# Whitman College

Whitman College is an Endowment / Foundation based in Walla Walla, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Walla Walla, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 345 Boyer Avenue, Walla Walla, WA, United States
- **Founded:** 1859
- **Assets under management:** 786 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** whitman.edu
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/school/whitman-college/

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Whitman College was established in 1859 in Walla Walla, Washington. Its endowment supports academic programs and scholarships through the 21st Century Trust and the Paul Garrett Whitman College Foundation. The endowment allocates across public equities, private equity limited partnerships, hedged equity funds, and natural resources. It holds direct positions in 15 farms totaling 21,200 acres under crop-share leases and maintains additional residential properties for faculty, staff, and students. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with farmland in Washington and Oregon counties. The college also manages an art collection exceeding 3,500 objects and the Davis Collection of Asian Art. Employee count stands at 192. Cambridge Associates serves as investment advisor. The endowment participates in NACUBO and the Intentional Endowments Network. A student-managed Whitman Investment Club portfolio of approximately $1.4 million invests in public equities. Governance centers on the Investment Committee with direct oversight of real-asset leasing and external fund commitments. The college maintains an ESG policy that includes divestment from fossil fuel companies on the Carbon Underground 200 index.

## Sectors

- Public Equities
- Private Equity
- Natural Resources
- Real Estate

## People

- Sarah Bolton — President
- Charlie Nelson — Chair of the Investment Committee
- Elizabeth Obershaw — Vice-Chair of the Investment Committee
- Peter Harvey — Chief Financial Officer
- Justin Rodegerdts — Manager of Investments

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Whitman College?

The Investment Committee chaired by Charlie Nelson sets policy. Elizabeth Obershaw serves as vice-chair. Justin Rodegerdts manages day-to-day investments as Manager of Investments.

### Does Whitman College participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The endowment commits to private equity limited partnerships, hedged equity funds, and real asset partnerships. It also holds direct ownership of farmland and residential properties.

### What asset classes does the Whitman College endowment hold?

Holdings include public equities, private equity, hedge funds, natural resources, and real estate. Direct real assets comprise 21,200 acres of farmland and multiple residential properties in Walla Walla.

### Where does the Whitman College endowment invest geographically?

Exposure centers on North America. Farmland holdings span Walla Walla, Columbia, Umatilla, and Garfield Counties in Washington and Oregon.

### Does Whitman College maintain an ESG policy?

The college maintains an ESG policy and has divested endowment holdings from fossil fuel companies listed on the Carbon Underground 200 index.

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/whitman-college

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