Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni 2013

The Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni is given by the Alumni Association to someone whose youthful exuberance is demonstrated daily toward his or her career, community, and Whitman College as exemplified by Pete Reid '49, in his service to the College. This award is limited to graduates of the last fifteen years. Standards for recognition include outstanding recognition in his or her career or field of work or outstanding commitment in service to others, and a demonstrated commitment to Whitman College.

Recipient for 2013 is Dana Leighton ’01

Dana Leighton ’01 was recognized for outstanding work in his chosen field, commitment to serving others and significant contributions to the college, particularly his ongoing involvement with the Annual Fund.

Leighton was a non-traditional student at Whitman – he was 32 when he enrolled. Now an assistant professor of psychology at Marywood University in Pennsylvania, he said he chose Whitman after spending time as a computer programmer and systems analyst, because he wanted a school where “the students were smarter than me, and the students and faculty challenged each other at a really rigorous level.

“What sealed the deal for me at Whitman was that the faculty there seemed really approachable and friendly, and the students just seemed like they were comfortable being who they were. It was clear that the students at Whitman really built a community,” he said.

A current class representative, Leighton first became involved with fundraising efforts as a member of his Senior Fund Committee. He earned the Eugene Marx Service Award in 2001 for “consistent unrewarded service to the College.” He has served as an admission representative since 2010, calling prospective students to answer questions about Whitman. He was also a member of his 10th Reunion Fund Committee.

After completing his degree in psychology, Leighton earned his master’s in social psychology at the University of British Columbia and his Ph.D. in experimental psychology at the University of Arkansas.