Announcing: Whittier Now!

Noviembre 16, 2023

Dear Poets,

We write to share exciting news about our progress in moving Whittier College into its next chapter, and to enlist your support.

Today, we are launching Whittier Now!, a new fundraising initiative dedicated to the continued growth of our beloved institution.

You already know Whittier College is special. With your support, Whittier will continue to make a difference in our students’ lives, families, communities — and the world.

We encourage you to join us in this effort. Your support will allow us to uphold Whittier’s commitment to student scholarships, faculty excellence, athletics and challenging, interactive courses. Ranked as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country and designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Whittier is nationally recognized for its generous support of students of all backgrounds and its personalized approach to a liberal arts education that prepares graduates for global leadership and service. Through Whittier Now!, we will meet the needs of this moment and prepare for the College’s future.

We also write to share our early success. With the ambitious aim of raising $1 million by the end of this calendar year, current and former board members stepped up to make contributions that have already surpassed that goal. One-hundred percent of current trustees have made significant gifts and pledges to the initiative. They were joined by three former trustees: Vincent J. ’85 and Jan Daigneault, Christopher T. Martin ’94 and James R. Parks. The following donors gave at the $100,000-plus level: Fred ’66 and Marilyn Anderson; Richard H. ’49, DBA ’84 and Billie (Beane) Deihl ’50; Kristine Dillon ’73 and John Curry; Ron Gastelum ’68; and Rick ’68 and Nina (Newsom) ’69 Gilchrist.

Such generosity is a testament to our collective belief in Whittier College today and tomorrow. 

Now, we are calling on the strength of our entire Poet community and we are excited to celebrate our success, together. To learn more and donate, please visit Whittier Now!

By donating before December 31, 2023, you ensure that your gift will be matched (up to $1M) by our generous trustees. 

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Kristine Dillon ’73, Ph.D.

Interim President, Whittier College

Ron Gastelum ’68

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Whittier College