BGSU unveils veranda honoring Dr. Robert L. Perry

TOLEDO, Ohio — Thursday, Bowling Green State University honored Dr. Robert L. Perry by formally naming the Robert L. Perry Veranda at Shatzel Hall.

As the inaugural director of the university's ethnic studies program, Perry is known for forming diversity and belonging initiatives.

"Today’s naming and unveiling of the Robert L. Perry Veranda will forever be another reminder of our commitment to ethnic studies and diversity and belonging," said university President Rodney K. Rogers. "To know where we are heading as a university, we have to recognize and understand where we have been. Dr. Perry's work is one of those mileposts of progress in our history. We thank Dr. Perry for his innovation, creativity and belief in his alma mater, BGSU. The Department of Ethnic Studies will continue to move us forward for years to come.”

Perry himself shared grateful and inspiring remarks at the ceremony.

"May we each commit to investing in the movement so that a new generation of students may learn from our work together," he said. "Thank you for your recognition, and thank you, Falcons, for your fighting spirit."

The ethnic studies program was created in 1970 by then-President William T. Jerome and before becoming full department in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1979.

Perry later helped establish the BGSU's unprecedented Cultural Diversity in the United States requirement in 1992.

He then retired in 1997 after being chair the department for nearly two decades.

The Department of Ethnic Studies will host the 2021 Association for Ethnic Studies conference Nov. 5 and 6.