Charles E. Perry papers

The Charles E. Perry Collection is comprised of correspondence, files, literary productions, printed materials, articles, clippings, photographs, awards and sports-related memorabilia pertaining to Chuck's academic life, career, and involvement with fundraising for athletics at BGSU and the dedication of the university's Field House in his honor in May 1998.

The prestigious public relations tribute - the Silver Anvil Award - was presented to BGSU and Chuck Perry in 1964. It is among the collection's more notable artifacts and is displayed at the Perry Field House.

Almost half of this collection concentrates upon Perry’s career planning and academic preparation to serve administratively at the university level first at BGSU and then in Florida as Governor Kirk’s Education Aide and as first president and founder of Florida International University. Further documentation shifts the focus to the business world when Perry oversaw the Charter Company’s Family Weekly publication and Jack Nicklaus’ Golden Bear organization. The other half of the collection concentrates upon Perry’s involvement with fundraising for BGSU athletics and the dedication of BGSU’s Field House in his honor. Details are extensively represented in the collection’s correspondence, printed materials, and photographs.

This collection contains a number of examples of sports apparel dating from both 1959 and the mid 1990’s. These include a 1959 MAC blanket, a letter jacket and sweaters from the same time period. Polo shirts and t-shirts mostly affiliated with BGSU are included from the mid 1990’s.

Most elements of the collection pay tribute to an incredible career and a remarkable talent for success.

CORRESPONDENCE; 1954-2001; arranged by incoming and outgoing correspondence and by subjects pertaining to Perry’s education, career and his involvement with fundraising for athletics at BGSU.

GENERAL FILES; 1961-1998 (scattered); arranged by subject. These focus upon Perry’s advanced degree study, his family, career, and BGSU involvement. The files can include correspondence, literary productions, articles, and clippings.

CLASS FILES; 1963-1967; arranged by class subject. The files can include class assignments, notes, term papers, and the like from courses in which Perry was enrolled.

DISSERTATION RESEARCH FILES; 1967-1969; arranged by subject. The files can include course readings and accompanying documentation for Perry’s doctoral degree program.

CLASS PAPERS; 1963-1970 (scattered); These consist primarily of Perry writings on topics usually relevant to higher education and university governance.

ARTICLES; 1955-1998 (scattered); These are Perry writings done while engaged in various academic and corporate endeavors.

SPEECHES; 1965-1998 (scattered); Chuck Perry remarks delivered at mostly events held at BGSU.

MEMOIR; 1999, 2008; This is a record of Perry’s 1999 cancer treatment as written by his wife Betty Perry.

CERTIFICATES, DIPLOMAS; 1956-1998 (scattered); arranged chronologically. These include Perry’s diplomas, certificates, and oversized resolutions.

PROGRAMS; 1983-1999 (scattered); These included programs for the dedication of various buildings in Perry’s honor at BGSU and at Florida International University as well for his memorial service. Also found in the collection are official programs for various golf tournaments.

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS AND ARTICLES; 1956-2008 (scattered); arranged by subject. These include a variety of articles about Perry and his career especially while working for Charter and for Golden Bear International. Also included are numerous articles about Jack Nicklaus.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS; 1984-2000 (scattered); arranged chronologically. These elaborate brochures promote golf courses and resorts designed and built by Golden Bear International when Perry was President and CEO.

BOOKS; Visibility Unlimited (Florida International University) by Rafe Gibbs, 1976; Beyond the Tower – The History of Florida International University, 2002 Miscellaneous golf texts, 1976, 1979

POSITIVE PRINTS; 1955-2002 (scattered); The photos are arranged by such subjects as Perry, his family, his career, BGSU vs. Alabama Football Game, Perry Society Golf Outing, and Perry Field House Dedication.

VIDEO TAPES; Beyond the Tower – The History of Florida International University- a video documentary, 2002. Elk River Golf Club video, nd.

PLAQUES; 1956-1998 (scattered); These include predominantly BGSU plaques presented to Perry on various occasions including the Perry Field House dedication.

TEXTILES; 1950’S-1995 (scattered); These include a BGSU letter jacket, beanie, letter sweater, brown sweater, MAC blanket and six assorted BGSU sports-related t-shirts and polo shirts.

TROPHIES; Silver Anvil Award, 1964 (on display at the Perry Field House) Doyt Perry’s Lucky Buckeye, nd

MISCELLANEOUS; Pewter serving dish designed by Don Drumm for BGSU International Fortnight, 1967