Since their founding in the 1920s, Whittier's societies (local versions of fraternities and sororities) have been an integral part of the College's traditions as well as a critical source of alumni philanthropy.
Each year, approximately one third of all society alumni participate by giving back.
The Society Alumni Participation Challenge is a friendly, annual competition among these groups, each year the Office of Advancement awards prizes to societies with the highest percentage of alumni who make a gift (no matter what size) to the College. This year's Challenge runs from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, the College's fiscal year. The Society Challenge has a tremendous impact on Whittier's ability to provide a high quality liberal arts education as well as on creating lasting and meaningful connections of society alumni to their alma mater.
The top two societies will receive the following prizes from the Office of Advancement
Winner
- $1,500 cash prize for the actives' fund
- Name of the society engraved on the Challenge Cup
- Online story in Whittier College News during Homecoming week featuring the society's accomplishments, alumni, and actives
Runner-Up
- $750 cash prize for the actives' fund
How Do I Participate?
Whittier College maintains information about alumni involvement in societies in its alumni database. All you need to do is make your tax-deductible gift to Whittier College between now and June 30, 2020, and your participation will automatically be counted on behalf of your society.
What Counts?
All tax-deductible gifts from alumni degree holders, of any amount, to Whittier College made between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 (our current fiscal year) count. Choose to support something you feel passionate about – e.g. your society’s scholarship fund, the Whittier Fund, your academic department, or your favorite athletic team. Remember, it is your participation that helps your society in this competition, not the size of your gift.
Why Does Alumni Participation Matter?
Alumni giving rates influence national college rankings and can shape the perceptions of grant-making foundations and the greater academic community. Your gift has the power to boost the value of your Whittier College degree as well as help your society.
The College is grateful to each society and its members for making the Society Challenge interesting and competitive. Society alumni are instrumental in boosting the College’s overall alumni participation rate, which now stands at 22%. We encourage society alumni to join their brothers and sisters and get involved!
