Thursday, May 22, 2025

Photo: Sky Pasena-Littlesky ’26 helped organize a youth lacrosse clinic for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Whitman College’s student-athletes aren’t just good competitors—they’re good citizens who lead by example. Just take a look at a few ways they step up to the plate to make our community better.

Whitman’s baseball team knocks it out of the park for local youth. Players and coaches volunteer at Sharpstein Elementary each year, teaching third graders the fundamentals of the game and inspiring them to be active. The team also helps young athletes get ready for baseball season with a free camp for Little Leaguers and spring training clinics for middle school and high school players. 

Through raffles, rodeos, bake sales and social campaigns, the team also raises money for the Providence St. Mary Jan Erickson Life Saver Fund. Named in honor of a former Whitman staff member, the fund supplies free mammograms for women without insurance and financial support for families struggling to get by because of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Whitman baseball also partners with Team Impact, which matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams. Since 2023, players have supported honorary teammate Hadyin, a 13-year-old leukemia survivor from LaGrande, Oregon with regular check-ins, invites to games and team events, and special celebrations. 

Read the full story to learn more about the ways many of Whitman’s athletic teams give back to the local community.

While studying abroad with the School for Field Studies Center for Climate Studies in Puerto Natales, Chile, Geology+French major Ishaan Swami ’26 completed an independent conservation research project. Working with two local landowners, Swami designed six interpretive panels focused on the geology, archaeology and paleontology of the Laguna Sofía and Cerro Benítez area. The goal was to help them to benefit from Patagonian tourism and pursue further conservation and research on their property. 

The Climbing Center is now operating on the following summer schedule:

The Outdoor Program Rental Shop is now operating on summer hours, Monday–Friday, noon–4 p.m.

The Bike Shop will be open on Friday, May 23, from 4–6 p.m. Summer hours for the Bike Shop are not yet confirmed.

All seniors are encouraged to take the Senior Survey before leaving Whitman College. Enter your Whitman ID number to access the survey. Responses are due by Monday, May 26. Participants are not required to answer every question. This survey is an important way the Whitman administration assesses the overall educational program of the college, and results of this survey will help develop more effective programs and policies to meet the ever-changing needs of Whitman students.

As a first-year student, Sociology major Mavie Pham ’25 started volunteering for the StoryTime Project through the Career and Community Engagement Center, and the following year she moved into a leadership role. Read her blog post to learn more about her experience. 

8:30–10:30 a.m.

Staff Recognition Breakfast

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Yoga

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

5 p.m.

Senior Athletics Banquet

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

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.

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