Gratitude Inspires This Whittie To Give Annually to The Whitman Fund

When Wing Lam ’12 arrived at Whitman College as a first year student, she carried with her a single suitcase and the hopes and expectations of her family, who immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong when she was a child. She had no idea how the decision to attend a small liberal arts school in Walla Walla would shape her life.

Today, as a Product Manager in the tech industry, Lam’s journey is not just about career success—it’s about giving back. Her streak of annual donations to Whitman College stems from a deep gratitude for the opportunities she was given and a commitment to ensuring that other students, particularly those from immigrant and working-class backgrounds, can access the same life-changing education.

The Unexpected Gifts of a Whitman Education

When Lam was applying to colleges, she had a limited understanding of what a liberal arts education entailed. Growing up in the San Gabriel Valley, she was surrounded by great public schools and applied to several University of California campuses, as was typical for students in her area. However, her sister’s positive experience at another liberal arts institution inspired Lam to consider similar schools.

Lam eventually chose Whitman College after visiting the campus and feeling an immediate connection to the environment. What she couldn’t fully appreciate at the time was how profoundly this choice would shape her intellectual and professional development.

“One of the most memorable parts of my time at Whitman was learning how to speak to adults,” Lam recalls. The small class sizes and close interactions with professors allowed her to engage in deep conversations, something she had rarely experienced in high school.

This personalized attention was especially important in Lam’s major fields of study—Math and Physics—where small class sizes were the norm. She remembers how professors would provide extensive feedback on her work, far beyond what she had received in high school.

“I would write five sentences, and the professor would write 20 sentences of feedback,” Lam says. This intensive, tailored instruction helped her develop confidence in her communication skills, which became a critical asset in her career.

From Equations to Innovations

After graduating from Whitman, Lam found herself at a crossroads. With a degree in Math and Physics, she initially considered becoming an actuary, studying for and passing her first actuarial exam. However, her career took an unexpected turn when a recruiter reached out to her for a role in the tech industry. Although she hadn’t planned to enter this field, Lam’s liberal arts education had equipped her with the adaptability and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in tech’s rapidly changing environment.

Lam began her career in data analytics, a field where her quantitative skills were highly valued. However, her ability to think critically and ask probing questions—skills honed at Whitman—quickly led her to take on more responsibility. 

“I started off in one position, and then they added more roles to my plate because I could ask the right questions and think deeply about problems,” she explains. 

This inquisitive nature and willingness to take initiative eventually propelled Lam into product management, a role that requires both strategic thinking and the ability to collaborate across multiple teams. 

“In product management, you have to pull ideas from designers, customers, engineers and executives,” Lam says.

Her experience at Whitman engaging in discussions with professors and peers prepared her to lead these diverse conversations and guide projects from concept to completion.

Gifting in Gratitude

Lam’s Whitman education would not have been possible without the generous financial aid she received from the college. Growing up in a working-class family, Lam was acutely aware of the financial challenges that higher education posed.

“There was no way I could have attended Whitman without the financial package they offered,” she says. This understanding of the importance of financial support is what drives Lam’s commitment to giving back now.

Lam has been a consistent donor to Whitman since her senior year, contributing what she can each year. “I remember donating $10 after I graduated, even when I didn’t have a job,” she recalls. While Lam’s donations have grown over the years, she remains humble about their impact. “I give a little here and there because Whitman gave me so much. To me, it’s a way of saying thank you.” 

Lam’s approach to philanthropy is deeply influenced by her family’s values. Her parents always emphasized the importance of education and giving back to the community. “My parents instilled in me that you give because you really should,” she says. This sense of duty and gratitude has stayed with her, and she hopes that her contributions help other students who, like her, need financial assistance to access the opportunities Whitman offers. 

Family Values in Action

Lam’s value system is rooted in her upbringing in the San Gabriel Valley, a predominantly Asian American community where hard work and education were paramount. 

Her family’s experiences as immigrants navigating a new country reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability, qualities that have served Lam well in both her personal and professional life. 

At Whitman, Lam was exposed to people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, which further shaped her understanding of the world and her place in it.

“I grew up in a working-class environment, and at Whitman, I met friends whose parents were lawyers or business executives,” she says. Observing how her peers navigated the world with a different set of expectations taught Lam the importance of advocating for herself, a lesson she now passes on to her colleagues in the tech industry, many of whom are also immigrants. 

Despite the challenges of bridging these different worlds, Lam has found a way to integrate the new perspectives she gained at Whitman with her family heritage. “I love being in the San Gabriel Valley because it feels like home,” she says. “But I’m also grateful for the Westernized perspectives I gained at Whitman, which have broadened my outlook on life.” 

Enduring Connections

The friendships Lam formed at Whitman have been some of the most enduring and meaningful relationships in her life. She remains close with many of her college friends, despite living in different cities.

“I split my time between Los Angeles and Seattle, and I still see a lot of my Whitman friends,” she says. These connections have provided her with a sense of community as she moves between cities.

These relationships have also extended into Lam’s professional life. During a period of job searching, a fellow Whitman alum reached out to her and helped her secure a position at his company. “That Whitman connection was crucial in landing my current role,” she says. The sense of community built at Whitman is something Lam continues to value, both personally and professionally.

Writing the Next Story

As Lam looks back on her journey from Whitman to the tech world, she sees how the college shaped her in ways she never anticipated. The friendships she forged, the lessons she learned, and the support she received all continue to influence her life. Her commitment to giving back to Whitman is more than just a way to express gratitude; it’s a way to keep those connections alive and help others build their own stories.

“I think about the students who might be in the same position I was, wondering if they can afford to take a chance on a school like Whitman,” Lam reflects. “I want to be part of the reason they say yes.”