Claremont School News
The music building celebration took place on Thursday, April 17, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony that included CHS senior and Chamber Singer Bella Sacks, cutting the ribbon, surrounded by enthusiastic Claremont Unified School District leadership and supporters. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger
Robert Gaines, the Edwin F. and Martha Hahn Professor of Geology, is the acting president of Pomona College for the 2025 spring semester. Gaines, a geologist, has taught at Pomona College since 2003 and served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college from 2019 to 2022. He’s been published in Nature, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Geology, and other outlets. Pomona College President G. Gabrielle Starr is on sabbatical and will return in the fall. Photo/courtesy of Pomona College
The Youth Activity Center was a multicultural hub Wednesday afternoon as dozens of students, including Claremont High’s Eunice Lee, shown here playing with a Korean gonggi stone, made arts and crafts projects and games based on Swiss, Indian, Japanese, German, Chinese, and Korean traditions. The event was part of “art around the world,” a middle years program project. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont Graduate University’s Board of Trustees recently named Executive Vice President and Provost Michelle Blighas its interim president. Bligh will be CGU’s second interim president in less than a year when she takes the reins from current interim PresidentTim Kirley on March 1. Kirley succeeded former CGU President Len Jessup, who resigned in March 2024 after six years on the job. Photo/courtesy of CGU
A group of Claremont High School scholars recognized by the national College Board for outstanding achievement on the PSAT and AP exams was on hand at the January 16 CUSD Board of Education meeting. The Board also heard the latest update to the district’s equity action plan. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
In anticipation of Donald Trump’s second term and with speculation growing over potential changes to U.S. immigration and travel policies, several undergraduate Claremont Colleges have issued statements affirming their commitment to supporting international students, those protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and undocumented students.
Claremont Unified School District’s seven elementary schools will hold open houses this month for parents and caregivers interested in enrolling their children in transitional kindergarten or kindergarten.
Keck Graduate University’s third President Mohamed Abousalem hit the ground running after assuming office on July 1, 2024, and is looking to carry that momentum into 2025 and beyond. The Courier met with the 56-year-old Claremont resident in October. He spoke about his first 14 weeks in office — much of it spent getting to know his new colleagues, students, and the school’s programs — and his vision for the future of KGI. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
A dozen new athletes from the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Department of Athletics and Physical Education will be inducted into the Ted Ducey CMS Hall of Fame at 1 p.m. Sunday, January 19 at Claremont McKenna College’s Roberts Pavilion, 690 N. Mills Ave.
The December 19 Claremont Unified School District Board of Education meeting had a bit of everything, including Kathryn Dunn, pictured here, elected board president, Richard O’Neill named vice president, and Alex McDonald clerk; a surprise appearance by recently elected state Senator Sasha Renée Pérez; and the swearing in of new Trustee Area 5 representative Cheryl Fiello, and Kathy Archer for a second term. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Restructuring
To kick things off
The board then established its new look for 2025. Moving up from vice president, Superintendent Jim Elsasser remains board secretary.
Jennifer Eccles is Harvey Mudd College’s new vice president for advancement.
Sixth-grader Maggie Medero raised concerns to the CUSD Board of Education about Sycamore Elementary’s lunch trays, suggesting the Styrofoam models should be replaced with compostable, recyclable cardboard. On November 18, the new trays were in use. “I didn’t know how many people actually realized this was a problem and cared about it,” Maggie said. “I think it made me realize how many people actually cared, and that was cool.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
“Though it may seem surprising to consider theater education as a means of preventing violence,” said William Braniff, director of the Department of Homeland Security Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, in a statement, “this creative, multidisciplinary strategy utilizing theater arts to teach conflict resolution skills effectively tackles the underlying systemic issues that contribute to violence, all while enhancing the safety and resilience of local communities.” Photo/courtesy of NorCal Arts
“California’s recently passed Senate Bill 98 is a necessary step toward providing more equitable funding in our education systems. I’m not sure how many parents are aware of the power of this bill and what the results of the report mean for the future of equitable funding, thus I wanted to share my thoughts on the policy and why it is important.” Photo/courtesy of Anastasia Shuraeva
Pomona College had a record year for fundraising in 2024, it announced Monday.
Claremont High School senior cheerleader Kori Epling became the first athlete in the program’s history to earn All-American status throughout her four-year high school career.
Pomona College has responded to a letter from free speech and legal advocacy groups asking the school to withdraw the suspensions of 10 students it alleges participated in an October 7 demonstration at Carnegie Hall. “The College’s response to the October 7, 2024, takeover of Carnegie Hall … does not implicate protected free expression/association,” read the response. “The focus of the subject discipline relates to the targeted disruption of the College’s ability to properly conduct scheduled classes in a well-established academic setting.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo