Now is the Time

From the Campaign Chair

Since 1882, Whitman College has provided an exemplary education that immerses students in ideas, confronts them with challenging problems and nurtures their ability to become leaders. With a focus on analytical abilities and communication skills, a liberal arts education affords students the much-needed flexibility to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Under President George Bridges’ leadership, Whitman has honed a strategic plan to strengthen the liberal arts education we provide to better prepare Whitman students to become leaders in this new century. Three priorities that will have a tremendous impact have been identified:

• add depth and breadth to the academic program,
• improve access through scholarships and
• build a stronger financial base by growing the endowment and increasing annual giving.

In November 2011, in Seattle, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution authorizing the public phase of the Now Is the Time campaign, Whitman’s first comprehensive campaign in more than two decades. In the pages linked at right, you will learn more about the campaign’s development, the campaign’s goals and what fulfilling those goals will mean for Whitman’s future.

Our $150 million campaign goal and its initiatives are ambitious. After four years of seeking leadership gifts in the quiet phase of this campaign, we have made remarkable progress. Nevertheless, between now and June 2015, there is much to do to meet our goal.

We call on alumni, parents and friends to come together to sustain and advance the excellence that has characterized Whitman for generations. In doing so, we set Whitman apart and enhance its position of leadership at this pivotal moment in our history. The Board of Trustees and I are proud to lead this campaign and ask you to join us in supporting its important and timely initiatives.

Now Is the Time for Whitman to lead.

John W. Stanton ’77
National Campaign Chair
Whitman Trustee