During Whittier Weekend, the 2017 Poet Awards were presented to five distinguished members of the Poet community who have been chosen for their outstanding service, commitment to the College, and professional and personal achievements that best reflect Whittier’s ideals and values. Among the recipients are an entertainment executive, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and advocates who have had a significant impact on a local, national, and international level.
Below, we introduce you to these outstanding Poets who represent the diversity, accomplishment, and spirit of service that defines the Whittier community.
Alumna Achievement Award — For Superior Accomplishments in Her Career
Cheryl Boone Isaacs ’71 is the immediate past president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS), having served the maximum four years. She was the first African-American and only the third woman to hold the position. Boone Isaacs represented the public relations branch as a governor for 24 years.
In her time as AMPAS President, Boone Isaacs oversaw the Oscars telecast and spearheaded the development of an AMPAS museum, a $320 million destination in the heart of Los Angeles scheduled to open in 2019. She also launched a new Academy initiative called A2020 which focuses on improving representation of diversity in academy membership and recognition of talent across all Academy activities.
Boone Isaacs heads CBI Enterprises, Inc., where she has consulted on marketing efforts on such films as The Artist, The King’s Speech, Precious, and Spider-Man 2. She previously served as president of theatrical marketing for New Line Cinema, where she oversaw numerous box office successes. Prior to that, she was executive vice president of worldwide publicity for Paramount Pictures, where she orchestrated publicity campaigns for the Best Picture winners Forrest Gump and Braveheart.
In 2014, Boone Isaacs was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame and was awarded the Trailblazer Award from Essence magazine.
Boone Isaacs is currently an adjunct professor at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and previously served as a filmmaker-in-residence for the university. She has spoken to students on the Whittier campus many times about the entertainment industry and her personal journey. She received a B.A. in political science and is a member of the Athenian Society.
Service to the College Award — For Extensive Service to the College Since Graduation
Christopher C. Evans ’68 has been a longtime alumni volunteer and a founding member of the Pacific Northwest Poet alumni group. Over the years, Evans has attended and supported all alumni-student activities in the region and was a visionary behind the Pacific Northwest Alumni Endowed Scholarship. This fund will perpetually provide much needed financial support to students hailing from the Pacific Northwest and will increase the College’s recruiting power in that part of the country.
Evans graduated from Whittier with a degree in business administration. He went on to serve three years in the U.S. Army and subsequently graduated from Willamette University Law School. He began practicing law in 1975 and served as general counsel, vice president, and acting president of several seafood companies. In addition to his legal career, Evans has been involved with the commercial banking industry in the Pacific Northwest, serving on boards, raising capital, and orchestrating sales of financial institutions. He continues to consult with clients in business and finance.
Community Impact Award — Recognizing Important Contributions Made by an Alumna to Her Home Community
Susie Harvey ’67 MA’72, a resident of Rancho Mirage, Calif., has facilitated several projects for local non-profit organizations including the Family YMCA of the Desert, Ophelia Project, Desert Best Friend’s Closet, and Leadership Coachella Valley, among others. She currently serves on several of their boards.
In her time as the president and CEO of the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce, she instituted three notable programs—Leadership Coachella Valley, All Valley Legislative Summit, and the Police Officer and Public Safety annual recognition luncheon and awards.
In the last year Harvey was awarded three prestigious awards: the Chairman’s Leadership Award by the Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Coachella Valley, Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Palm Desert, and Desert Visionary Award by the Women’s Leadership Forum of the Coachella Valley.
Harvey graduated from Whittier with a B.A. in history and a master’s degree in education.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award — Recognizing a Graduate within the Last 15 Years Who Has Demonstrated Significant Achievement in His Professional Life
Jeffrey Cleveland ’02 is a principal and the chief economist at Payden & Rygel, a global asset management company with more than $115 billion in assets under management. He is responsible for developing views on the U.S. and global economy. His research areas include macroeconomics, central banks and the money markets, money supply, and credit cycles. Cleveland is a frequent speaker at industry forums and is often quoted in the financial media on topics related to the economy and investing. He has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg Television, and Fox Business News.
Cleveland is a member of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE). He received NABE’s Time Series Analysis and Economic Forecasting Certificate. Cleveland earned an M.A. in international political economy from Claremont Graduate University, and a B.A. in economics/global political economy through the Whittier Scholars Program.
As an avid open-water swimmer, Cleveland swam across the English Channel in September 2008, across the Catalina Channel in 2009, and around Manhattan in 2010. He is the 34th swimmer in history to complete this “triple crown” of open-water swimming. Cleveland also holds the College’s record for the 200m butterfly.
Honorary Alumnus Award — For Outstanding Non-Alumni Members of the College Community Who Have Enhanced the Whittier College Experience fro Alumni
John Peel P’10, ’14 is married to alumna Laurie (Welsh) Peel ’84, a speech and hearing pathologist. Their two daughters are also Whittier College graduates. Sarah Peel ’10 is a special education teacher and Melanie Peel ’14 is in her final year of the veterinary medicine doctoral program at Oregon State University. Peel is a longtime supporter of Whittier academics and athletics and a member of the John Greenleaf Whittier Society.
Peel is the CEO of Concept 7, an adoption and foster care agency. He has worked in the field of child and family services since 1978, as a CEO since 1988, and is a graduate of Rio Hondo College, UCLA, and CSU Fullerton.
He serves on several private local, regional, and state boards including the Rio Hondo College Foundation, Whittier High School Alumni Association Educational Foundation, Whittier Methodist Foundation, and California Alliance for Child and Family Services. He is a past elected Trustee for the Whittier City School District.
