More than 150 people--including members of the Poet community--came together to celebrate alumnus Hubert Perry's 100th birthday this past Saturday.
Congratulatory remarks on behalf of the College were offered by Elizabeth Power Robison, vice president of advancement. A proclamation honoring Perry was presented by Power Robison, trustees Bill Wood and Ruth B. Shannon, and alumnus Tien Zee '61.
Zee, a successful international entrepreneur, credits his start in business to Perry, who made a personal investment in Zee early on, both with financial and moral support.
"Through it all, Mr. Perry has been a true and loyal friend to the College, continuously helping students achieve their dreams through his personal encouragement, investment, and lively interest," said Power Robison during the presentation. "And that, perhaps, has been his greatest and most lasting legacy to us."
Other prominent local Whittier alumni who were part of the celebration included Bruce Martin '57 and Jerry Morgan '61.
Perry served on the Whittier College Board of Trustees for nearly twenty 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.
The festivities took place inside the Hubert Perry Pavilion at PIH Health, formerly Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, in Whittier.
Perry is a long-time resident of the City of Whittier and an active community member.
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.
After WWII, Perry went on to 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 in Whittier. He also co-founded PIH Health in Whittier and was active on two of the hospital's boards for many years. His leadership is credited for making PIH one of the few regional hospitals in California that has been growing and thriving financially through the years.
A contemporary and close friend of Richard M. Nixon '34, Perry helped build the Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, CA.
