Something that doesn't seem to happen enough in life is affirmation of the good. The following letter to President Bridges from Whitman parents Mary Logan and John Stellberg (Sarah '09), reprinted here with their permission, does just that and reflects credit on all aspects of the college:
Dear George,
It was about this time four years ago when you wrote a compelling letter to our daughter Sarah, convincing her why Whitman was the place of choice for her college years. I wrote a letter back to you at that time, because I was so personally moved by what you wrote to a young woman you knew so well when you had not even met her.
Fast forward four years and here we are poised for this weekend’s graduation festivities and ceremonies. I want to hit freeze frame at this moment, so I can savor this special time. I also want to hit rewind, so I can go back and relive the last four years of Sarah’s Whitman experience through her mom’s eyes.
Sending Sarah to Whitman in some ways reminded me of first grade. At that time, Sarah was a very shy little girl, and I worried that her bright, curious, creative and kind spirit would be lost in a sea of first grade noise. Her teacher, Nancy Slowinski, gave Sarah exactly what she needed to thrive: a nurturing environment, a safe space to develop social skills with new friends, the challenge of intellectual stimulation, the encouragement of independence, and the love of learning all around her.
Whitman’s gift to Sarah was this same mix of five ingredients. This time, I can’t thank only a single teacher, because it was the entire Whitman community who created such a magical place for Sarah to become the woman she is today: the Freshman Scrambler; the Freshman Core class and professor who kept her group together for an informal class in their Sophomore year; her resident and student advisors in the dorm; upper class housemates in her sophomore and junior years; professors who noticed and invited her to tutor other students, assist with research and serve on a committee; countless classroom discussions; special lectures; semester in Chile; the magical moments of learning that happened spontaneously; being invited out to lunch with a professor; concerts; the music program; the comfortable and special spots around campus for reading or talking; intramural sports (who would have ever thought a 5’2” petite, gentle soul would be a maniac at flag football); parties; hanging out with friends.
To the entire Whitman faculty and staff, I salute and thank you for the many gifts you have given to Sarah Stellberg in these four, wonderful years. I hope on your worst days that you can hold up the light of your giving spirits and be inspired to continue to make Whitman the special place that it has been in these four years. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mary Logan and John Stellberg, Sarah’s parents
