Gordon Scribner Award 2006

The Gordon Scribner Award was created to honor Gordon Scribner '42, former dean of students and director of alumni, upon his retirement. The award is given by the Alumni Association to persons who have made a major contribution of volunteer time and effort to Whitman College over an extended period of time and possess the ability to inspire. Any alumnus/alumna or friend of the College is eligible for this award. There are no restrictions regarding board involvement.

F. James McCarthy '63 has been a volunteer for Whitman College, in one capacity or another, for more than 20 years. Cumulatively, more than 50 years of service can be credited to him.

Jim returned to Walla Walla in late 1979 to work as the Planned Giving Officer in the Development Office during the initial phase of the $50 million Campaign for Whitman. He retired from the Army Reserves in 2001 as a Lt. Colonel, having served two tours in Vietnam in the '60s as an Advisor and a helicopter pilot. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, 15 Air Medals, one for Valor and the Combat Infantrymen's Badge, parachute wings and aviator wings. He is currently a Financial Advisor with Smith Barney; previously he worked at Baker Boyer National Bank from 1983 until 2003 as the Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President for Bank and Trust Department Investments.

As a volunteer for Whitman College, Jim has served as a Class Representative for 20 years, been a member of the Investment Committee for 15 years, for 10 years he served as a member of the Planned Giving Council and since 1994 has served as a member of the Board of Overseers.

Besides his volunteer work at Whitman College, Jim has served as President of the Walla Walla School Board, President of the Walla Walla Community College Foundation, President of the local United Way and coached youth soccer, basketball and baseball. He co-chaired the YWCA's successful $3 million Building Campaign and is currently serving on the statewide Foundation for Early Learning. Jim's wife, Jayne, coached women's tennis at Whitman for 14 years and they have hosted an international student from Whitman for the last 25 years.

When asked about Jim's impact on the college and Walla Walla community, Pete Reid stated, "Jim has been real leader in the Walla Walla community for the last 20 years. I can't think of anyone in the community more deserving than Jim McCarthy. He's a first-class person and we're blessed that he came back to Walla Walla and Whitman."

Because of Jim's devotion to his alma mater and the community in which he lives, the Whitman College Alumni Association Board of Directors is proud to present him with the 2006 Gordon Scribner Award for Distinguished Service. Upon notification of the award, Jim said, "I worked with Gordon Scribner and am humbled and flattered to be a honored with this award."

*The award is to be presented at the All Alumni Luncheon on Saturday, April 29, on the Whitman College campus.