Wednesday, October 8, 2025

By the Division of Inclusive Excellence, Latinos Unidos, the Hispanic Studies Department, and the Career and Community Engagement Center

In 2023, Whitman students were invited to paint a mural in downtown Walla Walla. They spent three days creating an alebrije—a spirit animal that guides loved ones on their journey to the afterlife—on the corner of Palouse and Main Street. (Photo by Yahir Tzec ’25 and Augi Ramírez Jr. ’25.)

Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month gives the Whitman community the opportunity to honor students with family roots in Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain for their rich cultural traditions that they bring to our campus.

The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, coincides with independence anniversaries across Latin America. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all celebrate their independence on Sept. 15, while Mexico follows on Sept. 16 and Chile on Sept. 18. Rather than focusing on a single nation, the celebration embraces the diverse contributions and cultures of Hispanic communities throughout the United States.

At the heart of Whitman's celebrations are student-led initiatives that create spaces for cultural connection and pride. Whitman’s Latinos Unidos affinity group, whose name means "united," serves as a cornerstone for Hispanic students on campus.

“The Unidos club has created a safe space for its members and worked as an extended family,” explains Mariana Ruiz-González, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies and faculty advisor for Latinos Unidos. This sense of familia—family—strengthens students’ connection to their roots and helps them navigate college life while maintaining ties to their cultural identity.

Latinos Unidos recently hosted a Family Fiesta Night as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. They meet regularly at La Casa Hispana Interest House and at the Third Space Center.

Read more about how Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated at Whitman.

In the spirit of collectively celebrating successes in our Whitman community, we invite you to brag a little about the personal and collective accomplishments in your professional and personal lives. Were you recently published? Did you win an award or secure a competitive research grant? Did your office, department or student organization accomplish a long-term goal or finish a time-intensive project? We would love to share your good news!

As a reminder, classes will not be in session on Thursday, Oct. 9, and Friday, Oct. 10, for October Break. However, most campus offices will still operate on standard operating hours.

The Bike Shop will have reduced hours:

Reid Campus Center will have reduced hours:

The Whitman College Bookstore will have reduced hours:

Jewett Café and Reid Market will be closed during the break. Reid Market will reopen on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 4 p.m.

Residence Life is hiring student leaders. Submit your application through your Whitman housing portal between now and Monday, Oct. 20. (Flyer attached.)

The Welty Health and Counseling Center is partnering with Safeway Pharmacy to bring flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to campus on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. Whitman students, staff and faculty will need to bring their insurance card and fill out paperwork in advance to receive a vaccination. Most health insurance plans, including Whitman employee health insurance, cover routine vaccines at 100%.

On Saturday at Veterans Memorial Golf Course, both of the Whitman cross country teams competed at the Whitman Open. Ella Harrington ’28 (pictured) led the women’s squad to a fifth place finish and finished fourth individually with a personal best individual time of 22:15:13 in the women’s 6K. The men’s squad finished in fourth place. See more photos on Instagram.

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

2–4 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunity: Pepper Glean

Birch Creek Farms

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Zfit

Sherwood 114 or Reid Side Lawn (weather dependent)

5:30–6 p.m.

ASWC Finance Committee Meeting

Cleveland Commons, Room 116

6:30–8 p.m.

Film Screening: “Ponyo”

Japanese Interest House (Tekisuijuku)

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.

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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