Friday, April 3, 2026

During spring break, nearly 400 eighth graders from Walla Walla Public Schools visited our campus as part of an annual science field trip. 

“I’m so grateful to the Whitman faculty, staff and students who shared their knowledge with the eighth graders,” said Walla Walla Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Elsa Watson. “This program helps students see that a future at college is not only possible, but picturable and that science and a love of learning can take them in a million interesting directions. It’s a very exciting program, and we look forward to it year after year. Many thanks to everyone involved!”

Students visited the planetarium in the Hall of Science to explore our galaxy through a guided program by Associate Professor of Astronomy and General Studies Andrea Dobson. 

Interim Director of the Water and Environmental Center Drew Trogstad-Isaacson ’11 partnered with Whitman’s Geology Department to provide a hands-on lesson in geomorphology on the stream table with a focus on beavers and their effect on the landscape.

Whitman arborist and Landscape Technician Kirk Huffey ’95 discussed the biology of trees and showed the students how he cares for the magnificent London Plane trees on campus and demonstrated how he uses ropes and a harness to care for the trees safely.

Students also visited Penrose Library for a tour and trivia challenge led by librarians Amy Blau, Julie Carter, Emily Pearson and Bridget Scoles. They learned how to get a library card, learned how to use the library for research, and took part in an art-themed scavenger hunt on Ankeny Field.

Key support for the program was provided by Assistant Director of Global Programs Laura Cummings and many Whitman student volunteers, including Mas Ra'ed Aldardasawi ’28, Daniel Enriquez Monges ’29, Esther Kariuki ’29, Bremrose Grace Lakjohn ’29, Taona Mapindani ’28, Fajr Musa ’29, Marco Nou ’29, Adele Paganotto ’29, Kathleen Purnama ’29, Sinthia Rahman Urmi ’29, He Ren Nyu ’29, Deo Rubangakene ’28 and Adiel Jasiel Ricaforte Trillo ’29.

This field trip was funded by grants from the Pacific Power Foundation and United Way of the Blue Mountains. See more photos on Instagram.

A production of the comedy “A Hotel on Marvin Gardens” by the late playwright Nagle Jackson ’58 will open tonight at The Little Theatre of Walla Walla with performances over the next three weekends. In this local production, a nephew of the playwright plays a lead character and a niece of the playwright is assisting backstage with props. 

Professor and Chair of Sociology Alissa Cordner has published a paper titled “Environmental Health Hazards and Wildland Firefighting: A Qualitative Analysis” in the journal Fire Ecology. This study draws on a long-term ethnographic research project with federal wildland firefighters in Oregon to identify the environmental health hazards—many of which are underrecognized—that wildland firefighters experience. Cordner also recently appeared on an episode of the Association for Fire Ecology’s “Fire Ecology Chats” podcast to discuss this research.

All members of the Whitman community are invited to submit nominations for several annual awards celebrating outstanding student leaders and student organizations. These awards recognize students who lead with integrity, clubs that create meaningful impact on campus and advisors who go above and beyond to support student success. Learn more about the awards that are available and submit your nominations online. The deadline for many of these award is today. 

Seniors interested in speaking for up to five minutes during the commencement ceremony as a representative of the Class of 2026 should email an outline or first draft of their proposed speech to northajl@whitman.edu. Submissions are due today.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026–2027 Community Fellow program sponsored by the Career and Community Engagement Center. Whitman students are paired with local organizations to work on a project that addresses some of the area’s social, economic and cultural challenges, and receive an educational stipend, mentoring and professional development guidance. Preference is given to juniors and seniors. Ten fellowships are currently available. View the full descriptions and apply on Handshake. Applications are due by Sunday, April 5, at midnight. Questions? Email juhasza@whitman.edu or watersc@whitman.edu. (Flyer attached.)

Applications for the inaugural cohort of the Summer in Seattle program are currently being accepted. Students need to have secured an internship or research position in Seattle to be eligible. Interested students who have not secured a Seattle position yet are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Career Coach in the Career and Community Engagement Center. Applications received by Monday, April 6, will receive priority consideration. Additional applications will be accepted through Friday, May 15. 

During spring break, Associate Professor of Religion Lauren Osborne (left) gave a public presentation in Morocco titled “Reflections on the Book ‘Morocco in the Eyes of Socio-Anthropology, Questions of Religion, Power, and Modernization,’ by Dr. Mohamed Jahah.” This presentation, given in Arabic, was on a panel in honor of a close colleague, Professor Mohamed Jahah of Université Moulay Ismaïl in Meknes, Morocco. A video of the panel is available on Facebook.

TBD

Whitman Distance Track at Linfield Jenn Boyman Memorial Invitational

Away

11–11:30 a.m.

First Foods Talk & Book Signing

Cleveland Commons

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

First Foods Station

Cleveland Commons

Noon–1:30 p.m.

Pizza & Connections

Baker Center, Conference Room

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

1–2 p.m.

Counseling Group: Moving Forward With Social Anxiety

Welty Health and Counseling Center

2–3 p.m.

Off-Campus Studies First Steps Meeting

Olin Hall, Room 128

2:30–4 p.m.

Classics Club Meeting

Baker Center

3:30–5 p.m.

Quarterlife & Chemistry: Prussian Blue Painting Workshop

Hall of Science, Room 242

4 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Lacrosse at George Fox University

Away

4–5 p.m.

Career Coaching Table

Reid Campus Center, Lobby

4–5 p.m.

Counseling Group: The Power of Purpose

Welty Health and Counseling Center, Wellnest

4–5:30 p.m.

Workshop: African Drumming & Percussion

Reid Campus Center, Side Lawn

5 p.m.

Whitman Baseball at Pacific University

Away

5–7 p.m.

First Foods Station

Cleveland Commons

6 p.m.

Gansango African Music & Dance Performance

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

6–10 p.m.

Outdoor Program Trip: Stargazing

Five Points

6:30–8 p.m.

Just Dance Revolution

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

7–9 p.m.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Club & Dracula Club: Movie Night

Glover Alston Intercultural Center

8–10 p.m.

Equestrian Club Meet & Greet

Reid Campus Center, Room 207

10:30 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 1)

Away

10:30 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 1)

Away

11 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Tennis at George Fox University

Away

11 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Tennis vs. George Fox University

Whitman Tennis Courts

Noon
and 3 p.m.

Whitman Baseball at Pacific University

Away

3 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Lacrosse at Pacific University

Away

7–9 p.m.

Whitman Events Board: Bowling Night

Stardust Lanes

8 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 2)

Away

8 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 2)

Away

9 a.m. to noon

Outdoor Program Trip: Bike the Wheat Fields

Departing from Whitman College

11 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Tennis at Lewis & Clark College

Away

11 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Tennis vs. Lewis & Clark College

Whitman Tennis Courts

2:30–6 p.m.

Climbing Candy Egg Hunt

Climbing Center

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