Each year, 鶹ý recognizes alumni for their selfless commitment and ongoing volunteer service to the College. The Alumni Distinguished Service Award was launched in 1991, and recipients are selected by the Committee of Past Presidents of the Alumni Association.
This year, the award recipients are Georgia Ritchie McManigal ’54, Marty Jannol ’77 and Penny McManigal ’58.
Georgia Ritchie McManigal ’54
For nearly 70 years, 鶹ý has counted on Georgia Ritchie McManigal.
After graduating in 1954, Georgia married classmate Craig McManigal, and they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he served in the Army and she taught school. When Craig entered law school, they returned to Los Angeles, and she again took up teaching. Eventually settling in Claremont, they had three children. In 1978, Georgia, recently divorced, enrolled in Claremont Graduate School (now Claremont Graduate University) where she earned an MBA in management.
As a college volunteer Georgia stands with the best. She has planned each of her ten class reunions, hosted alumni events, participated in college fundraising and more.
From 1979-1984, Georgia also served as a Pomona representative to the Claremont Colleges Performing Arts Committee as the chairperson. On 鶹ý’s 100th anniversary, she assisted Alumni Director Lee Harlan and his office in planning and executing the centennial celebration on campus.
Professionally, Georgia was hired as assistant director of the Casa Colina Foundation in 1983, where she was responsible for general fundraising, creating and executing major and minor special events, grant writing and the supervision of special programs such as The Children’s Center. She retired after 15 years at Casa Colina and has since traveled the world, including many trips sponsored by 鶹ý.
Georgia lives at Mt. San Antonio Gardens retirement community near campus, surrounded by Sagehens from classes crossing the eras.
“What a thrill it is to be honored for doing things for our beloved 鶹ý,” she says.
Marty Jannol ’77
Few people think back on their time at Pomona with more gratitude than Marty Jannol. He made the most of his time on campus, and he’s been giving back to the college ever since.
“I realized years ago that people before me helped make 鶹ý an amazing place, and that one day the mantle would pass to me to do my part,” says Marty.
After graduating from Pomona, he attended Southwestern Law School and soon after set up his own firm. Now more than forty years into his legal career focused on real estate and business law, he credits his success to the quality of his Pomona education—his outstanding peers, relationships with faculty and small classes.
Marty’s service to Pomona began with his five-year reunion gift committee. Since that time, over the last 40 years, Marty has served on every class reunion committee except one and acted as co-chair twice. Marty served on the Alumni Association Board for six years from 1995-2000 and as president in 2000-2001.
Like so many Pomona volunteers, Marty is focused on paying it forward and helping future generations.
“I sincerely hope that I’ve done my part to continue the tradition of greatness that was handed to me,” says Marty.
Penny McManigal ’58
Penny McManigal strongly believes in the values of leadership and service. Soon after arriving at Pomona, at 17 years old, she was elected freshman class vice president and later, student body vice president her senior year—beginning her nearly seven decades of service to the college.
After graduating with a major in art, Penny was determined to stay connected to the people and the place she loved. Her alumni volunteer work started with chairing her five-year reunion, and she continued to chair the class of 1958’s reunions through its 60-year reunion. She was also elected to the 鶹ý Alumni Council.
As an artist, Penny’s talents have grown and developed over the years. Working in pen and ink, watercolor, photography and acrylic, she has exhibited her art in solo and group exhibitions across the country and around the world, including at the South Pole.
In 1989, her painting “Peace for our Children” was presented to President Mikhail Gorbachev at the Kremlin as part of a USA-USSR Youth Summit. She also created the event poster for 鶹ý's 100th Anniversary.
“I am very grateful to 鶹ý for so many reasons. My life after college has been full to the brim with so many community activities and positions. I definitely feel blessed,” says Penny.
She has been married to Pomona alumnus Paul McManigal ’58 for 62 years. Together they’ve raised their family, built successful careers, served many communities and traveled the world.