Whitman College Alumni

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Whitman College Alumni

Welcome to the official page of the Whitman College Alumni Association!

08/28/2026

Meet Megan Fairbank '01, the Alumni Association's Volunteer of the Month for August! 🌾

Since graduating from Whitman College, Megan has remained involved with the community by attending dozens of Portland-area and virtual alumni events, as well as leading or serving on the Reunion organizing committees for her 10th, 20th, and now 25th Whitman Reunions.

For Megan, it's the Whitman connection that keeps her coming back to volunteer.

"It's been a joy to meet and befriend other alumni—some who attended while I was there and some who graduated decades before or after me. Continuing to foster the wider Whitman community brings me joy and feels like a meaningful way to keep paying it forward."

Inspired by Megan? Learn more about how you can become a volunteer for Whitman: https://buff.ly/4y9vDZj

08/26/2026

Gillian Friedman ’16 has received the 2026 Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni 🎊

Nominated by Davey Friedman ’11, Gillian is an exemplary Whitman grad, writer and award-winning investigative journalist who seeks accountability and uncovers the truth. Gillian’s reporting career includes groundbreaking work at The Deseret News, where her coverage of child abuse directly helped bring justice to a survivor.

Her work in Salt Lake City earned first-place honors from the Society for Feature Journalism, the Associated Press Association, the American Jewish Press Association and the Utah Society of Professional Journalists.

Currently, Gillian serves as a law clerk at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, while continuing to give back to Whitman by holding conversations with aspiring student journalists, much like others did with her.

Read more about Gillian's dedication to Whitman and her community: https://buff.ly/0n6xewR
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The Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni is given by the Alumni Association to someone whose youthful exuberance is demonstrated toward his or her career, community, and Whitman College as exemplified by Pete Reid ’49, in his service to the College. This award is limited to graduates of the last ten years. Standards for recognition include outstanding recognition in his or her career or field of work or outstanding commitment in service to others and a demonstrated commitment to Whitman College.

08/24/2026

Chris Bothun ’86 is the recipient of the 2026 Gordon Scribner Award for Distinguished Service! 🎉

Nominated by the staff, Chris has been volunteering for Whitman for more than 35 years. His love for volunteering began when he stepped up as the Class of 1986 Class Chair in 1991, and he has since led class-based activities for his 25th, 30th, 35th, and 40th reunions. He is a true Class of 1986 cheerleader through writing biannual letters, hosting All In challenges, participating in trainings and tirelessly keeping his classmates connected. We thank Chris for his decades of unwavering service and dedication to the Whitman community!

Read more about Chris Bothun and the other Alumni Recognition Award recipients https://buff.ly/GK2TNfN !
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The Gordon Scribner Award for Distinguished Service, created to honor Gordon Scribner ’42, former dean of students and director of alumni, is given to an individual who has made a major contribution of volunteer time and effort to Whitman College over an extended period of time and possesses the ability to inspire.

08/20/2026

Some places always feel like home. 💛💙

Reunion Weekend 2026 registration is officially OPEN! 🎉

Mark your calendars, September 24-27, 2026 is right around the corner, and that means it's time for another memorable reunion with fellow alumni, students, faculty, and staff on campus.

This fall, we are thrilled to celebrate and welcome back the classes of 2022, 2021, 2016, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1986, and all who graduated more than 50 years ago! 🎓✨

Be sure to register and save your spot to be part of an unforgettable weekend!

🔗 We can’t wait to see you there! Register here: https://buff.ly/8QcSGCY
(Note: You are not officially registered until you receive a payment receipt via email.)

08/14/2026

Coach Jenn Blomme is in her 26th season leading Whitman’s swimming program, and her impact goes far beyond the pool. Over the years, she has built a culture of both competitiveness and camaraderie, finding consistent success by supporting student-athletes as people first and swimmers second.

The results speak for themselves. Whitman Swimming continues to place among the top teams at the Northwest Conference Championships, and Blomme has been named NWC Coach of the Year a remarkable 15 times.

Read the full story to see how Coach Blomme is making waves at Whitman: https://bit.ly/4bGrHZN

08/12/2026

Linda Infante Lyons ’81 uses her art to explore identity, history, and our connection to the natural world. Her acclaimed paintings draw inspiration from her Alutiiq heritage and experiences that began during her time at Whitman.

Today, her paintings can be found in major museum collections across the country, inviting viewers to reflect on belonging and cultural legacy.

Take a closer look at the work of Linda Infante Lyons ’81 and discover how she connects landscape & legacy through her art: https://bit.ly/43A44gR

08/07/2026

Whitties in the Wild 🏔️🪐⛏️

Matthew Morriss ’13 and Dottie Metcalf-Lindenberger ’97 recently crossed paths in Fort Collins, Colorado in December 2025!

Both former geology majors at Whitman, these two were brought together by a mutual love of space and all things geology. We could say this alumni meetup totally rocks.

Have some exciting news? Share your adventures with us in a class note: https://buff.ly/wHnJyNr

07/22/2026

Whitman College has been awarded a $1.5 million Humanities for All Times grant from the Mellon Foundation! 🎉

This grant will be used over three years to co-create community-based learning experiences for students and community members centered on three areas of focus: Indigeneity, Immigration, and Incarceration.

By emphasizing high-impact immersive learning, this initiative empowers
colleges to showcase the real-world impact of the humanities. It funds innovative, community-based learning initiatives that help students use humanistic study to address critical social challenges and advance social justice alongside local partners. ✨📚

“The initiative helps students understand how studying the humanities matters right now in this place and time.” —Mary Raschko, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Associate Professor of English

Read more about these new community partnerships: https://buff.ly/Exs9qCI

07/14/2026

Matt Carter '00 is Whitman Alumni Association's Volunteer of the Month for July! 🎆

Matt began volunteering with the Class Representative program his first year after Whitman and has served on nearly all reunion committees since his graduation. Being a Reunion Chair has allowed him to see "how much our class values reconnecting with each other and the lasting friendships that began at Whitman."

Why does he give back? Because Whitman invested in him as a student first.
"I didn't think attending Whitman as a student would be possible, and I felt incredibly lucky and grateful when I received financial aid. Volunteering has been my way of giving back while helping the next generation of students."

Inspired by Matthew's work? Learn more about how you can become a volunteer and make a difference: https://buff.ly/4MhKuem

07/13/2026

Meet the multi-generational Whitman family of Nata Natarajan ’89 and Alison Ashlock, who are carrying on a proud legacy. For over 25 years, they have supported the Spokane Area Dennis Ashlock Scholarship Endowment, a fund started in 1986 by Alison’s father, a dedicated Whittie who graduated in 1961.

Following in his father-in-law’s footsteps, Nata also supports Whitman as a volunteer and an active member of the President’s Advisory Board.

Through the scholarship, the couple hopes to make a valuable Whitman education more accessible than ever and help empower future students with a life-changing experience. ✨

📸 Alison and Nata pictured with their two adult children, both Whitman grads, Kieran Natarajan ’22 and Kali Natarajan ’23.

Read more about Nata Natarajan & Alison Ashlock at the link in our bio. ⛰️
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Fifty Under 50 recognizes emerging leaders in philanthropy. Members are graduates of the class of 1989 or later and have made gifts and pledges exceeding $50,000 to the Upward Together campaign.

Address

345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA
99362

Telephone

+15095275167

Website

https://www.whitman.edu/alumni

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