By Vivian Shipe
KNOXVILLE, TN — There is a saying, at its best, a legacy can help make life better for those who outlive you.
When future Knoxville College Bulldogs enter the new Giffen and Dr. John H. Perry Memorial Gymnasium and Health Fitness Center, that saying will come to life.
The impact Dr. Perry had on his family and the community of Knoxville and surrounding counties has left a strong footprint. An Omega man, Perry was married to his wife Joyce for 57 years. In addition to his wife, Dr. Perry had another passion, education and sharing life’s lessons to his many students over the decades
Dr. Perry began his educational journey at Knoxville College, an HBCU that despite its many struggles has stood for over 147 years. After obtaining his Bachelor Degree from Knoxville College, Perry continued his educational journey, receiving a Master of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee and his Doctor of Philosophy in Education from Southern Illnois University.
As an educator, he would pass that knowledge on, teaching for over three decades, planting seeds of greatness, impacting generations.
Dr. Perry had a great impact not only on his students, but in his lineage as well. His words and works helped shape the life of his nephew Fred Lowery, inspiring him to be the best man he could be.
Lowery, Senior Vice President and President of Thermo Fisher Scientific, has stated he would not be who he is if his uncle had not been who he was.
In that spirit of gratitude, Fred Lowery, along with his family by his side, presented Knoxville College with a 250,000.00 donation from the Lowery Family Fund in memory of his uncle Dr. John Perry , a man who through education, dedicated his life to help pave the way for others to succeed.
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