Donor Impact
Your selfless giving allows students to connect with Whitworth’s caring community, grow in their faith, and gain a transformative mind-and-heart education. Thank you.
Institutional Advancement
Takudzwa “Michael” Majojo ’25
(While volunteering in San Diego as a street-corner medic, Michael (left) met Johnny (right) who shared that he had recently secured a job and was rebuilding his life. “I invited him to attend church, and he accepted,” Michael says.)
You make graduation day possible. Thanks to generous donors like you, biology major Michael Majojo ’25 is on his way to serving others as a doctor. Through Whitworth, Michael assisted with street-corner medical clinics in summer 2024, serving San Diego’s homeless community through Ladle Fellowship ministry.
“This experience profoundly deepened my understanding of what it means to be a doctor. It is about more than medical treatment – it’s about fostering connections and providing holistic support to those in need,” Michael says. “You can heal people spiritually by sharing the gospel and engaging in meaningful conversations. The daily interactions with people living on the streets have left an indelible mark on me, teaching me about resilience, optimism and the power of human connection.”
Josh Rosen '25
(Pictured below at left, with a Whitworth classmate, while doing yard makeovers for Spokane residents in summer 2024.)
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend Whitworth to further my education and develop lifelong connections with students, staff and faculty. I would not be here without your support, and for that I am grateful.
– Josh Rosen '25, health science major
Your generosity helps students grow. As a Whitworth Grounds student employee, Josh Rosen '25 helped create beautiful yards for five Spokane homeowners in summer 2024.
- What surprised you about doing the yard makeovers?
- I was surprised how willing the [homeowners] were to give back. One man catered food for the whole crew – not only for his project but also for when we worked on other projects. Us giving back inspired the community to give back as well.
- What was your favorite part of helping Spokane residents?
- Being able to interact with the [homeowners] after we completed their projects. We were able to not only build relationships with them but also strengthen and maintain meaningful relationships after the fact.
- Who is someone at Whitworth that’s made a difference for you?
- Brandon Pyle (grounds supervisor) has shown confidence in me, which has allowed me to build confidence within myself and in my abilities. This stretches beyond workplace duties and into many other areas of my life. Being able to work with and for Brandon has been a joyful part of my experience at Whitworth.
Because of you, students blossom in powerful ways. Thank you.
You help students grow and give back.
Ryland Gabriel '26
(Pictured below, wearing a Whitworth sweatshirt)
Last summer, psychology major Ryland Gabriel '26 served at Hope House in Marsing, Idaho, as a Whitworth Summer Fellow. Here, he shares about the transformative experience that generous donors like you make possible.
"I worked alongside dedicated Christians to provide direct care for youth who come from failed or disrupted adoptive homes. My experience was a mix of emotionally demanding and very fulfilling.
"The boys and girls live in separate dorms, where they can grow and bond together rather than be isolated as they may have been at home. A massive highlight was going on trips, either separately or collectively as dorms, creating fun and transformative memories.
"At first, I believed my brief time [three months] at Hope House would make it difficult to draw close to the hearts of kids who are used to having relationships cut short in their lives. As I eased into the daily life with them, they showed me grace and love, which bonded us all in a unique way. This was an experience I will cherish forever!"
As Ryland puts it: "Thanks to donors, I get to be a part of something bigger in the world and to participate in making it a better place."
You transform students' futures.
Destiny Fields '25
After Destiny Fields' grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, Destiny spent a lot of time with her at the hospital. “Seeing how the compassionate care she received improved her quality of life during such a difficult time made a lasting impression on me,” Destiny says. “I realized that I wanted to be a part of a field where I could make a difference in people's lives during their most vulnerable moments.”
Destiny is majoring in health science at Whitworth and plans to work as a physician assistant specializing in cardiology. “Thanks to generous support from donors, I can attend Whitworth and pursue my passion for healthcare,” she says.
Destiny is also grateful for the incredible community she has experienced at Whitworth. “My friendships with fellow students are a source of constant support and encouragement,” she says, “and my professors and mentors provide guidance and inspiration every step of the way.”
You are such an important part of this community. Thank you.
Nick Lkhadorj '25
Being an international student has its challenges, says computer science major Nick Lkhadorj '25. "One of the significant downsides is the distance from my family, which means I don't get to see them as often as I'd like."
Nick's determination to attend Whitworth brought him to Spokane from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. As much as he misses his family, he has found a second family through his campus job staffing the info systems help desk.
"I work with one of the most wonderful groups of people here at Whitworth," Nick says. "The help desk [staff] has become a welcoming and warm community that helps bridge the gap of miles and makes me feel at home."
Because of generous donors like you, Nick can attend Whitworth and thrive here.
"You have not only enriched my journey but have also played a part in shaping the positive and supportive community that defines our university," Nick says. "Thank you for being instrumental in making a difference in the lives of Whitworth students."
Jade Gonzalez '25
Together, we're better.
Education major Jade Gonzalez '25 is better together with the generous donors who make it possible for her to attend Whitworth.
Jade is also better together with her fellow resident assistants: "RA training was the hardest and most fun I've had with people at Whitworth. We went through some intense training for almost three weeks, but we went through it together. When it was time to break free from work and just bond together, it was the most fun. We got to know each other beyond the surface level."
Now Jade is paying it forward: "As an RA and Success Coach I get to collaborate with students every day. The main dream I carry for students who come to Whitworth is that they realize how capable and essential they are as humans. This year's [student life] mantra is 'belonging,' and I think that is the best feeling anyone can experience in a new environment."
Because of you, students come to Whitworth and grow in big ways. Thank you.
Nicolas Caballero '24
Caring donors like you are helping Nicolas Caballero '24 attend Whitworth. Now he's got a great story! Early on, his football coaches and teammates connected him with Christ and helped him grow in his faith. Tearing his ACL and missing a season was tough, but this setback allowed the budding leader to serve as a resident assistant in Oliver Hall.
Last summer, Nicolas, a finance major, interned at Cambridge Investment Research in Phoenix. His transition to the financial services industry proved easy, thanks to the skills he's gained at Whitworth. Now, Nicolas leads the Student Investment Group on campus, and he's preparing for his next chapter after graduating in May.
Your generosity transforms students' lives. Thank you.
Misikir Adnew '19
With you, students achieve tough goals and make a big difference for others. Thank you.
From her first semester at Whitworth, Misikir Adnew '19 wanted to earn a master's in public health and to work in global health. To prepare, she double majored in health science and community health, and she joined the Whitworth Honors Program, undertaking teaching assistantships, research with her professors and an internship in Washington, D.C.
Stretching her limits and developing her tenacity wasn't easy, but God's faithfulness and Whitworth's supportive community saw her through. "I knew that challenging myself would get me ready for the intensity of grad school, and it paid off," she says.
Did it ever!
Read Misikir's full alumni profile from Whitworth Today.
Isaac Pommer '26 and Joel Hartvigsen '26
It may seem improbable, but the friendship between first-year roommates Isaac and Joel started more than 30 years ago. Their moms, Heidi (Schmidt) Pommer and Rachelle (Kert) Hartvigsen, both '94, were first-year roommates at Whitworth too. The pair hit it off while moving into their room in Ballard Hall.
Across the years, Heidi and Rachelle's friendship has deepened, and Isaac and Joel's friendship began and has since blossomed. The two families live in different cities, but they've been intentional about staying connected. "[Isaac and I] have similar interests, so we enjoy hanging out and doing activities together," Joel says. "We thought being roommates would be a good way to continue to grow as friends."
With you, Whitworth students grow in ways that matter and last.
Jingle's Story
Your gifts to Whitworth empower students like Jingle Gorton '21 to transform their passions into fulfilling careers. One of Jingle's passions is literacy. "There were no books for children when I was growing up," she says. "I was desperate for books – I just wanted to read."
Donor support helped Jingle connect with a supportive community and earn her degree in elementary education from Whitworth. She is now a reading intervention specialist, teaching high-need children to read at a Spokane elementary school, and she’s earning her master's in teaching & learning at Whitworth.
With you, students can achieve their dreams. Thank you.