Thomas and Arline Bannan Merit Endowed Scholarship Fund

A native Westerner, born in San Francisco and a former resident of Seattle, Washington, since 1929, Thomas J. Bannan was the President and Chairman of the Board of Western Gear Corporation, his family’s firm that specialized in the design and manufacture of all types of machinery both for industrial and government use. Mr. Bannan began his career with the company as an apprentice machinist and later received his engineering degree from the University of Santa Clara. In addition to being an officer or director of numerous companies and financial institutions, he was the National Vice-President of the National Association of Manufacturers and a member of their Board of Directors for eight years. He was a past president of the American Gear Manufacturers Association, was one of the organizers and the initial president of the Navy League of the Pacific Northwest. He served as a member of the Advisory Committee on Naval Affairs for the Thirteenth Naval District and received a commendation from the Navy Department for Western Gear’s contribution in designing and producing unique machinery for the country’s largest ocean cable-laying ship. His belief that businessmen have a responsibility to the state and the community led him to take such positions of leadership in many civic, charitable, and business assignments. He was a member of the National Citizens Council for Better Schools and has served in an advisory capacity to both the University of Washington and Washington State College.

This scholarship was established in 1995 by the executive members of the Thomas J. and Arline Bannan Foundation to honor the memory of Thomas J. Bannan ’23 and his wife, Arline.

The Bannan legacy began with Philip Laurence Bannan, born in 1873, and his wife, Teresa. Thomas J. Bannan was the oldest of Philip and Teresa’s ten children. Now, the Bannan family extends to over 110 Santa Clara University graduates who are direct descendants of Philip and Teresa Bannan.