The 2021 Pete & Hedda Reid Service to Walla Walla Award
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Last week the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce and Whitman College presented Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Jim Russo with the 2021 Pete and Hedda Reid Service to Walla Walla Award.
Russo was recognized as a dedicated advocate for the health and well-being of the Walla Walla community for decades. He has been deeply involved in efforts to improve the nutrition of children attending Walla Walla Public Schools, serving as chair of the School Health Advisory Committee, and was instrumental in the development and implementation of the district’s nutrition and fitness standards that are in place today.
Recently, Russo’s biochemistry and public health expertise significantly contributed to the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign in Walla Walla, facilitating the use of Whitman’s own laboratory equipment in storing vaccine doses that would eventually reach thousands of people in the community. Russo also provided invaluable counsel as a member of Whitman’s COVID response team, promoting policies that prevented outbreaks among the campus community and led to greater health and safety in the Walla Walla Valley at large.
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This Week: External Review of Greek Life
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On Feb. 10 and 11, the Student Life Committee will bring three experts from other liberal arts colleges to interview and listen to the Whitman community about Greek Life, with special attention to safety, community engagement, academic excellence, inclusion and institutional support. After the reviewers have listened to constituents and toured our campus, they will issue a report with comments and recommendations for the Student Life Committee to consider.
Office open hours are available virtually for current students, faculty, staff and alumni; please take the opportunity to contribute your voice.
The office hours are as follows:
- Independent students: Thursday, Feb. 10, 4:45–5:30 p.m. - meeting link
- Faculty: Thursday, Feb. 10, 4–4:45 p.m. - meeting link
- Greek-affiliated students: Friday, Feb. 11, 3:30–4:30 p.m. - meeting link
- Alumni, Greek-affiliated or independent: Friday, Feb. 11, 1–2 p.m. - meeting link
- Staff: Friday, Feb. 11, 2:30–3:30 p.m. - meeting link
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Apply to be a Fall 2022 Opening Week Leader
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Opening Week Fall 2022 will bring a new version of New Student Orientation to campus. The Student Activities Office is looking for a team of returning students to assist with welcoming the Class of 2026 to campus.
If you're interested in being an Opening Week Leader (OWL) check out the full description and apply in Handshake.
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In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that over the weekend, two people with Whitman access were confirmed positive for COVID-19. These people are now in isolation in accordance with our campus and CDC guidelines. Though the likelihood of transmission is low due to our campus COVID-19 protocols, it is possible that others may have been exposed to COVID-19. There is nothing you need to do at this time aside from following our campus COVID-19 protocols. Anyone identified through the contact tracing process as a close contact (within 6 ft. for at least 15 minutes over 24 hours) will be personally notified.
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| 5 p.m. |
Gwynn Valley Camp Information & Recruitment Session
Lauren Rekhelman ’17 will share her journey from Whitman theater major to camp assistant director of staffing, provide insight on translating a camp experience to a career-ready resume, and share information about the available jobs and internships at Gwynn Valley for summer 2022.
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| 8 p.m. |
Open Kayak
Come to the pool to try out kayaking or practice and learn new skills if you’re already a paddler. Free. Equipment and instruction provided; just bring a swimsuit.
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| 8:30–10 a.m. |
Vaccine/Booster-Exempt Employee and Student COVID-19 Testing
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Have an event you'd like to share with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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“Whitman Today” is produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students. All times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time.
Submissions are welcome! If you have a professional or personal accomplishment to celebrate, an event to publicize or other content to share with the Whitman community, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions should be 125 words or less. The deadline for submissions is noon for the following day's newsletter, though submissions may be held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. By submitting to Whitman Today you also authorize use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.
Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.
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