Whittier College Alumni Oral History and Data Verification Project

Every Poet has a story, and Whittier College wants to hear yours.

However, with over 22,000 living alumni, it would take many years to meet with each of you individually. That’s why we’ve decided to embark on a new project called Poet Memories to collect the stories of alumni like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Whittier College has had on your lives and who you are today. Every year we don’t capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today!

Your Story

So what Poet Memory will you tell?

Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?
Did you find your Poet sweetheart at Whittier College?
Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at our alma mater?
Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
Were you on campus during a historical moment?
Are you a Poet legacy?

Have You Moved?

As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Whittier College. PCI will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater.

PCI Partnership

With our limited resources, we’d never be able to tackle a project like this. By partnering with PCI, we’re able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the Poet Memories book that we can share with all alumni. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

Do I Have to Buy Something?

No. This project is being done at NO COST for Whittier College alumni. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the Poet Memories book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other Whittier branded merchandise such as a travel bag, sweatshirt, and t-shirt. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the Poet Memories book. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.

What’s Next?

Soon you will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We’d like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first of its kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories until December 2020. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in late summer 2021.

We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you regarding your memories of “the school we love so dearly!”

What to Look For

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the TTAA, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Poet Memories.

sample postcard

Below is an example of an email you will receive in your inbox. Once you receive the email, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Poet Memories. If you do not receive it, please take this opportunity to call PCI at 1.800.982.1590 and update your contact information so we can stay connected.

sample email

Contact Information

If you have any other questions regarding the project, please reach out to PCI customer service desk at 1.800.982.1590 or the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@whittier.edu.

I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about Whittier College. Is this a legitimate project or is it a scam?

It’s real! We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for Whittier College. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for almost 100 years. This project allows Whittier College to hear about your personal experiences and explain how Whittier College has helped shape your lives.

Does Whittier College benefit from this at all

Yes, in a few different ways

Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
Legacy – preserves the history of our school
Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school

How do I know my information will only be used for Oral History Project purposes?

PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (Personal Identifiable information) from any and all electronic files that we have supplied or were produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Oral History Project.

I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?

If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, then ask you to share your story about your time at Whittier College. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to Whittier College at the conclusion of the project.
If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated Whittier College update line at 1.866.540.7256.

Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

When you call to update your information, you can tell the representative if you prefer any of your information be excluded. You can also communicate your preferences to PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1.800.982.1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com or to the Office of Alumni Relations directly.

I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

You can call back at any time to share your story!

I shared a story and the representative said I could send some photos. How do I do this?

You will receive an email with a link to upload up to two photos (black and white or color) plus captions.

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send physical photos in to be printed (note: photos will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

I’d like to add / remove info from my story.

You will receive an email prior to publication with a link to review your transcribed story and make any edits.

Can anyone purchase a book?

The Whittier College Oral History Publication is available for sale only to Whittier College alumni.

When will I receive my book?

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in July 2020, the books will be distributed in July 2021.

I ordered a book/package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this

Contact PCI’s customer service help desk at 1-800.982.1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com and they will take care of this for you.