Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni 2018

The Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni is given by the Alumni Association to someone whose youthful exuberance is demonstrated 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 ten 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.

The 2018 Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni winner is Becky Antilla Walliman ’08

Becky Antilla Walliman is doing her part to instill self-confidence and healthy behaviors in young girls in the Puget Sound area through her work with Girls on the Run (GOTR), a nation-wide, nonprofit program, focused on inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates training for and running a 5K. The Puget Sound council has grown extensively during her tenure.

Walliman first became involved with GOTR as a volunteer coach in 2008. Three seasons later she started working as the organization's program manager before becoming development manager and, as of July 1, executive director. The skills honed after several years working in elementary education and coaching youth sports translated perfectly to this organization.

She has completed numerous races and knows the overwhelming sense of accomplishment that she felt when crossing the finish line of her first half marathon. Walliman loves getting to see each GOTR participant experience the same excitement at the finish line of the end-of-season 5K.

While a senior at Whitman, Walliman served on the senior committee, working with both the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations offices to encourage her class to make a gift to the college. Since she graduated, she has served as class representative, and is currently a member of the reunion fund committee for the 10^th reunion.

“She is beloved by GOTR volunteers and is recognized as an advocate for women and girls in the Puget Sound region,” says Nicole Angus ’11, the alumna who nominated Walliman for this honor. Her work with this outstanding nonprofit organization, as well as her commitment to Whitman, are an excellent embodiment of this award.