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Gery, Carolyn S.

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: March 6, 1945 -

Biographical Information

Carolyn Gery was born in Seattle, Washington. Her family moved to West Lafayette in 1946, where Carolyn attended grade school, West Lafayette High School, and Purdue. Her career was devoted to fundraising for the university, where she served on the President’s Council at Purdue for more than thirty years, covering the tenure of five university presidents. The Purdue Foundation Board awarded Carolyn with an Honorary Chair, and she was the recipient of a special President’s Council Service Award, and the President’s Medal. After graduating from Purdue, Carolyn moved to Atlanta where she worked for two years in marketing. Although she loved the big city, she moved back to West Lafayette, and in 1972 took a position at Purdue with the University Development Office and its newly established outreach program. She was involved in the early development of the President’s Council under President Hansen, its growth with national outreach through the Purdue Alumni Association, and its interface with major business corporation leadership. Carolyn participated in the Council’s organization of its service awards including Purdue’s Distinguished Service Award, the Sagamore of the Wabash (through the Indiana governor’s office), and the Purdue President’s Council Pinnacle award.

Citation

MSO 1, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program collection, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.