Whitman Stories

In her first Presidential Address at a Whitman College Commencement Ceremony, President Sarah Bolton spoke to both tradition and community. During Whitman 137th Commencement, the Class of 2023 was congratulated for their commitment to leadership, learning and each other.

At the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, Peter Harvey ’84 is retiring. Harvey served 25 years as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)—longer than anyone in that role in the history of the college. He began working for Whitman College in 1991 and was promoted to CFO in 1998. Among Harvey’s significant achievements was leading an investment of $125 million for new construction and renovation.

Here’s a preview of how the college and Whitman community will commemorate Whitman College’s 137th Commencement—and celebrate the exceptional accomplishments and bright futures of its Class of 2023.

Whitman College student Bertine Lakjohn ’23 sits down with Whitman Magazine to answer five questions about youth climate activism.

President Sarah R. Bolton and Whitman’s Board of Trustees pledge their commitment to diversity as the nation awaits the Supreme Court of the United States decision on the use of race in admission decisions.

Whitman students support community health and gain valuable experience at local clinic.

Whitman College junior Clare Hermanson has been selected as a 2023–2024 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, one of only 413 who earned the scholarship—among more than 5,000 applicants.

In March 2023, David May ’90 was selected as Bellevue College’s President. Bellevue College is the largest open-access college in the state with over 19,000 students enrolled annually. May holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and M.A .in Political Science from Washington State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Whitman College.

The Whitman College Board of Trustees, alumni and friends of the college made gifts of $10 million toward the first building of a student residential village—Harvey Hall—which will be named in honor of the college’s longest-serving Chief Financial Officer Peter Harvey.

President Sarah Bolton, along with 27 presidents of other liberal arts colleges, signed an open letter in response to two cases before the Supreme Court that have the potential to restrict long-standing recruitment and admissions practices.

On Friday, April 28, 2023, Dr. Sarah Bolton had her Presidential Installation at Cordiner Hall, officially becoming Whitman’s 15th President.

Whitman College recently appointed Jeanine Gordon to be the first First Special Assistant to the President for Native American Outreach