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The Whitworth Fund Phonathon History

If you are a Whitworth alum from the past 20 years or so, chances are that you or someone you know worked for the Whitworth Fund Phonathon — or you've been called by a phonathon student. Each year since 1986, Whitworth has held an on-campus phonathon in an effort to reach alumni and other potential donors. It began lasting not much longer than a week, with dinner provided each night for the volunteers. Other phonathon generations received the coveted perk of free long- distance phone calls.

One benefit that has remained through the years is that phonathon callers gain unique perspectives on Whitworth and its history, or "the way things used to be," according to its alumni. Many Whitworth stories not accounted for in yearbooks live on through alumni recountings to phonathon students. 

As with many other colleges and universities, Whitworth's phonathon program now employs a fixed number of students (approximately 20) to work throughout the entire school year.  Student callers contact not only alumni but also parents of current and former students, and other friends of the university. Collectively, they talk to about 7,000 people each year and raise more than $200,000 annually for The Whitworth Fund.

Our phonathon callers give each person on the other end of the line a glimpse of the kinds of students currently attending Whitworth. They are excited to talk to you, and we hope you'll give them a few minutes to let you know how important you are to this campus.