Why I Give

"I was given the opportunity (because of financial aid) to get an education at Whittier. This was so important to me and my family as it was truly a team effort to afford my education. Whittier gave me a chance and this is my way of paying it forward."

Julie Rivera '59 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. After graduating from Whittier, she pursued a career in teaching at San Gabriel High School for 36 years. Rivera finished her career at Cal State Long Beach as a Lecturer in Chicano and Latino Studies and was named the Chair Emeritus of the President's Commission on the Status of Women. In 2006, Julie was honored with the Excellence in Teaching award by Whittier College for her years of devotion to her students.

"We believe in the value of a small liberal arts college and greatly value the time we spent there. Our time at Whittier was formative in shaping us and grounded us in being the people we are today."

Leon and Karen (Christensen) Bennett '68 graduated from Whittier College in 1968 with degrees in history, Karen with a minor in philosophy. Leon earned his master's in history at the University of California Santa Barbara and worked as a federal employee for 30 years. Karen, who earned her master's in history at the University of California Irvine also received her teaching credential. She went on to teach for 40 years and has acted as a city Historic Resources Commissioner in Whittier for more than 30 years. She and Leon married in Whittier's Memorial Chapel in 1973 and have continued to support Whittier ever since. 

"The amount of personal attention I received at Whittier College when I was first establishing myself in higher education and professionally made an enormous difference. Donating money almost seems insufficient to repay the college for what I received."

Stan Smith '73 has been a dedicated supporter of Whittier College for 49 years. Having served as an Alumni Board member and initiating an endowment for the History Department, Stan also sponsors the Alumni Homecoming Swim Meet and Water Polo match. His involvement with the Veteran Resource Center is aimed at encouraging veterans to join the Sachsen Society, founded by World War II veterans, to ensure that their stories and legacies endure. Stan Smith's life journey is a beacon of inspiration for future generations of Poets, highlighting the transformative power of education and commitment to creating a lasting impact.

 "As a first-generation Latina, I spent my time at Whittier College feeling lost while also discovering who I was. Staff and faculty, such as professors Les Howard and Martin Ortiz, inspired me and provided me with a home and an opportunity to grow. David, my husband, earned his teaching credential here as well. We have both chosen careers in education where we work to support students not unlike ourselves. I am a Dean at Pasadena City College and David is a teacher at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California."

The Whittier tradition has lived on in the Torres-Retana family. Raquel and her husband are proud Poet parents to their youngest child, Viviana, who graduated from Whittier's Class of 2024. Throughout Viviana's time at the College, Raquel witnessed her daughter's academic and personal growth fostered by professors like Danilo Lozano and José Orozco.  

She was thrilled to learn that US News & World Report recently ranked Whittier College as a top institution for social mobility, a testament to how this education has empowered many first-generation alumni like herself. She is humbled to be able to give back to Whittier College as a new member of the Board of Trustees. Her family has also contributed to the Martin Ortiz Fund and the Whittier Now! initiative.

 "I graduated from Whittier College as a double major in Spanish and International Studies with an emphasis on Latin America. I joined the Lancer Society where I continue to stay involved. It was through these Poet connections that I began working for the financial planning firm I now own."

Sanjay Das '93 has been a member of the Poet Council for the last few years. He has also hosted the Summer 2024 Poet4Life event in Seattle. Das '93 believes that he would not be where he is now without the experience that Whittier provided him. Whittier allowed him  to fearlessly take on several challenges and in return, he will always be grateful for that

"I give because my time at Whittier College was essential to my growth and development. I would not be the person I am today without the nurturing environment of our campus. I know that my monthly donation allows students to have an exceptional experience at the college that was my home and still is a special place to me."

David Carnevale '97 received a degree from the Whittier Scholars Program with an emphasis in Theatre History. He has worked both in theatre, running his own theatre company, and in higher education enrollment. In his previous role as the Director of Financial Aid at Whittier College, he was able to see how gifts made to the college directly impact students. Through this, he has grown an appreciation for philanthropy. 

"When I was an undergrad at Whittier, I was given a $10,000 academic-based endowment, from a man who gave to the College. After I graduated and started teaching, I in turn gave to the General Fund to help students who needed help in accomplishing their academic goals."

Elizabeth Cruz '01 is a Whittier Alumna who has earned two degrees from Whittier. She received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Education. Cruz has had a successful career teaching for the Whittier City School District, Whittier Union High School District, Trinity Lutheran, Palm View Christian, and East Whittier School District. She also came back to Whittier’s campus to teach at Kaplan Incorporated, a language school that used to be located at the college. She now owns and operates Cruz Tutoring and Arts Center, located in Uptown Whittier. She comes from a family of Poets, being the third of her family to attend Whittier College where she continues to promote her support of being a proud poet.

"Professors at Whittier launched my intellectual journey and inspired me to become a teacher myself. I give in their honor so that other students' lives can be transformed as well."

English major Floyd Cheung, who was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Nevada, graduated from Whittier College in 1992. As a student, he sang in the choir and was a member of the William Penn Society. Cheung is now an English professor and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at Smith College in Massachusetts.

"My time at Whittier was life-giving and significantly grew me as an individual and professional. Whittier gave me opportunities to develop my leadership, communication, and social skills that I wouldn't have been able to develop going to a large university. I would not be the person I am today without the genuine and real relationships I built with my kinesiology professors and mentors. I know that my donations - especially towards the Whittier Fund and athletics - allow students to have a life-changing experience at Whittier, which I called home and is still a special place to me!"

Katrina Wong '17 graduated from Whittier College with a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology and nutrition science, with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy. As a student, she was a member of the cross country team, president of the Kinesiology Club, and resident advisor for the first-year students. She currently runs her own private physical therapy practice, Whole Body Wellness, and Physical Therapy, in the Bay Area, and specializes in pelvic health, pregnancy, postpartum, and digestive health.