Whitman announces new Provost and Dean of the Faculty

A newsletter for alumni & friends | January 2024

Dear Alumni and Friends:

As we begin the new year, I’m deeply grateful for the support of so many alumni and families. Your dedication makes Whitman ever stronger, advancing the ways that Whitman prepares students to be the thinkers and leaders our world needs.

I’m delighted to announce the appointment of an important partner in these efforts, our new Provost and Dean of the Faculty Dr. Elisabeth Mermann-Jozwiak. Dr. Mermann-Jozwiak brings extensive academic leadership experience to Whitman, most recently from Bucknell University, and is a champion for the liberal arts.

Of further importance to our academic program, I’m pleased to share news of a high-impact gift to the Upward Together campaign from the Lawrence Parke Murphy Trust to support our new Human-Centered Design concentration with a designer-in-residence who will collaborate with students and faculty.

Earlier this week I was delighted to be with alumni and families in New York and Washington, DC for events celebrating the launch of our Upward Together campaign. We are deeply grateful for the campaign gifts of alumni and families that now total $157 million toward our $200 million goal!

I also want to thank so many of you who turned out this week for Whitties Helping Whitties in Bellevue, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. These networking events are so important in helping students and young alumni launch their careers on the highest trajectory.

Thanks to you, we have much to look forward to in 2024 and beyond. I appreciate all that you do for Whitman students!

Sarah R. Bolton
President

Whitman College students in the new Human-Centered Design concentration will have access to additional experts thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from the Lawrence Parke Murphy Trust. This gift to the college’s Upward Together campaign will fund an exciting designer-in-residence program beginning in the 2024–2025 academic year.

Students in the First Year Seminar Games learned about the philosophical and psychological aspects of socializing through playing games. It is part of Whitman’s First Year Seminars which are designed to immerse students in deep thought and transformative conversations while helping students gain the skills needed to succeed in college.

At Whitman, Anna demonstrated a passion for climate activism and service. In her postgraduate fellowship with the Environmental Protection Agency, Allgeyer worked on the frontlines of change. As part of her fellowship, she researched disaster resilience for communities in need.

A Mathematics and Physics major, Eric is the Head of Global Markets Origination at BMO Capital Markets. He and his wife, Kerry Shaw, support The Whitman Fund through unrestricted gifts. “... I want to protect the Whitman experience and help it to thrive in the years to come.”

Through nominations from members of the Whitman community, the Alumni Association Board recognizes alumni who exemplify outstanding achievement in their careers, communities, or through service to the college. There are categories for graduates of the last decade, alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, alumni striving to light a path for others to follow, and more. Nominations are due by Friday, March 15th.

Gather together with Anchorage-area alumni, families and friends - don't miss this chance to connect with old friends and make new ones. Walk-ins are welcome!

Join members of the W Club and Blues basketball fans for refreshments, camaradarie and conversation at halftimes and between games!

The Alumni Association Board of Directors seeks new board members who will bring diverse perspectives and serve as advisors to the Office of Alumni Relations. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the board, particularly those who live in the San Francisco Bay area, and representatives from Whitman classes of the ’70s and ’80s.

Contact Jennifer Dilworth Northam ’91, director of alumni relations, at northajl@whitman.edu or call 509-526-4794 by March 15, 2024. More information can be found at whitman.edu/alumni-board.

Whitman College and our students thrive only through the philanthropy of our generous alumni and donors. Each year, more than 4,000 alumni and friends make gifts of all sizes to help change the lives of our students. It’s what Whitties do!