Thursday, August 8, 2024

This coming academic year, Associate Professor of Politics Susanne Beechey will take a partial step back from teaching to serve as the new Chair of the Faculty. She succeeds Rebecca Hanrahan who will return to teaching full time as Associate Professor of Philosophy.

Faculty members elect the Faculty Chair to a three-year term. Duties of the role include presiding over faculty meetings and membership on the Committee of Division Chairs and the Elected Chairs Committee. The Faculty Chair also represents the faculty on the President’s Cabinet and President’s Council, and as a nonvoting member of the Board of Trustees.

“This is a time with many shifts in the institution of higher education,” Beechey says. “Important questions are being asked right now that will affect Whitman’s future. I’m eager to be a person that can amplify faculty voices.”

Read how Beechey is amplifying voices across campus in the upcoming issue of Whitman Magazine.

Please note that today’s Air Quality Index (AQI) measurement of 69 in Walla Walla is considered “Moderate” by the EPA. While this level of air quality is acceptable for most people, individuals who are particularly sensitive to particle pollution should take extra care. We will continue to monitor air quality conditions and communicate further as needed.

This summer, Ethics & Society major Uma Bratt ’26 contributed to the City of Walla Walla project of creating a story map of the city’s Register of Historic Places. The new online tool will be unveiled tonight at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall (and via Zoom). Bratt is completing an internship with the city through the Whitman Internship Grant program. 

A local theater production company will perform “Beauty and the Beast” at Cordiner Hall with performances Aug. 9–17. Multiple current and former Whitman students, staff and faculty will help bring the production to life. The cast includes: Studio Music Instructor Nathanael Fleming ’16 (Beast), Division Assistant in Social Sciences Richele Heilbrun, Kellen Flynn ’25 and Milani Filan ’28. The crew includes: Eliza Van De Rostyne ’06, Lillian Angus ’24 and Theatre and Dance Office Manager Erika Greenup. The orchestra includes: Ella Yuen ’25, Faith Chung ’25 and Studio Music Instructors Edward Dixon, Anna Okada, Lori Parnicky and Jackie Wood (retired). 

In celebration of August being National Wellness Month, Active & Fit—a discounted gym membership program available to Whitman employees and their spouses/partners—is offering a zero dollar enrollment fee for new members through the end of September. Register for an Active & Fit account using the link from your myWhitman account. Use the promo code “SUMMERTIME” to pay $0 enrollment fee and then $28/month per membership with a participating gym, including the local YMCA. (Flyer attached.)

The Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership team recently held a summer retreat that includes—thanks to assistance from the Outdoor Program—a day trip rafting on the Deschutes River.

7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Discover Whitman Day (Volunteer)

Whitman College

7 p.m.

Beauty and the Beast

Cordiner Hall [community event]

2 p.m.

Beauty and the Beast

Cordiner Hall [community event]

7 p.m.

Beauty and the Beast

Cordiner Hall [community event]

2 p.m.

Beauty and the Beast

Cordiner Hall [community event]

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

Produced by the Office of Communications, 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.

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