CSU's President's Medal is the university's highest, most prestigious non-academic recognition. This year, we honor Thomas Hopkins and Steve Percy for their civic leadership, philanthropy and service to CSU and the community.
Tom Hopkins served as Corporate Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources for The Sherwin-Williams Company from 1997 until his retirement in 2015. He led the company’s enterprise-wide HR strategy, overseeing global talent management, compensation and benefits, culture and engagement, diversity, EH&S, and community initiatives. Under his leadership, Sherwin-Williams was repeatedly recognized by Fortune as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
Tom joined Sherwin-Williams in 1981 and rose through a series of HR and training roles, including VP of Human Resources for the Paint Stores Group. He created the company’s Management Trainee Program—now a long-standing engine of leadership development—and helped establish the Culture of Excellence that continues to guide continuous improvement across the organization.
A committed civic leader, Tom has been deeply involved in advancing talent and workforce development throughout Northeast Ohio. His service includes chairing the Cleveland Leadership Center and Vocational Guidance Services, serving as Trustee and later Chair of the Cleveland State University Foundation, membership on the CSU Board of Trustees, and leadership roles with JumpStart. He has been a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity throughout his career.
Originally from Wooster, Ohio, Tom earned his bachelor’s degree from Malone College and a master’s in Organizational Psychology from Cleveland State University. His honors include the Archer Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Resources, CSU Distinguished Alumni recognition, and the George B. Davis Award for service to the University. Tom and his wife Marsha live in the Chagrin Falls area and enjoy time with their three children and eight grandchildren.
Pictured above: Thomas E. Hopkins
Steve Percy is the former Chairman and CEO of BP America, Inc., serving from 1996 to 1999 after previously leading BP Oil’s U.S. operations and holding senior financial roles in London, including Group Treasurer of The British Petroleum Company and Chief Executive of BP Finance International. He began his career with The Standard Oil Company in 1976 and advanced through leadership roles in marine transportation, crude oil operations, strategic planning, and executive management before moving to BP Oil International following the BP–Standard Oil merger.
After retiring from BP, Steve led Phillips Petroleum’s Refining, Marketing and Transportation Company and later transitioned into academia and governance. He has served as a visiting professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, lectured on sustainability and corporate strategy, and conducted corporate governance workshops. He also served as Interim Dean of the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University and is currently Leader in Residence at CSU’s College of Law. Steve was a long‑serving director of Omnova Solutions, chairing its Audit Committee, and has held numerous other corporate board positions.
Nationally, Steve served on President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development as Co‑Chair of the Climate Change Task Force and played a major leadership role in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, serving as Coordinating Lead Author and principal writer of its business and industry synthesis report.
A Northeast Ohio native, Steve holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and a J.D. from Cleveland State University’s College of Law, which also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar.
Steve has been deeply engaged in civic and nonprofit leadership, including service as Chair of the Chautauqua Foundation, Vice Chair of Resources for the Future, Chair of the National Advisory Council of CSU’s College of Law, Vice Chairman of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, and Chair of Neighborhood Progress, Inc. He has also served on the boards of University Hospitals, the American Petroleum Institute, the National Association of Manufacturers, Junior Achievement International, and several business and industry organizations. He is an honorary member of Beta Gamma Sigma and a recipient of the Zayed Prize for his work on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
Steve and his wife Barbara (“Polly”) have two daughters, Amy and Sarah, and remain active members of the Northeast Ohio community.
Pictured Above: Steve Percy