Communications Staff

Ruth Wardwell
Assistant Vice President of Communications

Ruth Wardwell joined Whitman as director of communications in June 2005 after nearly 14 years as director of public relations and news services for Chapman University in Orange, California. Ruth, who is a Chicago native, earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Western Illinois University in Macomb, and for 10 years she worked with mentally and physically disabled individuals. In 1989, after embarking on a second career in public relations, she earned a certificate in marketing communications from the University of California, Irvine, and shortly after that joined the staff at Chapman.

Office: (509) 527-5768
E-mail: wardwers@whitman.edu
Location: 320 Memorial Building

Chris Bishop
Publications Design Manager

Chris Bishop ’79, publications design manager, oversees major campus publications, including development and alumni projects. A lifelong local resident, Chris graduated from Whitman with degrees in studio art and education. During the 1980s she worked as a graphic artist and later was director of Carnegie Art Center. Chris and husband Larry Bishop ’76 live on a wheat ranch in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. For recreation, Chris practices figure skating and hones her improv dance skills. Nominated by her colleagues, Chris is a 2005 recipient of the Janice Abraham Award, which recognizes the significant contributions and outstanding service of Whitman staff members.

Office: (509) 527-5769
E-mail: bishopc@whitman.edu
Location: 327 Memorial Building

David Brauhn
Editor/Associate Director of Communications

David Brauhn, editor/associate director of communications, came to Whitman in August 2011 from the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. In his 13 years of experience in the publishing and news industries, he has won awards for his writing, photography, design and illustration work. Most recently, he earned a Northwest Excellence in Journalism Award for his illustration portfolio from the Society for Professional Journalists, and he was part of the team that earned a C.B. Blethen Memorial Award for deadline reporting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in writing from Dickinson State University in North Dakota and attended the graduate school for creative writing at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Office: (509) 527-5169
E-mail: brauhndm@whitman.edu
Location: 323 Memorial Building

Michael Cox
Online Content Assistant

Michael Cox, online content assistant, joined Whitman in January 2012. His responsibilities are focused on editing web content to ensure that pages and sites are accurate and effective, and he helps staff, faculty and students create and enhance their web communications. Originally from southern Idaho, he graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2011 with bachelor's degree in visual communication design and worked as a cartoonist for the school's newspaper.

Office: (509) 527-5807
E-mail: coxmr@whitman.edu
Location: 327 Memorial Building

Travis Congleton
Publications Designer

Travis Congleton, publications designer, joined Whitman in March, 2006. He assists Chris Bishop in the design of campus publications and spends most of his time working on posters, brochures and handbooks for the college. Travis graduated from Walla Walla University in 2006 with a major in Graphic Design and loved the Walla Walla area so much he decided to stay. He is originally from Battle Ground, Washington. Travis’ hobbies include music, painting, photography, and coffee. On most weekends he can be found downtown drinking coffee with his friends.

Office: (509) 527-4966
E-mail: congletj@whitman.edu
Location: 327 memorial Building

Gillian Frew
Media Relations Officer

Gillian Frew, media relations officer, is a 2011 graduate of Whitman College. She has previously interned in the Whitman Office of Communications as a writer and served as editor-in-chief of student newspaper The Pioneer. In 2009, she was responsible for bringing Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Ricks to campus. She has also participated in the America Reads program, tutoring in a local bilingual kindergarten, and spent a semester abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she volunteered at a Spanish publishing house.

Office: (509) 527-4917
E-mail: frewga@whitman.edu
Location: 321 memorial Building

Greg Lehman
Communications Officer/Photographer

Greg Lehman joined the Communications staff in May of 2008, after 18 years as chief photographer at the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin and two years of semi-retirement. With a degree in broadcast/journalism from Pacific Lutheran University, he worked as a professional radio announcer until the call of his cameras became too loud to ignore. He continues to operate Greg Lehman Photography, doing weddings, portrait and commercial work throughout the Northwest. He won the heart of the beautiful and talented Ann many years ago and lives with her in what they call “The House of Milk and Honey” in rural Walla Walla.

Office: (509) 527-5969
E-mail: lehmangc@whitman.edu
Location: 327 Memorial Building

Linda Marshall
Mailing Coordinator

Linda Marshall joined Whitman in the fall of 2008, bringing with her more than 14 years of experience with the USPS. Originally from Nebraska, Linda lives in Prescott with her two teen-age children, Alisha and Beau. When not at work, you can find Linda either volunteering with the Prescott Lions Club, or the Prescott Parks and Recreation District, Prescott School District, or watching her children participate in school activities.

Office: (509) 527-5793
E-mail: marshals@whitman.edu
Location: Boyer House

Homero Menchaca
Mailing Technician

Homero Menchaca joined Whitman in the fall of 2008, following a 30-year career with the Milton-Freewater office of the USPS. He and his wife of 33 years, Berzaida, have three children and five grandchildren; they have lived in M-F since moving from Texas in 1977. In his spare time, you can find Homer with one of his grandchildren, golfing, barbecuing, fishing, or watching his favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Office: (509) 527-5266
E-mail: menchahg@whitman.edu
Location: Boyer House

Philip Silouan Thompson
Online Content Coordinator

Philip Silouan Thompson came to Whitman in 2004 with a range of Web expertise as well as experience in marketing communications. Phil serves as the primary coordinator of Web-based communications, providing Web development and content posting as well as leadership and strategic planning for existing and future content. In his spare time Phil seeks the perfect cup of Ethiopian Harrar.

Office: (509) 522-4412
E-mail: thompsps@whitman.edu
Location: 327 Memorial Building

Edward Weinman
Writer

Before arriving at Whitman College, Edward Weinman spent eight years in Reykjavik, Iceland, working as a travel writer, reporting from cities across Europe. His journalism has been picked up by The Associated Press, The Sunday Times of London and other news organizations. Edward penned the feature film "A Little Trip to Heaven," a psychological thriller starring Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker, Oscar-nominee Jeremy Renner and Julia Stiles. The film screened at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Edward recently finished writing two crime novels and keeps his fingers crossed that his book agent will find a publisher. Edward earned his MFA in writing, literature and publishing from Emerson College in Boston.

E-mail: weinmaem@whitman.edu
Mem 320

Amber Dobbs
Communications Operations Manager

Amber Dobbs, communications operations manager, keeps the Office of Communications running smoothly. From her office in Boyer House, she maintains the department’s budget, serves as the college’s print buyer and oversees outsource printing, manages the outgoing mail service and participates in planning and executing Commencement week and other major events. Amber is active in volunteer work in the community, including providing literacy tutoring to adults and running adopt-a-family programs at Christmas. In her leisure time she enjoys gardening, camping, hiking and fishing.

Office: (509) 527-5160
E-mail: dobbsar@whitman.edu
Location: Boyer House