Wednesday, February 25, 2026

By Michelle Shin ’23, Prevention Specialist

Happy CHECK IT Launch Week! Our team is so excited to start this new chapter and launch our new sexual violence bystander intervention program on campus.

We wanted to introduce each of our Peer Educators, who are working with us on preparing for the launch of CHECK IT. In the future, they will also be offering workshops and hosting events for the program.

Natalie Fearn ’27 is a Psychology major from Stockton, California. In addition to being one of our Peer Educators, Natalie is on the swim team and a student in the Whitman College First Responders. She was interested in joining CHECK IT because she wants to foster a healthy campus environment here at Whitman. Natalie believes that all college campuses should have education focusing on consent and healthy relationships and is excited about introducing the CHECK IT program to our college campus. 

Layla Hidalgo ’28 is an Ethics and Society major from Chicago who joined CHECK IT to be a part of a movement that creates a safe, consent-centered environment. She believes that students play a vital role in supporting and advocating for their peers. Layla is looking forward to implementing the programming and events that we have in store, both with the Peer Educators and with the rest of the student body.

Davis United World College Scholar Zizia Da Conceicao Teme ’28 is a Psychology major with a Sociology minor from Timor Leste. She joined CHECK IT because the program resonates with her personal values in creating a safe space to be comfortable with being unfamiliar. She expressed that it’s ok to not know everything, but being open to learning, sharing experiences, taking accountability and supporting each other is crucial for the campus community. Zizia is a survivor who has had many people support her and teach her how to heal, and she wishes to give back and help others too.

Davis United World College Scholar Deogracious “Deo” Rubangakene ’28 is a Brain, Behavior and Cognition major from Uganda. He got involved with CHECK IT because he has a strong conviction that violence is wrong and no one deserves harm. His philosophy is that college already causes some hardships, and a safe campus is the least anyone can ask for. Deo believes that CHECK IT is one way to do that. 

Please join us for the CHECK IT Launch Party on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 8–10 p.m. in Reid Campus Center’s Young Ballroom. (Flyer attached.)

Professor of History John Cotts has published a second edition of “Europe’s Long Twelfth Century” (2013, Bloomsbury)—an award-winning study of a key phase in Europe’s medieval history. This significantly revised and expanded edition of a book includes new and expanded coverage of topics such as kingship, political life in the Latin West, family, sexuality, religious minorities and persecution, and more.

The Blue Mountain Humane Society will brings some dogs to campus on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by Ankeny Field to interact with some friendly canines and learn more about CHECK IT. (Flyer attached.)

The Whitman Consulting Group will host a Career Panel event on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 1–2 p.m. in the Baker Center foyer. Two panelists in the field of consulting will share insights and answer questions. Snacks provided. (Flyer attached.)

The “Global Ecocinema: Environmental Storytelling and Social Justice Through Visual Media” series continues with a screening of the Chilean film “The Pearl Button” (2015) on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m. in Olin Auditorium. Each film in the series will be screened with English subtitles. This series is made possible with the support of a Global Dialogues Faculty Development Grant and the Center for Global Studies, in collaboration with the Departments of Hispanic Studies and South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. (Flyer attached.)

The Pre-Health Society is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3, in Reid Campus Center’s Young Ballroom. Whitman and Walla Walla community members are invited to sign up to donate (whole blood or power red). Successful donors will receive a $15 e-gift card and free A1c (average blood sugar level) testing. Questions? Email Marika Cartier ’26 at cartierm@whitman.edu or Avery Riley ’28 at rileya@whitman.edu.

On Friday, several student clubs and organizations collaborated to commemorate the arrival of the Year of the Horse in a Lunar New Year celebration, including: China@Whitman, JP-Club, Pan Asian Club, South Asian Students Association and Whitman Events Board. (Photo by China@Whitman.)

8:30–9:30 a.m.

Breakfast Chat With an Alum: Consulting, Tech & Strategy

Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Dining Room

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dogs for CHECK IT

Ankeny Field

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Power Pump

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

1–2 p.m.

Whitman Consulting Group: Career Panel

Baker Center, Foyer

5:30 p.m.

Global Ecocinema: “The Pearl Button”

Olin Auditorium

7 p.m.

Comedy Night

Reid Campus Center, Coffeehouse

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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