Feeding off of that energy is the return of the annual Society Challenge. The friendly competition started in 2010 and tasks alumni to see which Society can finish with the highest percentage of their alumni members giving a gift to Whittier College through June 30, the end of the College’s fiscal year. This is the first time the challenge has resumed following a three-year hiatus.
Donations can be made to any fund, as the challenge is based on participation, not dollar amount. The winner will be listed on the Society Challenge Cup.
“Societies love bragging rights,” said Director of Annual Giving Kelli Bronson. “‘We're the best, we're the oldest, we have the most members, we do the most events, we do the most community service projects.’ This taps into that competitive nature.”
Another coveted prize is up for grabs. The winning Society will be invited to have its Homecoming brunch at the historic Wardman House next academic year. It will be the first College event at the house since it was sold in 2023.
Alumni Association Board of Directors Chair Rachel (Homel) Rice ’96 is excited for the challenge to drum up campus engagement. An Ionian who joined the Society to expand her community, she saw her social life blossom and pledged because — as a former Girl Scout — she felt connected to the Society’s community service mission.
Rice is friends with multiple generations of Ionians and became even more involved when her daughter, Annella, pledged to Ionian.
“You need someone to look up to, and then also you need to help guide those behind you,” Rice said.
Rice regularly attends Homecoming and is thrilled to reconnect with her friends and the Whittier College community during its many events.
“The people that I look forward to seeing when I go to Homecoming are all Society members,” Rachel Rice said. “They're all people that I made memories with at college.”
Donate today and get counted for your Society here.
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