Friday, September 5, 2025
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Alums Launch a Brilliant Solution for the Climate
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If you were going to build on Mars, what materials would you use?
That’s the question Chris Oze ’97 (right) and a colleague at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, asked themselves in 2013. What began as a thought experiment turned into more than a decade of research on getting the greatest use out of the limited resources available on the red planet.
And what they discovered has even more important implications right here on Earth.
As Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of clean-technology company Aspiring Materials, Oze is leading efforts to produce carbon-free critical minerals and other materials that can be used in manufacturing and industrial processes. He and Chief Operating Officer Kathy Izumi ’97 (left), Oze’s Whitman College classmate and now wife, are part of a growing field of researchers and entrepreneurs working toward a cleaner, greener world.
“There were a lot of failures along the way,” says Oze, who spent more than 15 years in higher education before co-founding the company in 2019.
“But like I taught my students, failing is great. You learn from your mistakes, cross things off your list and keep trying new things until you come up with something that does work.
“We found something that worked,” he says. “It worked really, really well.”
Read the full story in the Fall 2025 issue of Whitman Magazine.
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Please note that the current AQI measurement of 81 in Walla Walla is considered “Moderate” by the EPA. While this level of air quality is acceptable for most people, individuals who are particularly sensitive to particle pollution should take extra care.
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Rising Seniors Present at Nanocrystals Conference
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This summer, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology major Clara Hansen ’26 and Chemistry major Nicola Myers ’26 attended the 2025 Nanocrystals Northwest conference, where they jointly won one of two poster awards. As a result, they were invited to present their work to the entire conference, giving a talk titled, “Supramolecular Effects of Alkylsulfonates of Silver Nanocrystal Synthesis.”
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First Foods Station Today at Cleveland Commons
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The First Foods Station at Cleveland Commons—honoring the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and its traditional foods (water, fish, game, roots, berries)—is back! The station will be open today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. and it will return on the first Friday of each month while classes are in session.
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Welty Health & Counseling Center Hours Update
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The Welty Health and Counseling Center will have extended Saturday hours for nurse visits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting tomorrow. Weekday hours for health services and counseling—walk in or by appointment—will remain Monday–Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Learn More About Whitman Internship Grants
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All students who are interested in applying for a Fall 2025 Whitman Internship Grant (WIG) are required to attend one of three information sessions. The two remaining sessions will take place on Monday, Sept. 8, from noon–1 p.m. (sign up) and on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 4–5 p.m. (sign up) in Reid Campus Center, Room G02 (on the lower level). Please RSVP in advance on Handshake.
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Downtown Block Party Next Week
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Whitman students, faculty and staff are invited to “Whitman on Main: A Downtown Block Party” on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 5–7 p.m. beginning at Heritage Square Park at 116 E. Main St. Participants will enjoy live music from DJ Hugo and have the opportunity to visit downtown businesses, collect fun facts and take home a Walla Walla Welcome Bag. Learn more online.
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During Opening Week, the Outdoor Program organized eight Whitman Outdoor Orientation Trips (WOOTs) and two WOOT leadership training trips. A total of 104 students participated at six locations in Washington and Oregon. See more photos on Instagram.
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Harris Park at South Fork Walla Walla Trailhead
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Summer Shakes: “Much Ado About Nothing”
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Harris Park at South Fork Walla Walla Trailhead
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Jewett and Lyman Main Lounges
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Anderson and Prentiss Main Lounges
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La Casa Hispana Interest House
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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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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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