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While it's not exactly a cake job calendaring alumni activities (there is certainly the risk of presenting a stale menu), it's arguably a fun one. Just ponder recent outings among CMCers: a stroll through a chocolate factory; a trip to see Cirque du Soleil; a visit to the horse races; a wintry ice skate concluding with homemade chili; and an evening watching Yo-Yo Ma at the Hollywood Bowl.
And that's just a sneak-peak at the level of activity that keeps the CMC Office of Alumni Relations humming. When compared to other small colleges represented during a recent meeting of the Southern California Independent Colleges Alumni Professionals, CMC out-paced like-sized colleges including Occidental, Redlands, Westmont, and Pepperdine when it came to the number of alumni activities offered by each.
Although it's not headline-grabbing news, the accomplishment points to a determined goal set by the Claremont McKenna College Alumni Association to steadily increase the number of chapter activities these past two years. Starting with the largest chapter, Los Angeles, alumni have been offered at least one, and sometimes as many as three, opportunities to attend a CMCAA event each month, says associate director of alumni relations Holly McCord. Last year's activities included ice skating in Pershing Square, professor lectures, and a camping and stargazing trip with Stephen Naftilan, professor of physics for the Joint Science department.
Apparently the pace set by the Los Angeles chapter has not slowed this year. The aforementioned Hollywood Bowl trip to see Yo-Yo Ma was among the calendared events, as was a round of the urban 'Go Game' adventure, and a trip to Pasadena to help decorate a float for the Rose Parade. Upcoming events are to include a train trip to Hearst Castle, an overnight camp-out at the Los Angeles Zoo, and a tour of the new Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Non-Angelinos need not worry though. McCord says the CMCAA is just as vibrant in other areas. The Seattle chapter for instance recently enjoyed an educational adventure to watch salmon spawning. The recently revived East Bay chapter toured a chocolate factory and had a successful day at the races. Chicago alumni took in a performance of the Lion King and look forward to a visit from Professor Emeritus Gordon Bjork this spring. And both the Washington, D.C., and Hawaii chapters hosted professor of psychology Diane Halpern, who talked about the benefits of a family-friendly work environment.
In a very timely activity related to California's Recall election, CMCAA's Phoenix group hosted new assistant professor of government Ken Miller, who spoke about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's election. And on a quite different note, alumni living in Orange County saw the Festival of Lights Boat parade for the holidays, thanks to CMC director of special gifts Steve Siegel '87 and his parents. The San Jose chapter kicked off the year with a well-attended new-student party, as did 13 other chapters.
Continuing to keep the alumni activities calendar full, the Sacramento, Denver and New York chapters attended baseball games. And looking ahead, the New York chapter (led by Sue Matteson King '85 And Julie Spellman '89) has already set its sights on increasing alumni involvement by creating internships and other opportunities for current students, as well as increasing networking opportunities for alumni who live in the area.
The combined efforts, McCord says, have spiked CMCAA activities from about 80 in 2002, to 116 in 2003, and may well reach 120 in 2004.
The results are not surprising."This puts us at the top compared to our Southern California peers," she said.
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CMC Alumni Association camps out at the LA Zoo.
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