The main dining room of the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum will be named the Eggert Dining Room, recognizing the many contributions of Trustee Steven L. Eggert '82 P'15.
Eggert has long been a generous supporter of CMC. His latest gift of $2.5 million supports both the previously completed restoration of the Athenaeum dining room, and will also provide additional support for the Steven L. Eggert '82, P '15 Professor of Leadership, which Eggert endowed in 2010 and is currently held by David V. Day, Professor of Psychology and KLI Academic Director. The gift also establishes the Eggert Scholars Program, awarded on the basis of both academic standing and demonstrated financial need. The Eggert Scholars Program strengthens The Student Imperative, which has raised more than $200 million for scholarships and funding for a range of networking, mentoring and internship opportunities.
The Athenaeum's main dining room was in 1983 named to recognize Security Pacific Bank (which later merged with Bank of America). At the time, CMC's Board Chair, Richard J. Flamson III '51, was Chairman, President, and CEO of Security Pacific Bank.
As a CMC student, Eggert attended Athenaeum programs, which were then held in the former president's residence. In addition to hearing distinguished lecturers, Eggert said the Athenaeum shaped his development as the venue for ROTC dress uniform dinners "where officers taught us military manners."
A few years after his graduation, Eggert befriended Flamson when they both attended St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach. Eggert served as the lay reader at Flamson's 1991 funeral. Flamson, he said, "was a critical example to me on becoming more involved with Claremont McKenna College."
The Security Pacific Dining Room has served as the College's cultural, social, and academic center for students, faculty, and guests. Eggert's gift reinforces CMC's commitment to enriching the learning experiences of students by creating a shared space for fostering a community committed to the vigorous exchange of ideas.
"Steve's gift recognizes the Athenaeum dining room as a both a gathering place for the community to break bread, make friends, and engage in spirited, civil discourse. We are very grateful that his generosity will help future CMC students to realize and promote the values of the Athenaeum throughout their lives." said President Hiram E. Chodosh.
Eggert's commitment to CMC began during college, when he was also a cadet in CMC's Army ROTC program. He went on to serve as a U.S. Army officer and Airborne Ranger, patrolling the Iron Curtain in Germany.
Since 2010, Eggert has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the College, serving as Vice Chair of the College Advancement Committee and a member of both the Finance and Student Affairs Committees. He also serves on the Kravis Leadership Institute (KLI) Advisory Board.
Eggert also noted the shared connections to CMC among his family members. His father, Robert Eggert, first suggested that Steve consider CMC, and with a close friend, introduced Steve to a CMC faculty member at a fateful lunch in Los Angeles in 1979. Steve's wife, Pam Eggert, has engaged the College both through Steve and their daughter, Elizabeth Eggert '15.
Eggert is the Founder of Anton Development Company, which develops, constructs, owns, and manages multifamily rental apartments throughout California. He holds a law degree from U.C. Berkeley and practiced real estate law before becoming a real estate developer.