Wednesday, April 29, 2026

A new sculpture—“Friends” by alum Cynthia McKean ’63—was recently installed on the lawn between Stanton Hall and Anderson Hall.

McKean describes the sculpture as:

     Two different worlds they live in.
     One is tall; the other short. One is thin; the other wide.
     One looks down; the other up.
     Yet similar shapes pervade.
     One is maroon; the other copper.
     But both are red.
     They care for, protect each other.
     Perhaps it is not about sameness or differences at all.
     Perhaps it is celebrating the oneness of life.
     Perhaps it is honoring likeness while embracing individuality.

McKean gifted the sculpture to the college and will be on campus this week. On Thursday, April 30, at 4 p.m. in Fouts 201, she will give an artist talk. On Friday, May 1, at 2 p.m., a sculpture dedication ceremony will take place at the sculpture installation site.

Associate Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Studies Eunice Blavascunas has published a new article titled “How Does Your Tongue Even Lift To Hustle Me Along! Care and Surveillance in the Lithuanian Borderlands” as part of the Seeing the Woods project by the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society. The article asks readers to consider how an elderly mushroom harvester negotiates access to the forest commons in the time of border defense. It is the product of Blavascunas’ 2024 sabbatical fieldwork at the border of Belarus and Lithuania.

In recognition of the national Denim Day campaign, there will be a Denim Day Screen Printing event today from 4:30–5:30 p.m. in the lower level of Reid Campus Center. Bring your denim (and other clothes) and have them screen printed with student-made designs. Donations will also be collected for the Dollars for Denim campaign. (Flyer attached.)

Sex Week continues with a panel discussion titled “Exercising Autonomy” tonight from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in Olin 127. The panel will be led by Assistant Professor of Gender Studies Giramata and Associate Professor of Politics Susanne Beechey. They will share about their work as it relates to sexual violence prevention, autonomy and protest. Refreshments will be available. (Flyer attached.)

The Endowment Working Group is holding drop-in input sessions on Thursday, April 30, in the Lizzie Murr Dining Room at Cleveland Commons. Staff are invited to stop by between 11 a.m. and noon; faculty are invited to stop by between noon–1 p.m.; and students are invited to stop by between 1–2 p.m. Faculty and staff representatives from the working group will be available to collect feedback.

The 2026 One-Act Play Festival at Harper Joy Theatre will run April 30–May 2 at 8 p.m., with matinee performances May 2–3 at 2 p.m. This year’s lineup features three original plays that stretch genres and tones, from absurdist drama to supernatural satire to dark comedy. Admission is free for Whitman students. Reserve your tickets in advance. (Flyer attached.)

Sheehan Gallery and the Studio Art Department invite you to celebrate the artistic accomplishments of the 2026 Studio Art Majors with their “Split Ends” exhibition, on display in Sheehan Gallery through the end of the semester.

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Power Pump

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Denim Day Screen Printing

Reid Campus Center, Coffeehouse

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Zfit

Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114

5–6:30 p.m.

Celebration of Faculty Scholarship & Creative Activity

Penrose Library

5:30–6:30 p.m.

Exhibition Opening Reception: “Against Fascist Fools”

Olin Hall, Breezeway by Sheehan Gallery

6:30–7:30 p.m.

Sex Week: Professor Panel

Olin Hall, Room 127

7–8:30 p.m.

Community & Connection Volunteer Celebration

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

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