Features
Of Poets & Penguins
Whittier College Honors Three Wise Men for 125 Years of Service
Under a canopy of lights outside Graham Athletic Center, former and current students and friends of beloved political science professors Mike McBride, Fred Bergerson, and John Neu came together to toast—and roast the trio’s 125 years of combined service at Whittier College. Comedy aside, former students of the professors also stole the spotlight, sharing how the men were guiding forces in both their professional and personal lives. “Our honorees have devoted their careers to helping Whittier College students achieve their dreams,” said Master of Ceremonies and Trustee Rick Gilchrist ‘68. “There’s something about teaching post-adolescents entering adulthood that’s magic to me,” Bergerson told the crowd. “Students I’ve taught at Whittier College deserved my respect. They deserved to be treated like my own.” Neu kept the mood alive with his words, “You... think I’m eccentric. I’m not. After 42 years at Whittier College, you become colorful.” Later in the program, Neu shared a touching moment with Alumni Association President and Trustee Steven Weston ‘83 Joining the College’s faculty in the late 1960s/early 1970s, the
when he was presented with a Poet Award, making Neu
threesome—often referred to by their 10,000+ students past and
an honorary alumnus of the College.
present as “Doc, Fred, and Dr. Neu”—have each earned legendary status in Whittier lore for their personal and professional dedication to students and for their hand in shaping the curriculum of the political science department. Guests of the dinner celebration first hobnobbed with the
It has been a place of great love.” All in all, the ‘125 Years of Service’ dinner celebration gave honorees and guests alike one more memory together. And while the idea of retirement remained a running joke throughout the
men of the hour at a champagne reception, snapping photos and
evening, the honorees confirmed that they still had years of
swapping memories. As the night continued, so did the energy,
teaching in their future.
thanks, in part, to a series of video tributes, produced by col-
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“I have appreciated my time at Whittier,” continued Neu.“
“We’ve had a wonderful run, the three of us dressed as
league Dr. Rich Cheatham ’68, that examined each professor’s life
penguins tonight,” said McBride, bringing the celebration to
before Whittier College, delivering one punch line after the next.
a close. “Thank you for making this possible.”