Wednesday, March 29, 2023
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Feature by: Rachel Freeman-Cohen, Director of LGBTQIA+ Student Services
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Friday, March 31 is Trans Day of Visibility (or International Transgender Day of Visibility). Created by trans activist Rachel Crandall Crocker in 2010, the day is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the voices of trans, nonbinary and gender non-conforming individuals, while shifting the narrative to refocus the power in trans joy and resiliency.
Despite positively progressing social perceptions of the trans community, there is still much work to be done in fighting for basic human rights. In 2023, more than 400 pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation have been filed so far, with many targeting trans youth, access to gender-affirming healthcare, and criminalizing drag queens. Black and Brown trans women still experience higher rates of fatal violence, and the hypervisibility of the media demonizing trans individuals, encourages behavior that is discriminatory toward the community.
It is more important than ever to create space for the trans community to be seen and listened to through their authentic and diverse actual lived experiences. With positive trans representation and co-conspiratorial allyship, trans people can feel more comfortable and confident to live publicly and authentically as themselves. Empowering our trans students, educating the campus community about discrimination towards trans individuals, and supporting LGBTQ inclusion are some of the many ways in which we can engage in advocacy.
For more information, you can visit these websites for additional resources:
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Learn more about notable trans activists:
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Each day this week, LGBTQIA+ Student Services will host an event in celebration of Trans Week of Empowerment. (See calendar for details.)
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NiQo Bullock Featured in “39 Under 39”
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Associate Director of Student Activities NiQo Bullock was recently profiled in the 2023 “39 under 39” published by the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. In the article, Bullock talks about what drew him to Whitman and Walla Walla and about his passion for helping students to build connections and be more engaged on campus.
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Golf Teams See Success During Spring Break
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During spring break, the Whitman College men’s golf team won the Puget Sound Invitational in Tacoma, Washington. Leading the Blues was senior co-captain Tom Hoyne ’23 with a four over par total finish. Also during break, Katya Kurkoski ’25 and Cindy Luo ’26 from the Whitman College women’s golf team competed individually and both placed in the top five at the UPS Spring Invitational in Dupont, Washington.
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Student Engagement Survey Reminder
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First-year students and seniors received a final reminder email this week with an invitation to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Whitman participates in this nationwide survey of college students every three years and the results are an important way the college assesses the student experience. Search your inbox (and spam folder) for an email from “NSSE” (nsse@nssesurvey.org). Thank you!
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Neurodiversity in the Classroom Tomorrow
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Antonia Keithahn, Associate Director of Academic Resources, and Mary Raschko, Associate Dean for Faculty Development, will co-facilitate a professional development session for faculty and staff focused on teaching students with autism and other sensory needs, while introducing concepts that have wider relevance to other forms of neurodivergence. The session will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 in Memorial 331 (RSVP).
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Snake Venom and Snakebite Lecture Tomorrow
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Cara Smith, Ph.D., a snake venom expert from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, will deliver a lecture titled “The Worldwide Burden of Snakebite and the Next Generation of Envenomation Treatments” at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 in Brattain Auditorium in the Hall of Science.
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Senior Thesis Writers Bootcamp Friday
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Seniors, are you finishing your thesis right now? Do you need some devoted time and space for writing and rumination? Make your “whey” to the Center for Writing and Speaking (COWS) Thesis Bootcamp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 31 in Reid G02. Space is limited, so reserve your spot in advance.
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Inclusive Excellence Awards Nominations Due Friday
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The Division of Diversity and Inclusion is accepting nominations for the 2023 Inclusive Excellence Awards through Friday, March 31. The awards recognize staff, faculty and students who have made significant contributions to the advancement of inclusive excellence at Whitman in the last year through excellence in teaching, leadership and service.
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Show Your Appreciation for Alumni Volunteers
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Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 16–22. The Office of Alumni Relations would like to celebrate your alumni volunteers! Let us know about the good work alumni are doing to support your departments by filling out this quick form and Alumni Relations will send them a small token of gratitude. (Alumni volunteers are Whitman graduates who contribute time and talent in support of the college, while being compensated $599 or less annually.)
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In accordance with Washington State Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that since yesterday, four people with Whitman access were confirmed positive for COVID-19.
Please continue to follow all our campus COVID-19 protocols and if you have any symptoms that may be COVID-19 or know that you may have been exposed to coronavirus, please be tested.
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Strategic Planning Feedback Opportunity (Staff)
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Information Session: Perspectives on Climate Action and Sustainability
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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 produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students.
All submissions are welcome! If you have accomplishments to celebrate, an event to publicize or other content to share with the Whitman community, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions of 125 words or less are due by noon for the following day’s newsletter. 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.
Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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