On the first day of classes at Claremont McKenna, students, faculty, and staff came together in Roberts Pavilion to celebrate the official opening of the College’s 77th academic year. The joyful tradition introduces new students and faculty to their CMC journeys through the College’s mission to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions.
Heather Antecol, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, welcomed the Class of 2027 and new faculty by answering the question: Why is CMC so special? “I see how CMC's core strengths are activated and reinvigorated every day across our many departments and programs from the humanities to the social sciences to the natural sciences; I'm so inspired by the work that we do here, both in and out of the classroom. The vast array of opportunities—the research we produce, the experiences and programs we sponsor, the amazing lineup of speakers at the Athenaeum, not to mention hundreds of innovative courses this semester. This is what makes us a leader in the liberal arts.”
Ran Libeskind-Hadas, Founding Chair of the new Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences, delivered the ceremony’s keynote address, “Integrated Sciences: A Vision for Science in Service to Society.” Along with Dean Ellen Ketels and Dean Andrew Schroeder, they expressed their admiration for CMC’s interdisciplinary ethos and support of faculty to help students. “Many of our most pressing societal challenges require the perspective of experts in both complementary and disparate domains that also require engagement with the public and the policymakers,” Libeskind-Hadas said of CMC’s approach. “This new way of knowing and a way of thinking, which are integral and therefore integrated into the extraordinary liberal arts education, is ahead of you … (and) going to be an amazing adventure!”
CMC’s student body president Zane Yamamoto ’24 closed with valuable advice for incoming students. “Be kind to yourselves. Be kind to other people. And be kind to this place. I know you'll do well here and beyond.”
Below are some of our favorite Convocation images from the day. For more photos, view our gallery from Orientation and the start of the new school year.
