Dear Editor,

The Sept. 29 article by Pamela London, “Football controversy: Sudden end of declining program in 1977 vexes Whitman community,” may have unintentionally left Pioneer readers with the misperception that Whitman’s fundraising efforts have suffered long-term repercussions as a result of the closure of the varsity football program.

In my role as director of annual giving, I’ve had a number of conversations with alumni who were disappointed with the college’s actions and continue to question the handling of the decision to eliminate the football program. No matter their graduation year, it is true that Whitman alumni are passionate about their Whitman experience.

Most Whitman alumni are remarkably loyal and generous to their alma mater.   For instance, in 1961, Whitman Alumni Fund Chair, John Tuttle ’37, reported gifts of $16,833 from 15 percent of the alumni.

In fiscal year ’77, the year that the football program was eliminated, alumni gifts had grown to $325,934, an increase of 16 percent over the previous academic year.   The year following the elimination of football, alumni gifts happen to have nearly tripled: to $934,779.   For the five years following the elimination of football, alumni gifts averaged $2.18 million per year. This was not because the college dropped football, but simply that alumni were showing increased appreciation for their experiences at the college. During this past fiscal year, 43 percent of alumni made gifts totaling $9,124,688 and all gifts from alumni, parents and friends exceeded $15 million, a record-breaking year.

For those with a particular interest in supporting varsity athletics, the recent creation of the W Club by alumni and parents has done a “varsity-level” job in enhancing the student athlete experience. Alumni giving is a core value of the Whitman tradition and connects Whitties of every class and era.   Gifts from loyal and generous alumni continue to strengthen the qualities that shape the Whitman experience:   exceptional teaching, a residential liberal arts environment, experiential learning, financial aid and co-curricular experiences in a variety of settings: including varsity athletics.

The demise of varsity football at Whitman is certainly a poignant and controversial moment in the college’s history.   While there were alumni who chose not to support the college in the wake of the decision to eliminate football, the idea that Whitman “suffered a dip in donations” or that the college is just now returning to pre-1977 totals is patently inaccurate.

Brian Dohe
Director of Annual Giving