Wednesday, January 28, 2026

By Pan Deines ’26

David Guterson—best known for his debut novel, “Snow Falling on Cedars” (Vintage Contemporaries, 1995)—will appear at Whitman College on Friday, Jan. 30, to discuss and read from his newest novel, “Evelyn in Transit” (W. W. Norton & Company, 2026). The reading will be held in Olin Auditorium at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.

Guterson also writes poetry, short stories, and nonfiction essays and has published a total of 13 books. He currently lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington, with his family.

Guterson’s debut novel, “Snow Falling on Cedars,” won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction in 1995 and has sold almost 4 million copies to date. It was adapted into an award-winning film in 1999.

“Evelyn in Transit” is a novel about a mother’s journey across the American Midwest, interspersed with scenes of the daily life of Tsering, a Tibetan monk. When three Buddhist lamas show up at Evelyn’s door to tell her that her young son is the seventh reincarnation of the recently deceased Norbu Rinpoche, Evelyn must face questions of faith, purpose and family. In careful, precise prose, Guterson explores what it means to live a good life.

At the event, Guterson will read from his work and answer questions. Community members, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. 

Assistant Professor of Politics and Paul Garrett Fellow Andrea Sempértegui has been awarded a Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Wenner-Gren Foundation to complete her book manuscript, “Today, I Dreamt What Will Happen Tomorrow: Indigenous Women, Extractive Capital and Forest Politics in Ecuador” (under contract with University of Florida Press). This book follows the territorial struggle of the Mujeres Amazónicas, a group of Indigenous women leaders who have organized against oil and mining projects in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Staff are invited to open drop-in office hours with the Staff Advisory Council (SAC) on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 3–5 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center basement. Come share ideas for community-building activities, talk through financial planning documents or explore ways we can partner with your department to create positive change on campus. If you are unable to attend but have topics of interest or questions for SAC, please email sac@whitman.edu or fill out this anonymous form.

The Outdoor Program will host the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. Tickets are available at the Outdoor Program Rental Shop. Admission will be free at the door for Whitman students, faculty and staff. (Watch the festival trailer.)

The Spring Activities Fair on Monday attracted many students (and miniature horses) to Reid Campus Center. See more photos from the event on Instagram.

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Power Pump

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

3–5 p.m.

Staff Advisory Council Open Office Hours

Reid Campus Center, Lower Level

6–8 p.m.

Studio Series Workshop: Vertical Time

Harper Joy Theatre, Freimann Studio Theatre

6:30–10 p.m.

Banff Mountain Centre Film Festival World Tour

Cordiner Hall

7–8 p.m.

Pre Health Society Meeting

Hall of Science, Room 142

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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