From: Geoff Shepard
Date: February 25, 2023 at 8:24:06 AM GMT-7
Subject: Forced Trustee Removal
To the Whittier College Board of Trustees:
I am simply appalled at your recent action, forcing the removal of two of the College’s most loyal and distinguished trustees: Chris Cross and Barbara Groce. I served with both as a Trustee myself and am personally aware of their many contributions to the College.
I’ve known Chris in particular since we were there in the mid-1960s. He went on to a career in education, including being an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education in Washington.
Surely you must realize that such an unjustified action, taken without authority under your by-laws, will invite both litigation and regulatory scrutiny. Every Whittier alum has got to be asking themselves, “What on earth are our Trustees up to?” Each of you has a fiduciary duty to the College. I hope you are prepared to defend this outrageous action, when those challenges come.
Respectfully submitted,
Geoffrey C. Shepard, Esq., Class of 1966