University Club of Claremont Events

June 9, 2026

"Traffic and Transportation Commission and Route 66 Anniversary"

Sonja Stump

Speaker: Sonja Stump, chair of Traffic and Transportation Commission and owner of Sonja Stump Photography

Sonja Stump is a Claremont businessperson who has served the community in many ways. She is currently chair of the City of Claremont Traffic and Transportation Commission. She has served on many community organizations including Claremont Heritage, Claremont Chamber of Commerce, Claremont High School PFA, and Claremont Meals of Wheels.

A graduate of Azusa Pacific University, Sonja has been a photographer for 48 years, specializing in photos of Claremont. Her community honors include Grand Marshal in the Claremont 4th of July with husband Bob in 2025.

Sycamore Room, Doubletree Inn, 555 W Foothill Blvd, Claremont
11:30 am: social • 12:00 pm: lunch • 1:00 pm: speaker
Lunch $25 (subsidized by the Club)

June 23, 2026

"NASA's Europa Clipper Mission: Ambitious Science and Engineering Challenges"

Leo Bister

Speaker: Leo Bister, Jet Propulsion Lab, retired engineer

Leo spent 43 years helping to turn ambitious ideas into spacecraft that explore the solar system. After earning his Electrical Engineering degree from Cal Poly Pomona in 1982, he joined JPL and never looked back—contributing to missions that have expanded humanity’s understanding of planets, oceans, and distant worlds. From Saturn’s rings on Cassini to Martian soil with Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance rovers,  and most recently the journey to Europa, his work has helped carry science millions of miles from Earth.

Much of his career was hands-on at the sharp end of exploration—assembly, test, and launch operations—often traveling to Florida to see missions through their final steps into space. Along the way, he balanced a full life at home: 44 years of marriage to his wife, Rosie, three children, and four grandchildren. Now retired, he’s shifting his focus closer to home—running, biking, traveling, and giving back through local volunteering.

Sycamore Room, Doubletree Inn, 555 W Foothill Blvd, Claremont
11:30 am: social • 12:00 pm: lunch • 1:00 pm: speaker
Lunch $25 (subsidized by the Club)

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Mark your calendars and invite your friends!

June 9 – Sonja Stump – Traffic and Transportation Commission and Route 66 Anniversary

June 23 – Leo Bister – Jet Propulsion Lab

July 14 – California History Special Collections at Honnold Library 

Sept. 8 – Ardi Rashidi – Artemis Orion Spacecraft

Sept. 22 – Pitzer College President Strom Thacker

Past Events