Wednesday, October 22, 2025
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Researching the Economics of Traffic Safety
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For Assistant Professor of Economics Wisnu Sugiarto, efficient travel is about more than getting from here to there. It also means finding ways to avoid or prevent the dangers on our highways, byways and neighborhood roads that cost money and lives, an area where economics—with its focus on human behavior, decision-making and resources—can provide valuable insights.
“Transportation affects everyone—not just drivers, but also pedestrians. It’s a public health issue,” says Sugiarto, who is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Whitman College. In his research, Sugiarto uses applied microeconomics approaches to examine how individuals and public agencies allocate resources—be it on tires, wildlife crossings or traffic officers.
The stakes are high. Each deer struck on a highway, for instance, can cause $9,000 in vehicle damage and cleanup costs, Sugiarto says. The potential cost in life is even more concerning.
“On average in 2022, there were 116 [traffic-related] fatalities per day and over 6,500 injuries per day in the United States,” he says. “That means there’s one death every 12 minutes, and five people are injured every minute.”
Sugiarto hopes his research can provide insights that make the roads safer for everyone, from identifying localized traffic accident patterns to understanding the role of wildlife crossings in preventing crashes to the environmental impacts of chemicals used to manufacture tires.
Read the full story in the Fall 2025 issue of Whitman Magazine.
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All In for Whitman Begins Today
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Our annual All In for Whitman giving days are here! (See schedule.) Our goal for this signature fundraising event is 1,500 donors from across our community of alumni, students, parents, employees and friends.
Wednesday, Oct. 22:
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- Check out the progress of the campaign from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Cleveland Commons. If you find one of 10 ducks or one golden goose hidden around campus, bring it to Cleveland Commons to help direct which Whitman Fund should receive a donation.
- Cheer on the Blues as our Whitman men’s soccer team faces Whitworth at 5:30 p.m. at James Hayner Field. Free refreshments for the first 100 attendees.
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Amazon Hub Lockers Now Available at Cleveland Commons
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Students, faculty and staff can now pick up Amazon packages any time using the new Amazon Hub Lockers located at Cleveland Commons. The lockers offer 24/7 access and help reduce wait times at the campus post office. Select “Amazon Hub Locker – Honorio” as your delivery pick up location when placing an order. You’ll receive an email from Amazon once your package is ready.
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Campus Vaccination Clinic Today
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The Welty Health and Counseling Center is partnering with Safeway Pharmacy to bring flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to campus on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. Whitman students, staff and faculty will need to bring a copy of their insurance card and fill out a consent form in advance to receive a vaccination. Most health insurance plans, including Whitman employee health insurance, cover routine vaccines at 100%. Students without adequate insurance will receive vaccines at no additional cost.
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Campus Framework Planning Sessions Tomorrow
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Whitman College is developing a Campus Framework Plan to envision and strategize about the future of the physical landscape of our campus for the next 10–20 years. Two town hall meetings are scheduled on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. (for faculty) and 4 p.m. (for staff) in Olin Auditorium. These meetings are opportunities to hear directly from the project team and provide feedback. Additional sessions will be held in February.
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A Capella Concert on Saturday
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During Family Weekend, Whitman’s three a cappella groups will perform together at the annual SOS Speakeasy Concert, on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. Admission is by freewill donation to benefit SOS Health Services, a clinic that provides free healthcare to uninsured and underinsured patients in the Walla Walla Valley. (Flyer attached.)
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The Douglas Talent Show event at the beginning of the month provided an opportunity to make use of the newly renovated Douglas Hall Courtyard. This summer, the open air courtyard received a new ADA-compliant surrounding walk, patio pavers and drought tolerant vegetation. (Photo by Facilities Services.)
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Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114
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Hall of Science, Room 100
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Sherwood 114 or Reid Side Lawn (weather dependent)
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Cleveland Commons, Room 116
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Reid Campus Center, Lower Level
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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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.
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.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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