Introduction

Welcome to CMC Campus Stories. In honor of Claremont McKenna College’s 75th Anniversary, join us as we celebrate the College’s vibrant history through a series of exhibitions commemorating the historic milestones, achievements, and individuals who have shaped the College. Reflecting back on Claremont McKenna College’s modest origins will lead to perspectives on the College’s current success and will inform the College’s aspirations for the future. The fourth exhibition in the series, CMC Campus Stories, examines the history the College through the voices of CMC alumni. Sharing light-hearted stories and memories, the exhibit compiles first-hand accounts tracing the history of the campus, student life and social clubs, notable on-campus activities and events, campus traditions, and faculty and staff. 

The Archives consulted a variety of sources in compiling this exhibit and are indebted to those historic resources, most notably, Commerce and Civilization, Claremont McKenna College: The First Fifty Years 1946-1996 by Kevin Starr, the Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: A Book of CMC Stories series presented by the Office of Annual Giving, and the Commemorative 75th Anniversary Issue of CMC Magazine (Summer 2021). 

The archives contain historical documents, some of which include perspectives and language reflecting the time in which they were written. Claremont McKenna College does not endorse all the views expressed in these documents.