Chris McDade Internship Endowment Honors a Life of Meaning and Purpose
Chris McDade '74 spent her life in service to others.
A psychology major and education minor at Whitman, she went on to earn a master's degree in special education at the University of Washington. During her subsequent 28-year career, she served special education students at Liberty High School in Issaquah, Washington.
Chris and her husband, Sandy McDade '74, also gave back through their involvement with numerous nonprofit organizations, including ArtsFund, a Seattle-based group supporting the arts through leadership, advocacy and grant making. They also stayed involved with Whitman College through volunteering and giving their time and resources for many decades.
After Chris died in September 2018, Sandy wanted to create a tribute to her at Whitman that recognized her passion for nonprofit work and volunteerism. He established the Chris McDade Internship Endowment to support students interested in careers in community service. The endowment funds summer internships at nonprofit organizations for students who apply to the Whitman Internship Grant program.
"As part of our new strategic plan, Whitman is committed to ensuring each graduate has the knowledge and skills to translate their liberal arts education into a meaningful and satisfying life path," said Noah Leavitt, director of the Student Engagement Center. "Thanks to this generous gift in Chris' memory, Whitman students will find both inspiration and support as they consider their futures through internships."