Whitman College Announces New Scholarship in Outdoor Leadership

As Whitman College celebrates the 50th anniversary of its beloved Outdoor Program (OP),  the college is adding a new Outdoor Recreation Scholarship to its portfolio of merit, talent and passion scholarships. This scholarship recognizes students who have enthusiasm for outdoor skills, leadership and community building and will be awarded to incoming students beginning Fall 2026.

Learning in the Outdoors

Since it was first established as a student-run program in 1975, the OP has grown significantly to become a vital campus resource and a highly impactful part of the Whitman experience. Close to 100 student leaders are responsible for nearly every aspect of the program, employed each semester to run the Climbing Center; rental shop; Sports Studies, Recreation and Athletics courses; and outdoor trips for all levels of ability ranging from bicycling in the wheat fields and bird watching to whitewater kayaking and ice climbing in the Blue Mountains.

OP Director Brien Sheedy recognizes the importance of these activities in promoting individual and communal health. “OP programs enable students to get away from screens and have meaningful interactions with other students in nature as they work together on an activity,” he says. 

The Outdoor Recreation Scholarship invites students with skills in outdoor activities to share them with fellow students. Whitman recognizes that not all incoming students have had equal access or opportunities to develop skills and experience in outdoor activities prior to coming to Whitman. So students from historically underrepresented backgrounds or who are the first in their families to attend college are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

After applying to Whitman through the Common App, interested students can access the scholarship questionnaire in their student portal. Applicants will be asked to submit information about their experiences and desire to promote outdoor adventure within the campus community and to provide a recommendation letter addressing their leadership or enthusiasm for learning and the outdoors.

The scholarship is renewable for all four years at Whitman, with the expectation that recipients will be involved in OP activities for at least 100 total hours per semester. Juniors and seniors will be expected to lead trips, teach or to assume leadership roles in a variety of OP activities.

Sheedy believes that what students learn from the outdoors—whether that’s effective communication, the importance of preparation or how to break an imposing challenge into manageable chunks—serves them in every aspect of life. “I like to say, I teach and coach life skills through the lens of outdoor activities,” he says. Sheedy and the entire Whitman community look forward to welcoming and nurturing future leaders with support from the new Outdoor Recreation Scholarship.

Learn more about the Outdoor Recreation Scholarship.