Businessman and philanthropists Edfred L. Shannon, who received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Whittier College in 1992, passed away Sunday night. Mr. Shannon and his wife Ruth have been long-time supporters of the College and well-known city residents. The Ruth B. Shannon Center of the Performing Arts at Whittier is named after Mrs. Shannon. "Many strengths of this College are attributable to the Shannon's strong support and cheerleading for students," said President Sharon Herzberger.