Kenneth E. Schilling’s 35 years of teaching service at Whitman College included 25 years as chair of the Music Department. After completing his formal music education at Lawrence College, University of Minnesota, and Northwestern University, he joined the Whitman faculty in 1944.

During his tenure at Whitman, Professor Schilling conducted over 2000 public performances with college and church choirs on the West Coast, Canada, and Alaska and adjudicated in 150 choral and vocal competitions and festivals. For 20 years he served as an officer and board member of the Walla Walla Community Concert Association. He was a charter member and past governor of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He retired from Whitman in 1979.