Friday, November 14, 2025
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Whittie Author & Artist Examines Modern Kinship
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By Tara Roberts with illustrations by Sophie Lucido Johnson ’08
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Humans have always lived in hard times—and to writer and cartoonist Sophie Lucido Johnson ’08, every difficult or challenging time is an opportunity to turn toward each other.
Whitman College is known for strong connections and community, yet that sense of belonging may not translate to everyday adult life for many folks. Lucido Johnson believes Whitties, and everyone, can deepen their in-person relationships—to improve their lives, the lives of others and society as a whole.
Staying isolated in the face of hard times doesn’t benefit anyone, Lucido Johnson says.
“I really think that people crave purpose right now, a belief that there is a reason to be alive—and the reason is each other,” she says.
“We do have purpose. It’s right here. It’s probably not in your Instagram feed or your to-do list, but it is across the street. It’s walking the dog. It’s in your living room. It’s just one call away. It’s at the grocery store. It’s in your workplace. It’s here.”
In her new book, “Kin: The Future of Family” (Atria Books, November 2025), Lucido Johnson uses interviews, research, personal stories and drawings to redefine kinship and explore the possibilities and benefits of building relationships where people show up for each other in their everyday lives.
“As we face catastrophe from all corners of the world, what do we do in our day-to-day lives to care for ourselves?” she says. “And the answer is to find ways to care for each other, because there’s not really a line between the self and the other.”
Read the full story in the Fall 2025 issue of Whitman Magazine.
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Sociology Professor Joins Fulbright Screening Committee
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Associate Professor of Sociology Álvaro Santana-Acuña has been appointed to the National Screening Committee for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. During his three-year term, he will help the program select U.S. applicants pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees internationally. Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program is the United States’ flagship international educational exchange. It funds students, scholars, teachers and professionals to study, teach or conduct research in over 160 countries while building long-term academic and cultural partnerships. More than 100 Whitties—including Santana-Acuña—have received Fulbright Awards.
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Basketball Home Games This Weekend
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Sherwood Athletic Center will close early on Friday, Nov. 14, at noon and will be closed for recreation on Saturday, Nov. 15, to accommodate basketball home games and the 2025 Kim Evanger Raney Memorial Classic. Games start on Friday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
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International Night on Sunday
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International Student and Scholar Services and the Whitman Events Board will present International Night on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 5–7 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom. This annual event will include live performances of dance (Afghan, African, Arab, Hawaiian, Indonesian, Japanese, K-pop), vocals (Filipino, Indonesian), jazz (Mosi Jazz Quintet), piano and poetry as well as international food, henna and a photo booth. (Flyer attached.)
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Interest House Community Applications Due Sunday
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Students, have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in a cozy, themed house right on campus complete with a full kitchen, fireplace and a community that shares your interests? The Interest House Community offers a chance to live, learn and grow with others who share your passions—from languages to wellness to the environment. Applications for Spring 2026 may be submitted through the Residence Life and Housing Portal and are due Sunday, Nov. 16, before midnight. (Flyer attached.)
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Interfaith Chaplain Welcome Event on Monday
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Whitman students, faculty and staff are invited to help welcome rev. seigen johnson as the new Interfaith Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life. An open house event will be held on Monday, Nov. 17, between 4–5 p.m. in the All Faiths Room of Reid Campus Center. President Sarah Bolton will offer some remarks commemorating this transition, and refreshments will be served. (Flyer attached.)
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Nancy Serrurier Village Open House Next Week
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The Whitman community is invited to an open house event on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 3–5 p.m. in the new Nancy Serrurier Village apartments. Enjoy some refreshments and take a look inside Harvey Hall, Robart Hall and Stegner Hall.
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Last weekend, 23 Whitman students across four majors attended the 2025 Murdock College Science Research Conference to present their research. Poster presentations were given by Brain, Behavior and Cognition majors Eddie Buchko ’26, Ella Corcoran ’26, Sophia Curtis ’26, Isabella Lucky ’26, Ella Tyroler ’27, Sean Walsh ’26 and Jesus Zamora Ochoa ’26; Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology majors Micaela Brown ’27, Lilian Garcia Vargas ’27, Shahin Hamzeh ’26, Angela Roberts ’27 and Anna Shimkus ’25; Biology majors Marika Cartier ’26, Arushi Narinder ’26 and Chase Schubert ’26; and Chemistry majors Colin Dunlap ’26, Jara Moreno Arostegui ’26, Toby Schneider ’27, Sebastian Squire ’25, Daniel Sutton ’26 and Lillian Villiott ’27. Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology major Osama Abdelhamid Ali Elhassan ’26 and Chemistry major Keenan RiggsTurpin ’27 gave platform talks. Associate Professors Mark Hendricks (Chemistry), Nancy Day ’05 (Psychology; Brain, Behavior and Cognition, co-director) and Visiting Assistant Professor Rachel Wilson (Biology; Brain, Behavior and Cognition) selected and/or traveled with students to the Murdock conference. (Photo by Daniel Zajic ’14.)
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Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 106
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Welty Health and Counseling Center
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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The Rhapsody Project: Protest Song Concert & Sing-Along
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Reid Campus Center, Lower Level
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Mill Creek, College Cabin
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Hunter Conservatory, Kimball Theatre
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Cordiner Hall [community event]
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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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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