Upward Together: The Campaign for Whitman College

The Campaign for Whitman College

Investing in the Future

Setting Sights Even Higher

Upward Together already marks the most ambitious philanthropic endeavor in the history of the college—reaching its original $200M goal with a year to go in the campaign. Explore our timeline of generosity.

As we aim even higher, we are setting our sights on valuable and emerging opportunities to uplift and invest in Whitman students. Together, we can commit to immersive, hands-on learning opportunities—valuable internships, student-faculty research and other enriching experiences—for every student, in every major. We're also committed to investing in academic excellence, increasing aid and scholarships, and advancing inclusion across campus—ensuring all students have the mentorship, resources and tools to thrive.

The Final Year

Our Priorities

Together, we will expand access and affordability; magnify academic excellence and distinction; foster a vibrant campus community; advance diversity, equity and inclusion; and launch strong graduates into meaningful careers.

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Expand Access & Affordability

A bold pledge to meet the full financial need of all Whitman students—opening our doors wider to the most talented, motivated and deserving.

Academic Excellence & Distinction

A commitment to advancing academic programs, student-faculty research and experiential learning that will inspire students to choose Whitman and prepare them for great futures.

Vibrant Campus Community

A historic investment in residential life, community-building, wellness and athletics to ensure that students connect and flourish.

Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A dedicated focus on programs that foster diversity, inclusion and belonging so that all members
of our community thrive.

Strong Graduate Launches for All Students

A heightened effort to help students explore careers, find their passions and create opportunities for postgraduate success and impact.

The Whitman Fund

A collective endeavor to meet our students’ immediate needs.

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We’re Going Upward Together

$200M

Our Goal

$219M

Dollars Raised

15920

Total Donors

Stories of Impact

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Bill Neff ’67 & Rita Neff ’69 Provide Challenge Gift for Endowment To Expand Immersive Learning

With their lead gift, Trustee Emeritus Bill Neff ’67 and Rita Neff ’69 have taken significant steps toward funding the Employer Engagement and Immersive Learning Opportunities Endowment to help provide all Whitman College students with research and internship opportunities in preparation for a strong graduate launch.

February 11, 2026

Whitman Connections Continue To Inspire Alum’s Career, Service & Generosity

For Noah Henry-Darwish ’12, finding one thing to join on campus opened up a world of Whitman connections—and helped him find a rewarding career in higher education.

January 22, 2026

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Upward Pathways

Extraordinary Journeys Into the World

Our alumni’s diverse student experiences and career paths showcase the transformative power of a Whitman education. Explore how your gifts shape lives and empower Whitties to excel and make a difference in the world.

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Natalie Price

The sky was no limit for Astronomy major Natalie Price ’25, who pursued a rich variety of interests at Whitman College while building a set of science and communication skills that have prepared her for a master’s program in Astronomy at Wesleyan University.

Mary Kampa

Mary Kampa ’19 transformed her passion for outdoor adventure, neuroscience and leadership into a career in chiropractic care. At Whitman College, she built a foundation of skills she uses today to help her patients get back to the activities they love.

Chloe Young

Whitman gave Chloe Young ’22 a close network of friends and mentors, as well as a lasting commitment to service that continues to guide her as she has pursued multiple master’s degrees in international law and now attends law school in Seattle.

Annie Means

At Whitman College, Annie Means ’22 found opportunities to explore her intersecting interests in journalism, filmmaking and the environment—and took the first steps toward a career as a multimedia journalist.

Mwamba Muntanga

Through eye-opening internships, life-changing nonprofit work and an academic environment that encouraged exploration, Mwamba Muntanga ’25 found his way from Whitman College to exciting opportunities in the finance industry.

Katie Jose

Whitman College empowered Katie Jose ’23 to pursue her dream of a career in medicine—with impactful experiences like designing her own Global Health major, interning at a nonprofit health clinic, and pursuing a Watson Fellowship to study traditional and Indigenous medicine around the world.

Joseph Bornstein

From founding a student service organization at Whitman to launching a global fundraising platform, Joseph Bornstein ’08 has built a career turning big ideas into lasting impact and helping nonprofits around the world do the same.

Ashley Joe

From the pool to the classroom to the community, Ashley Joe ’22 sought out opportunities to learn, advocate and explore at Whitman College. Today, she uses those experiences to lead a team at the North American headquarters of Adidas.

Peter Osseward

From the Ultimate field to the research lab, Peter Osseward ’12 transformed his Whitman experience into a launching pad for a groundbreaking career in neuroscience at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Meredith Hyslop

At Whitman, Meredith Hyslop ’05 took the first steps toward a globe-trotting career in the wine industry. Today, she travels the world as a wine ambassadrice and founder of her own wine import and marketing company.

Clara Collins

Clara Collins ’20 transferred to Whitman College to pursue her passion for literature and creative writing. Her coursework as an English major—and her involvement in the arts on campus—helped her refine her craft and launch a career as a writer and teacher.

Jasmine Razeghi

Jasmine Razeghi ’22 learned the value of taking risks and honed a bold and confident voice at Whitman College, skills she now uses to promote social justice at a civil rights law firm.

Justin Daigneault

Justin Daigneault ’09 has been seeking out opportunities to listen, help and build community since first stepping foot on campus at Whitman College. Now, he’s grateful for the opportunity to make a living doing something he’s passionate about: providing behavioral health services to underrepresented children and youth.

Brenna Yellowthunder

Leaving a lasting legacy at Whitman, Brenna (Two Bears) Yellowthunder ’17 founded the Indigenous Peoples Education and Culture Club (IPECC) and organized impactful rallies. Their studies, work and internships on and off campus helped pave the way for a career as Lead Organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network.

Laura Sanchez

As a Whitman undergraduate, Laura Sanchez ’07 found a passion for chemistry that was nurtured through hands-on research experience and one-on-one interactions with faculty. Today, she runs her own research lab at UC Santa Cruz.

Sueli Gwiazdowski

Sueli Gwiazdowski ’24 was a relentless resource for uplifting diversity, equity and inclusion across campus during her time at Whtiman. Now, she says peacebuilding is her life’s work and she’s committed to building a better world through the law and advocacy.

Matthias Argenyi

As a child of immigrants, Matthias Argenyi ’18 always knew he wanted to positively impact people in need. The Economics-Mathematics major channeled his passion at Whitman to launch a career in finance—focusing on social change. After years in the nonprofit sector, he is now pursuing an MBA at Harvard Business School.

Aisha Kimbrough

Aisha "Adyiam" Kimbrough ’19 found her place working in policy and global studies while at Whitman. Now, at YouthPrise and Minnesota Seeds of Justice, she advocates for others daily in her work.

Anna Allgeyer

Anna Allgeyer ’22 was passionate about climate causes during her four years at Whitman. As a fellow with the Environmental Protection Agency, she gets to pursue that work daily.

Klaudia Kyjovska

Klaudia Kyjovska ’22 started at Whitman with an interest in economics. Now, at Trilogy Search Partners, she works every day with other Whitties to advance people’s dreams.

Grace Fashanu

At Whitman, Grace Fashanu was a student-leader building communities grounded in justice for all. Now at the FDIC, she works daily to apply that value in the banking industry.

Cameron Conner

Cameron Conner ’20 was a student leader passionate about making a difference. As a Watson Fellow, Conner examines how communities come together to meet their needs.

Salma Mutagoma

Serving as a advocate in her community and at Whitman, Salma Mutagoma ’22 is still learning about how to help others near and far.

Juan Pablo Liendo

At Whitman, Juan Pablo Liendo ’21 was a student-leader curious about making impactful change. Now, at the Seattle Foundation he works daily to foster that change.

Arthur Shemitz

Inspired by policymaking while he was a student, Arthur Shemitz ’17 goes the extra mile to reimagine government at the Centre for Public Impact.

Fifty Under 50

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Tom Armel ’01 & Alaina Armel

Tom Armel ’01 and Alaina Armel are dedicated to expanding access to Whitman’s transformative education. The new Armel Family Biomedical Science Scholarship Endowment extends their long history of philanthropy to include a merit-based scholarship for high-achieving students in the sciences.

January 30, 2026

Chad Gray ’98 & Rebecca Gray

Grateful for the opportunities a college education afforded them throughout their careers, the Grays are supporting the Upward Together campaign through the Chad W. and Rebecca L. Gray Endowed Scholarship, which broadens access to Whitman’s exceptional liberal arts education.

December 09, 2025

Robert Tonnsen ’00

A degree in Geology from Whitman built the foundation for Rob Tonnsen’s ’00 career. Now retired, Tonnsen’s experiences at Whitman inspired his recent gift to establish two scholarship endowments generously supporting the Upward Together campaign in its final year and helping to provide an enriching educational experience for generations to come.

September 03, 2025

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Interested in Going Upward Together for Whitman Students?

You can make a gift through a variety of ways to meet your financial and philanthropic goals. To request a conversation with a development officer, please contact us at 509-527-5165 or development@whitman.edu.

To make a gift online now with your credit card:

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