1986 Recipients | WMU Alumni Skip to main content

1986 Recipients

Gerrard W. Haworth, B.A. '37

Gerrard W. Haworth, B.A. '37

Following graduation from Western, Mr. Haworth taught industrial education at Holland High School. In the mid 1940's, he began building special order wood products part time.

In 1948, he left his teaching position and formed his own company, Modern Products. The company was renamed Haworth, Inc., in 1975, and grew to become the third largest manufacturer of modular office equipment in the world.

Richard N. Percy, B.A. '36

Richard N. Percy, B.A. '36

Dr. Percy received a master's degree from Wayne State University and a doctorate from Columbia University. He was a teacher, counselor, principal, personnel director and deputy superintendent in Kalamazoo Public Schools before being named superintendent in 1961.

Under his direction, Kalamazoo was recognized as Michigan's outstanding school system. He was also superintendent in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.

He chaired committees on the state and national level for American Association of Retired Persons.

Virgil W. Westdale, B.S. '62

Virgil W. Westdale, B.S. '62

Mr. Westdale first graduated from Western in 1949, was hired by the Burroughs Corporation, and returned to Western to receive a second bachelor's degree in paper technology.

He later became the principal scientist for Multigraphics, a Chicago-based division of AM International. He holds over 25 patents and received the prestigious International Research and Development Award recognizing his contributions to the field of graphic communications.