Carmen Lundell (Boswell) If you couldn’t guess by her use of the phrase “uff da” or pronunciation of the word “bagel,” Carmen was born and raised in Wayzata, Minnesota. Because she can’t get enough of the Ducey weight room, Carmen fills her athletic appetite by diving for the CMS Swim and Dive team and teaching aerobics for the Claremont Colleges (P.E. 007 if you’re interested in enrolling).  Carmen studies Government with a Leadership Sequence in hopes of becoming the next Sophia Grace. When you see Carmen at a party, don’t be alarmed that you missed the “theme party” memo. Carmen just likes to showcase her extensive costume collection.

 Lannie Rosenfield (Green) As a native Chicago resident, Betty aka “Lannie” Rosenfield is an avid Bulls fan with both season tickets and a mild to moderate understanding of who is on the team. Contrary to popular belief, Ms. Rosenfield’s tan is not a result of her Indian heritage, but instead due to her dedication to the Wohlford bench. Hey! Let’s play two truths and a lie: Lannie has failed: a) jogging PE, b) spinning PE or C) inline skating PE. TRICK QUESTION! She’s failed all three. Despite all these failures, she’s remains optimistic that Taylor Swift will one day write a song about a love-affair they will inevitably have.

Connor O’ Boyle (Wohlford) I am from Seattle, Washington and I actually do like the rain. I fly fish like its my job; the waders are my favorite part, as I look like a 90 year old man. I’m a Biology/Pre-med major and on the football team. I am an avid outdoorsman, climbing trees and making fires all over the pacific northwest. If you catch me wearing flannel don’t worry, I’m not the brawny man.

Kelsey Brown (Beckett) Kelsey, also known as “KBrown” or “KBro,” comes from the capital of America’s Dairy State. Contrary to stereotypes about Wisconsin, she’s not nice. She is notoriously bad with numbers but can write a sentence more eloquently than any other RA. Thus, she is a lit major. Kelsey can be further characterized by her constant fidgeting, her love for writing and her obsession with pesto pasta. Although she is only two months older than some of her WOA babies, most of them still call her “Mama Kels.” She hopes her residents in Beckett will love her even half as much.

Katie Lorish (Berger) Katie Lorish is an Econ-Accounting and Government major from Portland, Oregon. Aside from long walks on the beach and colorful sunsets, she enjoys grubbing on pizookies, collecting cats for her dorm room collection, showing Connor O’Boyle how to build v-type and turboprop aircraft engines (he is such a rook), and posting inappropriate Craigslist ads. As a haiku-writing prodigy since age 2, she kindly provided one of her most heart-felt pieces with the Forum readers: Berger is the most glamorous dorm on campus, Boom boom pow Berger.

Ari Davis (Claremont) Ari is an International Relations major addicted to traveling and will often be found pacing back and forth in Claremont Hall planning future trips. Ari spent the summer walking across Spain and a semester studying abroad in Jordan. He is from Boulder, Colorado, one of the best places on earth, and could probably tell you all about staring at the sky, doing outdoorsy things and why the Pitzer kids are actually cool. Ari spend lots of his time working out for track but if he’s not working out, he’s probably on some crazy adventure, lost on Mt. Baldy, wearing plaid, or skiing. He also let Priscilla, his fellow C-hall RA, write his bio for him.

Priscilla Hsu (Claremont) Priscilla is a junior majoring in International Relations and an Asian American Studies Sequence. She returns to CMC this spring after spending a year off-campus, including a semester in D.C. and 8 months in Asia, mostly wandering around but also looking for lost relatives. She hails from East Los Angeles but spent her teeny bopper years at various malls all over the city, so feel free to ask for suggestions about the Greater Los Angeles area. When she’s not busy coordinating outfits with Ari, she enjoys lounging in her mega-bed, pretending she can play the ukelele, and luring residents into her room with candy.

Kelsey Gross (Phillips) Kelsey hails from the small town of Medford, Oregon, though she proudly reps her true state, the glorious State of Jefferson.  When not scrambling up mountains, star gazing, or flying to the moon, she can be found squawking along to country music in Poppa Lab or prancing around campus with the Ballroom Dance team.  She regularly utilizes her economics major to evaluate the utility of yet another Yogurtland visit (note: it’s always very high).

Hannah Whittemore (Auen) Hannah Whittemore ghost rides it to Claremont every semester from the beautiful, quaint town of Mill Valley (#90 billboard hit in 1970) in the northern Bay Area. Her favorite activities include testing hot sauces, scrambling eggs, and drinking oolong tea. She may or may not be easily seduced by food. Though settling on a Government major, you may find her doing research in a chemistry lab at Keck Science where Erlenmeyer flasks and TLC plates give her a sense of peace in this frenzied world.  She is well-renowned in the snowboard community for having recently received the award for “most graceful fall coming off a chair lift” at Mt. Baldy ski resort. Her life philosophy is to “keep it sexy.” Obviously.

Harmony Palmer (Benson) Harmony Palmer (gangster name Harm-$$) hails from Oceanside, CA. She recently downgraded to a bike after spending her first two years riding around campus on a scooter in Crocs. When she isn’t causing a scene with her Forrest Gump impersonations, you can find Harmony huffing and puffing on the softball field or with her boyfriends Honnold and Poppa studying accounting. She is proud to say she is one of the few warriors who has lived in Benson 3 out of her 4 college years.

Ethan Gilbert (Fawcett) Ethan Gilbert is a Claremont legend.  He began his time at CMC right – by chugging syrup on his freshman WOA trip.  An International Relations major, Ethan comes to Claremont from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a firm advocate of socks with ‘stocks (Burkenstock sandels and bright colored socks) and plays lacrosse with for the Cougs. UGHUGHUGH.

Will Knowles (Marks) William Edward Knowles II is a Los Angeles native hailing from the wonderfully average town of Chatsworth.  When he was not busy acting during his youth (you may know him as a child star), he played baseball and spent quality time with his imaginary friends since he did not have any real ones (he was homeschooled).  Now that he is in beautiful Claremont, he studies Economics and is getting a Masters in Finance.  Most of his free time is spent on the baseball field, in the weight room, or courageously trying – but usually failing – to fix the printers in Poppa Lab as an LTA.  He is also a huge Dodger fan and is anxiously awaiting MLB’s decision on his bid to purchase the bankrupt franchise.

Olivia Graham (Stark) Olivia Graham calls Mercer Island, WA home, and she relishes the opportunity to jump in rare SoCal rain puddles. Even though she loves the 350 days of sunshine, she gets horrendous cap and goggle tan lines from her many hours spent at the pool. When she isn’t practicing with the CMS swim and water polo teams, Olivia can be found feeding the birds, rodents, albino soft-shell turtle, and other animals at JSD, since she is a biology (with a leadership sequence) major, after all. Olivia also enjoys eating/making/thinking about food, especially Coopcakes (cupcakes from the Coop), and jamming out to Akon.

Elise Yoshida (Stark) Elise comes from Rolling Hills, CA, one of the few places where you can reasonably fear a swarm of peacocks attacking you. To escape said peacocks, she fled to CMC where she could continue to bask in her beloved SoCal sun. After over-analyzing many situations during her time at CMC, she realized that the logical solution to end her career as an Undecided major was to major in Psychology. Elise generally spends her time running way too much for way too long or maintaining a near-constant stream of TV and movies. If you want the route to her heart, she has never been known to deny something tasty or something delicious. Both items tasty and delicious will win you brownie points. (Brownies are encouraged.)

Skyler Grossman (Apartments) Skyler Grossman is a Northwest native from Lake Oswego, Oregon. A career procrastinator, he is just now discovering how much he enjoys the study of economics and hopes this will add an element of practicality to his government major (aside: he loves studying government, especially after it took him to DC these past six months). He enjoys working at his camp in the Rocky Mountains, listening to country music, and very, very short walks on the beach. He also tries to keep up with his ex-chef parents, and is convinced he will one day host Iron Chef.

Brooke Nayden (Apartments) Brooke A. Nayden hails from the great state of Idaho.  When not admiring the state bird and flower, she is recitingall 44 counties in reverse alphabetical order.  Here at CMC she can be found eating couscous while watching endless YouTube videos of baby hedgehogs and teacup pomeranians.  B-Nasty doesn’t always go to school, but when she does it’s as a History and Lit dual major.  (She’s been called a bit bookish).

India Wade (Apartments) India Wade is from Bainbridge Island, Washington. Her parents are wonderful. Their names are Yuko and John. She has three half brothers and two half sisters, all from John’s side. True playa for real. She has a cat name Simba with whom she has a volatile relationship. She loves Shakira more than most people she actually knows. Please refer all further questions about India to her sidekick/confidant/roommate Brooke Alexandra Nayden.

Whenever we feature a long serving employee of the College, we are amazed by the history that they have witnessed and shared with generations of CMC-ers. Think for a moment about the things going on in the world when Jennie Martha Gonzales joined CMC in 1979. Electronics manufacturer Philips had just unveiled the prototype for a new audio system that they called, after much internal debate, the “compact disc.” McDonalds introduced every health conscious  parent’s worst nightmare – the Happy Meal. And while the first female students at our school were progressively making their way towards graduation, we were still known as Claremont Men’s College on September 3, when Jennie became an official employee of the College.

If you are surprised that she remembers the exact date and time, don’t be – Jennie is an amateur history buff with a passion for scrapbooking. “I like watching the shows that they have on the National Geographic Channel and the History Channel. I like learning new things that I didn’t know,” she says shyly. Jennie reveals that she carefully saves news stories about events that are interesting and meaningful to her.  “I cut them out and laminate them so I can always have them with me,” she says. Media coverage of the Pope and the heartbreaking legacy of 9/11, for example, have touched her. Is Jennie a religious person, then? “I like to keep that part of my life private,” she informs us and we happily move on.

Blue is her favorite color, Jennie says, pointing to the rubber gloves that she dons while working at Phillips Hall. As it turns out, the color has special meaning to her. “It was the color of my high school,” she informs us “and I have always liked it since.” The high school school she attended was in Chino, California where she grew up with sister Sylvia Gonzales and four brothers. Jennie’s parents divorced while she was young but she remained close to both parents. Family is important to her, she says, even though people get busy and some times you meet them once or twice a year.

Her mother, Jennie remembers with pride, was an expert embroiderer and crocheter who passed the techniques on to her daughters. Jennie prefers embroidery over crochet and enjoys sewing patterns in her spare time. Where does she sew her designs? Pillow cases, she says laughing, lots and lots of pillow cases. These days, however, Jennie is getting ambitious with her hobby: her new goal is to embroider an entire tablecloth.

Among her favorite cuisines, Jennie lists Chinese, Italian and Brazilian but reiterates that she likes to try new things. Jennie isn’t particularly picky about food, and that helps. Her favorite actors of all time are John Wayne and Clark Gable. So it comes as no surprise that she also loves films from the heyday of American cinema. When we ask her if she has enjoyed any recent movies, she names two that starred Tom Hanks: Saving Private Ryan and Forrest Gump. “I guess I like Tom Hanks,” she says, smiling. Saving Private Ryan, Jennie notes (while shaking her head) is too sad but also a true depiction. She can relate because her own family has been a witness to the harsh realities of war. Her uncle was in the Normandy Landings, as part of the Allied Forces in World War II. His son, a favorite cousin, went to fight in Vietnam where he was exposed to Agent Orange, a herbicide used by the military. He died from health complications caused by the exposure and is dearly missed.

Over the long period of time that she has been here, Jennie has worked at a number of dorms, including Appleby, Green, and Wohlford. Most recently she had been working at Auen but has since been assigned Philips Hall. “I am just getting to know the kids, ” she says “and they are slowly starting to get to know me.” In fact, throughout the time that we chatted, Jennie repeated her appreciation for the kids that go to CMC.

She also praised the Worker’s Support Committee for its various activities, including the early morning coffee breaks arranged by the students once every month. “Things get too quiet when you guys go away for break,” she says “I am happy when at least the athletes come back in December.” We mention her long time here but Jennie isn’t complaining. It has been a good journey at CMC,  she says. “I have seen so many kids come and go. The kids always make it nice. I know the other ladies enjoy it too,” she says, with a smile.

So there you have it folks, Jennie Gonzales, the charming Building Attendant from Phillips Hall. Interested in getting involved in appreciating our support staff? The Worker’s Support Committee (WSC) meets on Thursdays at 7:30pm in Marks Lounge. Each month WSC holds student sponsored appreciation events for our service staff.

Want more Better Know a Building Attendant? Get to know June in Berger, Ilma in Green, Sylvia in Fawcett, and Barbara in Claremont Hall.

Ryal Poppa ’57 (last name pronounced “Poppy”), has offered to pay for the new lab. According to a CMC Alumni Association Newsletter, “Ryal Poppa ’57 surprised fellow alumni, faculty, and staff during reunion weekend when he announced his pledge of $250,000 to help create a new computer lab.”

“He was at alumni weekend chatting with some students who mentioned that there wasn’t enough lab space. He wanted to do something about that, so he decided to give funding for a lab,” says Dr. Cynthia Humes, Chief Technology Officer.

Dr. Humes estimates the new lab to cost roughly $200,000 ($70k construction, $50k wiring and electric, $60k for networking, workstations and equipment, and $20k furniture).

The lab’s layout and design was organized by Micheal Malsed, Assistant Director for Student Technology Services, Candace Adelberg ’10, Nico Ratazzi ’09, and a group of ASCMC Senators. No outside firm was retained in the design or construction of the lab—everything is in-house.

The main purpose of the lab is to reduce overcrowding of the other labs and to provide a convenient place for students to do work. According to Mr. Malsed, the design of the lab is also intended to provide lots of individual space. “Let’s also make it a place where you can get a lot of people around a computer to do group work,” said Malsed.

CMC’s Central Facilities Department will begin demolition of the apartment on the north side of Phillips when students move out this May. The apartment, which currently houses students, was approved for demolition by the Dean of Students’ office and Committee on Academic Computing in anticipation of the new dorm’s opening this fall. Fid Castro, Assistant Dean of Students, worked with students and the Committee to find a space for the lab. Other options for the lab’s location included the new dorm and Bauer South, but Phillips was chosen for its location and availability of space.

The lab will measure 53′ by 16′ on the inside, with extra patio space outside the lab for wireless access. The lab, which is not yet named, is expected to be completed this fall.

According to the design, the lab will be accessible through the outside only, so Phillips residents will have to go around the building to get in. This is because Phillips, unlike Stark Hall, is not substance-free, and because it would be cost-prohibitive to tear down a bearing wall to build a door. The layout of the lab also makes room for a special room for RTAs to work on hardware and software issues, in addition to the possibility of other uses.

In addition to the new lab in Phillips, the Kravis Center (the West Campus Project where Pitzer Hall and the Admission Office now stand), will include a larger computer lab when it is built. That lab, which is not expected to be completed until at least 2009, will include laptop-friendly couches and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.