Whittier College News Release

Whittier College
Office of Public Relations
13406 Philadelphia St.
P.O. Box 634
Whittier, CA 90608-0634

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: 562.907.4974 or mediarelations@whittier.edu

ROBISON JOINS WHITTIER COLLEGE
SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

WHITTIER, CA (February 14, 2007)—Beginning March 12, Elizabeth Power Robison will join Whittier College's senior administrative team as newly appointed vice president for advancement. Robison replaces former Vice President Bedford McIntosh, who left in late 2006 for a position at Loyola Marymount University.

Robison comes to Whittier College from nearby Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) in Claremont, where she has served as vice president for advancement since 2004, overseeing all aspects of annual and campaign fundraising, communications, alumni relations and special events. While at KGI, she was instrumental in securing a $20 million matching challenge grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation—a critical success in KGI’s first-ever fundraising campaign.

From the start of her career in development, which began with a research position at Pomona College in 1993, Robison has quickly advanced in the field and successfully tackled a variety of fundraising roles. Prior to KGI, she served as director of development for Occidental College, where her work with alumni volunteers resulted in a 2002 Award of Distinction from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education; individual gifts officer for Mount Holyoke College; and director of annual giving at both Scripps College and Brandeis University. While at Brandeis, Robison assumed additional responsibilities as director of campaign operations, planning and managing an impressive $470 million comprehensive campaign.

Robison holds an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Brandeis University in Massachusetts. An invited speaker on the topic of philanthropy and education at seminars both here and abroad, she has also been an active volunteer in a number of community service and outreach organizations, such as the Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center, House of Ruth, and Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership programs.

“I look forward to the drive, energy, and purpose Elizabeth will bring to the Whittier community in general, and to our advancement division in particular,” said President Sharon D. Herzberger. “With her solid history in strategic fundraising, professional experience in all areas of development and research, and her wealth of knowledge in both the regional and national higher education markets, I am confident that we have found the right person to spearhead the College’s fundraising efforts moving forward.”

Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community, and curricular innovation, the College’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service. Whittier College is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

Whittier Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, is located on a separate campus in Orange County.