Whitman Alumna’s Estate Gift Endows Scholarship for Computer Science Majors

A substantial gift—nearly $2 million—from the estate of the late Mary Lee Masterson ’48, a trailblazing leader in Northwest banking, will establish a new endowed scholarship benefiting Computer Science majors at Whitman College.

Beginning the fall of 2025, the Mary Lee Masterson Scholarship Endowment will provide need-based financial assistance to students, with first preference going to juniors and seniors majoring in Computer Science. Students majoring in Mathematics or the natural sciences may also be considered.

“We are deeply grateful to Mary Lee Masterson for making a provision in her estate for such a significant gift to create this new scholarship endowment,” says President Sarah Bolton. “Her wonderful support helps us move closer to meeting the full financial need of all our students.”

Masterson, who died on March 9, 2023, was a longtime supporter of Whitman. In 2024, she was inducted into the Stephen B.L. Penrose Society, which recognizes those who have given $1 million or more in cumulative gifts to the college. She included 29 organizations in her estate plan, reflecting her generous spirit and passion for helping others.

A Trailblazer in Service & Leadership

Born in Spokane, Masterson majored in Social Science at Whitman. She was a member of the Signet Table honor society, the Associated Women Student Council, and Kappa Kappa Gamma, serving as president her senior year. She won the Prentiss Cup tennis tournament and was a member of the May Fete Court her senior year. She also was a member of Ye Talke Shoppe, a group of first-year women students responsible for reading announcements at lunch and dinner. 

Following graduation, Masterson moved to Seattle. She worked briefly as an administrative assistant and corporate secretary before returning to school in 1976 and earning a degree in finance and banking from the Pacific Coast Banking School. She was the first female vice president at Seattle-First National Bank (now part of Bank of America). In her spare time, she enjoyed hiking, skiing, mountaineering, and playing tennis and badminton.

Masterson’s commitment helped lift the Upward Together campaign total to more than $184 million in philanthropic investment from more than 14,000 donors. To learn more and discuss how you might partner to make an impact through the Upward Together campaign, contact the Whitman Development team at 509-527-5165 or development@whitman.edu.