Whitworth President Emeritus Bill Robinson Named a “Spokane Journal of Business” Icon
The Journal selected seven professionals from the real estate, education and professional fields for this award.
Robinson served as Whitworth’s president from 1993 to 2010. His tenure as president was the second longest and one of the most influential in the university’s history. Under his leadership, the university experienced significant growth in enrollment, financial strength and campus infrastructure.
Since his retirement from Whitworth in 2010, Robinson has remained committed to the university. He has been instrumental in working with Whitworth’s institutional advancement team on external relations and was recently asked by President Scott McQuilkin to conduct a series of workshops on work culture and leadership for Whitworth employees.
Robinson’s influence has spread much further than the Whitworth campus. He has published several books and has done extensive consulting and speaking in corporate, nonprofit and ministry settings.
Robinson is a past chair of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce (now Greater Spokane Incorporated) and was a founding co-chair of the Higher Education Leadership Group of Spokane. He has served on numerous boards and is currently a board member of Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey and Thrive International in Spokane.
Robinson was nominated for the award by Aaron McMurray ’95, chief strategy officer for the Innovia Foundation.
“Whitworth President Emeritus Bill Robinson is regarded as one of the most successful and influential presidents in the history of Whitworth,” McMurray says. “But, many in the Whitworth community don’t realize the degree to which he impacted the greater Spokane community through the strength and wisdom of his leadership, serving on local corporate and community boards, and bringing community leaders together around a common vision for the future of Spokane. Dr. Robinson has left an indelible mark in the Spokane community, and he is highly deserving of this honor from the Journal of Business.”
The 2023 class of honorees will be recognized at an event on Wednesday, May 10, at the Spokane Convention Center.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
