Whitman Today
 

Monday, March 30, 2026

Trans Day of Visibility Keynote Tomorrow

By the Division of Inclusive Excellence

In celebration of Trans Day of Visibility, the Division of Inclusive Excellence will host a keynote talk with author Aiden Thomas on Tuesday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m. in Reid Campus Center’s Young Ballroom. The talk will be followed by an opportunity for questions from the audience and a book signing. The event is free and open to the public. (Flyer attached.)

Thomas is celebrated for writing heartfelt, genre-blending young adult fantasy that centers queer and Latinx characters, uses immersive world building and celebrates chosen family. Their debut novel, “Cemetery Boys,” made history as the first book on the New York Times Bestseller List written by an openly transgender author and featuring a transgender character. It was also a finalist for the Lodestar Award, and was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.

portrait of Aiden Thomas wearing a purple t-shirt with a rainbow design

They have since authored multiple bestsellers, including “Lost in the Never Woods,” “The Sunbearer Trials” and its sequel “Celestial Monsters.”

Copies of “Cemetery Boys” will be available for purchase at the keynote event. A sequel, titled “Espíritu,” is set to be published in the fall. 

Thomas is a passionate advocate for trans and Latinx representation in literature, and has taught with organizations such as Tin House and Lambda Literary. 

Email any questions or accommodation requests to Interim Director of Identity and Belonging Shelby Hearn at hearns@whitman.edu.

Noteworthy

Physics Students To Present at Public Library

Students of the Physics 245: 20th Century Physics course, taught by Andrés Aragoneses, the Benjamin Brown Associate Professor of Physics, will deliver quick “elevator pitch” presentations at the Walla Walla Public Library this week. They will present on topics such as time dilation, quantum entanglement and Einstein’s paradoxes in an informal and engaging format. The presentations will take place on Wednesday, April 1, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, April 2, at 10:15 a.m. Both events are free and open to the public. (Flyer attached.)

Submit a Noteworthy Announcement

Announcements

President Bolton Holds Open Office Hours for Students Tomorrow

President Sarah Bolton will hold open office hours on Tuesday, March 31, from noon–1 p.m. in Reid Campus Center. Look for signage near the fish ladder sculpture. Throughout the semester, students can drop by these sessions to share their thoughts or just to chat.

 

Workshop for Faculty & Staff: Building an Inclusive Community

Dr. Sylvia Carey-Butler, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, will lead a workshop for faculty and staff on “Building an Inclusive Community” with two sessions on Wednesday, April 1, from 2–4 p.m. and on Thursday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to noon in Memorial Building, Room 331. Each identical session will explore strategies, practices and perspectives that foster belonging, equity and meaningful engagement across campus communities. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP in advance. Questions or need accommodations? Email diversity@whitman.edu.

 

Annual Award Nominations Due Friday

Nominations are open for several annual awards celebrating outstanding student leaders and student organizations. These awards recognize students who lead with integrity, clubs that create meaningful impact on campus and advisors who go above and beyond to support student success. Learn more about the awards that are available and submit your nominations online. The deadline for many of these award is Friday, April 3. All members of the Whitman community are welcome to submit a nomination.

 

Senior Commencement Speaker Applications Due Friday

The Class of 2026 is accepting applications from seniors interested in speaking for up to five minutes during the commencement ceremony as a representative of the class. Interested applicants should email an outline or first draft of their proposed speech to northajl@whitman.edu. Submissions are due by Friday, April 3. Selection will be based on the recommendations of the Class of 2026 Senior Committee and staff representatives from the offices of Student Life and Communications.

 

Community Fellow Applications Due Sunday

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026–2027 Community Fellow program sponsored by the Career and Community Engagement Center. Whitman students are paired with local organizations to work on a project that addresses some of the area’s social, economic and cultural challenges, and receive an educational stipend, mentoring and professional development guidance. Preference is given to juniors and seniors. Ten fellowships are currently available. View the full descriptions and apply on Handshake. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and are due by Sunday, April 5, at midnight. Questions? Email juhasza@whitman.edu or watersc@whitman.edu. (Flyer attached.)

 

Whitman Swimming Teams Offer Lessons in April

The Whitman swimming teams will host swim lessons for all age groups in two sessions, April 13–16 and April 20–23, at Harvey Pool. The cost is $80 per swimmer per week. Registration is due by the Friday before each week of lessons begins. (Flyer attached.)

Photo Finish

A yellow and blue illustrated background with the text “Diamond Report” and photos of Cody Miller and Stephen Gall

Whitman Athletics has launched the “Diamond Report” video podcast hosted by Whitman baseball broadcasters Stephen Gall (right) and Cody Miller (left). A recent episode includes an interview with former Blues player and current Assistant Baseball Coach Jack Bickerton ’25.

Happening This Week

 

Monday

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Pilates

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Tuesday

Noon–1 p.m.

President Bolton’s Open Office Hours for Students

Reid Campus Center

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Step Aerobics

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 106

5:30 p.m.

Classics Lecture: “Strike: Labor, Unions and Resistance in the Roman Empire”

Olin Auditorium

6:30–8:30 p.m.

Trans Day of Visibility Keynote & Book Signing: Aiden Thomas

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

7–8 p.m.

Don’t Eat the Wheat Club Meeting

Maxey Hall, Room 104

Wednesday

Noon–1 p.m.

Career Coaching Table

Cleveland Commons, Patio

Noon–1 p.m.

Information Session: Whitman Internship Grants

Reid Campus Center, Room 207

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Power Pump

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

2 p.m.

Physics Elevator Pitches

Walla Walla Public Library

2–4 p.m.

Workshop for Faculty & Staff: Building an Inclusive Community

Memorial Building, Room 331 (RSVP)

4:30–5:30 p.m.

Zfit

Sherwood 114 or Reid Side Lawn

6:30–9 p.m.

T-Shirt Making + Linocut Event

Reid Campus Center, Lower Level

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Thursday

10 a.m. to noon

Workshop for Faculty & Staff: Building an Inclusive Community

Memorial Building, Room 331 (RSVP)

10:15 a.m.

Physics Elevator Pitches

Walla Walla Public Library

Noon–1 p.m.

Career Coaching Table

Cleveland Commons, Patio

12:30–1:10 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Yoga

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

5–6 p.m.

Archaeology Hour Screening: “Dating Australia’s Oldest Rock Art”

Maxey Hall, Room 207

6 p.m.

Ecocinema Series Screening: “Under the Dome”

Olin Auditorium

6–7:15 p.m.

Workshop: Intro to African Dance

Dance Studio

6–9 p.m.

Women Adventure Film Tour

Hunter Conservatory, Kimball Theatre

7–9:30 p.m.

Concert: Suzie True + Love Brunch + Cassie Ramone

Reid Campus Center, Lower Level

7:30–8:30 p.m.

Rempel Lecture in Biology: “Nature’s Best Hope”

Cordiner Hall

Friday

TBD

Whitman Distance Track at Linfield Jenn Boyman Memorial Invitational

Away

11–11:30 a.m.

First Foods Talk

Cleveland Commons

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

First Foods Station

Cleveland Commons

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

1–2 p.m.

Counseling Group: Moving Forward With Social Anxiety

Welty Health and Counseling Center

2:30–4 p.m.

Classics Club Meeting

Baker Center

3:30–5 p.m.

Quarterlife & Chemistry: Prussian Blue Painting Workshop

Hall of Science, Room 242

4 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Lacrosse at George Fox University

Away

4–5 p.m.

Career Coaching Table

Reid Campus Center, Lobby

4–5 p.m.

Counseling Group: The Power of Purpose

Welty Health and Counseling Center, Wellnest

4–5:30 p.m.

Workshop: African Drumming & Percussion

Reid Campus Center, Side Lawn

5 p.m.

Whitman Baseball at Pacific University

Away

5–7 p.m.

First Foods Station

Cleveland Commons

6 p.m.

Gansango African Music & Dance Performance

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

6–10 p.m.

Outdoor Program Trip: Stargazing

Five Points

6:30–8 p.m.

Just Dance Revolution

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 114

Saturday

TBD

Whitman Men’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 1)

Away

TBD

Whitman Women’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 1)

Away

11 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Tennis at George Fox University

Away

11 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Tennis vs. George Fox University

Whitman Tennis Courts

Noon
and 3 p.m.

Whitman Baseball at Pacific University

Away

3 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Lacrosse at Pacific University

Away

7–9 p.m.

Whitman Events Board: Bowling Night

Stardust Lanes

Sunday

TBD

Whitman Men’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 2)

Away

TBD

Whitman Women’s Golf at Northwest Conference Spring Classic (Day 2)

Away

9 a.m. to noon

Outdoor Program Trip: Bike the Wheat Fields

Departing from Whitman College

11 a.m.

Whitman Men’s Tennis at Lewis & Clark College

Away

11 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Tennis vs. Lewis & Clark College

Whitman Tennis Courts

2:30–6 p.m.

Climbing Candy Egg Hunt

Climbing Center

Whitman Events Calendar

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.

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