2013 Whittier College Chairman's Report

WHITTIER COLLEGE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Fellow Members of the Whittier College Community:

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n behalf of our entire Board of Trustees, senior administration, faculty, staff, and students, I am pleased to share that for the fiscal year 2012-13— Whittier College’s milestone 125th anniversary year—the College continued on its positive trajectory, marking increases in enrollment, broadening student accomplishment, and securing new channels of philanthropic support.

As the following pages illustrate, high demand for Whittier’s extraordinary brand of education is reflected in the strength of applications and, as of Fall 2013, its vibrant student body of approximately 1,695 undergraduates, an increase of nearly 25 percent from just five years ago. Your generosity in support of students and faculty has followed suit, with new highs in the number of Faithful Friends to the College and gifts to the Whittier Fund, both of which are paramount to College operations.

Finally, growing student achievement and outcomes continue to validate Whittier’s strengths, with record number of students participating in Division III athletics,

earning nationally recognized fellowships, and receiving acceptances to leading graduate schools across all disciplines.

Among the highlights from our work last year, Whittier was among only a handful of institutions awarded a highly competitive grant from the prestigious Henry Luce Foundation—an award which will fund the establishment of a comprehensive, multipronged program benefitting both the undergraduate and law school campuses that capitalizes on Whittier’s growing partnerships in Asia.

Updating you on another critical venture, in last year’s report I referenced a plan-in-progress to initiate a complete renovation of our most-used academic facility—Stauffer Science Building—a project that will effectively transform the learning experience of every student on campus. Designed to foster interdisciplinary and creative collaboration at every turn, the interior architecture of this new “Science and Learning Center” takes advantage of both classroom and corridor space, ensuring continuous tandem of function and form supported with modern technology. Estimated at $50 million to complete, this state-of-the-art learning center represents the most ambitious capital project in the College’s history, requiring support from all corners of the

Whittier College community. I thank you in advance for your continued investment and support on this important project, which is targeted to break ground in 2015.

I encourage you to review the balance of this report, which details trends, data, and other ongoing initiatives to make us all proud of Whittier. As I enter my final year as Board Chair, and after nearly two decades as a Trustee, I am particularly grateful to acknowledge that that these tremendous accomplishments are directly correlated to the hard work of our extended Whittier College community, as well as your dedication and unwavering commitment to ensure the College’s bright—and enduring—future. I thank you all for your continued loyalty and support.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Herrema ’74 Chairman

Chairman Donald J. Herrema ’74 Secretary Kate Wiley P ’11 Treasurer Vincent J. Daigneault ’85 Fred D. Anderson ’66 James M. Brown ’71 Christopher G. Caldwell P ’14, ’15 Peter E. Feinberg ’82 Jennifer L. (Landford) Fuller ’82 P ’16 Yuki Hayashi P ’10 Kathleen L. Kane ’71 Edwin Keh ’79, P ’11, ’15 William Larson WLS ’85, H.D.L ’05, P ’13 Alan H. Lund ’71 David D. Mandarich P ’97 Christopher T. Martin ’94 James E. Mitchell ’62 James R. Parks Richard S. Ruben Geraldine (Beaty) Shepherd ’90, P ’97 Misty M. Sanford ’00 Keith Swayne Donald E. Wood, L.H.D. ’98 Nancy Woodward P ’13 Robert Zemsky ’62 Alumni-at-Large Victor R. Griego, Jr. ’78 John K. Fitzgerald WLS ’93 President of the Alumni Board Steven Weston ’83 Trustees Emeriti Richard H. Deihl ’49, D.B.A. ’84 Rayburn S. Dezember ’53, L.H.D. ’94, P ’78, ’86, ’94 Alfred J. Gobar ’53, M.A. ’55, Ph.D., L.H.D ’05, P ’88, ’96

Charlotte D. Graham, L.H.D. ’99 Willard V. Harris, Jr. ’55, L.H.D ’02 , P ’80, ’87 Caroline (Patterson) Ireland ’43 Sharon (Ettinger) McLaughlin P ’85, ’88, ’90 R. Chandler Myers, LL.D. ’88 Hubert C. Perry ’35 Anthony R. Pierno ’54, L.H.D. ’00, P ’84 Ruth B. Shannon, L.H.D. ’92 Elden L. Smith ’62 Judith (Kjellberg) Swayne ’63 Maxine M. Trotter ’47, P ’72 President Emeritus Eugene S. Mills, Ph.D., LL.D., L.H.D.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION Sharon D. Herzberger President Charlotte G. Borst Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Penelope Bryan Dean of Whittier Law School Robert J. Coleman Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of Athletics James Dunkelman Vice President for Finance and Administration Jeanne Ortiz Vice President and Dean of Students Fred R. Pfursich Vice President for Enrollment Elizabeth Power Robison Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives

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PARTICIPATION

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ift participation from the larger Whittier family—alumni, parents, and friends—continued on its growth trend, most importantly with alumni participation rising to 24%.

Participation—in particular, alumni participation—makes a significant difference at the College in two critical ways.

First, evidence of strong alumni investment greatly benefits the College when seeking support from large foundations.

Second, many college and university rankings utilize participation in determining overall rank, resulting in higher or lower prestige for an institution. In this way, every gift to the College, regardless of size, plays a significant role.

3,962

The number

of gifts to

the Whittier Fund remained near

all-time highs, supporting the most pressing needs of students and faculty, such as scholarships and faculty salary parity.

2,700 resulting in nearly $1

Parents and friends supported the College generously in 2013,

42%

The Ionians claimed the top spot in the “All Society Challenge,” wresting control

away from the Palmers who had claimed the spot for two years running. Overall, society participation grew

to 39%

in 2013, representing a five-year high.

2,878

The number of Faithful Friends— alumni, parents, or friends—giving

in two or more consecutive years rose closer to reaching the College’s goal

of 3,000 by 2015.

47%

of Whittier College faculty and staff continued to show support for the

institutional mission, with nearly half making a gift this year—

up from 37% participation recorded the prior year.

18%

Participation from graduates of the last decade reached an

all-time high,

double the rate of three years ago.

million in contributions to the College.

Data reported according to Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) standards for gifts and grants received in fiscal year 2012-2013.

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CONTRIBUTIONS

F

or Whittier College, 2012-2013 marks another record year in support of the Whittier Fund, with $1.7 million raised, versus $1.6 million the preceding year. Gifts and pledge payments of cash and property to the College’s undergraduate programs totaled $5.4 million, down from the previous fiscal year.

GIFTS BY SOURCE 2012–2013*

11%

22%

Parents

Foundations

7%

Friends

2%

Chairman’s Notes: • This year’s decrease in total contributions was primarily due to a $3.2 million drop in realized bequests in comparison to last year.

Despite this one-year trend, the College continues to seek new planned gifts, which drive critical capital projects and endowment funding.

• Gifts from living individuals and foundations grew by 8% over last fiscal year, with a significant first-time commitment from the Henry Luce Foundation to advance the College’s interdisciplinary study of Asia and the environment.

• Growth of the Whittier Fund continues to support the College’s most pressing needs, with 50% of gifts augmenting student scholarships and faculty salaries.

Corporations

58%

Alumni

GIFTS BY TYPE 2012–2013*

$2.0

$1.2

Restricted Operating

Endowment Giving

$0.5

Capital Projects

$1.7

Unrestricted Annual Fund Value in Millions ($)

* Data reported according to Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) standards for gifts and grants received in fiscal year 2012-2013.

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ENDOWMENT

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hittier College’s endowment, with its overall value located in the middle third of American institutions, appreciated due to additions from operating margins and private gifts and positive investment returns. The fair value of the College’s endowment increased from $80.2 million in June of 2012 to $88.8 million one year later.

Chairman’s Notes: • The annual endowment total return used to fund operations is determined by applying a board-approved percentage spending rate to a historical three-year average trading value of endowment investments. In 2013, the spending rate was 5%, yielding $3.5 million in support to operations.

• The College’s endowment contains 159 named scholarships, providing nearly 300 students with more than $1.4 million in support. Scholarship and fellowship support for students remains the top fundraising priority at Whittier.

ENDOWMENT FAIR VALUE AND SUPPORT TO OPERATIONS $90

$4.0

$80

$3.5

$70

$3.0

$60

$2.5

$50

$2.0

$40 $30

$1.5

$20

$1.0

$10

$0.5

$0

$0 2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

Fair Value

2011-12

2012-13

Support

ENDOWMENT SUPPORT AREAS FAIR VALUE, JUNE 30, 2013

$25.7

Academic Programs

$20.6

• Resources for faculty salary parity also continue to be a critical priority at Whittier. The College’s endowment contains 14 endowed chairs across multiple disciplines, generating nearly $850,000 in annual support for distinguished faculty.

General Support

$5.4

$36.2

Plant

Scholarships

$0.9

Student Services Value in Millions ($)

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REVENUES & EXPENSES

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perating revenues outpaced operating expenses by $8.7 million, growing the College’s total equity and enabling critical upgrades and resource enhancements to both residence halls and academic buildings throughout campus, including construction of a new, state-of-the-art recording studio and digital laboratory within the Music Building. ($ in millions)

2010–11

2011–12

2012–13

Revenue

$72.0

$80.7

$78.9

Expenses

$64.2

$67.4

$70.2

$7.8

$13.3

$8.7

Operating Income

OPERATING REVENUE 2012–2013

3%

Investment Income

3%

Other

7%

Gifts, Grants & Pledges

74%

Net Tuition & Fees

13%

Auxiliary Enterprises

Chairman’s Notes: • Whittier’s strengthening balance sheet, coupled with its recent record of positive, operating cash flows, will enable the College to fund critical capital and deferred maintenance needs.

• Strong financial performance enabled the College to keep undergraduate student tuition below peer colleges, providing excellent value to those who matter most, its students.

OPERATING EXPENSES 2012–2013

14%

Auxiliary Enterprises

38%

Instruction

19%

Institutional Support

2%

Sponsored Programs

18%

Student Services

8

9%

Academic Support

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ENROLLMENT

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or the undergraduate division, the Fall 2012 overall enrollment was 1,670 students, holding steady in a multi-year trend of increasing applications and yield. In all, the class of new, matriculating students included 418 freshmen and 72 transfer students.

ENROLLMENT DATA HIGHLIGHTS 2010–11

2011–12

2012–13

Total Enrollment

1,572

1,643

1,670

Student/Faculty Ratio

13.5: 1

13.3: 1

12.7:1

$35,222

$36,632

$38,280

2,900

2,989

4,123

Tuition

Chairman’s Notes: • For the 2012-2013 academic year, the geographical distribution of all enrolled undergraduates reflected a total of 30 foreign countries and 36 states, representing approximately 755 secondary schools around the globe.

Total Applications Incoming Class:

453

427

418

% Male/Female

46/54

46/54

49/51

% Multicultural

46

49

55

U.S. States Represented

28

28

28

• The five most popular fields of study for enrolled students in the 2012-2013 academic year were ordered as follows: business administration, kinesiology and nutrition science, psychology, English, and biology.

DEGREES GRANTED BY DISCIPLINE*

22%

Natural Sciences

50%

Social Sciences

23%

Humanities

5%

Interdisciplinary

*Data reflects graduating Class of 2013

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ACHIEVEMENTS Institutional Recognition During the 2012-2013 fiscal year, Whittier College once again earned several distinct honors, including: • cited by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes magazine as one of “America’s Best Colleges & Universities”; • recognized by the Fiske Guide as one of the “best and most interesting” colleges in the nation; and among the “Colleges of Distinction” for criteria based on its engaged students, excellent teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes; and • named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, for its model mission and successful practice of training students in civic engagement and service.

Consistently, Whittier College wins competitive grants and other support from a variety of government and private foundations. These awards signify an important acknowledgment of Whittier’s present strengths as well as future potential in educational leadership.

Among the organizations in 2012-2013 that made a critical investment in Whittier College people and programs are: • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a grant for physics professor Glen Piner to continue his study of “blazars,” high energy-producing astrophysical matter emanating from supermassive black hole systems; • The Henry Luce Foundation/Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment (LIASE), an award to establish a new program designed to

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explore economic development and environmental sustainability in China and its border regions; • United States Institute of Peace, a grant for political science professor Joyce Kaufman to complete her research and compile an edited volume and policy primer on the use of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration in postconflict societies; and • The Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation, an award to Whittier College’s Center for Engagement with Communities, to establish a mentorship program with El Rancho High School for underrepresented students, with a goal toward college application and enrollment.

Individual Recognition Whittier College students continue to excel in national, high-profile fellowship and scholarship competitions, recognized for their overall academic record, post-college goals, and proposed, self-directed research projects. Among those awards won by students in 2012–2013 are: • Fulbright Fellowship • Gilman International Scholarship • Howard Hughes Medical InstituteSMaRT Fellowship • Fletcher Jones Undergraduate Fellowship • W.M. Keck Undergraduate Fellowship • Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellowship • Center for Collaborations with the Arts Mellon Fellowship Among the highly selective Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) and Internships awarded to Whittier students in the sciences and math were opportunities delivered through: • the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Medicine at Johns Hopkins University; • the National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIH-NIDDKD) STEP-UP program; and • the National Science Foundation’s HumanEnvironment Regional Observatory (NSF-HERO) at Clark University.

For outstanding work both on and off the field, Whittier College student-athletes continue to amass recognition with both regional and national sports associations. Overall, a total of 44 awards were handed out for efforts throughout the 2012-2013 season, including: • 14 students in three sports named All-American Athletes • 11 individual students in four sports named Academic All-Americans •4 Poet teams named Academic AllAmerican Teams: women’s softball, women’s tennis, women’s swimming and diving, women’s track and field •O ne National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Title— Whittier’s first—achieved by Kevin Curbelo ‘14 in track and field.

A number of Whittier College faculty earned significant nods from industry and professional associations alike, including:

• 2012 Christopher Wahl Award, given to chemistry professor Devin Iimoto for his dedicated action toward the eradication of the AIDS virus through community education and service.

• National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society “Order of Don Quijote,” awarded to modern languages professor Gustavo Geirola—one of only five people worldwide to receive the honor—in recognition for his “exemplary record of scholarship and professional contributions”; and • Autry National Center of the American West Fellowship, given to history professor Nat Zappia for a month-long residency to further his research on “food frontiers.”

Called upon by news media for expert commentary or as guest speakers and panelists for prestigious organizations, Whittier College faculty across a range of disciplines made their mark in both national and international venues, including segments on NPR and CNN, articles published in the Los Angeles Times and Huffington Post, and at industry conferences and meetings hosted by the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Urban Education Center, International Congress of Psychology, and American Chemical Society, among others.

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