Poet Awardees represent some of the best of our Whittier College community and extended family.
For decades, the Poet Awards have been presented to select members of the alumni body, chosen for their outstanding service, commitment, and loyalty to Whittier College, and for individual professional and personal achievements that best reflect the ideals and values taught here at Whittier.
2021-2022 Poet Awards
The 2021-22 Poet Award recipients will be honored at the Poet Awards Dinner and Ceremony on Saturday, October 22, 2022.
This year's recipients include business and civic leaders, officeholders, community advocates, artists, and educators who have had a significant impact on a local, national, and international level. These outstanding Poets represent the diversity, accomplishment, and spirit of service that defines the Whittier community.
Read the honorees' full biographies
Distinguished Alumni Achievement
Rev. Glen W. Warner ’63, Religious and Business Leader
William C. Pate ’65, San Diego Superior Court Judge (Ret.)
Alumni Achievement
Alma R. Martinez '84, Actor, Scholar, and Activist
Alumni Achievement Award-Graduate Program
Brent A. Robinson MA’14, Special Policy Advisor and Director of Strategy and Integration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Emerging Leaders
Erin J. Clancy ’07, Public Policy Manager, Meta
Dan A. Strauss ’09, Seattle City Council
Community Impact/Public Service
Erik R. Stegman ’04, Executive Director of Native Americans in Philanthropy
Service to the College
Hawaii Chapter Committee: Steven Ai ’76, Maura (Lee) Yee ’76, Debbie (Hamamoto) Shimizu ’76, Chris (Sumiye) Imoto ’75, Doug Bennett ’65
Tim B. Westphal ’95, Senior Vice President of Operations, Bay Alarm Company
Honorary Alumni
Thelma L. Eaton, Educator, Author, and Community Leader
Read the honorees' full biographies