With the fall semester now in full swing, campus is alive with energy. Classrooms are buzzing and our newest Poets are settling into life at Whittier. The rhythm of the academic year has returned, and it’s an exciting time already.
The incoming class hails from 25 states and 17 countries, with enrollment up 30% from last fall. They’re majoring in more than 40 fields of study, and 142 of those bright scholars have a GPA of 3.8 or above. They’re an impressive group — diverse, driven, and ready to lead. These gains reflect the hard work of our faculty, staff, and the belief that Whittier Works.
The College’s commitment is more central than ever in the face of federal funding headwinds that threaten our students’ academic futures. In my recent opinion piece for The Hechinger Report, I outline how threats to Pell Grants, Work-Study, and federal research funding endanger student success and social mobility. This is not a partisan issue. It is a moral and economic imperative to preserve access and affordability.
As we count down the weeks until Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 10–12, I hope you’re making plans to visit campus. From reconnecting with classmates to celebrating all that makes Whittier unique, the weekend promises something for every Poet. I’ll also be delivering the State of the College address the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 10, where I’ll share a look at our progress, plans, and priorities shaping the next chapter of Whittier’s story.
That future involves input from you. As we build our future together, we want your voice to be heard. If you haven’t yet taken the Whittier College brand survey, I encourage you to do so. It’s quick, thoughtful, and gives you a chance to weigh in on how we express who we are as a college to prospective students, families, and the world beyond. These concepts are the result of more than a year of research and engagement with the Whittier community. The survey will remain open until 11:50 p.m. PT on Friday, Sep. 12. Your insights matter.
Thank you for being part of the College’s momentum. I look forward to seeing many of you in October — back where it all began.
Go Poets!
Kristine E. Dillon ’73, Ph.D.
President
