A Happy Day?

Families in the audience at Commencement probably do not realize that those of us involved at the College feel just as proud and emotional as the relatives observing the graduates cross the stage.  We have watched students’ intellect and confidence grow over their years on campus, and we have formed strong attachments to our students.   There is a lingering sense of fulfillment in the days after Commencement, but also an emptiness.   The term ”empty nesters” usually refers to parents; someone should study the impact on faculty and staff of colleges when their students leave the college home.

All Hands on Deck: Getting Ready for Commencement!

Liz Ibarra

Media Services: Alumnus Shezad Bruce ’10 and freshman Tyler Greenup in good spirits despite the early hour.

Associate Dean of Faculty and Math Prof. Fritz Smith

Campus Safety

A group of facilities workers take a quick break to pose for a picture.

Stephanie Aguilar from advancement, always with a smile.

Campus Safety

Human Resources

Dick Beam ’58

Many alumni and friends gathered today to celebrate the life of Richard “Dick” Beam ’58, who played football for legends George Allen and Don Coryell before going on to coach at Whittier, USC, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  At today’s memorial service many Orthogonians, in their black shirts, sang in Dick’s honor (see photo).

The Os bid farewell to Dick Beam.

Newest additions to Whittier’s art collection

Lizbeth Hernandez ’12

Congratulations to Lizbeth Hernandez ’12 and Eleanor Demis ’13, whose photography won the President’s Prize this past week and will be added to Whittier’s growing collection of art.  And special thanks to Kelly Thompson ’95 for donating the prize funds each year.

Eleanor Demis ’13

Celebrations

The alumni-induction breakfast, a relatively new senior week tradition, becomes more popular each year.  This weekend’s breakfast brought out almost 200 students to meet alumni representatives and to receive their alumni pins.  I learned that the senior gift continues to grow (over $20,000), but the Class of 2011 still may win the participation prize!  Don’t give up, Class of 2012!  You’re close!

We talk about Scholar-Athletes; how about Scholar-Coaches!

Whittier’s Poet Athletic Awards Ceremony was quite exciting. Rob Coleman talked about the graduating seniors who had a chance to be Hall of Famers one day, and this was after so many athletes had already received their awards and our applause. Two others deserve a special blog post: Professors Chuck Laine and Mike McBride. Over the last few days, I have had the honor of awarding Mike with the inaugural President’s Prize for Outstanding First-year Advising, after his selection by a panel of students (SEE PHOTO) – on top of all of the accolades he earns for his dedication to coaching Poet softball and advising societies and Model UN! Then at the athletic award ceremony, Chuck Laine was singled out for his tireless (literally ! Rob recounted the number of miles he has logged, running to keep up with team members) devotion over the decades to athletes involved in cross-country. Whenever David and I go to matches, we spot Chuck coaching and encouraging from the sidelines. Both men are regular features in the stands of other athletic contests as well. They truly understand the Division III mission of Whittier College and support our scholar-athletes in all endeavors, as alumni repeatedly tell me. Go Poet Professors and Coaches!

Prof. Chuck Laine with his team

With Prof. Mike McBride

Moments to Remember from the Poet Purple & Gold Awards Banquet

WC All Sports Banquet 2012

At the Poet awards banquet last night were so many moments that made me proud. Numerous mentions of NCAA All-Academic athletes and teams. Records broken left and right this year (I am so sorry, all of you alumni who have been holding onto those distinctions). The amazing number of four-year letter winners. Rob Coleman’s predictions about the many athletes who someday will grace our Hall of Fame. The speeches of Presidential Scholar-Athletes Megan Maguire-Marshall and Richard Hoover (try earning 3.9 GPAs and playing a demanding sport!). The fact that the Graham Athletic Center was filled to capacity – a sign of just how many amazing scholar-athletes now fill our team rosters. And what fun to see the smiles on so many faces and the camaraderie of team members. A glorious night of celebration.

WC All Sports Banquet 2012

WC All Sports Banquet 2012

WC All Sports Banquet 2012

WC All Sports Banquet 2012

WC All Sports Banquet 2012

Exams are starting

Students: I wish you good luck studying for finals and finishing up all of your papers and projects. I wish you the very best as you head to so many places in the world for the summer. May you have exciting, illuminating internships and summer jobs, and may you return refreshed and eager to learn more in the fall. And to our seniors: I will see you next week.

It’s the time of year for congratulations!

We held Honors Convocation last Friday night, the start of Whittier Weekend.  It is so much fun to see brilliant students receive awards from their departments and to applaud the students who have won external fellowships and scholarships.  My favorite part of the evening is to meet the proud parents!

With the 2012 Nerhood Teaching Excellence Award Winner Professor Elizabeth Sage

Seniors Hanna White and Brianne O’Doherty

Honorees Libertad Carlos, Megan Jackson and Audreanna Shubin  

Family Weekend

Talking to parents during a reception in Wardman House

I gave a state of the college address to family members over Family Weekend.  As often happens when I describe the small class atmosphere, the research students have an opportunity to engage in with faculty, and the travel study trips with a faculty mentor to Morocco, Cuba, China, South Africa, France, and many other places,  the parents want to enroll in Whittier.  I do too!  Why do students have all the fun?