"Men's" Becomes "McKenna"

1981_05_CMC Graduation_Eileen and Jack Stark and a Diploma.jpg

Eileen (O'Donnell) Goodwin ‘81 receives her diploma from Jack Stark at the 1981 Commencement ceremonies. By 1979, women constituted 23 percent of the CMC undergraduate student body and 1980 saw the first four-year class of women students graduate.

Name Change Proposal

Discussion for a name change for CMC began as early as 1975 as the coeducation proposal gained support. Jack Stark realized the sensitivity of a name change among alumni and did not wish to rush the issue. By 1979, women constituted nearly a quarter of the undergraduate student body and the name of the college began to be discouraging to woman applicants, and some male, under the impression that CMC remained an all-male institution. Demand for a name change was intensifying and dean of admission and financial aid Emery Walker argued that if CMC received a $10 million gift, it should go with the name of the donor, otherwise shorten its name to Claremont College.

In the fall of 1979, a trustee-only committee was established to study the name of the College. The committee was expanded by nine new appointees, six of them alumni, and the search for a specific name began. It was decided that the name should: 1) Have high public stature; 2) Should be associated with the College or with higher education; 3) Should financially strengthen the College; 4) Should help with the recruitment of students; and 5) Should be acceptable to the CMC community and the other colleges at Claremont.

Six years of alumnae, more than 200 female students, received their degrees from Claremont Men’s College prior to its name change. Above, Teresa (Smith) Ryland ’81 holds her diploma after Commencement, 1981.

“Study Concerning the Name of the College”

An April 14, 1980 letter from Jack Stark outlines the proposal to change the name of the College, presenting arguments for keeping and changing the name. A trustee committee was established to examine the issue and opinions were solicited from alumni and stakeholders to make the decision.

Donald McKenna

Rather than soliciting a new donation for the College’s name, Jack Stark suggested the name Claremont McKenna College, which soon appeared to meet all the criteria. Whereas Dean Emery Walker had a new gift of $10 million in mind, Stark was aware that founding trustee Donald McKenna had already given the equivalent of $10 million in gifts and had been a constant source of guidance and support for CMC over its thirty-five years. It could be argued that without Donald McKenna there would have been no college in the first place. He helped to raise the $100,000 necessary for the June 1946 foundation (with $25,000 coming directly from McKenna). Over the years he had given generously, consistently, and in a timely manner: for the student union, for a central library, and for the original Athenaeum. He also brought in millions of dollars in other gifts, including the C.M. Stone Professorship and the Robert J. Bernard Biological Field Station. As a trustee, Donald McKenna guided the development of the College through critical points and was the epitome of the educated businessperson CMC sought to produce.

Change to Claremont McKenna College Approved

In September 1981, the committee made its recommendation to the Board of Trustees and on October 15, 1981, the Board voted 34 to 5 to change the name to Claremont McKenna College. Celebrations and events soon followed, including a name change celebration on October 22, 1981, Homecoming on November 14, 1981, and a presidential dinner on November 19, 1981.

"'Men's' to 'McKenna': CMC Loses Single-Sex Rep"

An article in the Collage discusses the College's name change to Claremont McKenna College, ushering in a new era for the institution.

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An official announcement introduces the College’s new name.

Press Release_Today We Changed Our Name_1981 October 16.pdf

An October 16, 1981 press release discusses the name change process and why Donald McKenna was chosen to provide the new name for the College.

CMC Looks Toward the Future_Claremont Courier_1981 October 24.pdf

A Claremont Courier article describes a day of College-wide celebrations marking the transition from Claremont Men's College to Claremont McKenna College. (Click on the image to read the entire article)

This advertisement for CMC ran in local newspapers and business magazines promoting the College as a premier liberal arts institution offering a business and government-oriented education for both young men and women.

Name Change Celebration, October 22, 1981

An all-day name change celebration featured a picnic lunch, athletic contests, Scottish bagpipes and dancing, an aerial flyover display with new CMC banner, a faculty-student softball game, late-afternoon entertainment, a gala dinner in Collins Hall, and a blues concert in McKenna Auditorium. Above, Jon Stott '82 can be seen on the left under the balloons.

Name Change Celebration, October 22, 1981

An assortment of buttons sold during CMC’s name change celebration.

Homecoming, November 14, 1981

An all-day gala celebrating CMC's name change was held during Homecoming. Here, students and alumni stand with Donald McKenna during the festivities. From left to right are Pam Martin ’82, Rex Heeseman ’64 P’95, Michael Gunning ‘79, Donald McKenna, Meggan Knott ’82, David Mgrublian ’82 P’11.

Presidential Dinner, November 19, 1981

A black-tie presidential dinner for four hundred guests was held at the Huntington Sheraton Hotel in Pasadena as a final name change celebration.

The end of an era. Claremont Men's College signage is removed from Pitzer Hall in 1981. Following CMC's name change, applications increased 22.8 percent for the academic year 1982-1983.