Featured Video: Whittie Wisdom on Display

As part of the Upward Together launch weekend in October 2023, Whitman College President Sarah R. Bolton moderated a panel of inspiring alumni who spoke about “Finding Success and Purpose in a Changing World” in front of a large crowd, including many students, at Chism Recital Hall in Whitman’s Hall of Music.  

Featured panalists were Cecilia Kang ’94, Tom Lapham ’99, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger ’97, Drew Shoals ’05 and Jonathan Sposato ’89. Each shared how their Whitman education continues to impact them today and how it has led to their successful career paths.

Experience Speaks

How did your Whitman experience help prepare you for what you do now?

“Everything I do in my daily job is what I did at Whitman. … Because what I do in my daily job is I ask questions, I think critically, I connect the dots and then I write. This is what you all do every single day here at Whitman, no matter what your major is.” 

—Cecilia Kang ’94

What skills and attributes do today’s college students need to develop now?

“I have a saying which is, ‘You get the love that you think you deserve.’ And I think Whitties deserve a heck of a lot of love. So walk with more swagger. It’s OK. You can afford it because you come from an amazing institution, one of the best in the country. Just know that. Don’t have any doubt about that.”

—Jonathan Sposato ’89

“The things I always recommend are the four C’s. Being curious. Being challenged, which I don’t think is a problem for any Whitman student … and being courageous, and I think that’s also something that is really developed here at Whitman, where you can try things that you didn’t ever imagine yourself doing … and then the championing … I just think that Whitman students are great at going back and championing for others.”

—Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger ’97

The event was part of the launch celebration for Upward Together: The Campaign for Whitman College—which builds on Whitman’s historic strengths and lifts up key priorities including Access & Affordability; Academic Excellence & Distinction; Vibrant Campus Community; Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Strong Graduate Launches for All Students; and The Whitman Fund.

Visit whitman.edu/upward-together to learn more about each of these priorities.