Whitman College Alumni Board
In 1895, Whitman College alumni organized the Alumni Association to promote the interests of its members and their Alma Mater. Today the Whitman College Alumni Association continues to foster and maintain those interests between Whitman and its extended family.
To carry out this mission, the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association maintains standing committees which advise the Alumni Office on alumni matters and communicate alumni reactions to College programs.
In other words, they work to keep you connected to Whitman, and to bring your concerns back to the administration. Let the board know how you feel! Email the board members in your area.
Board of Directors
Functions of Your Board
They are your representatives, your voice. They can take your opinions, thoughts, and ideas back to the college, and bring information home to you. If you move into one of their areas, call for information about your new city.
All graduates of Whitman College are automatically members of the Alumni Association. Anyone who has attended Whitman for one year, and whose class has graduated, can also become a member by calling the alumni office and asking to be added. You will receive the Whitman Magazine, newsletters, mailings about class reunions and alumni events in your area, and will be solicited by your class Alumni Fund representative for contributions to the College. There are no membership dues for the Alumni Association.
The Whitman College Diversity Statement states that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core values at Whitman College. The college strives to have and support a student body, staff and faculty that represent the diversity of our world: gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality and age cohort.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors advances these values by committing to collaborate with the college to make all alumni feel valued as members of the Whitman community. We do this by seeking to understand the unique perspectives and lived experiences of the alumni population, and striving to ensure their voices are heard in college decision-making and their interests are reflected in alumni programming. Moreover, the Alumni Association Board works to provide equitable access to connections and opportunities within our alumni population, and between alumni and the broader Whitman community of students, college leadership, staff, faculty, and parents.
Every January, the Alumni Board sends out a notice to alumni about board vacancies. All alumni are invited to consider petitioning with preference given to candidates who bring diverse experiences and perspectives to the position and contribute to increasing alumni engagement. Alumni who have previously submitted petitions will be considered. Board members serve three-year terms beginning July 1. The board should reflect the diversity of the Alumni Association, demonstrate volunteer service to Whitman and represent various class years, geographical areas and interests.
The alumni board meets in Walla Walla in the spring each calendar year and virtually in the fall; shorter virtual meetings may be called in between. Attendance is required at meetings and expected at local area events.. Deadline to submit documents related to petitioning is March 15, c/o Jennifer Northam '91, director of alumni relations, at northajl@whitman.edu.
If you are interested in submitting a petition for the Alumni Board, please review the Alumni Board Member Job Description and the Alumni Association Current By-laws (both pdf forms).
Alumni Association Board of Directors
Members of the board serve three-year terms beginning July 1. The Board should be representative of the diversity of the Alumni Association, with members who have demonstrated volunteer service to Whitman, represent various class years, geographical areas and interests. Alumni Board members meet in Walla Walla two times per calendar year and via conference call between meetings. Attendance is required at the meetings and expected at local area events.
How to join the Alumni Board
Board members are identified in two ways:
1. Petition
Individuals interested in serving on the board must complete the following:
- A signed “Willingness to Serve” form
- Submit a bio of not more than 500 words
- A statement of qualifications not more than 250 words
- 3-5 emails/letters of support from any members of the Whitman community
2. Nomination
Individuals may be nominated by another alumnus or by a member of the Whitman College administration/staff/faculty. Once a nomination reaches the Director of Alumni Relations, the individual will be contacted by a member of the Nominating Committee to gauge interest. If sufficient interest is shown, the nominee will be required to submit documents identical to a petitioner.
Documents should be submitted to Jennifer Northam, Director of Alumni Relations, Whitman College, 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362, northajl@whitman.edu. If you have any questions, please call 509-526-4794.
Once a petition or nomination is received, you will be contacted by a member of the Alumni Board Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee presents their final slate to the Alumni Board for a vote at the spring meeting.