Why I Give: Willem Rasmussen ’15 on Supporting Snakes and Science Outreach

It’s not every alum who fondly remembers snakes when making gifts to Whitman College. But for Willem Rasmussen ’15, the Biology Department’s live animals are top of mind. For nearly a decade now, Rasmussen has dedicated his annual gifts to the care of some special animal ambassadors who bring science to life for Whitman College students and the Walla Walla community.  

Today, Rasmussen works as in-house legal counsel for a software company in Santa Barbara, California. But it was a transformative experience in the Hall of Science that sparked his first gift and continues to inspire his generosity. 

An Idea with Impact

Rasmussen remembers feeling a pair of eyes on him as he was walking through a hardware store in Walla Walla one day. When he turned and saw a young girl watching him, he knew what was coming next.

“She wanted to introduce her dad to the snake guy,” he says.

A Biology and Economics double major at Whitman at the time, Rasmussen had recently visited her elementary school with Snakes Alive, a program he co-founded to introduce young students to snakes and other reptiles.

The initiative was part of the college’s Science Outreach program, which brings hands-on science experiences to schools in the Walla Walla Valley and beyond.

The program meant a lot to Rasmussen during his time at Whitman—it was an opportunity to get kids excited about science, connect with the community and share his love of reptiles. He’s directed his annual gifts to the Biology Department ever since.

Rasmussen and Professor of Biology Kate Jackson, a renowned herpetologist, came up with the idea for Snakes Alive while chatting after class one afternoon. They decided to set up an informal event, using Jackson’s own snakes, to see how it went.

“The first time it was just me, a pillowcase and a couple of Kate’s personal snakes,” he says. “It was basically a proof of concept before we could go legit.”

The event was a hit. After receiving positive feedback, Rasmussen and Jackson worked with then Science Outreach Coordinator Heidi Chapin to make Snakes Alive an official part of the program.

“I was tasked with sourcing some good animal ambassadors,” Rasmussen says.

That search led him to Candy, a corn snake, and Cookie, a red-tailed boa, who became much beloved members of the Whitman community for years. Candy has since passed away, and Cookie is now enjoying retirement with Jackson. 

Associate Professor of Biology Delbert Hutchison donated the program’s current snake, Stevie, who continues to delight young students at Whitman Science Night—and enjoys a steady diet thanks in part to Rasmussen’s gifts.

“I give back to Whitman because Whitman gave so much to me,” says Rasmussen. “After I graduated, Whitman took on the snakes and kept them healthy and happy. I figured the least I could do was keep the snakes in mice.”

Giving in Gratitude

Having hung up his lab coat for the law, Rasmussen is now grateful for the deep knowledge and real-world skills he gained during his four years at Whitman.

He says his Whitman education helped prepare him for the rigors of his legal education.

“Whitman gave me the framework for law school,” he says. “It helped me learn to think critically and allowed me to develop as an individual.”

He is also grateful for the relationships he built during his time at Whitman, including those with the staff and faculty. He gives credit to Jackson, Chapin, Lab Coordinator Emily Hamada, and everyone else involved in developing and continuing to run the Science Outreach program today.

“They made it all possible,” he says. “I was only part of it for a couple of years. It’s an incredible accomplishment that it’s still going today.”