Over the past year, donors from around the globe supported Whittier College through their wallets. The College saw new and returning donors grow, and gifts to the Whittier Fund — the College’s general, unrestricted fund — increased over 150%.
“Our community is really rising to the occasion,” said Vice President of Development Delite Travis. “They’re supporting us with not only confidence in the direction of the College and President Kristine Dillon’s leadership, but they're also doing so with their philanthropy. They're doing it in so many ways to support our students’ success and strengthen Whittier’s celebrated legacy.”
One couple who has helped contribute to the growth in giving is Gregg and Juli Rice ’72. The pair grew up in Southern California as peers to President Kristine Dillon ’73. All three were salutatorians of their respective graduating classes at Huntington Beach High School from 1967-69.
Juli, who majored in sociology and became an elementary school teacher, said they lived parallel lives. Like Dillon, Juli was a member of the Thalian Society, sang in the College’s choir, and played tennis.
After graduation, Gregg and Juli married at Memorial Chapel and moved to their current home in Los Banos, almost 300 miles north of Whittier. The Rices have always been charitable, but Dillon’s motivational words with the Whittier Now! initiative particularly swayed them to donate last year.
As a contribution to the Whittier Fund, the Rices’ gift has helped support various programs, such as the College’s choir, scholarships, academic projects, student worker positions, internships, and the overall student experience.
“If you have had a pleasant college experience and have succeeded in your career, I think it's a good idea to pay it forward,” Juli said.
Through Whittier Now! supporters' generosity, Wi-Fi capabilities across campus have been upgraded, providing students with reliable and fast internet access. Library hours and services have also been extended to give students more flexibility and resources to succeed in their studies.
New this fall, thanks to the community’s generosity, a mobile concession cart called the Poet MoWheel will offer snacks and drinks during music performances, art displays, and other activities around campus.
“I want to thank all of the wonderful donors who have supported Whittier College, whether it was for the first time or the hundredth time,” said President Dillon. “I am also deeply grateful to the Board of Trustees for their fundraising challenge, which has gone above and beyond in matching donations to the Whittier Now! program. It was incredible to have a successful fundraising year, but we still have a lot of work to do, and we need every Poet and community member to continue to support us.”
While the College's donor base has grown by 140% in one year, there is still work to be done. Whittier Now! will raise $22 million for the Whittier Fund through 2029.
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