Whittier College

Overview

Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California (Los Angeles County), founded by Quakers in 1887. Michelle Chan, the youngest of Jesse and Betty’s four children, attended Whittier College with a scholarship, completing the family’s perfect record of all four children receiving US university scholarships.

Michelle Chan’s Connection

Educational Path

• Born: 1968 (Philippines or Taiwan)
• Childhood: Taipei, Taiwan
• High School: Taipei American School
• College: Whittier College (1986-1990 approximate)
• Scholarship: Received scholarship
• Degree: To be documented

Family Significance

Fourth Child, Fourth Scholarship:

• Rose → Stanford (scholarship)
• Meg → Stanford (scholarship)
• Louis → University of Houston (scholarship)
• Michelle → Whittier College (scholarship)

100% Success Rate:

• All four children to US universities
• All four received scholarships
• Jesse and Betty’s dream fully realized
• Perfect completion of educational investment

Timing: End of Taiwan Era

Michelle’s Graduation (1990)

Catalyst for LA Move:

• Michelle graduated approximately 1990
• Jesse and Betty moved to Los Angeles around 1990
• Coincidence suggests Michelle’s graduation prompted move
• All four children now in USA
• Parents reunited family in California

22-Year Taiwan Chapter Ends:

• Moved to Taiwan 1968 (Michelle infant/born there)
• Michelle the only child who was truly Taiwanese (born or arrived as infant)
• Her graduation marked completion of Taiwan mission
• Education goal accomplished
• Time to join children in America

All Four Children’s Comparison

University Choices:

Rose (1978):

• Stanford (top 5 national university) → NYU Law
• Eldest, highest ranked schools

Meg (1981):

• Stanford (top 5 national university)
• Economics major
• Followed sister to Stanford

Louis (1983):

• University of Houston → Cranbrook Academy (architecture)
• Different path, graduate school in specialized field

Michelle (1986):

• Whittier College (liberal arts)
• Youngest, different type of institution
• Still received scholarship

Pattern:

• All to quality institutions
• All with scholarships
• Range from elite research (Stanford) to liberal arts (Whittier)
• All successful outcomes

Liberal Arts vs. Research University

Whittier’s Difference:

• Smaller (vs. Stanford’s large research university)
• Liberal arts focus
• Quaker values (peace, service, integrity)
• More personal attention
• Different educational philosophy

Why Whittier for Michelle:

• Personal fit vs. prestige chase
• Scholarship offered
• Close to family (Los Angeles area)
• Quality liberal arts education
• Founded by Quakers (values-based)

Jesse and Betty’s Perspective

Fourth Child Success

By 1986:

• Rose: Graduated Stanford, at NYU Law
• Meg: At Stanford or graduated
• Louis: At University of Houston or Cranbrook
• Michelle: Starting Whittier

Parents’ View:

• All 22 years of Taiwan work validated
• All nightclub hours (until 1 AM) worth it
• All real estate projects paid off
• All bakery management justified
• Taipei American School ($10,000/year) investment successful

Gratitude:

• Jesse and Betty “worked very hard” to afford education
• Michelle’s scholarship meant goal 100% achieved
• Could move to USA knowing mission accomplished

Whittier to Los Angeles

Geographic Proximity:

• Whittier College in Los Angeles County
• Near where family would settle
• Michelle already in LA area (1986-1990)
• Made parents’ move easier (1990)
• Family reunification in progress

Four Different Paths

Educational Diversity:

• Two to Stanford (Rose, Meg)
• One to University of Houston → architecture grad school (Louis)
• One to Whittier liberal arts (Michelle)

Shows parents supported:

• Different academic interests
• Different types of institutions
• Individual paths
• Not one-size-fits-all approach

All that mattered: Quality education with scholarships.

Research Questions

• Michelle’s exact graduation year?
• What did Michelle major in?
• Career after graduation?
• Still in Los Angeles area?
• Married? Children?
• Connection to Quaker values?
• Why Whittier specifically?
• Did scholarship cover full tuition?
• Still connected to Whittier alumni?
• Did parents attend graduation?