Our Place in Walla Walla: Jennifer Northam ’91
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Feature by: Noah Leavitt, College Liaison for Community Affairs
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Jennifer Northam ’91 is a unique bridge between the Whitman and the Walla Walla communities, both working on campus and volunteering for several important arts organizations as well as being a popular vocalist in local groups. Last week Jennifer and I chatted upstairs in Baker Center and reflected on how energized the local creative sector is.
How are you involved in the Walla Walla Valley and in the community?
I am one of those Whitties who came here as a student and never left. My husband, Jeff Northam ’88, has been the Head Men’s Tennis Coach for 27 years, so we’ve been a part of the Whitman community for a long time.
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Jennifer Northam ’91 at a recent WWCMF event.
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We raised our two kids here and can’t imagine ever leaving. I’ve been a member of the Alumni Relations team for more than 11 years, and took over as Director in December of 2021.
My first job after graduation was running events and programs for the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation (DWWF)—that was when all the trees were planted, the sidewalks installed, the matching lamp posts were installed and utility wires were installed underground. That was when our downtown really started to become what it is today. When our kids were older, I went back to work for the DWWF to do marketing and public relations. Our vibrant, walkable, historic downtown is one of the best features of the valley (along with Whitman College, of course!) and I will always be a fan and advocate.
I’m currently the president of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival (WWCMF) board. In the past, I’ve served on the Tourism/Visit Walla Walla board and also the YWCA board. I served on the Edison Elementary PTA for seven straight years and was a co-chair for the Walla Walla School District levy renewal. I’ve been involved in fundraising for the Friends program and Akin (formerly Children’s Home Society of Washington) for many years.
Read the full interview online.
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Beyond the interview:
Jennifer Northam will be available for questions and further conversation on Thursday, Jan. 30, at noon in Reid Campus Center, room 240. The Career and Community Engagement Center will provide lunch for the first 10 students in attendance. Questions or ideas or accommodation requests? Please contact Noah Leavitt at leavitns@whitman.edu.
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Federal Tax Withholding Allowances
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Employees, now is the time to check your federal tax withholding allowances. If you recently married, divorced, had a change in the number of dependents or other major changes in your family income, you may need to file a new Form W-4.
If you moved to Oregon, please make sure to complete an Oregon W-4. If you moved to Washington from Oregon, make sure to let Payroll know
that you are no longer an Oregon resident.
If you are claiming “exempt” from tax withholding, you must submit a new W-4 by Friday, Feb. 14, if you wish to retain your exempt status. If a new form is not filed and submitted to the Payroll Department, withholding for federal taxes will be based on “Single” marital status.
As you prepare to file your 2024 taxes, please remember that Whitman now offers electronic delivery of W-2s and 1098s. You must opt in to receive these documents electronically. Log in to myWhitman for a link to the W-2 page, where you can check your setting for electronic delivery.
Tax forms will be available by Friday, Jan. 31. Please email hr@whitman.edu if you need a new W-4 or have any questions.
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Health in the Halls Discussion Tomorrow
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The Welty Student Health Center and Residence Life will present the next event in the Health in the Halls series on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in Stanton Hall. Matt Baerlocher, a local doctor of physical therapy, brings his energy and commitment to discuss the role of mobility and exercise in physical and mental health. Come for a fun evening of learning and movement! (Flyer attached.)
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Outdoor Program Hosts Film Festival
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The Outdoor Program will host the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. (Flyer attached.) Paid tickets are available in advance at the Outdoor Program Rental Shop, currently open Monday–Friday, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free at the door for Whitman students, faculty and staff.
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Press in Times of Peril Event on Thursday
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The Center for Global Studies will present the next event in the yearlong Press in Times of Peril series on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium. Renowned journalist M. Gessen will deliver a talk titled “Censorship, Silence and Resistance.” Gessen is the author of 11 books, including “The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia” and “The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin”—both winners of the National Book Award. (Flyer attached.)
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Black History Month Event Next Week
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In celebration of Black History Month, Whitman College will host an event titled “Bridging the Past: A Conversation on History, Healing and Hope” on Monday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. in Olin Auditorium. Representatives from Oregon Black Pioneers and the Oregon Remembrance Project will discuss the importance of Oregon Black history, their joint efforts to create more Black space in Oregon and the contemporary challenges facing Black advancement in the Pacific Northwest. The event is free and open to the public. (Flyer attached.)
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As we head into the second half of the academic year, take a few minutes to view this photo essay about the Fall 2024 semester. These snapshots are a small sample of the many amazing learning experiences, exciting club activities, athletics events and more from the past few months.
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Das Deutsche Haus (Interest House)
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Umatilla National Forest, Weeping Walla
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Welty Student Health Center
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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Whitman Today is emailed to Whitman College staff, faculty and students each weekday during the academic year and twice a week during breaks. An archive of previous issues is available online.
All submissions are welcome! If you have accomplishments to celebrate, an event to publicize or other Whitman content to share, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions of 125 words or less are due by noon on the business day prior to publication. Submissions may be edited and/or held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. Your submission also authorizes use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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