Wednesday, November 19, 2025

By rev. seigen johnson, Interfaith Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life

Today is Trans Day of Remembrance. We honor the lives of transgender and gender-expansive people whose lives have been taken by anti-trans violence, discrimination and neglect. We speak their names, grieve their absence, and recommit ourselves to building communities where every person can live, thrive and be fully known.

This year, Trans Day of Remembrance carries an added resonance: 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Vatican II’s “Nostra Aetate”—the landmark declaration that reshaped interreligious dialogue by affirming the shared dignity of all peoples. Though written within Catholicism, its call to honor the Sacred in every human life has guided interfaith spaces, campus ministries, community chaplaincies and movements for justice across the world.

Yet we must acknowledge the painful tension of our time. Even as Nostra Aetate invites us toward a deeper relationship and mutual care, claims of “religious liberty” are increasingly invoked to deny the very dignity it sought to uphold. Across the United States and globally, religious freedom is used to justify discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people—including transgender and gender-expansive individuals who face exclusionary policies, restricted health care access and social stigma.

We are living in a moment when lawmakers and institutions wield religion to impose narrow theological views on the public; when disputes over reproductive justice and gender-affirming care threaten personal autonomy; when some interfaith alliances collaborate not to expand our collective moral imagination, but to undermine civil rights; and when concerns about religious bigotry are used to deflect needed critique.

Trans Day of Remembrance calls us to reject the weaponization of religion and to reclaim the moral heart of spiritual traditions: the unconditional dignity of every human life. Across faiths—Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Indigenous, Humanist and many others—we are guided by teachings of compassion, liberation, mutual responsibility and the sacredness of embodiment.

May we move forward with clarity and solidarity, creating communities where every person—especially our transgender siblings—can live without fear, flourish in authenticity and know themselves cherished.

Ella Harrington ’28 was named a Women’s Individual Qualifier for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. She is one of the 70 individual finalists. The competition will take place on Nov. 22 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A live webstream will be available on NCAA.com.

Nadine Stecklein, Associate Director for Employer Engagement and Internship Programs, was published as a featured author in the new book “Latinas Who Lead.” In her chapter, “From Little Girl With a Dream to Latina Leader,” she shares a personal story of resilience and offers guidance and hope for future leaders. The book brings together the voices of 12 Latina women who lead with their hearts to inspire change and uplift their communities.

The Whitman community is invited to an open house event today, Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 3–5 p.m. in the new Nancy Serrurier Village. Enjoy some refreshments and take a look inside Harvey Hall, Robart Hall and Stegner Hall. 

President Sarah Bolton will share updates from the recent Board of Trustees meetings and answer questions from staff and faculty at a forum on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. in Olin Auditorium and virtually via Zoom. Questions may be submitted in advance.

Human Resources is hosting the third of five Open Enrollment Information Sessions today, Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 4:30 p.m. in Memorial Building, Room 331. A Spanish-language-only session will be held on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 9 a.m. in the Hall of Science, Room 138. Additional information is available on the 2026 Open Enrollment webpage.

The college is working to ensure a free expression space that is accessible, functional and reflective of student needs. A task force is reviewing the current use of the tennis court fence and exploring possible alternatives. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts, feedback and make recommendations in this short survey. Your input will help shape a more accessible and student-centered expression space on campus.

Earlier this month, students and faculty from Whitman attended the Northwest Undergraduate Mathematics Symposium at the University of Washington Bothell. Mathematics-Statistics major Jacob Benson ’26 (pictured) was awarded a presentation prize for his research talk titled “U.S. Drunk Driving Deaths vs. Alcohol Consumption,” which explores the connection between state measures of alcohol consumption and drunk driving deaths from 1977–2016.

8:30 a.m.

Post-Board Meeting Forum for Faculty & Staff

Olin Auditorium

Noon–1:30 p.m.

Women of Color Collective Potluck

Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Dining Room

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

4–6 p.m.

Pan Asian Club Cook-Off Contest

Stanton Hall, First Floor Kitchens

4:30 p.m.

Information Session for Employees: Open Enrollment

Memorial Building, Room 331

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Zfit

Sherwood 114 or Reid Side Lawn (weather dependent)

5:30–6 p.m.

ASWC Finance Committee Meeting

Cleveland Commons, Room 116

6–6:50 p.m.

Off-Campus Studies First Step Meeting

Maxey Hall, Room 119

7–8 p.m.

Chorale & Chamber Singers Fall Concert

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

7–9 p.m.

blue moon: Big Art

Reid Campus Center, Coffeehouse

8–10 p.m.

Open Kakak

Harvey Pool

Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

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