Whitman Today
 

Friday, April 11, 2025

Two Students Receive Mayo Clinic Summer Fellowships

Feature by: Patrick Mulikuza ’28

On the left, Shahin Hamzeh ’27 seated in an outdoor cafe. On the right, MinhThu Tran ’26 stands holding an umbrella in front of a waterway containing several fishing boats.

This year’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) has been awarded to Whitman College students Shahin Hamzeh ’27 (left) and MinhThu Tran ’26 (right). The two will spend 10 weeks conducting research at a Mayo Clinic site in Jacksonville, Florida. Mayo Clinic is one of the leading research hospital systems in the U.S. The program’s perks include mentorship, weekly seminars and networking opportunities with other SURF fellows.

Shahin Hamzeh, a Davis UWC Scholar and sophomore Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology (BBMB) major from Syria, will explore the therapeutic effects of certain enzymes on neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the enzymes’ biochemical pathways could help identify key targets for new interventions, potentially slowing or reversing disease progression.

MinhThu Tran, a junior BBMB major from Vietnam, will explore tools for antibody discovery and engineering. This could lead to more targeted diagnosis and treatment of conditions that involve inflammation and immune system dysregulation—such as chronic pain, ischemic stroke and breast cancer—as well as infectious diseases—such as COVID-19, Ebola and Zika. 

Read more.

Off-Campus Studies: Travel Tip

Enhanced Identification Required for Domestic Flights Starting in May

Effective May 7, 2025, REAL ID will be a requirement for travel on domestic flights within the United States. Anyone who wishes to board a domestic flight in the U.S. will need to show either a REAL ID, passport or other TSA-compliant form of ID to pass through TSA Airport Security.  

Residents of Washington state without a passport will need a REAL ID-compliant card such as a state-issued Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced ID. A standard driver’s license will no longer be sufficient.

If you plan to fly in the United States on or after May 7 and do not yet have a REAL ID or valid passport, we recommend that you obtain one of these forms of ID as soon as possible. Note that REAL ID is available only to U.S. citizens. Non-citizens will be required to show their passports, Permanent Resident Cards, or other acceptable ID at TSA Airport Security.

Further details can be found at the links below:

  • How to get a REAL ID 
  • Acceptable forms of ID for TSA screenings
  • Washington residents may apply for a REAL ID at the Department of Licensing located at 145 Jade St. in Walla Walla.

Announcements

Visiting Snake Expert To Speak Today

Cara Smith, a snake venom expert from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, will deliver a talk titled “Foul and Loathsome Creatures? Why We Should Care About Reptiles” on Friday, April 11, at 4 p.m. in Brattain Auditorium. This event is intended for a general audience and is open to the public. (Flyer attached.)

 

International Night on Sunday

Whitman Events Board and International Student and Scholar Services will co-host the annual International Night cultural event on Sunday, April 13, from 5–7 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom. International students will perform with dance, voice, piano, fashion and digital works. Attendees can also enjoy global cuisine, henna skin decorations and a photo booth. (Flyer attached.)

 

Whitman Undergraduate Conference on Tuesday

The 27th annual Whitman Undergraduate Conference—a celebration of the scholarship, critical thinking, self-driven exploration and creativity of Whitman students—will take place throughout the day on Tuesday, April 15. Classes will be suspended to allow for greater participation. Students, staff and faculty are all invited to show up and learn more about what students are working on. Visit the Undergraduate Conference website to see the schedule of presentations and posters. 

 

Fitness Webinar for Employees on Tuesday

Whitman College employees are invited to attend a “Spring Into Fitness” webinar on Tuesday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m. Hosted by Active&Fit Direct, this session is designed to inspire individuals to embrace an active lifestyle as the weather warms up. Advance registration is required.

 

Volunteer for Spring Into Whitman Days

The Office of Admission is looking for volunteers for the next Spring Into Whitman Day for admitted students taking place on Saturday, April 26.  Volunteers are needed to direct guests on campus, either from 10–11:45 a.m. or from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please sign up in advance.

Photo Finish

A small gallery space with several pieces of art on the walls and two sculptures on the floor.

Stop by Stevens Gallery in Reid Campus Center during the next two weeks to see the “JAM” (junior art major) exhibit, with artwork by Payton Davies ’26, Calvin Pfisterer ’26, Ellawynn Morrison ’26, Lucy Collins ’26, Levi Peterson ’26 and Joey Biehl ’26.

Happening This Weekend

 

Friday

TBD

Whitman Distance Track vs. Whitworth Jeff Rahn Classic

Away

Noon–1 p.m.

French Table

Cleveland Commons

Noon–1 p.m.

Northwest ADA Center Training: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Foundations

Virtual Event

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Yoga

Sherwood Athletic Center

1–2:30 p.m.

Moving Forward With Social Anxiety

Welty Student Health Center

1–6 p.m.

Outdoor Program Trip: Hike

Wallula Gap

3 p.m.

Whitman Baseball at Willamette University

Away

4 p.m.

Foul & Loathsome Creatures? Why We Should Care About Reptiles

Hall of Science, Brattain Auditorium

4 p.m.

Fridays @ 4 Concert Series: Piano Quintet

Hall of Science, Chism Recital Hall

4–5:30 p.m.

Whitties Helping Whitties

Reid Campus Center, Coffeehouse (RSVP)

4:15 p.m.

ASWC General Election Debates

Maxey Auditorium

6 p.m.

Whitman Baseball at Willamette University

Away

7–11 p.m.

Whitman Events Board: Prom Night

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

7–9 p.m.

Reel Rock 19 Film Festival

Maxey Auditorium

7–10 p.m.

Wim Wenders Film Festival: ‘Paris, Texas’

Hunter Conservatory, Kimball Theatre

7:30–9 p.m.

Douglas Talent Show

Douglas Hall, Courtyard

Saturday

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Outdoor Program Trip: Climbing

Vantage, Washington

10 a.m.

Whitman Baseball at Willamette University

Away

11 a.m.

Alpha Phifa (Soccer Tournament)

Ankeny Field

11 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Tennis vs. University of Puget Sound

Whitman Tennis Courts

11 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Tennis at George Fox University

Away

Noon–4 p.m.

Carnival for CASA

Cordiner Hall, Side Lawn

1 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Lacrosse at Linfield University

Away

5–6 p.m.

Tiny Stacks Concert: Big Joe

Penrose Library

7 p.m.

Senior Recital: Linnea Gatmon, Piano

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

7–10 p.m.

Wim Wenders Film Festival: ‘Buena Vista Social Club’

Hunter Conservatory, Kimball Theatre

Sunday

11 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Tennis vs. Lewis & Clark College

Whitman Tennis Courts

11 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Tennis at Lewis & Clark College

Away

Noon–4 p.m.

Tri-College Community Day

Fort Walla Walla Park

2–4 p.m.

Martial Arts Club

Sherwood Athletic Center, Multipurpose Gym

3 p.m.

Senior Recital: Ella Yuen, Piano

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

5–7 p.m.

International Night

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

7–10 p.m.

Wim Wenders Film Festival: ‘Wings of Desire’

Hunter Conservatory, Kimball Theatre

Whitman Events Calendar

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

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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