Thursday, June 5, 2025

Feature by: Patrick Mulikuza ’28

Alongside Associate Professor of Physics (and science fiction novelist) Andrés Aragoneses, first-year students in Science and Science Fiction took a critical eye to depictions of science in movies, fiction and news media.

Imagine a classroom buzzing with enthusiastic discussions, where students from all backgrounds exchange views and tackle big ideas from multiple angles. That’s the experience of a First Year Seminar at Whitman College. 

Over two semesters, first-year students get a taste of Whitman’s challenging and inspiring academics—and develop skills that help prepare them for the rest of their education. 

During the fall semester, in Exploring Complex Questions, students break into collaborative learning communities seeking answers to intriguing questions, such as: How do the boundaries of the body intersect with the environment? What can games teach us about our agency, morality and values? And what do we learn by examining the nature and experience of time?

Then, in the spring semester, Making Powerful Arguments helps students hone their ability to write and speak persuasively while diving into a hand-picked topic that interests them. 

Read the full story to learn more about some of the First Year Seminar courses offered this past spring semester.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the newly-published Whitman College AI Guidelines. Developed collaboratively between several departments on campus, the guidelines aim to help the Whitman community navigate the increasing availability of AI tools while maintaining data privacy and security, as well as adhering to legal and college requirements. A short overview video is also available.

Most campus offices will close at noon on Friday, June 6, as the first of several discretionary half days scheduled this summer.

Sherwood Athletic Center (building and sauna hours):

Climbing Center:

Baker Ferguson Fitness Center:

Harvey Pool:

Bratton Indoor Tennis Center (students, faculty, staff):

Bratton Indoor Tennis Center (community members):

Jewett Cafe: (June 2–6 menu attached.)

Students who purchase a 2025 Summer Dining Plan will receive 100% matching funds from Whitman College. (Flyer attached.)

Annual inspections of campus fire suppression systems will take place next week. Testing will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will proceed from building to building in the order listed below. Occupants may hear a brief beep of the fire alarm during testing. Testing on Monday, June 9, will include: Olin Hall, Jewett Hall, Maxey Hall and Penrose House. The remaining schedule will be published in Whitman Today on Monday.

Last month, graduating senior Henry Roller ’25 (left) received the Alex Frizzell Award for Youth Activism at the Idaho Conservation League’s Wild Idaho Conference. Roller received this award for his 3.5 years of leadership and volunteering with the nonprofit advocacy group Snake River Savers and 1.5 years of leading the Salmon Conservation Club at Whitman. Whitman alum and Idaho Conservation League’s Salmon and Energy Strategist Mitch Cutter ’17 (right) presented the award.

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Yoga

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

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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.

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