E
CELEBRATING A POET CENTENERIAN Beloved Alumnus and Community Leader Feted
which continues today on campus.” Perry served on the Whittier College Board of Trustees for nearly 20 years, from 1970 until 1988, and he hold the honorable status of trustee emeritus. Perry was recognized by the Alumni Board of Directors in 2005 with the Alumni Achievement Award, and in 2008 with the Community Impact Award. After graduating from Whittier College with a B.A. in business administration, Perry earned an MBA at Stanford University. In 1942 he took time off from a burgeoning banking career to serve in the U.S. Navy.
Photo by Steven Burns Photography
After WWII, Perry went on to
POET FOR LIFE. Joining Hubert Perry ’35 in celebrating his 100th birthday were members of the Whittier College community: Elizabeth Power Robison, VP for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, trustee Ruth B. Shannon L.H.D. ‘92, alumnus Tien Zee ’61, and trustee Donald “Bill” Wood L.H.D. ’98.
have a highly successful career with Bank of America. He worked at the bank’s headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, where he was a major loan officer, overseeing the main office and 83 branches. He retired from banking in 1975. In the 1950s Perry became the chief banking official involved in the building of Friendly Hills and co-founded PIH Health (formerly Presbyterian
More than 150 people—including
Travel Scholarship, enabling a Whittier
Intercommunity Hospital) in Whittier
members of the Poet community—came
student to study in China.
and was active on two of the hospital’s
together to celebrate alumnus Hubert Perry’s ’35 100th birthday in June.
“As a young undergraduate, Mr.
boards for many years.
Perry, you were an exemplary student—
A contemporary and close friend of
committed, active, and intellectual,” said
Richard M. Nixon ’34, Perry also helped
honoring Perry was presented by
Power Robison in her congratulatory
build the Nixon Presidential Library in
Trustees Bill Wood L.H.D. ‘98, Ruth B.
remarks. “As an alumnus who went on to
Yorba Linda, CA.
Shannon L.H.D. ’92, Vice President for
great success in the banking industry, you
A Whittier College Proclamation
“Through it all, Mr. Perry has been
Advancement and Strategic Initiatives
likewise served as a model for classmates
a true and loyal friend to the College,
Elizabeth Power Robison, and alumnus
and generations that have followed,
continuously helping students achieve
Tien Zee ’61, a successful international
demonstrating the power and promise
their dreams through his personal
entrepreneur who credits his start in
of a Whittier College degree. As a later
encouragement, investment, and
business to Perry, who made a personal
member of our Board of Trustees, your
lively interest,” said Power Robison,
investment in Zee early on, both with
leadership, insight, and strong business
concluding the Whittier presentation.
financial and moral support. In appreci-
acumen helped the College achieve one
“And that, perhaps, is his greatest
ation of Perry’s influence, Zee provides
of its greatest periods of physical and
an annual grant for the Perry Study
academic growth—a positive trajectory
and most lasting legacy to us all.”
>> I n the late 40s “The Senior Bench” was a sacred spot on campus for the graduating class—though it was often the meeting place of small classes and committees. 58