Rose-Hulman alumnus and long-time trustee Michael Percopo died Jan. 25 in New York City at the age of 81. Percopo had a distinguished international business career and received several honors from Rose-Hulman for his long-time support to the college including a 21-year tenure on the Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees.

Cards and letters can be sent to his wife Christa at 860 United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10017-1810.

A memorial scholarship fund has been established in Percopo's honor at Rose-Hulman. Memorial gifts can also be made to Cancer Care Inc., Development Department, 275 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021 or to Calvary Hospital, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, N.Y. 10461.

Percopo retired as president of Squibb International and in his later years served as president of MWP Associates International in New York City.

Percopo received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Rose-Hulman in 1972. In 1997, the Office of Career Services and Employer Relations in the Hulman Union was dedicated in honor of Percopo and his late wife, Catharine.

His support included the Percopo Scholarship Endowment Fund which was established to attract top students to Rose- Hulman who would add to the geographic diversity of the student body. He also established a fellowship at Harvard University for Rose-Hulman alumni interested in earning an MBA. Percopo earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1948.

A native of Bayonne, New Jersey, Percopo received his degree in chemical engineering in 1943. After serving as a captain in the U.S. Army, and earning the MBA from Harvard, Percopo began his career with Squibb in Rome, Italy. Promotions came quickly and included positions as assistant to the president of Squibb in Sao Paulo, Brazil, managing director in Turkey and general manager of Middle East Operations. In 1957, Percopo was promoted to vice president, Southern Latin American and later became president of Squibb for the Western Hemisphere and Middle East. He was appointed president of Squibb International in 1978.

Percopo continued to serve as an active member of the Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees. He was appointed to the board in 1981. He was a member of the board's investment management, academic affairs and Ventures Success Fund committees.