Former Blues Baseball Pitcher Goes Pro
|
Whitman College baseball alum Julien Hernandez ’24 is taking the next step in his playing career, signing a professional contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Hernandez becomes the latest Blues standout to reach the professional ranks, turning years of development at Whitman and at other stops into an opportunity at the next level.
“Julien’s workmanship and drive to be the best that he can be has been tremendous from day one of his college career,” says Whitman Head Baseball Coach Brian Kitamura. “He has truly earned this opportunity to play professionally and I could not be happier for him and his family. The Diamondbacks are getting a great pitcher and an ultimate competitor.”
Hernandez will join the D-Backs’ Single-A affiliate, the Visalia Rawhide.
Prior to his signing, Hernandez had been pitching for The Long Beach Coast of the Pioneer Baseball League where has spent the previous two seasons. The signing was the first ever for the team and third in Whitman history.
The hard-throwing right-hander exited Whitman as one of the finest pitchers to run through the program. He was named the Northwest Conference’s Pitcher of the Year in 2023 and 2024 and earned multiple all-region honors.
Before joining the Coast, Hernandez spent the 2025 season with another Pioneer Baseball League team in the Idaho Falls Chukars. He played collegiate baseball at Whitman and the University of Oregon. Hernandez has made 13 appearances for the Coast so far this season, sporting an impressive 2.89 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. In 18 2/3 innings, he had 28 strikeouts, including 10 of which came in a pair of five-strikeout appearances in relief.
|
|
|
|
Technology Services Staff Member To Serve as Vice Chair of Computing Society Executive Committee
|
Director of Client Services Robert Fricke has been elected as Vice Chair of the ACM SIGUCCS Executive Committee for a three-year term beginning in July. ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society. SIGUCCS, the Special Interest Group on University and College Computing Services, is a community of professionals who provide technology services in higher education institutions. Fricke’s duties will include being a liaison to the annual ACM SIGUCCS conference committee, the point of contact for conference management, and the lead for establishing and retaining relationships with conference exhibitors.
|
Faculty Member Joins Young Scholars in American Religion Cohort
|
Assistant Professor of Religion Ralph H. Craig III has been selected to join the 2026–2028 cohort of Young Scholars in American Religion. This program of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis recognizes a commitment to excellence in research, teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration, and seeks to support the next generation of college and university teachers and scholars in American religion.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Discover Whitman Days
|
This summer, the Office of Admission will host two Discover Whitman Day events for prospective students and their guests on Friday, July 10, and Friday, Aug. 7. Wear your Whitman gear and help us welcome visitors to campus with a friendly smile or greeting.
|
Over the past several years, college staff noticed the development of a sinkhole at the small triangle park-like area west of the Technology Services building. During excavation work to investigate the cause of the sinkhole, extensive debris was identified. The debris consisted mostly of metal, tires, large wood pieces, car wash brushes, car wash scrubbers, multiple old air filtration units, and other unidentifiable materials. These items were most likely elements of an old (i.e., 1970s-era) car wash that were improperly disposed of and simply buried. As demolition practices and environmental reviews at that time were not what they currently are, it is not surprising that the college discovered two environmental contaminants at the site.
The two contaminants were benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which were found at concentrations in excess of State of Washington Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) standards but not at levels that would pose a threat to humans living near, working near or walking on the site. Additionally, the college has confirmed that these two contaminants have never invaded the water table at the site.
The college does not want any materials on its campus that are not within state MTCA limits. Once final test results confirm that there are no more contaminants around the hole’s perimeter and bottom, contractors will fill the hole with certified clean soil, compact it to an appropriate degree, repair or reconstruct adjacent irrigation systems, and then install replacement sod and seed by the end of July.
|
|
|
|
This summer, the Office of Global Programs is organizing weekly events for members of the Whitman community who remain on campus. (See more photos on Instagram.) These events are open to all students, staff, faculty and family members. Don’t miss out! Add the events to your Google calendar or watch for announcements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harvey Hall, Stegner Hall
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indoor Soccer: Futsal Game
|
Sherwood Athletic Center, Multipurpose Gym
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reid Campus Center, Basement
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stegner Hall, Robart Hall
|
|
|
|
|
|
Penrose Library, Room 313
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indoor Soccer: Futsal Game
|
Sherwood Athletic Center, Multipurpose Gym
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stanton Sports: Sand Volleyball, Lawn Games
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Space Center, Facilities Services, Edwards-Moore Clubhouse
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
