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WHITMAN
COLLEGE Office of Technology Services 345 Boyer Ave Walla Walla, WA 99362 voice: 509-527-4981 fax: 509-527-4962 cell: 503-559-7604 pitterk@whitman.edu |
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from Whitman Magazine, May 2001 issue
"If you were a math major in the 1960s," Keiko Pitter
remembers, "you were
expected to go into computers." So after graduating from UCLA, she went to
work for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a cognizant programmer with the
navigation team on the Mariner, Pioneer, and Viking space projects. She
then worked on computerizing Tektronix's Profit Plan before taking time
off to meet the demands of motherhood.
In 1982, Pitter began her second career, this time in higher education.
She taught CIS at Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada,
eventually taking command of Truckee's information services. At the same
time, she earned her M.Ed. from the University of Nevada, Reno and wrote
the first of her more than 40 books on computer applications.
From 1991-1997, Pitter worked in Willamette University's integrated
technology services department, eventually as executive director. In 1997,
she came to Whitman as chief technology officer.
People sometimes question the role of technology in a liberal arts
setting, Pitter notes. "Actually, this question is as inappropriate as
someone asking 'what is the role of literacy in a liberal arts setting?"
In her view, technology is an integral part of modern life, and it is
vital for Whitman to utilize technology as a tool in teaching and
learning.
Under Pitter's leadership, the technology infrastructure on campus,
including physical layout, operations, and staff expertise, has greatly
improved. Whitman's web page has been enhanced, and the administrative
information system now will be able to provide far more on-line services.
Taking advantage of several grants, the College also has assisted faculty
in using technology in the classroom and in their research.
Pitter especially enjoys Whitman students, she says, because she sees her
own children in the Whitties. Her 25-year old son is a doctoral student
at the University of California, Berkeley, and her 24-year old daughter is
doing graduate work in computer sciences at the University of Wisconsin,
Madison.
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone," Pitter says, "that I'm fully
'wired.' I love to travel, and my friends and colleagues often receive
email from the Internet Cafes in strange locations around the world."
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