenton, chaplain of The Claremont Colleges, will lead the invocation, Benjamin Judge '09 will read the Latin Salutation, and Freya Lee '09 will give the Benediction.
About the Commencement Speaker
Surin Pitsuwan, a veteran politician and academic, studied for two years at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, before winning a scholarship to CMC where he majored in political science and graduated cum laude in 1972. He then went on to Harvard University, earning his master's and doctorate degrees in 1974 and 1982, respectively, in political science and Middle Eastern studies. Returning to Bangkok, Pitsuwan spent nearly a decade teaching at the Faculty of Political Science at Thammasat University from 1978-1983 and 1984-1986, where he also served as an assistant to the deputy dean for academic affairs. From 1975-1992 he was a columnist for the Nation and the Bangkok Post, the two leading English daily newspapers in Bangkok.
For complete Commencement 2009 information: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/commencement/
Alumni Weekend 2009: Come Home to CMC
Alumni Weekend, scheduled May 28-31, welcomes hundreds of CMCers to campus to relive college life and reminisce about their alma mater. This year's four-day event begins with an opportunity to attend the CMC Alumni Association's annual meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, hosted by CMCAA president Ryder Todd Smith '96. Registration and dorm check-in for guests staying on campus for Alumni Weekend follows from 4 to 9 p.m. in the Athenaeum lobby.
In addition to family and child-friendly activities, The Children's School at CMC also will provide childcare during Alumni Weekend.
For a complete Alumni Weekend itinerary: http://www.cmc.edu/alumniweekend.
The online site includes childcare information as well as details on registration, accommodations, and a current guest list.
Just a few of the many events scheduled throughout the weekend include:
Friday, May 29
(4:30 to 5:30 p.m.)
Reunion Book Club
Tanya Remer Altman '94 will be talking about her book Mommy Calls
Saturday, May 30
(10 to 11:15 a.m.)
Alumni Real Estate Symposium
Panel will discuss the real estate industry
Gil Ferry '64
Rich Strock '69
John Knott '79
(3:45 to 4:45 p.m.)
The Economy and your Investments
Panel will discuss the financial future
Neil Dabney '74
Nicholas Daifotis '79
Russ Greenberg '79
(3 to 4 p.m.)
Class Presentation Class of 1999
Lance Lanfear '99 will be discussing the makings of his documentary Jake's Closet
(2 to 3 p.m.)
Class Presentation Class of 1974
Gib Johnson '74 presentation on becoming a playwright.