Monday, May 4, 2026

By Mas Ra’ed Aldardasawi ’28

I came to Whitman knowing I wanted to pursue a science degree. What I didn’t know yet was what that would entail. I thought it would be about classes, labs and maybe research. It is, but in a different way than I expected.

Through Whitman’s scientific community, and especially through outreach and teaching, I started to understand that science only matters if people can access it. Some of the moments that shaped me most didn’t happen only while I was sitting in class. They happened while I was explaining a concept to someone else, watching a student’s face light up when volunteering in Walla Walla public schools, or standing in a classroom. It made me realize that I was learning just as much as I was teaching.

Without even planning it, I found myself involved in so many parts of the science community, because people here don’t just encourage you to learn. They encourage you to share.

One of my first experiences was volunteering at Whitman Science Night. I still remember how excited I was to see groups of students, interns and volunteers coming together to bring hands-on science to local schools in Walla Walla. At different stations, we introduced experiments to students who might not otherwise have access to this kind of learning. I volunteered at EVERY event my first year. 

By my second year, I became an outreach intern. Now it’s something I get to lead.

Read the full Student Voices blog post by Davis United World College Scholar Mas Ra’ed Aldardasawi ’28, a Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology major from Jordan.

Did you know that in addition to supporting Whitman events, the Blues Bites food truck makes appearances at local community events and businesses? Here is where it will be this month:

President Bolton will hold open office hours for staff members on Tuesday, May 5, from noon–1 p.m. in the Lizzie Murr Dining Room at Cleveland Commons. This is an informal opportunity for conversation. Feel free to bring your lunch!

Dr. Sylvia Carey-Butler, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, will hold open office hours for students on Tuesday, May 5, from 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center, near the fish ladder sculpture. Stop by to chat about community-building, share feedback on campus initiatives, navigate resources and support, or explore new ways to advance Inclusive Excellence—on campus and beyond. Meal vouchers will be provided. 

One of the many campus events to happen in the month of April was the 57th annual Renaissance Faire—a free and fun family-friendly event combining entertainment, costumes, food, vendors and more. See more photos on Instagram.

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Pilates

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

4–5 p.m.

The Evolving Role of AI in Mathematical Discovery

Olin Hall, Room 201

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Zfit

Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114

5–8 p.m.

Blues Bites Food Truck at Walla Walla Food Truck Night

Pioneer Park

7 p.m.

Senior Recital: Ayano Yoshikawa (Piano)

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Noon–1 p.m.

Open Office Hours for Staff: President Bolton

Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Dining Room

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Step Aerobics

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 106

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Open Office Hours for Students: Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

Reid Campus Center, Fish Ladder Sculpture

5–6 p.m.

Buddy Bowling

Bowlaway Lanes

6–8 p.m.

CHECK IT Lotería

Third Space Center

7–8 p.m.

Don’t Eat the Wheat Club Meeting

Maxey Hall, Room 104

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Power Pump

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Zfit

Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114

6:30–8:30 p.m.

Students for Justice in Palestine: Picnic

Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

12:30–1:10 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Yoga

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

4:30–7 p.m.

Students for Justice in Palestine: Teach-In

Olin Auditorium

5:30–8:30 p.m.

Archaeology Film Screening: “La Chimera”

Hunter Conservatory, Kimball Theatre

7 p.m.

Chamber Music Concert

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

TBD

Whitman Distance Track at Oregon Twilight

Away

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

4–7 p.m.

Sunburn Classic Grass Volleyball Tournament

Harper Joy Theatre, Field

5–9 p.m.

Blues Bites Food Truck at Walla Walla Balloon Stampede

Pioneer Park

7 p.m.

Wind Ensemble Spring Concert

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Outdoor Program Trip: Vantage Climbing

Vantage

4–5 p.m.

Whitman Ethics Bowl: General Meeting

Olin Hall, Room 129

5–7 p.m.

Blues Bites Food Truck

Burwood Brewing Company

6:30–7:30 p.m.

Whitman Ethics Bowl: Documentary Screening

Olin Hall, Room 129

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outdoor Program Trip: Day Hike Adventures

Umatilla National Forest

3 p.m.

Senior Recital: Colin Dunlap (Cello)

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

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

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