Claremont McKenna College Celebrates Success of the Campaign for Claremont McKenna and Vows to Maintain Its Momentum

The Campaign Raised More Than $635 Million to Support Faculty and Students and Improve Facilities

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Aug 07, 2013, 08:00 ET

CLAREMONT, Calif., Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Claremont McKenna College today announced the successful conclusion of the Campaign for Claremont McKenna, which has raised a total of $635.2 million to help build, support, and transform the College's academic environment. The Campaign raised support for faculty and students, enhancement of the College's facilities, and scholarships through The Fund for CMC.

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The Campaign for Claremont McKenna raised over $635 million to support faculty, students, and improve facilities. Despite a 2008 launch that would be challenged by the nation's sharp economic downturn, the Campaign exceeded its goal. "This remarkable campaign strengthened a culture of giving in our Claremont McKenna community that will support our commitment to excellence for years to come," said CMC Board of Trustees Chairman Harry T. McMahon. "The efforts of our Board, Advancement Committee, President Emerita Gann, and the CMC community have been nothing short of epic," said CMC Vice President of Development and External Relations Ernie Iseminger. (PRNewsFoto/Claremont McKenna College) (PRNewsFoto/CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE)

The Campaign was launched in 2008 with the goal of raising $600 million. Notwithstanding the economic downturn, by the time the Campaign concluded on June 30, 2013, the College had surpassed its ambitious goal by over $35 million.

"Achieving excellence in higher education is incredibly challenging and requires a substantial investment in our students and faculty," says CMC Board of Trustees Chairman Harry T. McMahon '75 P'08 P'09. "This remarkable campaign strengthened a culture of giving in our Claremont McKenna community that will support our commitment to excellence for years to come. While thousands of individuals contributed to this remarkable success, the leadership of Pamela Gann, Ernie Iseminger, and our Board of Trustees was simply extraordinary."

President Emerita, Trustee Professor of Legal Studies, and George R. Roberts Fellow Pamela Gann noted the significant, longer-term accomplishments of the Campaign: "CMC's fundraising success has been translated into splendid, transformative changes on the campus, from the addition of new faculty, to new scholarship programs, to new co-curricular support for students, to new buildings. All of these outcomes are personally gratifying to me because no college can excel today unless its community is generously committed to ongoing, sustained financial support."

CMC's new president, Hiram Chodosh, who assumed office on July 1, added, "What drives a school founded in 1946 with about $85,000, pledges of future support, and the GI bill to complete a campaign of this unprecedented magnitude? It is CMC's singular commitment to a rigorous, eminent liberal arts program that is intensely engaged in the world. We will continue to build on this in every way possible."

"The efforts of our Board, Advancement Committee, President Emerita Gann, and the entire CMC community have been nothing short of epic," echoed CMC Vice President of Development and External Relations Ernie Iseminger. "I am so proud of our Advancement division: Development, Alumni and Parent Relations, and Public Affairs, for all their hard work and accomplishments in this Campaign."

But while CMC celebrates its historic achievement, ongoing support will be crucial as the College plans to focuses on increasing student scholarship and financial aid support for its high achieving students. "There is still plenty of work to be done," Iseminger said. "We will never rest on our laurels, and with President Chodosh on board, we will build on the remarkable foundation that's been established by this Campaign."

About Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College, established in 1946, excels in preparing students through the liberal arts for leadership in business, the professions, and public affairs. The College is home to more than 130 accomplished teacher-scholars who are dedicated to teaching and to offering unparalleled, collaborative opportunities for student research. CMC offers need-blind admission, innovative programs, an 8-to-1 student-faculty ratio, ten research institutes, free, engaged access to The Claremont Colleges, and a strong and loyal network of alumni and parents committed to educating the next generation of the brightest young men and women for a lifetime of leadership.

SOURCE Claremont McKenna College