Tuesday, October 14, 2025

By ’Brielle Cunnison ’95

With their recent gift to establish the Serrurier Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL) Endowment, Greg and Nancy Serrurier (Parents ’11) are helping Whitman College launch an exciting new era in immersive learning. 

The endowment will also help create a role for a dedicated CETL specialist, who will work closely with faculty to grow this important work and develop courses and partnerships that make the most of local and regional opportunities to engage with big ideas and important issues. 

Provost and Dean of the Faculty Elisabeth Mermann-Jozwiak is pleased with this additional commitment to the faculty. “I am excited and immensely grateful for the support that faculty will receive for their work in and with the community,” she says. “The specialist will help Whitman expand the immersive educational experiences that are possible when students are confronted with real-world problems and take their learning outside of the classroom.”

Read more.

Human Resources is pleased to announce the release of Whitman College’s refreshed Relocation Policy for newly hired employees.

Whitman College is committed to building a talented, diverse and inclusive workforce. To support this commitment, the college offers assistance with reasonable and modest relocation expenses for employees moving to the greater Walla Walla region. This policy also reflects our dedication to responsible stewardship of resources.

The Relocation Policy outlines eligibility, allowable expenses and employee responsibilities, providing both employees and hiring managers with clear guidance throughout the relocation process. It also establishes a structured mechanism to track, monitor and manage relocation expenses.

The goal of this policy is to support new staff and faculty as they transition to the Whitman community. Eligible employees and hiring managers are encouraged to review and follow these guidelines.

Staff are invited to open drop in office hours with the Staff Advisory Council (SAC) on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 1–2 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Café. Come learn more about how SAC advocates for staff and share your ideas, questions or concerns. If you are unable to attend but have topics of interest or questions for SAC, please email sac@whitman.edu or fill out this anonymous form.

A Hispanic Heritage Month Open House celebration will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 6–9 p.m. at the Third Space Center. The entire Whitman community is invited to experience the Third Space Center as it is transformed and adorned with the colors, sounds and flavors of Hispanic culture, honoring the rich contributions and diverse traditions of Hispanic and Latinx communities. 

Sheehan Gallery and Maxey Museum will host “Considering Higher Ed and Activism: A Whitman Community Reading and Storytelling Event” on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in Olin Auditorium. The event will include readings from contributors to the current joint exhibition, “To Make Us Free: Witnessing Activism at Whitman and Beyond,” plus opportunities for discussion and refreshments.

The Hispanic Studies Department and the Film and Media Studies Department will host a screening of “Roll Modelz: A Chicano Lowrider Documentary Film” (view trailer) on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5–7 p.m. in Olin Auditorium. The screening will be followed by a discussion with filmmakers Oliver Rodriguez Dickson ’25 and Yahir Tzec-Carrasco ’25 as well as with representatives from two local car and bike clubs. (Flyer attached.)

Last month, the Career and Community Engagement Center celebrated the 81 Whitman students who participated in the Whitman Internship Grant program this past summer—gaining hands-on experience and exploring careers from startups to government agencies to local nonprofits. A total of 15 students pursued opportunities abroad and 66 did so across the United States. (Photo by Nadine Stecklein.)

Noon–1 p.m.

CCEC Pop-Up Career Coaching Table

Cleveland Commons, Patio

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: MELT

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 106

1–2 p.m.

Open Office Hours: Staff Advisory Council

Reid Campus Center, Café

3–4:30 p.m.

Moving Forward With Social Anxiety

Welty Health and Counseling Center

9–10 p.m.

Femme + Nonbinary Climb Night

Climbing Center

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.

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