Wednesday, November 12, 2025

By Cheysen Cabuyadao-Sipe ’23, Resident Director and Intercultural Program Manager

November marks First-Generation College Celebration Month, a time to recognize and honor the first-generation/working class (FGWC) community here at Whitman. In fact, this past Saturday was First-Generation College Celebration Day. According to FirstGen Forward, a nonprofit organization with a mission to support first-generation high school and college students, First-Generation College Celebration Day commemorates the passing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which established federal financial aid programs for students and increased funding support for colleges and universities.

First-generation students, staff and faculty bring invaluable perspectives, strengths and forms of resilience to our campus culture. Their journeys reflect courage, resourcefulness, creativity and deep commitment, not only to themselves, but to their families and communities. 

This month, the Division of Inclusive Excellence invites our campus to celebrate, support, uplift and embrace FGWC identities and voices across Whitman and beyond.

To all first-generation and working-class members of our community:

You are enough. You matter. You belong. Your perspectives enrich our Whitman College community. Your experiences are valid, powerful and real. Thank you for being you and for everything you bring to Whitman. Until then, take care, and happy First-Generation College Celebration Month!

If you have any questions or would like to participate in future FGWC programming, please reach out to Cheysen (pronounced: SHY-sen) Cabuyadao-Sipe, Resident Director and Intercultural Program Manager, at cabuyack@whitman.edu.

Read the full article to learn about the variety of FGWC events and programming scheduled this year.

The Whitman men’s soccer team finished their season with a 3–1 win over Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) securing the top spot of the Northwest Conference Championship. The Blues had previously shared the conference title with PLU in 2018, but this is their first outright conference victory. The Blues automatically qualify for the 2025 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament in Texas, where they’ll face Texas Lutheran University in the first round on Saturday, Nov. 15.

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. 

In preparation for the upcoming open enrollment period for Whitman employees, Navia Benefit Solutions will host a webinar on the topic of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Accounts on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon. Please register in advance. 

Staff are invited to open drop-in office hours with the Staff Advisory Council (SAC) on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 2–3 p.m. in Jewett Café. Come learn more about how SAC advocates for staff and share your ideas, questions or concerns. If you are unable to attend but have topics of interest or questions for SAC, please email sac@whitman.edu or fill out this anonymous form.

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.)

On Friday, a preview screening of the new Ken Burns documentary “The American Revolution” was followed by a discussion about Tribal Sovereignty. Panelists included Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Executive Director J.D. Tovey (left), CTUIR Youth Leadership Council Vice Chair Miracle Edmiston  (middle) and Šináata scholar Joel Satterwhite ’27 (right). See more photos (by Dee Cusick) on Instagram.

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mental Health First Aid & Suicide Prevention

Cleveland Commons

Noon to 1 p.m.

Active&Fit Employee Webinar: Surviving the Holiday Party Food

Virtual Event

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Zfit

Sherwood 114 or Reid Side Lawn (weather dependent)

5–6 p.m.

First Meeting: Geology & Environmental Scientists of Color

Reid Campus Center, Lower Level

5:30–6 p.m.

ASWC Finance Committee Meeting

Cleveland Commons, Room 116

6 p.m.

Whitman Men’s Basketball at Walla Walla University

Walla Walla University

7–7:50 p.m.

Off-Campus Studies First Step Meeting

Maxey Hall, Room 119

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

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.

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.

Find us on social media: @whitmancollege