Dear Poets,
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Homecoming Weekend in October, where we connected with friends old and new, celebrated “coming home” to campus and all that it has to offer, and watched our women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s water polo teams play admirably. I was especially delighted to welcome so many alumni and friends to the State of the College address at the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, where I shared updates from the Short-Range Strategic Plan; highlighted student, faculty, and institutional achievements; and proudly noted that Whittier College continues to rise in the rankings as a national liberal arts college and as a top school for social mobility. Recognizing alumni achievement with special Poet Awards added to the festivity of the event.
In my address, I also shared that the College is still “crossing the canyon” toward full financial health. Investments in enrollment and fundraising remain essential to this journey, and internally, my team and I maintain a close watch on our operations to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustained progress on this path to strength and stability.
In the 2024 issue of The Rock, I introduced Whittier’s newest initiative, Whittier Works — a program that integrates career relevant, hands-on learning into the classroom through experiential education, professional development, and internship opportunities on and off campus. In this issue, you’ll see how Whittier Works is coming to life through our three model programs: Art and Design, Physics and Aeronautics, and Kinesiology and Sport Management.
You’ll also read about groundbreaking student-faculty research examining microplastic and nanoplastic pollution and potential solutions to environmental health challenges. Fieldwork at Los Angeles County estuaries, with the support of Professors Christina Bauer and Cinzia Fissore, led Connor Hoemann ’23 to a career in sustainability: he now works with the Toward Zero Waste Program at Sustainable Connections, a nonprofit based in Bellingham, Washington. This is the power of bridging classroom learning with experiential research opportunities.
In another “field,” our lacrosse and football teams are gearing up for their upcoming seasons. Be sure to read the Q&A with football Coach Cory White MA ’06 to learn about his strategies for a productive first year back, and celebrate the passionate alumni and friends whose generosity raised funds to support the return of men’s lacrosse.
You may notice that this issue of the magazine looks a bit different. Over the past year, we’ve asked for feedback from current and prospective students, faculty and staff, and you, our alumni and friends, about what makes Whittier distinctive and how you wish to stay connected. Your insights have inspired
a refreshed Whittier College brand and an updated alumni communications strategy. Guided by your input, we will continue to create more meaningful and impactful ways for you to engage with the College and with one another, and for the world to recognize the distinctive power of a Whittier education.
Whittier College’s strength has always come from its people, who share a common belief in the transformative power of a personalized liberal arts education. As we continue to illuminate our way forward, your involvement and support ensure that our mission remains vibrant and accessible. I am grateful to walk alongside you on this journey.