Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Team
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Ruth Wardwell, Director of Communications Lana Brown, Associate Director of Communications Chris Bishop, Publications Design Manager Travis Congleton, Publications Designer Virginia Grantier, Writer Greg Lehman, Communications Officer/Photographer |
Linda Marshall, Mailing Coordinator Homero Menchaca, Mailing Technician Lenel Parish, Senior News Service Officer Aubrey Stone, Printing Services Assistant Philip Silouan Thompson, Web Content Specialist Amber Woodworth, Communications Operations Manager |
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Ruth Wardwell |
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 |
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Associate Director of Communications |
Lana Brown serves as editor of Whitman Magazine as well as associate director. She came to Whitman in 2005, after 20 years at the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. Her husband, Bob Brown, is the warehouse manager for his family's apple growing and packing operation, Earl E. Brown & Sons, in Milton-Freewater. The family also own and operates Watermill Winery and are partners in the Blue Mountain Cider Company. Lana and Bob have a daughter, Stephanie, in college and a son, Christopher, in high school.
Office: (509) 527-5169 |
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Chris Bishop |
Chris Bishop '79, publications design manager, serves as lead designer of Whitman Magazine and oversees other major campus publications, including admission, 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 softball 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 |
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Travis Congleton |
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 College 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) 527-5181 |
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Virginia Grantier |
Virginia Grantier spent 22 years working as a reporter, editor and feature writer for newspapers in Colorado, North Dakota, Oregon and Montana including The Denver Post and The Bismarck Tribune. Virginia graduated with a journalism degree from Denver’s Metropolitan State College. She is an award-winning feature writer who is honored to have the opportunity to write stories about Whitman College’s students, staff and faculty. And she’s happy to be in the same city as her father, Jay Grantier, who retired to Walla Walla a couple of years ago. Virginia plays piano, guitar and writes songs. She has two grown daughters, Lauren and Patricia.
Office:(509) 527-4917 |
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Greg Lehman |
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 |
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Linda Marshall |
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 |
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Homero Menchaca |
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 |
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Lenel Parish |
Lenel Parish, senior news service officer, gathers and disseminates news and information about the college in a quest to make Whitman a household name from coast to coast. Born in North Hall (many years ago when it was General Hospital), she grew up in Prescott, Washington, majored in journalism at Washington State University, and edited that college's newspaper The Daily Evergreen. She now lives in Walla Walla where she and husband Dewey own and operate the “Zip Zone” on 9th Street. Lenel and Dewey have a blended family of four young adults, and they spend their “spare time” playing with grandson Anthony.
Office: (509) 527-5156 |
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Aubrey Stone |
Aubrey Stone, printing services assistant, is experienced in customer service and clerical duties as well as in the graphic arts. She is a native of Texas, raised in the countryside near Ft. Worth, and now lives in Dayton with her “beautiful and independent” daughter who attends Berney Elementary School in Walla Walla. Mother and daughter enjoy outdoor activities that include fishing, camping and hiking. Aubrey has traveled the West extensively, and enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.
Office: (509) 527-5185 |
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Philip Silouan Thompson |
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 |
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Amber Woodworth |
Amber Woodworth, communications operations manager, keeps the Office of Communications running smoothly. From her office in Boyer House, she maintains the department's budget, oversees outsource printing, gathers data and completes numerous surveys about the college, and helps to plan Commencement week and other major events. Amber lives in a farmhouse outside Dayton with her husband, Val, an aerial applicator, and their two teen-age sons. Amber is active in volunteer work in the community, including providing literacy tutoring to adults and running adopt-a-family programs at Christmas.
Office: (509) 527-5160 |
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