Union-Bulletin

SEATTLE - Whitman College on Friday announced the launch of a public fundraising campaign aimed at adding $150 million to the college's endowment.

"Whitman has a wonderful 130-year tradition of excellence in the liberal arts," said John Stanton, a Whitman trustee and alumnus who chairs the campaign, in a news release. "But we cannot rest on our laurels. The college faces the challenges of keeping our curriculum and programs relevant, making a Whitman education accessible for those that qualify, and strengthening our financial foundation, which requires us to continue to invest."

The campaign has financial goals in three areas:

Academic excellence - $75 million. The linchpin in this prong is the addition of 12 new, endowed faculty positions, according to the news release. In addition, more opportunities are planned for student-faculty research, internships and "other experiential learning opportunities while building on an ongoing effort to

globalize its curriculum."

Scholarship support - $50 million. Gifts will help endow need-based and merit scholarships, according to the release.

Financial strength - $25 million. This prong focuses on building the college's general endowment.

The campaign was announced at a dinner event in Seattle on Friday.

A local event is planned for Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. in the college's Cordiner Hall, near the intersection of Park Street and Boyer Avenue.