More about the Perpall Competition
Bob Perpall was a Life Member of the SURF Board and served as its Chair from 1999 to 2001. Together with his wife, Toni, they established the Toni and Bob Perpall SURF Endowment in 2006, which provides annual support for a SURF Fellow in perpetuity. On December 6, 2010, Mr. Perpall passed away at the age of 80. Our office benefited immensely from his support, as did other campus partners, such as the Caltech Y and the Caltech Associates. The 2010 SURF year was dedicated to Bob and Toni in recognition for their outstanding contributions.
If I had recognized the importance of public speaking, I would have learned a lot better when I was younger.
Toni Perpall is now a Life Member of the SURF Board, and served as our SURF Board Chair from 2021 to 2023. Along with the rest of the Perpall family, Toni graciously continues to empower and support our Caltech undergraduate researchers. Their presence every January at the Final Round of the Perpall Competition reminds all of us of their unwavering support toward undergraduate research, excellence in communication, and building on the legacy envisioned by Bob Perpall.
Each year, the Perpall SURF Speaking Competition begins on SFP Fall Seminar Day, with Oral Judges and Session Chairs tasked with selecting the best Caltech speakers from their session. The students who get selected advance to the Semi-Final Round, which occurs during the middle of the Fall Term. The students that emerge from this round, go on to compete in the Final Round, hoping to win one of three top slots.