Fifty Under 50 Stories
Fifty Under 50 is a new initiative recognizing emerging leaders in philanthropy. Members are graduates of the class of 1989 or later and have made gifts and pledges exceeding $50,000 to the campaign.
Blake Bratt ’92 & Shilpa Goradia Bratt ’91
A shared commitment to service and a passion for travel brought Blake Bratt ’92 and Shilpa Goradia Bratt ’91 together. Through their generous gift to establish the Bratt Family Scholarship Endowment, the Bratts are paving the way for future Whitman students to pursue a transformative education that fosters lifelong adventure.
February 23, 2026
Tom Armel ’01 & Alaina Armel
Tom Armel ’01 and Alaina Armel are dedicated to expanding access to Whitman’s transformative education. The new Armel Family Biomedical Science Scholarship Endowment extends their long history of philanthropy to include a merit-based scholarship for high-achieving students in the sciences.
January 30, 2026
Chad Gray ’98 & Rebecca Gray
Grateful for the opportunities a college education afforded them throughout their careers, the Grays are supporting the Upward Together campaign through the Chad W. and Rebecca L. Gray Endowed Scholarship, which broadens access to Whitman’s exceptional liberal arts education.
December 09, 2025
Robert Tonnsen ’00
A degree in Geology from Whitman built the foundation for Rob Tonnsen’s ’00 career. Now retired, Tonnsen’s experiences at Whitman inspired his recent gift to establish two scholarship endowments generously supporting the Upward Together campaign in its final year and helping to provide an enriching educational experience for generations to come.
September 03, 2025
Nav Rekhi ’06
A Whitman connection years after graduation reignited Navneeta “Nav” Rekhi’s ’06 passion for her alma mater. Her recent pledge to the First Opportunity Scholarship Endowment honors her friend and mentor, Trustee Emeritus Bill Neff ’67, while advancing access and affordability through the Upward Together campaign.
July 29, 2025
Norman P. Cheuk ’91 & Mito Alfieri
For Norman P. Cheuk ’91 and his wife, Mito Alfieri, staying connected with Whitman means generously giving their time and establishing an endowment to support Whitman students for generations to come.
June 26, 2025
John Kirk ’95 & Sarah (Baird) Kirk ’95
John Kirk ’95 and Sarah (Baird) Kirk ’95 continue the family tradition of supporting STEM students at Whitman through Upward Together.
March 07, 2025
Megan Darby Grimes ’98
For Megan Darby Grimes ’98, the opportunity to attend Whitman College was made possible through merit scholarships and need-based financial aid. Now, she is ensuring that future students can access the same transformative education.
February 06, 2025
Amy Raschella-Oliver ’92 & Russ Oliver ’93
For Amy Raschella-Oliver ’92 and Russ Oliver ’93, a long history of giving back to Whitman College began with honoring and celebrating the life of a dear friend and classmate.
January 29, 2025