Monday, August 11, 2025

From the moment Asya Johnson ’26 first stepped foot on the Whitman College campus, it felt like home.

The Chicago native was initially introduced to Whitman through her high school guidance counselor and coordinated a campus visit.

“Seeing the campus with my dad...It was very beautiful. That is what made me fall in love with Whitman,” says Johnson, who had always planned to major in Art and minor in Art History. “I loved seeing that there are art pieces literally all across campus. I remember thinking how beautiful Whitman’s landscape was and how friendly everyone was to us.”

She knew what she wanted in a college—a strong Art program in a supportive community where she could explore and grow. To get a clear picture of what Whitman could offer her, she spoke to current students, professors and staff in several resource offices across campus.

“Whitman was hitting all the marks,” Johnson says. “It all just sounded right to me.”

Read the full story in the Spring 2025 issue of Whitman Magazine.

Professor of Geology Kirsten Nicolaysen presented at the International Volcano Eruption History Information Research Conference recently held in Osaka, Japan. Her presentation, titled “What Does Multidisciplinary Research Reveal About the Occupation History of Prehistoric Villages and Human Resilience to Natural Hazards Including Eruptions?” originated as an international collaboration funded by the National Science Foundation from 2013–2016. The morning of the conference, the room was abuzz with talk of the magnitude 8.8 Kamchatka earthquake and accompanying tsunami warnings, very similar to research presented by several conference attendees. As an invited distinguished professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, Nicolaysen also gave three presentations on research undertaken collaboratively with Whitman students completing thesis research. 

All supervisors of student employees at Whitman are invited to attend a training session on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 10–11:15 a.m. in Memorial Building, Room 331. Topics for discussion will include effective strategies for onboarding student employees. Questions? Email hr@whitman.edu.

Whitman employees are invited to attend a National Wellness Month webinar hosted by Active&Fit on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from noon–1 p.m. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to cultivate healthier habits and achieve a balanced lifestyle. Advance registration is recommended.

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 first option is a virtual session on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 4–5 p.m. Please RSVP in advance on Handshake. Additional in-person and virtual sessions will be held on Sept. 8 and 11. 

The Staff Advisory Council (SAC) has three open seats for the 2025–2026 academic year. All staff members are welcome to self-nominate via this form, especially those in the areas of Admission and Financial Aid, Finance and Administration, and Student Life. SAC advocates for and promotes the interests of staff, provides feedback and helps propose policies that affect staff, and facilitates communication between staff and other college stakeholders. Looking to serve on other campus groups? Fill out the nomination form and SAC will help connect you.

The Whitman College Bookstore (@whitmanbookstore) is stocked and ready for your upcoming back-to-school needs!

10–11:15 a.m. 

Student Supervisor Training: Effective Onboarding

Memorial Building, Room 331

Noon–1 p.m.

Employee Webinar: National Wellness Month

Virtual Event

4–5 p.m.

Information Session: Whitman Internship Grant

Virtual Event

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.

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