The connection between Ed and Jane Whitehead and Warner Pacific University started before they attended more than 60 years ago and continues to the present. Their three sons, and their wives, are all Warner alums and their granddaughter recently entered the nursing program.
They returned to WPU on August 27 for the convocation ceremony where Jane once again played the piano her mother, Eleanor Newcomb, helped raise funds to purchase. Jane performed both her junior and senior piano recitals on that piano in 1963 and 1964.
“This was the first Convocation we attended since I retired in 2007, we loved seeing so many students in attendance,” Ed said. “All the speakers were inspiring, sharing their insights with both returning and new students.”
Ed and Jane were the first people in their immediate families to attend and graduate from college. They both earned Bachelor of Arts degrees. Jane majored in applied piano, with a minor in English. Ed majored in history, with a minor in political science.
While they both treasure their WPU experience, they were initially unsure about leaving their homes in Madera, California where they both attended the Fourth Street Church of God.
Their paths crossed with Warner College in a few ways. The choir from Warner Pacific performed at their church in Madera. Jane’s parents would host some of the Warner students when they traveled to town. Additionally, Jane’s aunt and uncle, Clarence Perry, Jr. and Dr. Wilma Perry, worked at Warner and her cousins were students at the college.
“We never intended to go to Warner Pacific,” Jane said. “We did have a pastor that would ask me, ‘Did you pray about where you want to go to college?’”
She did, but also had reasons for wanting to stay close to home. In the midst of trying to unmuddle her own desires and God’s, Jane got some clarity when her parents took her to see “The Ten Commandments.”
“Seeing Moses putting God first, I could see me putting Ed first,” she said.
Wanting to switch her focus to God’s plans for her, she made the decision to attend Warner. To her surprise, her mother had talked with Ed about joining her.
“It was strange,” Ed said. “I was just leaving home and didn’t know what I was facing. It put us in a new situation that we had not encountered before.”
Ed was the oldest of six, the youngest being 13 years his junior. He was used to working on the family farm and helping to care for the other children.
“It was a 14-hour drive away from home,” Jane said. “I’ll tell you this, I ended up with a roommate that was a junior. The upperclassmen were so sweet to me. It didn’t take long for me to feel loved and let go of the apron strings.”
They both earned teaching certificates and started their careers in California before returning to Warner.
“My career at Warner began in 1979 when I was asked to join the faculty as Director of Teacher Education,” Ed said. “That began 28 years at Warner and a number of positions including Dean of Faculty from 1987-1991 and culminating as Director of the Adult Degree Program (now known as PGS) from 1999-2006.”
He retired from Warner in 2007.
Jane taught piano in her studio, Joy of Piano, and has been a consistent church staff musician at congregations the couple has been associated with. Currently they serve the Tigard Church of God congregation.
Their eldest son, Ted, taught in the science department for nine years.
Warner provided a safe environment for Jane and Ed to grow and mature as adults, Ed said.
“The Christian faculty and special speakers that came to Chapel had a significant influence on our lives,” he added. “We had many opportunities to serve in many areas in student life because Warner was a small college. Lifelong friendships with other students, and small class sizes kept us accountable.”
The couple appreciated the Christian community on Warner’s campus, and the opportunities to serve in Churches of God in the greater Portland area.
With their Warner education, the Whiteheads also felt academically prepared for graduate school.
Jane was hired three months after graduation, teaching sixth grade in a public school. Her musical abilities were useful for teaching in school as well as accompanying community choral groups. What she learned through Warner also enabled her to establish her own teaching studio.
“Probably most important, our experience at Warner gave us a strong foundation of faith that saw us through times of adversity,” Ed said. “We were also encouraged to use our talents and gifts for the Lord.”
The Whiteheads hope the same for the next generation of students.
“We hope they get a good education in their field of study; that they have good relationships with other students and the wider WPU community; that they leave with fond memories of their experience and a heart to serve the Lord, their families, their church and their communities,” Ed said. “As the Alma Mater says, ‘Loyal to the Holy Bible and the Spirit’s voice…forth to tell the gospel message, heralds of the truth.’ Just as Jesus has commissioned us which is the highest purpose and meaning for life.”