Zealous in All Things: The Lifelong Impact of CMC and CMS on Cameron Whiting '15

When Cameron Whiting '15 reflects on his life so far, from his record-breaking swim career at CMS, to his work alongside real estate legend and fellow CMC alumnus Bob Lowe '62, to the day he helped save a man's life during a shark attack, one word comes to mind: zealous.

"Someone who is zealous shows strong enthusiasm, passion, or energetic devotion toward a goal," Whiting says. "That captures the CMC ethos perfectly. It's contagious."

That devotion - to his team, his craft, his community - has defined every chapter of Whiting's story. Whether in the pool, the boardroom, or the unpredictable waters of the Pacific, his CMC experience taught him how to dive into the unknown with confidence, courage, and clarity of purpose.
  Finding a Home in the Sun

Growing up in rainy Seattle, Whiting knew two things: he wanted sunshine, and he wanted challenge.

"I wanted to go to college in Southern California to escape from the rain," he laughs, "and I wanted a place that combined rigorous academics with elite athletics."

When he discovered Claremont McKenna College, then newly home to the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, it seemed like the perfect fit.

"I wanted to study economics, math, and finance, and CMC offered an accelerated path to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in four years," he says.

Just as importantly, CMC offered him the chance to keep competing in the sport he loved.

"When I visited, I was so impressed by Coach Charlie (Griffiths') program, by the facilities, and by the way CMC integrated academic and athletic success," Whiting says. "Over 70 percent of the student body played an NCAA sport. That balance of intellect and competition really stood out to me."

And then there was the CMC spirit. "When I asked alumni how they liked their experience, every single one said, 'I loved it.' No other college got that kind of answer. I decided that if I got in, that's where I wanted to go."
  The Family in the Pool

Once he joined CMS, Whiting quickly found himself part of something special. "We became a family," he says. "We pushed each other to be better every single day."

That commitment paid off. During Whiting's four years, CMS men's swimming went undefeated at the SCIAC Championships, shattered decades-old school records, and became one of the most dominant programs in the nation.

But what Whiting remembers most isn't the records - it's the people.

"One of my earliest memories was winning SCIACs my freshman year," he says. "Coach Charlie jumped in the pool with us, and we all screamed and splashed. That moment, after nine practices a week and months of balancing training with academics, was pure joy. It was a feeling of collective accomplishment that I'd never experienced before."

Those moments forged lifelong bonds. "Two of my teammates even married each other," he laughs. "It's a testament to how close we were as one team - Stags and Athenas, together."
  The Scholar-Leader-Athlete Mindset

Whiting immersed himself in CMC's scholar-leader-athlete ethos, and he credits it with shaping not just his academic career, but his entire approach to life.

"What I realized is that athletics impacts every part of life," he says. "It gives you structure, confidence, and accountability. It teaches you to perform under pressure. That sense of urgency actually made me more productive in the classroom and, later, at work."

At CMC, Whiting served in the Student Investment Fund, earned a Bill Gates Investments Fellowship, and conducted research at the Financial Economics Institute, Lowe Institute, and Robert Day School.

"The lessons I learned through CMS - discipline, teamwork, perseverance - were the same ones that helped me excel academically," he says.
  From Pool Deck to Boardroom

After graduation, Whiting leaned on the CMC network that had supported him since day one. His first professional opportunity came through a phone call to fellow alum Andy Segal '12, who worked at Lowe Enterprises, the firm founded by Bob Lowe '62.

"I just wanted to ask about his experience in real estate," Whiting remembers. "It turned out they had posted a job opening the day before. Total coincidence." He applied, was hired, and soon found himself working under two generations of CMC alumni.

"Bob Lowe is someone I really look up to, not just as a businessman, but as a family man," Whiting says. "Getting to work alongside him for several years was one of the best things that ever happened to me."

That experience also set the stage for his next chapter. In 2024, Whiting launched a new real estate development company with Kyle Jenkins '13, another CMC graduate and former Lowe colleague. The firm is already developing several affordable housing projects across Los Angeles.

"Many CMC alumni have been incredibly generous in offering mentorship and insight," Whiting says. "It shows the strength and loyalty of the CMC network. It's a family that keeps paying it forward."
  Courage in the Current

That sense of family, teamwork, and courage would be tested in a way Whiting never expected.

In June 2024, during a routine open-water swim in Del Mar, he and another swimmer heard screams for help. A fellow swimmer had been attacked by a shark. "It's one of those moments where time freezes," Whiting recalls. "Fear was there ... but training took over."

Whiting and his companions swam toward the chaos, pulling the victim onto a surfboard and helping him to shore. The man survived his injuries.

"It was a miracle," Whiting says, still processing the experience over a year later. "But it also reminded me how much we're capable of when it matters most. The adrenaline, the focus, the calm - it all felt familiar. It was like standing behind the starting blocks at SCIACs, channeling nerves into action. I don't think I would've been able to respond that way if it weren't for my years as a student-athlete at CMS."

For Whiting, the rescue became a living metaphor for how to approach life's unknowns. "You can't always see what's ahead, but you have to take that first step, or stroke, forward," he says. "That's something CMC taught me early on: courage isn't the absence of fear; it's moving through it with purpose."
  The Enduring Power of Community

More than a decade after graduation, Whiting still feels the CMC and CMS influence in every part of his life. He mentors students, attends alumni events, and remains close to his former teammates.

"CMC and CMS were some of the best years of my life," he says. "It's rare to be surrounded by so many ambitious, curious, and kind people who push you to grow. That culture of excellence and authenticity, it stays with you."

When he meets other CMCers in the real world, there's an instant connection. "You can always tell," he smiles. "You might not realize you share the CMC bond right away, but once you do, it makes perfect sense."
  Living the CMC Ethos

Today, Whiting continues to embody the values of leadership, service, and critical thinking that define the CMC ethos. Whether he's managing a development deal, mentoring a student, or diving into uncertain waters, those lessons remain his compass.

"At CMC, those values were part of everyday life," he says. "But in the real world, you have to be intentional about pursuing them. The courage, the curiosity, the community - it's what makes CMC and CMS so special."

His advice for current students and athletes is simple but profound: surround yourself with people who inspire you, focus on mentorship over prestige, and trust your gut. "Don't be afraid to take the first step into something uncertain," he says. "That's where growth, and sometimes even miracles, happen."