Wednesday, January 22, 2025
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Reclaiming Hope: The 2025 Power & Privilege Symposium
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Feature by: Power & Privilege Symposium Executive Team
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The Power & Privilege Symposium has become a cornerstone of Whitman College’s commitment to fostering critical conversations about structural oppression and its manifestations both on campus and beyond. This year’s symposium, themed “Reclaiming Hope: Resilience and Resistance in Action,” invites the community to engage in bold, transformative discussions centered on issues of racism, sexism, ableism, capitalism and other systemic power structures. Our program will include multiple student-led sessions, as well as invited talks by equity educator and actor Kausar Mohammed, artist Fatimah Hossaini, and education scholar Dr. Terrell Strayhorn. Through lectures, panels, workshops and artistic showcases, the symposium empowers students, faculty and staff to examine and question the social paradigms that shape our world.
The origins of the Power & Privilege Symposium are rooted in student activism and community resilience. In 2006, an incident of blackface at a fraternity party sparked outrage and ignited a critical conversation about race and privilege on campus. What began as a contentious email chain evolved into a collective call for change. Students, supported by faculty, canceled classes for a day-long Symposium on Race Relations and Community, with nearly 1,000 attendees engaging in critical dialogues.
In the years that followed, student activists from groups like Feminists Advocating for Change and Empowerment and the Black Student Union pushed for an institutionalized annual symposium. Their efforts culminated in the first Power & Privilege Symposium in 2014, marking a pivotal moment in Whitman’s journey toward addressing structural inequities and creating a space for education and empowerment.
Read more.
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Faculty & Students Co-Author Research Paper
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Associate Professor of Physics Andrés Aragoneses, along with students Eli Main ’26 and John Bannon ’27, recently published a research article in Scientific Reports titled “Analysis of the Spiking Dynamics of a Diode Laser With Dual Optical Feedback.” The paper presents an experimental investigation into the intricate dynamics of a photonic neuron—a diode laser with optical feedback—when influenced by two distinct feedback sources. Their findings reveal that the photonic neuron exhibits deterministic behavior whose characteristics vary depending on the relative influence of each feedback source. Notably, the research demonstrates that the determinism is not diminished but rather enhanced by the dual feedback system. Additionally, they identified universal patterns underlying the complex dynamics of the neuron.
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Queer Resource Center Reopens Next Week
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The Queer Resource Center in Reid Campus Center is unavailable for use this week. However, students can still book a virtual appointment or otherwise get in touch with Shelby Hearn, Director of LGBTQIA+ Student Services, by emailing lgbtqia@whitman.edu.
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Health in the Halls Discussion Next Week
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The Welty Student Health Center and Residence Life will present the next event in the Health in the Halls series on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in Stanton Hall. Matt Baerlocher, DPT, a local physical therapist, brings his energy and commitment to discuss the role of mobility and exercise in physical and mental health. Come for a fun evening of learning and movement!
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Share Your Feedback With The Princeton Review
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Whitman students are invited to complete The Princeton Review survey to share their unique perspective and experiences about academics, social activities, residence life, food and more. These anonymous insights help guide future college-bound students and will be featured in The Princeton Review’s resources. Every student who completes the survey will be entered for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
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New Home Ownership Benefit for Employees
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Human Resources is thrilled to share a new benefit to Whitman employees in two upcoming presentations in Maxey Auditorium. Virtual attendance is available, and the presentations will also be recorded.
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The Whitman Home Ownership Benefit program, powered by Landed, is designed to improve housing affordability by partnering with you to increase your down payment. If you can contribute at least 3%, the program can co-invest alongside you, contributing up to 40% (max of $276,000) to your down payment, helping you reduce your monthly payments and avoid costly private mortgage insurance.
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On Monday, Dr. Jace Saplan, Senior Director of Identity and Belonging, delivered a keynote address about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership and the connection between Native Hawaiian communities and the broader Civil Rights and Liberation movement. A photo essay recapping the day’s events is available online.
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Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114
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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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