Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum
Encyclopedia
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college and a member of the Claremont Colleges located in Claremont, California. The campus is located east of Downtown Los Angeles...
. The Athenaeum (or "Ath" as it is called informally) hosts dinner and lecture events four times each week during the academic year, frequently featuring distinguished guest speakers including ambassadors, heads of state, poet laureates, musicians, and great intellectuals.
Athenaeum Speaker Series
The Athenaeum is housed on the Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college and a member of the Claremont Colleges located in Claremont, California. The campus is located east of Downtown Los Angeles...
campus in its own building named after supporter Marian Miner Cook. Students and professors dine together at dinners each evening and hear lectures by world-renowned leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
or former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich
Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
. Each dinner program is proceeded by a wine and cheese reception. The meals are prepared by Chef David Skinner. Athenaeum Director Bonnie Snortum oversees the lecture program, which features more than 100 speakers each year, and Athenaeum Manager David Edwards supervises all aspects of the Athenaeum's daily operations.
Significant Speakers
There are more than 100 speakers each year, including presidents, ambassadors, poets, scholars, business leaders, musicians, and opinion leaders. There is a list of all former speakers on the Athenaeum website, and Athenaeum Manager David Edwards maintains a list of some of his favorites.Athenaeum Tea
The Athenaeum also hosts daily tea with chocolate-covered strawberries, rice crispy treats, and assorted pastries prepared by Athenaeum Pastry Chef Sid Vichaita. (Sid has been featured on the cover of the area's local newspaper, the Claremont Courier.)Staff
- Director: Bonnie Snortum
- Manager: David Edwards
- Chef: David Skinner
- Pastry Chef: Juan Herrera
- Administrative Assistant: Lydia Aguiar
- Assistant Cooks: John Romero, and Angela Fitch
- Utility and Facilities Persons: Rosa Nuñez
- Dishwasher: Victor Valdez
The Athenaeum also employees approximately 100 students to help with meals.
Athenaeum Fellows (Student Fellows)
An Athenaeum Fellowship is a prestigious opportunity, and the students who are selected each year work hard to help make all 100+ events each year a success. From hosting the receptions to facilitating discussions with the guest of honor at the head table, and perhaps most importantly, introducing the speaker and coordinating questions and answers after the talk, "Ath Fellows" have the privilege of shaping the dynamic at each event. Ath Fellows also assist Athenaeum Director Bonnie Snortum with inviting speakers and write several articles for the biweekly "Fortnightly" newsletter published by the Athenaeum.- 2004-2005 Academic Year Athenaeum Fellows:
- Erin Bream '05
- Jackie Dadakis '05
Student Manager
The student manager works closely with Athenaeum Manager David Edwards to coordinate the student staffing for the food & beverage service at each event.- 2004-2005 Academic Year Student Manager: Erin Evans '05
- 2007-2008 Academic Year Student Manager: Ashley Thoren '09
- 2009-2010 Academic Year Student Managers: Rebecca Arnold '10 and Solon Christensen-Szalanski '10