Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum
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The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum is a distinguished speaker series and college club at Claremont McKenna College. 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.
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[edit] Athenaeum Speaker Series
The Athenaeum is housed on the Claremont McKenna College 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 or former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.)
[edit] Staff, Athenaeum Fellows, and Student Workers
[edit] Staff
- Director: Bonnie Snortum
- Manager: David Edwards
- Chef: David Skinner
- Pastry Chef: Sid Vichaita
- Administrative Assistant: Brittany Liu
- Assistant Cooks: Juan Herrera, Patricia Hernandez, and Angela Fitch
- Utility and Facilities Persons: Gail Shepherd and Rosa Nuñez
- Dishwasher: Victor Valdez
The Athenaeum also employees approximately 100 students to help with meals.
[edit] 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
[edit] 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
[edit] Former Staff, Athenaeum Fellows, and Student Managers
Athenaeum Manager David Edwards maintains a list of former employees of the Athenaeum.
