New Alumni Board Members

The Alumni Association Board of Directors elected four new members who bring education, medical and human resources expertise to the organization.

Jim Dow

Jim Dow ’71 started his 40th year in the classroom this fall. He teaches chemistry and advanced-placement chemistry at Bainbridge High School, where he also has coached football and girls’ basketball. After earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology, he went on to get his master’s degree in education counseling. A volunteer firefighter/EMT in his Bainbridge community for 27 years, Dow holds the rank of lieutenant. He developed a computerized map of Bainbridge Island for emergency response, and has served as a member of the state Licensing and Certification and Emergency Medical Services committees. “Who has spare time?” he asks, although the veteran of alumni white water rafting trips has made time for Whitman: He attends Commencement when his former Bainbridge students graduate, and he has served as an alumni admission volunteer since the mid-1970s. He enjoys playing golf, and he and his significant other, Natalie, enjoy visiting their home on the Oregon Coast.

Minda McLaughlin Merrow

Minda McLaughlin Merrow ’62, a retired elementary school teacher, lives in San Diego with her husband, Charlie Merrow ’62. Minda Merrow earned a bachelor’s degree in education-psychology, but her focus in recent years has shifted to traveling with Charlie, “loving and caring for four wonderful grandchildren, “ and spending time with their children, Sharon and Michael, and spouses. Merrow also volunteers as a hospital surgical liaison representative, is a Stephen minister and sings in the choir at church, serves as an active member and past president of her P.E.O. chapter, and belongs to Women’s Political Organization. She is a longtime representative for her Whitman class and a San Diego alumni admission representative. “This is another opportunity to serve Whitman and to learn more about the college of which I am very happy to be an alumna! My associations with Whitman over many years have been most rewarding, and I am looking forward to working in this new capacity.”

Nick Paslidis

Dr. Nick Paslidis ’82, chief medical officer of an Arizona hospital, earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Whitman, then a medical degree and a doctorate before beginning his career as a physician in a rural health-care setting in Little Rock, Arkansas. Paslidis became medical director of 18 rural health clinics in 2001 and added a master’s degree in health-care management from Harvard University to his r'esum'e. In 2006, he became CEO/president of the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, and this year moved his family to Arizona for his current position. Paslidis volunteers with an agency that provides free health care to the uninsured and underinsured, and is involved with the sports activities of his and wife Sarah’s three children, Alexandra, 16, Abigail, 13, and Yiannis, 8. His hobbies include playing tennis and racquetball, traveling and reading. “My studies at Whitman prepared me for life and helped to form my career goals. I am pleased to be able to volunteer my time to assist the college with new projects and with innovative ideas for the students and alumni in order for them to continue their cohesive relationship with Whitman.”

Beth Long Salaguinto

Beth Long Salaguinto ’88, a human resources expert in recruitment, performance management and employee relations, lives in Bothell, Wash., with her husband, David Salaguinto ’87, and children, Taylor, 14, and Grayce, 10. Beth Salaguinto has worked in the human resources field for high-tech, aerospace and health-care companies for the past 15 years. A politics major at Whitman, she earned her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington in 1995, and later a certification in human resources. Salaguinto serves on the board of the Snohomish County Human Resources Association, for which she teaches certification courses. The governor appointed her to the Snohomish County Boundary Review Board. This past year, she co-chaired The Links Inc./Junior League Mother’s Day Project, which supplied more than 1,500 baskets of personal items to women’s shelters in the Greater Seattle area. Salaguinto has served Whitman as a class representative, reunion chair and alumni admission representative. She enjoys spending time with her family, scrapbooking and travel, and looks forward to serving on the alumni board and sharing enthusiasm for Whitman with other alumni and prospective students. “I get a chill when I see any Whitman alumnus or a Whitman sticker on someone’s car. The connection provides endless conversation because we have so much in common.”