of Minnesota, and steward of the R.C. Lilly Foundation, a charitable foundation started by his father. Along the way, he also earned a reputation for coming to the rescue of some of the Twin Cities’ most beloved institutions—helping to save the St. Paul Hotel and the Landmark Center from the wrecking ball, championing the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, bringing inviting green space back to the campus of the University of Minnesota, and persuading St. Paul planners to rediscover the Mississippi River.
A tradition of service David M Lilly served as a Trustee from 1955 – 1972 A gift in 1970 established the Lilly courtyard In 1981, with a gift from the RC Lilly Foundation, the Lilly Faculty Development fund was created David Lilly served on the Capital Campaign Steering Committee from 1994 – 2000
“Perrin and David Lilly have been among the school’s most energetic and thoughtful supporters,” says Bryn Roberts, SPA Head of School. “They have a deep sense of SPA’s history but they are always looking ahead. For them, SPA is a dynamic institution that must change and evolve with the times. They always want to know what they can do to ensure that SPA serves the students of today and the future.”
Though the Lillys have been very generous to their alma mater over the years, Perrin says they’ve The R.C. Lilly Foundation has received far more in return. “Let’s provided leadership support to Like her husband of almost 67 years, not fool ourselves. We went there, every SPA capital campaign Perrin admits, “I can’t resist a cause.” our children went there, our six grandchildren went there. We’ve had A graduate of Smith College, Perrin a close look at every period in the stayed home with the couple’s three school’s history, how it has evolved, children—David ’66; Bruce ’70; and and how kids are inspired to love learning,” she says. “This has Susanne ’73—before taking on a growing role as community been the fun for us—watching what the young are doing and volunteer for such causes as COMPAS, the Chimera Theater, studying. The school has really become what we dreamed it Walker Art Center, Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and would be.” Planned Parenthood. A self-described “political junkie,” she was a founding board member of the Minnesota Women’s “I always come away wishing every child in the world could have the same.” Campaign Fund, encouraging more women to run for office.
The Lilly family, left to right: Bruce Lilly ’70, Susanne Hutcheson ’73, Zenas Hutcheson ’04, Perrin Hutcheson ’12, Austin Lilly ’08, Perrin Lilly ’41, Henry Hutcheson ’08, David M. Lilly ’35, Robert Lilly ’10, Irene Lilly ’05, and David M. Lilly Jr. ’66.
Spring | Summer 2013 | SPA
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