The William Penn Society

In an email sent to the Whittier College Community on May 13, President Sharon Herzberger announced that two Penn actives had recently received recognition. At the All-Sports Awards Banquet TC Collymore was awarded the men's individual Athlete-of-the-Year award. According to the Whittier College Athletic's Web site : "TC Collymore won the men's award for his all-conference performance in the Triple Jump and Long Jump. Despite being hampered by an injury during the conference championships he finished fourth in the Long Jump and third in the Triple Jump"

Herzberger also mentioned that, "Just yesterday I learned that the faculty committee has concluded its review of applications and has selected economics major Alex Tallarida '10 as the 2009-2010 Nixon Fellow.  Over the course of the summer and next academic year, with the financial support provided by Whittier’s Nixon Fellowship Program, Alex will research the timely topic of healthcare from a hospital’s point of view.  Having examined President Nixon’s drive to provide every citizen with quality, reasonably-priced health care, Alex will derive real-world experience from his internship this summer at Los Alamitos Medical Center and will share his findings from the business development side of the healthcare field with the campus community next year.  Alex plans to obtain two master’s degrees, in Health Administration and Business Administration, upon graduation from Whittier next year."

Congratulations to both TC and Alex!

Early morning on May 12th, Monica Rodriguez, the wife of Penn alumni Sol Rodriguez (Whittier College ’98), succumbed to a heartbreaking, two-year struggle with a rare blood cancer. She is survived by our brother Sol, and their two-year old son, Kai.

To those who are able, and we understand the economic times we live in, we respectfully ask for a financial donation (click the donate button). As those who know Sol best, we urge you to contribute any amount that you can – he is our friend, our brother, a young widower with a two-year old son, and his is in need of our help.  As the emotional repercussions of Monica’s passing subside, the financial tolls will undoubtedly emerge. We believe even a modest financial gesture for Sol and Kai will be deeply appreciated. As the William Penn Society approaches its 75th Anniversary this fall, we hope many of you have benefited from the small, life-long personal commitments that endow the William Penn Society with its purposeful nobility. And it is in dark times, that we are at our finest.

Thank you all in advance for your support and good will.

The 2008 William Penn Society Homecoming Brunch was a success with many alums traveling from around the country to participate in the annual event. Many were happy with the turnout which was higher than in recent history. Several members of the class of 1958 took time away from their 50th reunion activities to attend the brunch. 

 The days activities were later than in years past to allow more time for society activities and to ensure that those activities do not interfere with other Whittier Weekend events. The brunch took place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Hartley Faculty Master house. Afterwards, a first ever all-society mixer took place at the Naylor Portico of Deihl Hall and many Penns were in attendance as well. The homecoming football game started at 3 p.m., two hours later than usual to allow time for the mixer.

After halftime the Penns headed to the soccer field for the traditional alumni versus actives football game. As is usually the case, the alumni crushed the actives, despite the fact that they had been practicing as a team the prior three weeks. When alum Marc Gonzales '02 found out about the practices he said: "who knows what they were practicing, but it obviously wasn't football." 

The day concluded with the annual homecoming party at the Whittier Radisson. Overall the weekend was a success for the William Penn Society. Next year, the Penns 75th anniversary homecoming brunchwill take place at Wardman House, hosted by Whittier College President Sharon D. Herzberger. Future updates about the 2009 homecoming will be posted on this website when more information is available.

Group photo at 2008 Homecoming Brunch, Saturday, October 18.

The winning alumni team after the alumni-actives football game.

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