Each year during Whittier Weekend, Whittier College recognizes select members of the alumni body as Poet Awardees in four categories. This year's awardees include Adrienne Cisneros-Selekman '81, Alumna Achievement; Manuel Roman '00 and Paul A. Moore '04, Outstanding Young Alumnus; Robert "Bob" Bruesch '65, Community Impact; and Vincent Daigneault '85, Service to the College.
This year the College is also awarding three special individuals with the status of "Honorary Alumnus/a": President Sharon Herzberger and David Herzberger, as well as Robert Whitaker, Whittier alumni parent and former member of the Whittier College Purple & Gold Board of Directors. Since moving to Whittier in 1963, Whitaker has been a member of the Poet family—he is the proud father of three graduates and grandfather of one soon-to-be graduate as well as a devoted fan of all Poet sports teams.