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Whittier College
View on WikipediaThis article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (December 2022) |
Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California. It is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and, as of fall 2025, had 797 undergraduate and graduate students. It was founded in 1887. Whittier offers one graduate degree – a master's degree in education.
Key Information
History
[edit]
Whittier College was founded in 1887 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and named after the poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier.[5] Although the institution no longer has a formal Quaker affiliation, it maintains a tradition of emphasizing social responsibility and community engagement.[6][7]
The school enrolls around 800 undergraduates and has just over 100 full-time faculty members.[8][9]
The college offers more than 30 majors.[10]
Academics
[edit]Whittier College is a four-year liberal arts institution.[11]
Whittier offers over 30 majors and 30 minors in 23 disciplines. Its most popular undergraduate majors, based on 2021 graduates, were[12]
- Business Administration and Management (62)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (52)
- Biology/Biological Sciences (40)
- Psychology (38)
- Social Sciences (29)
- English Language and Literature (24)
Whittier Law School
[edit]Whittier Law School was located on a satellite campus in Costa Mesa, California.[13] It started in the Hancock Park section of Los Angeles in 1966 as Beverly Law School. In 1975, Beverly College joined Whittier with the law school, moving to Costa Mesa in 1997. Whittier Law School has 4,500 alumni practicing in 48 states and 14 countries. The school was accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) beginning in 1978 and was a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) beginning 1987.[14]
On April 19, 2017, the law school announced that it would stop admitting students and begin the process of shutting down.[15] The school ceased operations in July 2020.[16]
| Academic rankings | |
|---|---|
| Liberal arts | |
| U.S. News & World Report[17] | 95 (tie) of 185 |
| Washington Monthly[18] | 64 of 199 |
| National | |
| Forbes[19] | 430 of 500 |
| Race and ethnicity[20] | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 53% | ||
| Asian | 7% | ||
| Foreign national | 4% | ||
| White | 23% | ||
| Black | 5% | ||
| Other[a] | 7% | ||
| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income[b] | 36% | ||
| Affluent[c] | 74% | ||
Athletics
[edit]
The Whittier Poets compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) of NCAA Division III. The school has fielded sports teams for over 100 years. Its current teams include men's and women's basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, lacrosse and water polo, women's softball and volleyball, and men's baseball and golf. In November 2022, Whittier announced that it was discontinuing its football team, men's lacrosse, and men's and women's golf.[21][22] After community input, the Board of Trustees voted to reinstate the Football program, which is slated to return in the 2026-27 academic year, after alumni had raised more than $800,000 to support its revitalization.[23]
The history of the Whittier football program began in 1907, and since the inception of the SCIAC in 1915, the Poets have won 26 conference titles. From 1957 to 1964, Whittier won eight straight SCIAC football titles under the direction of coaches George Allen (1951–1956), Don Coryell (1957–1959), and John Godfrey (1960–1979). Their most recent championships came back-to-back in 1997 and 1998. Twenty-three Poets have earned All-American honors, the most recent coming in 2007. The football program plays out of Newman Memorial Field, which seats 7,000. Whittier maintained a century-long football rivalry with Occidental Tigers. The two schools play for the shoes of 1939 All-American Myron Claxton.[22]
The Whittier men's lacrosse program was established in 1980. In 1980, the Poets became a member of the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL). From 1980 to 1999, Whittier won ten championships. In 1990, they were recognized by the NCAA but continued to compete in the WCLL. The Poets were the team to beat throughout the 1990s, and it was not until 2000 that Whittier decided to make their mark on the national scene by leaving the WCLL and focusing on being selected for the NCAA tournament. On November 15, 2022, it was announced that Whittier College would discontinue its men's lacrosse program after the conclusion of their season.[21][22]
The Whittier men's and women's swimming and diving teams earned Academic All-American status—the women for the fourth straight year and the men for the first time after the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) announced the programs who achieved this honor for the 2015 Fall Semester. Five hundred forty-seven swimming and diving teams representing 354 colleges and universities have been named College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American Teams. The awards recognize teams with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the 2015 fall semester.
The termination of football, lacrosse, and golf in the fall of 2022 was greeted with controversy and strong community input.[24] After fundraisers by alumni generated over $814,000 in donations, the football program was revived starting with the 2026 season.[25]
Notable coaches
[edit]- George Allen, head football coach for the Poets from 1951 to 1956. Former NFL head coach and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Jerry Burns, former head coach Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. Assistant coach for Poets football team in 1952.
- Leo B. Calland, former college football and basketball coach; highest winning percentage of any basketball coach at USC
- Greg Carlson, head football coach for the Poets from 2003–2005.
- Don Coryell, head football coach for the Poets from 1957 to 1959. First and only coach to win at least 100 games at both the collegiate level and in the NFL
- Ty Knott, former assistant coach for the Poets. Former NFL assistant coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and Green Bay Packers.
- Duval Love, offensive line coach for the Poets in 2008. Former NFL offensive lineman.
- Samie Parker, wide receivers coach for the Poets in 2019. Former NFL wide receiver.
- Omarr Smith, defensive backs coach for the Poets in 2004. Former defensive back for the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League
- Wallace Newman, head football coach for the Poets from 1929 to 1950. American Indian Tribal leader and mentor to future President of the United States Richard Nixon
- Hugh Mendez, Former head football 1980–89 and baseball coach 1971–87 for Poets. Former head coach in Austrian Football League, German Football League and other European leagues.
Notable alumni
[edit]Notable alumni include former U.S. President Richard Nixon;[26] actress Andrea Barber, known from the television comedy Full House and Fuller House;[27] video blogger Cassey Ho;[28] actors and brothers Geoff Stults,[29] and George Stults; and author Jessamyn West.[30]
Notable people
[edit]Faculty
[edit]- Mary Chawner Woody, president, North Carolina Woman's Christian Temperance Union
- Kristine Dillon, president
Gallery
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
- ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
- ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.
References
[edit]- ^ "Facts & Figures | Whittier College". www.whittier.edu.
- ^ As of June 30, 2019. "U.S. and Canadian 2019 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2019 Endowment Market Value, and Percentage Change in Market Value from FY18 to FY19 (Revised)". National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "College Navigator – Whittier College".
- ^ "Whittier College facts and figures".
- ^ "About Whittier College". Whittier College. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ Neufeldt, Victoria (2003). Encyclopedia of Associations. Gale Research.
- ^ "John Greenleaf Whittier Society". Whittier College. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Whittier College Fast Facts". Whittier College. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ "Whittier College Profile". College Navigator. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ "Majors and Programs". Whittier College. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ "About Whittier College". Whittier College. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Whittier College". nces.ed.gov. U.S. Dept of Education. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ "Whittier Law School – A Southern California ABA Accredited Law School". www.law.whittier.edu.
- ^ "History". www.law.whittier.edu.
- ^ "Whittier Law School Won't Enroll New Students". Inside Higher Ed. April 20, 2017.
- ^ "Former Whittier Law School | Whittier College". www.whittier.edu.
- ^ "2025-2026 National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 23, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings". Washington Monthly. August 25, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "America's Top Colleges 2025". Forbes. August 26, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "College Scorecard: Whittier College". United States Department of Education. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ a b Santana, Miguel (November 15, 2022). "Whittier College Makes Changes to Poet Athletics". Whittier College (Press release). Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ a b c Jaschik, Scott (28 November 2022). "Whittier Will Discontinue Football". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ "Whittier College Revives Football for 2026, Backed By $814K Alumni Fundraising". Whittier College. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ Henderson, Emily (2022-11-28). "Community Protests Against Cancellation of Athletics Programs". The Quaker Campus. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
- ^ "Whittier College Revives Football for 2026, Backed By $814K Alumni Fundraising". Whittier College. October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ^ "Richard M. Nixon". The White House. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Fuller House's Andrea Barber Says She Thought She'd Never Act Again After Full House". www.yahoo.com. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ Narins, Elizabeth (2017-08-28). "Blogilates Cassey Ho Reveals Why She Hid Her Relationship From Fans for 9 Years". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Poet Actor on New Hulu Series | Whittier College". www.whittier.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Jessamyn West Collection: Jessamyn West dies of stroke at age 81". www.yorbalindahistory.org. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
External links
[edit]Whittier College
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Quaker Origins
Whittier College originated from the Whittier Academy, established in 1887 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in the newly founded Quaker town of Whittier, California.[1] The academy was created to provide education grounded in Quaker values such as simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship of the environment, reflecting the settlers' desire for a moral and temperate community away from urban vices.[1] A group of Quakers, primarily from Iowa and led by figures like Aquila Pickering, acquired 1,259 acres of land to form this settlement, naming both the town and institution after the prominent Quaker poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892).[5] [6] The founding was part of a broader Quaker migration to Southern California in the late 19th century, driven by the search for fertile land, mild climate, and opportunities to build a society aligned with their pacifist and egalitarian principles.[5] Initial classes at Whittier Academy began with a focus on preparatory education, serving the children of the Quaker pioneers who emphasized practical skills, moral instruction, and classical studies.[1] By 1896, the academy had evolved to offer college-level courses, officially adopting the name Whittier College on July 30 of that year, though full chartering as a degree-granting institution occurred in 1901 with an initial enrollment of 25 students.[5] [7] The Quaker origins instilled a commitment to experiential learning, social justice, and consensus-based decision-making, influences that persisted even as the college transitioned to secular governance in the 20th century while retaining its historical affiliation.[1] Early governance involved direct oversight by the Society of Friends, with the first board including Quaker leaders from the region, ensuring alignment with religious tenets amid challenges like funding shortages and regional growth.[8]
Early Development and Expansion
Whittier College commenced operations following its chartering by the State of California in 1901, with an initial enrollment of 25 students drawn primarily from the affiliated Whittier Academy, which had been founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1887.[1] The college inherited early infrastructure such as Founders Hall, where construction began in 1893 to house classrooms, dormitories, and the library, reflecting the modest scale of its inception amid the Quaker-founded town of Whittier.[1] Under inaugural president Charles E. Tebbetts, who served from 1900 to 1907, the institution prioritized stabilizing its academic programs and administrative structure, though financial constraints limited rapid growth.[9] Subsequent leadership oversaw incremental expansions, including the construction of the Redwood Building to provide dedicated facilities for female students and an enlarged library, addressing the needs of a diversifying student body.[1] Campus traditions emerged in the 1910s, exemplified by the 1912 installation of "The Rock" by graduating seniors, which became a symbol of student engagement and institutional identity.[1] The 1920s marked athletic achievements and the enrollment of the college's first international student, a woman from Russia, signaling tentative broadening beyond its Quaker roots.[1] Physical development advanced in the 1930s with the acquisition of the Mendenhall Building from the local Elks Lodge, repurposed for administrative offices and library expansion, amid a gradual shift toward independence from the Quaker Yearly Meeting, culminating in full autonomy by decade's end.[1] Enrollment remained small, constrained by regional economics and the Great Depression, yet laid groundwork for later surges.[1]Post-War Growth and Modernization
Following World War II, Whittier College experienced a significant enrollment surge driven by returning veterans utilizing the GI Bill, which expanded access to higher education and reversed wartime declines in male student numbers caused by enlistments. By fall 1949, total enrollment reached a record 1,364 students, surpassing the prior high of 1,306, with 538 women and 826 men among them.[10] This growth reflected broader national trends in post-war higher education expansion but was particularly pronounced at Whittier, a small liberal arts institution transitioning from wartime austerity. The influx of students coincided with a construction boom on campus, enabling physical modernization to accommodate expanded operations. Most major buildings were erected from the late 1940s onward, including three in the 1940s and 1950s, seven during the 1960s, and three more in the 1970s and 1980s.[1] This development aligned with the institution's "Half Century Plan," a post-war strategic initiative outlined in progress reports to guide long-term growth and infrastructure improvements amid rising demand.[11] Under presidents like Frederick M. Binder in the early 1970s, the college further modernized by establishing the Whittier Law School in 1975, enhancing its academic profile despite later challenges.[12] Subsequent decades saw continued adaptations to sustain growth, including renovations to core facilities such as the Campus Center in 2008 and expansions to the Graham Athletic Center and Lillian Slade Aquatics Center in 2012, which supported evolving student life and athletics programs.[1] These efforts transformed the compact 95-acre campus into a more functional modern space, though enrollment stabilization efforts persisted into the 21st century amid shifting demographics.21st-Century Challenges and Reforms
In the early 2000s, Whittier College experienced relative stability, but by the 2010s, it faced intensifying demographic and market pressures common to small private liberal arts institutions, including a shrinking pool of traditional college-age students and rising competition from larger universities offering lower net costs. Enrollment began a sustained decline, dropping from a peak of approximately 2,100 students in the mid-2000s to 1,853 by fall 2018, exacerbated by inadequate adaptation to these trends.[13][14] The decline accelerated post-2018, with total enrollment plummeting 35% to around 1,200 students by 2023, directly correlating with reduced tuition revenue and operational deficits. Over the prior decade, the college had lost about one-fifth of its student body, contributing to annual financial losses and a downgraded credit outlook amid broader economic strains on higher education. These challenges culminated in internal strife, including a faculty and alumni vote of no confidence in President Linda Oubré in April 2023 over perceived mishandling of enrollment strategies and transparency issues, leading to her resignation in May 2023 despite over three years remaining on her contract.[13][14][15] Under interim President Kristine Dillon, appointed in 2023, the college pivoted to targeted reforms outlined in a Short Range Strategic Plan emphasizing enrollment growth and fundraising. Key initiatives included the Whittier Works program, launched to integrate experiential learning with community partnerships and career pathways, alongside expanded direct admissions via platforms like Common App, yielding a 48% increase in applications for the prior year reported in 2024. The Whittier Now! campaign aimed to raise $24 million by 2029 for mission-aligned investments, while new offerings like the STAND program targeted skilled trades to diversify recruitment. By fall 2025, these efforts showed early stabilization, with the State of the College address highlighting innovation in program delivery to broader student demographics.[16][17][18]Academics
Undergraduate Programs and Curriculum
Whittier College confers the Bachelor of Arts degree upon completion of 120 credits of undergraduate coursework.[19] Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 overall and in their major, with at least 12 credits in the major completed at the college; majors may impose higher standards.[19] No more than 48 credits may be taken in a single discipline, ensuring at least 72 credits outside the major field.[19] The undergraduate curriculum centers on the Liberal Education Program, organized around four interconnected pillars known as the "Four C's": Community, Communication, Cultural Perspectives, and Connections.[20] The Community pillar requires 12 credits, including courses like the freshman seminar INTD 100, to build collaborative skills and a sense of belonging.[20] Communication entails 9 credits focused on quantitative reasoning, writing-intensive work, creative arts, and a senior presentation to develop expressive abilities.[20] Cultural Perspectives demands 12 credits across four of seven global areas (e.g., African, Asian, European), promoting awareness of diverse worldviews.[20] Connections involves 10 credits in interdisciplinary pairings, integrating disciplines like science and society.[20] Breadth requirements add 18 credits distributed across natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities/fine arts (6 credits each).[19] A writing-intensive thread spans all four years, culminating in a "Paper-in-the-Major."[19] The college offers majors in over 30 fields, including anthropology, biochemistry, biology, business administration, chemistry, child development, data science, kinesiology, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, and visual studies, with corresponding minors available.[21] Business administration, for instance, requires 36 credits, including 24 at the 300-level or above.[22] Biology mandates at least 37 credits, starting with foundation courses in cell biology, organismal biology, and ecology.[23] Distinctive features include the Whittier Scholars Program, enabling students to design interdisciplinary majors tailored to personal interests, supplemented by an off-campus requirement such as an internship or study abroad.[24] Pre-professional tracks in health sciences, physical therapy (via kinesiology), and engineering provide specialized advising and cooperative affiliations with other institutions.[24] These elements emphasize practical application alongside liberal arts foundations.[21]Graduate and Specialized Programs
Whittier College's graduate offerings are centered in the Graduate School of Education, providing programs designed for aspiring and practicing educators seeking credentials or advanced degrees in teaching.[25] These include preliminary teaching credentials authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and a Master of Arts in Teaching.[26] Admission to these programs is selective, with decisions made by the Graduate School of Education based on applicants' qualifications.[27] The credential programs encompass the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential for elementary education, the Preliminary Single Subject Credential for secondary education in specific disciplines, and the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential for special education.[26] These programs emphasize preparation for teaching diverse cultural and linguistic student populations through coursework, fieldwork, and student teaching requirements aligned with state standards.[26] The Master of Arts in Teaching requires completion of 30 units, excluding student teaching, and offers three primary pathways: integration with a preliminary credential program featuring capstone courses EDUC 605 (Educational Inquiry, 4 units) and EDUC 606 (Educational Inquiry Practicum, 4 units); combination with an induction program allowing up to 12 transferable credits from prior professional development; or standalone for credentialed teachers with tailored 30-unit coursework.[28] [26] Up to 9 units may be transferred from other institutions, and the degree must be completed within five years of admission, with possible two-year extensions via petition.[28] Students maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, with no grades below B- permitted, and courses are available in evening and summer formats to accommodate working professionals.[28] These programs prioritize application of educational theory and research to practical challenges, with a focus on culturally responsive pedagogy.[26] Enrollment data indicate a small graduate student body, supporting personalized instruction by experienced faculty.[29]Whittier Law School and Its Closure
Whittier Law School was established in 1966 as Beverly Law School in Los Angeles, California, with an emphasis on providing accessible legal education to women and older students.[30] In 1975, it affiliated with Whittier College, adopting the name Whittier College School of Law, and relocated to Costa Mesa in 1997.[31] The school received provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1978 and full accreditation in 1985. It offered a Juris Doctor program focused on practical training, including part-time options, and graduated approximately 4,500 alumni across 48 states and 14 countries by closure.[30] The law school faced mounting challenges in the 2010s amid a broader downturn in legal education, including a sharp decline in applications following the 2008 financial crisis.[32] Total enrollment fell from around 700 students in 2011 to fewer than 400 by 2017, with first-year class sizes dropping from 303 in 2010 to 132 in 2016.[33] Contributing factors included persistently low bar passage rates, such as 22% for the July 2016 California bar exam compared to the state's 62%, and poor graduate employment outcomes in full-time, long-term legal positions.[34] These issues exacerbated financial deficits, as tuition revenue failed to cover rising operational costs despite efforts like voluntary faculty separations and property sales, including the campus land sold for a $13 million profit in January 2017.[35] On April 19, 2017, the Whittier College Board of Trustees announced the decision to cease new student recruitment and enrollment, marking the first closure of a fully ABA-accredited law school in the United States.[36] The board cited unsustainable finances and failed attempts to secure a buyer or merger partner after exploring options to "right-size" the institution.[37] Faculty members opposed the move, filing for a temporary restraining order to delay the announcement, but a judge denied it, allowing teach-out for existing students to complete degrees elsewhere or at Whittier.[32] Operations fully ended in July 2020, with the college assuming responsibility for transcripts, alumni records, and legacy support.[30] The closure highlighted vulnerabilities in lower-tier law schools reliant on high enrollment volumes amid market contraction and scrutiny over outcomes.[38]Admissions, Enrollment, and Finances
Admissions Process and Policies
Whittier College employs a holistic admissions review for first-year applicants, prioritizing academic records such as high school transcripts and GPA alongside personal statements, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular involvement, while explicitly excluding SAT or ACT scores under its test-free policy.[39] Applicants submit via the Common Application, which requires official transcripts through the junior year, a secondary school report, and two letters of recommendation (one from an academic teacher), or through Instant Decision Days featuring a virtual or in-person interview, graded essay or personal statement, and transcript review.[39] There is no application fee, and the process does not require disclosure of criminal history during initial review; any post-deposit disclosures are evaluated by a committee.[39] Deadlines include Early Action for fall entry by November 15, rolling admissions through July 28, and spring entry by October 15, with enrollment deposits due shortly thereafter to secure scholarships and aid.[39] Recent admissions data indicate moderate selectivity, with 3,856 admits from 4,521 applications (approximately 85% acceptance rate) and enrolling first-year classes averaging weighted GPAs in the middle 50% range of 3.73 to 4.0.[40] The test-free policy, updated from an earlier test-optional framework introduced in 2016 for students with GPAs of 3.0 or higher, reflects a broader institutional emphasis on non-standardized metrics to assess applicant potential.[39] [41] Transfer admissions follow a similar holistic model without minimum unit requirements, necessitating final high school transcripts, all prior college transcripts, and one letter of recommendation, with applications accepted via online form or Instant Decision.[42] The college transfers up to 70 semester units from community colleges (including IGETC certification for California transfers) and 90 from four-year institutions, excluding grades of D or lower unless under academic renewal provisions; tools like Transferology facilitate credit evaluation.[42] Priority deadlines are April 15 for fall and October 15 for spring, yielding 190 admits from 245 applications in recent cycles, with middle 50% GPAs of 3.0 to 3.75.[40] [42]Enrollment Trends and Demographics
Whittier College's undergraduate enrollment grew steadily from 1,530 students in fall 2010 to a peak of 1,776 in fall 2019, reflecting expansion in a competitive higher education landscape.[43] This growth was followed by a sharp decline to 1,490 in fall 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, further dropping to 1,323 in fall 2021 and 1,131 in fall 2022, trends common among small private liberal arts institutions facing demographic shifts and economic pressures.[43] By fall 2023, undergraduate enrollment stood at 813, with total enrollment (including graduate students) at 859; preliminary fall 2024 data reported 767 undergraduates, though incoming first-year classes increased by 45% year-over-year to 290 students, suggesting potential stabilization.[44][45][46]| Fall Year | Undergraduate Enrollment |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,530 |
| 2015 | 1,650 |
| 2019 | 1,776 |
| 2020 | 1,490 |
| 2022 | 1,131 |
| 2023 | 813 |
| 2024 | 767 |

