Poet Awards

Poet Awardees represent some of the best of our Whittier College community and extended family.

For decades, the Poet Awards have been presented to select members of the alumni body, chosen for their outstanding service, commitment, and loyalty to Whittier College, and for individual professional and personal achievements that best reflect the ideals and values taught here at Whittier.

2021-2022 Poet Awards

The 2021-22 Poet Award recipients will be honored at the Poet Awards Dinner and Ceremony on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

This year's recipients include business and civic leaders, officeholders, community advocates, artists, and educators who have had a significant impact on a local, national, and international level. These outstanding Poets represent the diversity, accomplishment, and spirit of service that defines the Whittier community.

Read the honorees' full biographies

Distinguished Alumni Achievement

Rev. Glen W. Warner ’63, Religious and Business Leader

William C. Pate ’65, San Diego Superior Court Judge (Ret.)

Alumni Achievement

Alma R. Martinez '84, Actor, Scholar, and Activist

Alumni Achievement Award-Graduate Program

Brent A. Robinson MA’14, Director of Strategic Engagement & Communications, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Emerging Leaders

Erin J. Clancy ’07, Public Policy Manager, Meta

Dan A. Strauss ’09, Seattle City Council

Community Impact/Public Service

Erik R. Stegman ’04, Executive Director of Native Americans in Philanthropy

Service to the College

Hawaii Chapter Committee: Steven Ai ’76, Maura (Lee) Yee ’76, Debbie (Hamamoto) Shimizu ’76, Chris (Sumiye) Imoto ’75, Doug Bennett ’65

Tim B. Westphal ’95, Senior Vice President of Operations, Bay Alarm Company

Honorary Alumni

Thelma L. Eaton, Educator, Author, and Community Leader