Meredith College Mourns Passing of Former Director of Alumnae Affairs

Meredith College mourns the loss of Cleo Glover Perry, former director of alumnae affairs, who died on November 8, 2018, at the age of 94.

Perry, a member of Meredith’s Class of 1945, joined the alumnae affairs staff at Meredith after a 30-year career as a teacher in Wake County Public Schools. She served her alma mater for more than a decade, including as the College’s fourth director of alumnae affairs.

Perry also served as Alumnae Association President from 1966-68. She was the recipient of Meredith’s 1987 Outstanding Alumna Award and the 2004 Philanthropy Award. She served on the Meredith Legacy Scholarship Steering Committee and was a lifetime member of the Friends of the Library.

In 1989, the College beautified the entrance to the Frankie G. Weems Art Gallery, planting a garden there and dedicating it on commencement weekend to Perry. The Meredith Magazine article about the dedication noted that as director of alumnae affairs, Perry “lifted the importance of alumnae giving to a new level.” Her own giving to Meredith included establishing the Elwood and Cleo Perry Endowment for the Meredith Legacy Scholarship and an Honors scholarship.

A memorial service was held at Zebulon Baptist Church on November 16.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Elwood and Cleo Perry Honors Scholarship at Meredith College, 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607.