FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/18/99

CONTACT:
Robyn Florian
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Greenville College
(618) 664-2800, ext. 4536

Retired Greenville College English Professor Harriette Whiteman Dies at Age 84

GREENVILLE - Dr. Harriette Warner Whiteman, a retired English professor from Greenville College, died Wednesday afternoon at Utlaut Memorial Hospital in Greenville, Illinois. She was 84 years old.

Dr. Whiteman taught French, Fine Arts and over thirty literature courses at Greenville College from 1955-85. She was instrumental in the establishment of the school's "Fine Arts in Europe" January interterm course, traveling with Greenville students overseas for the first time in 1971.

Whiteman served as advisor to The Papyrus, the student newspaper, and Vista, the college yearbook. She also sponsored various student groups including Scriblerus, a creative writing club of which Whiteman was a charter member as a student, and Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honor society. She retired from Greenville College in 1985.

Born in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on September 12, 1914, Whiteman completed her undergraduate degree at Greenville College in 1935 and earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1945. In 1972 she fulfilled the requirements for a second Master of Arts degree at Washington University where she would also complete the required credits for a doctorate. Whiteman's numerous scholastic achievements and commitment to Christian higher education were formally recognized in 1976 when she received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Greenville College.

Prior to joining the Greenville College faculty, Whiteman taught at two sister Free Methodist schools, Spring Arbor College (1935-38) and Central College (1949-55). A beloved teacher, "Aunt Harriette" is remembered for her quick wit, zest for learning and personal involvement in the lives of her students.

"Whiteman believed higher education did not exist simply for students with great achievements in high school," states former student Chris Haaff in his 1992 biography on Whiteman. "She believed that some students did not prove their worth in high school for various reasons … She saw Greenville College as a place where students could reach their full potential."

Preceded in death by her husband, Lester, who died in 1998, Dr. Whiteman is survived by a daughter, Gloria Whiteman Huntoon of Libertyville, IL, a son, David Whiteman of St. Louis, MO, and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Greenville Free Methodist Church, with burial at Montrose Cemetery. Visitation is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. The family has requested memorials be made to Greenville College.

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