COMMENCEMENT 1987

Claremont McKenna College held its 40th annual commencement exercises at 2 p.m. in Badgley Garden on the campus. Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale, a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for eight years and chairman of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, told graduates: “The challenge of education is not to prepare people for success, but to prepare them for failure or, perhaps I should say, for disastrous events. That is where the heroes and the bums really get sorted out. And how do you prepare for that? Let me tell you . . . it is with the sort of liberal arts education you have received here. You have had the best preparation for intelligently dealing with adversity. You do not realize it now, but when it happens, you will know.”

Degrees: 195 diplomas awarded.

Honorary Degrees:

Thomas L. Lowe, college trustee and retired chief executive officer of the Newhall Land and Farming Co., doctor of laws.

Other Graduations:

Pitzer College celebrated its 23rd annual graduation at 1 p.m. Sunday on the Pellissier Mall. Russell Means, a leader in the American Indian movement who is seeking the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party, spoke to the graduates along with senior speaker Carolyn E. Whitson. Bachelor of arts degrees were awarded to 147 students.

Author Ray Bradbury spoke on the topic of “Beyond 1999: The Years Ahead” at Harvey Mudd College’s 29th annual commencement exercises, which were held at 4 p.m. Sunday on the Braun Liquid Ambar Mall. An honorary doctor of science degree was awarded to J. Arthur Campbell, a chemist and the college’s first faculty member, along with 117 bachelor and 14 master’s degrees.

Pomona College’s 94th annual graduation ceremony was held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Bridges Auditorium. Twyla Tharp, nationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer, delivered the commencement address and was awarded an honorary doctor of arts degree. Bachelor of arts degrees were awarded to 315 graduates.

Scripps College held its 57th annual commencement ceremonies at 3 p.m. Sunday on the Elm Tree Lawn and awarded 154 diplomas. The keynote address was delivered by Tanya Tull, Scripps alumna and co-founder and executive director of the Los Angeles Housing Corp.