Alums Charlie & Patti Nelson Honor Whitman Icons With Outdoor Program Gift

Patti Hankel Nelson ’85 vividly remembers her first rafting experience. It was Family Weekend at Whitman College, and she had signed up for a white water rafting trip on the Salmon River through the Outdoor Program (OP).

“The river was pretty high,” says Patti, who is married to Whitman Trustee Charlie Nelson ’83. “I was definitely white-knuckling it at a few points, but we all stayed on board. It was a blast.”

Established in 1975, the Outdoor Program offers trips and recreational opportunities that allow Whitman students to get outside and explore the natural beauty of Walla Walla and the surrounding areas. Activities range from kayaking, hiking and mountain biking to skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing.

For decades, many of the trips were led by Professor Emeritus of Geology and Environmental Studies Bob Carson, often accompanied by his wife (and Patti’s sister), retired Associate Dean of Students Clare Carson. Bob was a member of the faculty for 40 years, while Clare was on staff for 38.

To honor the Carsons, Charlie and Patti recently established the Bob Carson Outdoor Program Endowment. It provides permanent support for the Bob Carson Outdoor Fund (BCOF), which helps eliminate financial barriers to participating in the Outdoor Program. 

“Our goal is to fund at least one Outdoor Program adventure [per year] for every student during their time at Whitman,” Charlie says. “We wanted to support the Outdoor Program while also recognizing Bob and Clare for the great things they did in their careers at Whitman.”

The Impact of the Outdoors

Whitman is ideally situated for outdoor adventures. It sits in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, with the Wallowas, Palouse Hills, Columbia River and other outdoor recreation spots within easy driving distance.

Spending time in the outdoors can be life-changing, but it’s sometimes financially out of reach for college students. The BCOF encourages students who couldn’t otherwise afford OP trips to get outside, Bob says.

“Some, perhaps raised in cities, have never experienced a wilderness, climbed a mountain or paddled a river,” he adds. “Many go on to lead trips themselves after learning about first aid, navigation, knots, leadership, etc. Directly or indirectly, the students learn not only outdoor skills but also natural history, and they gain a deeper appreciation for Earth.”

Brien Sheedy, Director of Outdoor Programs says, “The Bob Carson Outdoor Program Fund has been a game changer for the OP ever since it was created … OP trips enable students to get away from screens and have meaningful interactions with other students in nature as they work together on a trip.”

Giving Back to Whitman

The Nelsons met when Patti was a first-year student living in Anderson Hall and Charlie, a junior, was a Senior Resident. They both participated in Outdoor Program trips and have fond memories of Bob’s enthusiasm.

“Bob would tie in geology in a really fun way,” Patti says. “He would get so excited to show us a rock formation or tell us something about a glacier.”

Clare, who helped create Whitman’s Student Academic Advisors program and was instrumental in developing the Student Engagement Center, often accompanied her husband on Outdoor Program trips. 

“They were a team,” says Charlie, who notes that the Carsons climb mountains and go rafting to this day. “So many people have benefited from their passion for the outdoors. Some students have never had the opportunity to do anything like this before. It adds a unique dimension to the educational experience you can get at Whitman.”

The Outdoor Program is just one of many reasons Whitman is such a special place to live and learn, Charlie notes.

“The low student-faculty ratio and close mentoring take learning to the next level,” he says. “Some of the professors invite you to their home for dinner and in many ways become your friends. The focus is on learning and growing both inside and outside the classroom.”

Married for 40 years, Charlie and Patti have three sons: Nathan, Brendan and Jordan Nelson ’08. The couple currently resides in Anacortes, where Charlie serves as a consultant to the financial services industry. He worked in the industry for more than 40 years, serving most recently as Vice Chairman of Voya Financial.

A Chemistry and Economics double major, Charlie notes that his Whitman education prepared him for a long and successful career.

“I think a liberal arts education is one of the most important educational experiences one can obtain,” he says. “You develop really valuable critical and analytical thinking skills that prepare you for success in whatever endeavor you choose. I didn’t break any beakers post-Whitman, but my chemistry coursework taught me how to think through and address problems.”

Patti, who majored in Sociology, says her Whitman education helped her develop important personal and interpersonal skills.

“Whitman gave me confidence,” she says. “I wasn’t intimidated to take on tasks and responsibilities, whether I was working, volunteering or raising my family.”

Charlie joined the Whitman Board of Trustees in 2021. He previously served on the Alumni Board and the Board of Overseers (now the President’s Advisory Board). He and Patti are grateful to be able to give back to the college that has given them so much.

“I was raised with the mentality that you give back more than you got, whether through your time, talent or treasure,” Charlie says. “We hope that other alumni will join us and donate to the fund, especially if they had a great experience with the Outdoor Program and can appreciate how important it is to provide that same great experience to the next person in line.”

To support more outdoor adventures for Whitman students, make a donation to the Bob Carson Outdoor Program Endowment.