Thursday, February 5, 2026
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Whitties Make the Most of Their Gap Year
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Taking a gap year between high school and college can be life-changing. For many students, a gap year provides an opportunity to dive into passion projects, develop independence or explore the world before embarking on college life.
From outdoor adventures to international travel to nonprofit service, check out how these Whitties made the most of their gap years.
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- Everett Calhoun ’28 (Geology-Environmental Studies) worked at an overnight summer camp, completed an outdoor leadership program in Chile, and traveled the U.S. and Canada, visiting around 20 national parks.
- Kathleen Purnama ’29 expanded her nonprofit, completed several internships and did a student exchange program in Taiwan.
- Hanna Grinstead ’28 (Chemistry/Pre-Engineering) spent the year at a Norwegian folk school, learning about horsemanship and backcountry skiing.
- Max Lewis ’29 (pictured) spent a gap year in Argentina, living with host families, attending a public high school and traveling the country.
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Read the full story to learn more about each of these students and their gap year experiences.
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Act Now To Restore Washington College Grant Funding Levels for Our Students
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Last May, the Washington state budget was finalized with provisions that significantly cut the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for students attending private colleges and universities. Recently, some policymakers have recognized the inequity of cutting aid to students simply on the basis of their school choice, and have introduced a bill that will restore award levels for the students we serve.
We encourage you to support legislation that will restore full access to the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for students choosing Whitman College.
Follow these simple instructions to quickly communicate your support to the Washington Senate Ways and Means Committee.
The deadline for comments is Friday, Feb. 6, at noon.
Your action can help ensure that Washingtonians who choose Whitman have fair access to state funding resources.
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Whitman Outdoor Journal Release Party Tonight
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The Whitman Outdoor Journal will host a party to celebrate the release of its sixth edition on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 7–9 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center coffeehouse. The event will include hot cocoa and cookies, a ski movie, and a chance to check out the Fall 2025 edition of the journal. (Flyer attached.)
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New Counseling Group Begins Tomorrow
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Beginning on Friday, Feb. 6, a new drop-in counseling group for students will meet on Fridays from 4–5 p.m. at Welty Health and Counseling Center. This group will guide students on a journey of discovering their true purpose and figuring out how to bring it to life. Questions? Contact Substance Use Disorder Counselor Lucinda Richards at 509-527-5281 or richardsl@whitman.edu. (Flyer attached.)
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Basketball Home Games on Saturday
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Sherwood Athletic Center will close early on Saturday, Feb. 7, at noon to accommodate basketball home games. The Blues will play against Linfield University with games starting at 3 p.m. (women) and 5 p.m. (men).
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Volunteer at the Power & Privilege Symposium
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The 2026 Power and Privilege Symposium will take place in two weeks, on Thursday, Feb. 19. The Power and Privilege Executive Team is seeking student volunteers to help support this year’s events and speakers. Volunteering is a great way to engage with the symposium and support campuswide conversations around power, privilege and social justice. Sign up today!
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Penrose Library has a new magazine reading area—a spot to peruse recent magazines or take a break from studying. (Photo by @penroselibrary.)
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Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114
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Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Dining Room
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Reid Campus Center, Lower Level
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Whitman Outdoor Journal Release Party
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Reid Campus Center, Coffeehouse
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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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