CMC ranks second in FIRE free speech rankings, other 5Cs receive failing grades

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) gave Claremont McKenna College (CMC) the second-place spot on its 2027 College Free Speech Rankings, a report that rates the free speech climates at college and university campuses nationwide. CMC received a passing “B-” grade from FIRE, while all of the other undergraduate Claremont Colleges received failing “F” grades.
Of the 261 colleges surveyed, Pitzer College ranked 160th, Scripps College ranked 167th, Harvey Mudd College ranked 184th and Pomona College ranked 226th. While the other Claremont Colleges saw increases in their rankings compared to last year, CMC dropped by one rank, losing its first-place spot to the University of Chicago.

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Dr. Ken Walden assumes role as interim Athenaeum director

On Jan. 5, Dr. Ken Walden assumed his position as the interim director of the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum at Claremont McKenna College, following the resignation of former director Priya Junnar. Walden has served as a seminary president, dean, associate professor, university chaplain and enrollment executive, which he said prepared him well for his new role. Violet Ramanathan CM ’27, an Athenaeum fellow, said she got a positive impression of Walden when she and other fellows met with him for lunch in early February, and that he would be “well-equipped” to connect with the many different speakers.

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‘At 90, still going strong’: Former SF Mayor Willie Brown speaks at CMC

Former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown captivated a small audience at CMC’s Rose Institute, discussing his political career and the importance of bipartisan relationships.

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‘It’s hard to tell what’s true, what’s fake’: Tina Nguyen CM ’11 tells her story of reporting on America’s right-wing

On Feb. 1, Claremont McKenna College (CMC) invited Tina Nguyen CM ’11 — national correspondent for Puck — to speak as part of the Athenaeum’s 40th Anniversary Series, which celebrates the achievements of CMC alumni from across the years. Nguyen’s experience ranges from reporting for Politico and Vanity Fair to

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Brian Davidson to continue as acting director of Athenaeum after Priya Junnar steps down

Brian Davidson CM ’08 will continue as Claremont McKenna College’s (CMC) acting director of the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum, informally called the Ath, following long-time director Priya Junnar’s decision to step down at the beginning of this semester. Heather Antecol, dean of the faculty at CMC, made the announcement in

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CMC student groups condemn Ath speaker: ‘Too many of our peers are hurting’

Claremont McKenna College’s Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum hosted Northwestern University professor Laura Kipnis on Oct. 6. Known for controversial angles on sensitive subjects ranging from Title IX to “sexual politics on campus,” her invitation to speak attracted broad criticism from students who said it was detrimental to survivors and campus culture.

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