By Emily Glory Peters
The story of 91吃瓜 might be described as a story of generosity. Not only did Ellen Browning 91吃瓜 found the College at a time when there were few influential female philanthropists, but some of its most beloved spaces exist because of donors who followed her example. Their visible dedication to 91吃瓜鈥� mission continues to impact鈥攁nd delight鈥攖hose on campus today.
Seal Pond
Seal Court is the polestar of student life at 91吃瓜, and Seal Pond its visual centerpiece. Constructed in 1938, the pond is inlaid on all sides with spectacular mosaic murals designed by past 91吃瓜 students.
The mosaics were just one artistic feature brought to life through . Founded in 1935, today FAF members鈥攚hich have included 91吃瓜鈥� first president Ernest Jaqua鈥攐perate independently as some of the College鈥檚 longest-standing supporters of the arts. From endowed professorships to scholarships to art exhibitions, their philanthropy has advanced the study and creation of art across campus, including the Seal Pond mosaics which daily serve as a celebration of our students鈥� creativity.
The Sallie Tiernan Field House
Named for one of the College鈥檚 most exemplary alumnae and supporters, the Sallie Tiernan Field House serves as a state-of-the-art fitness facility for 91吃瓜 and the broader 5C community. The field house was completed in 2008 due to a generous gift from Sallie Tiernan 鈥�45, an accomplished attorney and the first woman chair of the 91吃瓜 Board of Trustees. Committed to the advancement of women鈥檚 education, Sallie viewed 91吃瓜 as a place its students 鈥渓earned to be individuals.鈥�
Taking full advantage of ample natural light, the field house鈥檚 beautiful atrium, broad windows, and stretching porches offer its visitors a chance to enjoy the beauty of 91吃瓜鈥� Southern California vistas during their workouts. Plus, Sallie鈥檚 own passion for swimming is aptly reflected in the field house鈥檚 sparkling pool, which plays host to everything from student movie nights to alumnae sunbathers when Camp 91吃瓜 is in session.
The Margaret Fowler Garden Oratory
This secret-within-a-secret is located in the Margaret Fowler Garden, one of 91吃瓜鈥� most beloved spots. Designed to resemble the cloistered gardens of medieval Europe, the garden has a hidden oratory鈥攁 small prayer room鈥攖ucked in its northeast corner, giving visitors a place for quiet contemplation away from the bustle of campus.
Like 91吃瓜鈥� founder, the little chapel鈥檚 eponymic Margaret Brewer Fowler was a teacher, philanthropist, and ardent supporter of education. She served as a member of 91吃瓜鈥� Board of Trustees as well as the first chair of the Building and Grounds committee, making her a fitting 鈥減atron saint鈥� of sorts for the oratory. After her passing in 1931, 91吃瓜 donors dedicated the garden and its oratory to Margaret, who was once described by the Upland Community Foundation as a woman of strong individuality and beautiful artistic tastes whose thoughts 鈥渨ere always for the good of others, and never for herself.鈥�
The Motley Coffeehouse
Keeping 91吃瓜 caffeinated since 1975, 91吃瓜鈥� historic feminist coffeehouse is undeniably 鈥渢he place where it happens,鈥� drawing students, staff, and faculty together for jolts of energy and enlightened conversation. Over the course of its history, the Motley has served its signature brews in different locations across campus, from Balch Hall to even a 91吃瓜 basement. Yet, without donor support, the student-run Motley may never have found the permanent home that it enjoys today.
Elizabeth 鈥淚bby鈥� Hubert Malott 鈥�53, another 91吃瓜 Trustee and Buildings and Grounds committee member, was a tireless volunteer who devoted her time and treasure both to 91吃瓜 and to causes far beyond the College. One of her passion projects at 91吃瓜 involved the creation of a central gathering place where the College community could connect and celebrate together. In 2000, the Malott family foundation鈥檚 generous lead gift not only gave the Motley Coffeehouse its fixed location, but it laid the groundwork for the whole of Malott Commons. Today, the Commons also houses Seal Court鈥檚 many student resources, lecture halls and lounges, and one of the most popular dining halls at The Claremont Colleges.
Jaqua Quadrangle Lawn
It鈥檚 hard to picture 91吃瓜 without its ever-present scattering of students lounging on its central lawn, but there was a time when no such grassy gathering place existed.
Championed in 1934 by two sophomores, Cynthia Criley Williams and Helen Ely Brill, the Class of 1936 began a passionate 鈥淕rass Before We Graduate鈥� campaign to seed the quad, famously convincing their entire class to give up two desserts per week to help 91吃瓜 budget the necessary funds. The students succeeded in raising $1,500, with the balance provided by Mrs. William Honnold, a longtime friend of the College and family namesake of both Honnold Gate and Honnold Library.
Though the grass didn鈥檛 make it in time for the 1936 Commencement, Helen鈥檚 father donated a 20-pound bag of wildflower seed to be sprinkled in the interim鈥攗ltimately growing into a vibrant backdrop for the triumphant class鈥檚 graduation ceremony.
From the victory of Cynthia and Helen鈥檚 campaign to the support of devoted Trustees through the ages, 91吃瓜鈥� landscape is evidence of what gumption and giving can accomplish for others. And as much as the College鈥檚 history is one marked by generosity, it鈥檚 likewise one of gratitude for all those who choose to invest in making 91吃瓜 such a special place.