Legacies--multi-generational links to the College--are an important part of Pomona tradition.
The Sumner-Benson Family
In the late 1880s, the Reverend Charles Burt Sumner settled with his family in the city of Pomona and became the first pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church. As a community leader, he supported the creation of a Christian college that would provide superior education for Southern California families, and soon began full-time work in developing Pomona College, a 40-year endeavor.
Sumner's two children, George Stedman Sumner and Helen Sumner, were members of Pomona's first graduating class in 1894. All of Helen's seven children graduated from the College, as well as five grandchildren. George Stedman Sumner '94 was a trustee for over 14 years, and his nephew, George C.S. Benson '28, was founding president of Claremont Men's College from 1947 to 1969. In addition, several in the family graduated from Scripps, CMC and Harvey Mudd.
Today, two buildings stand on Pomona's campus as legacy to the family, Sumner House and Mary L. Sumner Hall.
"Pomona College was always in the air with my family," recalls Dirck Benson, Jr. '60. His sister, Carol Benson Jackman '63, adds: "There was never any pressure to come to Pomona, but my father was so proud of the College that I just knew it was the place for me. In fact, I'm sure that if my father could still sing, he would sing "Hail, Pomona, Hail!" to us even now."
