One of a Kind
What does it take to work in alumni relations? Enthusiasm, sensitivity, friendliness, attention to detail, a good sense of humor, and most of all, a deep belief in Walla Walla College and its thousands of alumni. People who personally know Gillian Fisher, most recent director of alumni relations, know that she personifies these traits. In June Fisher concluded almost 20 years of service to alumni and left an indelible mark on alumni programs.
Whether the occasion was an alumni potluck in Palm Springs or a Homecoming Weekend banquet for 400, Fisher expertly brought together endless details to set the stage for homecoming, regional alumni dinners, and other events.
During her years of service she has also launched successful new programs including Family Weekend, which draws more than 300 family members of students to the campus every year. She also formed Alumni Student Connection, a campus program to serve WWC’s future alumni. Thanks to her, parents can arrange to have their son or daughter at WWC receive a birthday cake or “Sanity Sack” before finals.
Born in England and raised and educated in Canada, Gillian Fisher’s introduction to WWC came in 1975, after her husband was hired as an electronics professor. She began working in alumni relations seven years later, when she began a new job as a receptionist and bookkeeper for the WWC Alumni Association. Gillian was named WWC’s director of alumni relations in 1992, 10 years after she first began working in the alumni office.
In July of this year, Gillian and her husband, Garth, relocated to Ohio. “The commitment of alumni to a life of service, and their love of Walla Walla College, has inspired me,” Gillian says. “Knowing them has made me proud to serve this college.” W