Our Place in Walla Walla: Abby Muro
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Feature by: Noah Leavitt, College Liaison for Community Affairs
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Abby Muro was born 39 years ago at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla to Mexican immigrant parents who, 45 years ago, chose this valley as their home. After spending 12 years away—pursuing her education and exploring the world—she returned to the valley two years ago, accompanied by her two children and partner.
Tell us about your participation in the Walla Walla Valley.
I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition, an organization founded in 2016 that formally established its first board of directors and executive director just last year. My work and my family are at the heart of my life, my participation in the Walla Walla Valley, each deeply intertwined and inseparable.
My commitment to racial justice is woven into the fabric of my daily life and participation in the Wally Walla Valley as well. I strive to ensure that immigrants in our valley are not only recognized for their inherent value, but also have access to the resources and opportunities that empower them to thrive. In doing so, I aim to help shape a more inclusive, equitable community that will foster a brighter future for everyone who calls the valley their home.
Outside of work, I serve on the board for the Walla Walla Community Council and love to explore new businesses in the valley. I coached our son’s soccer team and enjoy supporting and spending time with my community of friends and family.
Read more.
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Beyond the interview:
Abby Muro will be available for questions and further conversations on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at noon in Reid Campus Center, Room 207. The Career and Community Engagement Center will provide lunch for the first 10 students in attendance. Please send your questions, ideas or requests for accommodation to Noah Leavitt at leavitns@whitman.edu.
Muro, along with Rebeckah Turner from Community Resilience Initiative and Maria Remington from Greater Health Now, will also speak at the Food Justice Panel this Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. in Olin Auditorium. Discussion topics will include the impact of food insecurity on youth and adverse childhood experiences, migrant rights and food injustice, and incarcerated individuals’ relationship to food systems.
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Fall Athletes Earn Conference Honors
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A number of Whitman Blues fall season student-athletes earned conference and NCAA recognition.
Men’s cross-country: Reilly McVay ’25 and Jack McManus ’27 were named to the NCAA All-Region Team.
Men’s soccer: Jacob Burrill ’25 and Lucas McAllister ’26 were named to the NWC First Team, Sawyer Valero ’25 to the Second Team, and Kevin Serrano Maldonado ’28 and Jossue Tobar ’24 received Honorable Mention honors. Serrano Maldonado was also voted the conference Freshman of the Year.
Women’s soccer: Kiki Glorioso ’27 was named to the NWC First Team, Leah Barnes ’27, Molly Beaulieu ’25 and Virginia Hunt ’25 to the Second Team, and Ellie Cortes-Muniz ’26 received Honorable Mention recognition.
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Please join us in welcoming the following new Whitman College staff members who started in November:
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- Ali Lackey, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Patrick Record, Video and Multimedia Producer
- Chelsey Waters, Community Engagement Coordinator
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Power & Privilege Session Leader Applications
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All Whitman students, staff and faculty are invited to apply to be a 2025 Power & Privilege session leader. This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Hope: Resilience and Resistance in Action,” creates opportunities to share stories and experiences that promote a holistic understanding in our community of the shared role we have in fostering a more just society. Applications are due by the end of the day Friday, Dec. 6.
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Student Input on Campus Navigation Wanted
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We are embarking on a project to consider the ways people navigate campus and would like student input on campus signage and wayfinding during a focus group this Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to noon in Reid Campus Center, Room G02. Students interested in participating should email Vice President for Communications Gina Ohnstad (ohnstagz@whitman.edu). The session will be led by Selbert Perkins Design, who will ask a series of questions about your experiences and barriers getting to and navigating campus.
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Final Day To Join the Family Gift Drive
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You can make this holiday season special by providing presents for a Walla Walla family in need. Today, Dec. 2, is the final day to get matched with a family and pick out presents and gift cards to bring some warmth to a local family’s holiday celebration. Email communityprojects@whitman.edu for more information.
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(Photo: @semesterinthewest) Semester in the West's (SITW) journey southward ended in Patagonia, AZ, where they met with the Borderlands Restoration Network to talk watershed restoration, community gardens, milkweed, agave and bats. SITW participants have returned to campus and will give final presentations, focusing on water issues in the American West, this Tuesday, Dec. 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 4–6 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium. The presentations will also be livestreamed on Zoom.
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Movement That Matters: Pilates
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Reid Campus Center Side Lawn or Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114
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Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 106
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Movement That Matters: MELT
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch
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Penrose Library, Lounge ’41
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Reid Lawn or Sherwood 114
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Movement That Matters: Step Aerobics
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Movement That Matters: Yoga
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Reid Campus Center, Queer Resource Center
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Reid Campus Center, Room 240
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Sherwood Athletic Center, Multipurpose Gym
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Reid Campus Center, Basement
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Sherwood Athletic Center, Multipurpose Gym
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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Produced by the Office of Communications, Whitman Today is emailed to Whitman College staff, faculty and students twice a week. 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 Friday for Monday's edition and by noon Wednesday for Thursday's edition.. 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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