George Boone, with the cottage that bears his name, has been a critical part of efforts to expand facilities at Wrigley.
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Building a Scientific Village
George Boone Helps Build an Island Haven for Marine Researchers
By Pamela J. Johnson
George Boone was a security guard on the graveyard shift at a newly
dedicated Allan Hancock Foundation Building when a charismatic,
Renaissance man befriended him.
It was the 1940s and the man was the legendary Capt. G. Allan Hancock,
whose philanthropy and great love of the ocean left a lasting
impression on the young Boone.
“Captain Hancock changed my whole life by being a mentor,’’ recalled
Boone, who used to sail aboard Hancock’s ship, often with his then
girlfriend, now wife, MaryLou, a sorority sister of Hancock’s daughter.
“He couldn’t help but inspire you.’’
More than 60 years later, Boone demonstrates that tutelage with his
substantial contributions to USC and the College. Most recently, the
USC Lifetime Trustee and College councilor donated funds toward a new
$12 million addition and renovation at the Wrigley Institute for
Environmental Studies facility in Catalina.
At the Wrigley complex, Boone swept an arm toward the land where new
Tuscany-style cottages will be built, across from where the dining hall
will be renovated.
“We’re going to make it homey, yet we don’t want it to be the Four Seasons,’’ Boone said. “And look at this view.’’
He turned to face a mountain terrain and a clear, teal-blue ocean, dotted with boats, kayakers and snorkelers.
Target groundbreaking is fall 2006, Wrigley Director Tony Michaels said.
“George Boone has led the way,” Michaels said. “He has an excellent
sense of style. And he’s constantly pushing to ratchet up the quality.’’
Boone earned his D.D.S. degree in 1946, his bachelor’s in dentistry in
1947 and master’s in orthodontics in 1951 from USC. He practiced in San
Marino until 1969. After that, he made a fortune in real estate.
But Boone likes to contribute more than money. “It’s easy to write a
check,’’ he said. “The other way to do it is to also get involved.’’
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