Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Feature by: Division of Diversity and Inclusion

Photo: The theme for 2023 Freedom Songs was “Voices of Visionaries: The Revolution Begins.”

The fall semester began with two significant transitions in the Division and will end with two significant transitions.

At the end of the summer, we transitioned International Student and Scholar Services from the Division of Diversity and Inclusion over to Academic Affairs, where that unit merged with Off-Campus Studies as part of an effort to provide additional staffing and resources to support both areas. The fusion of the areas necessitated the relocation of the Director of International Student and Scholar Services from the Glover Alston Center (GAC) over to Memorial Building. This change created an opportunity for the second significant transition, which was the relocation of the Intercultural Center (IC) from Reid Campus Center over to the GAC. This shift provided the IC with more space for student and community engagement and programming, but also enabled the establishment of dedicated space for the emerging LGBTQIA+ Student Services area. 

The IC is continuing to provide student support, resources and inclusive programming to students, the Whitman community and the greater Walla Walla area this year. In addition to providing resources and support to a collection of affinity groups, the IC advised and sponsored this year’s Freedom Songs event. The IC is also working with the Power and Privilege Symposium executive team. Planning for the signature annual event is underway and the theme for this year’s symposium is “Unmasked.” 

In September, the IC launched Living Room Conversations. Every week a different social justice/DEIA topic explored by students who discussed, shared their experiences, and questioned their beliefs in a supportive, collaborative space. Some examples of topics discussed include “How to be Anti-Racist?”; “Beyond Black & White: Exploring Our Mixed Roots”; and the “Intersectionality between Faith and Identity.” In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the IC collaborated with the Whitman Events Board (WEB), LGBTQIA+ Student Services, and the local Walla Walla community on different events to recognize and honor the contributions of Hispanic Americans in history. 

Read more.

Three Whitman students recently received honors at the recent 32nd annual Murdock College Science Research Conference. The 2023 Poster Prize for Molecular and Cell Biology was awarded to Marharyta Tkachenka ’24 for a poster titled “Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of PIRL9 Expression in Arabidopsis thaliana: Insights from a Developmental Time Course.” The 2023 Poster Prize for Organic Chemistry was awarded to Shawn Vinogradsky ’24 and Andrew Harter ’24 for their poster titled “Exploring stereochemical aspects of proteasome inhibition by peptide epoxyketones.”

The Intercultural Center and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Center for Humanitarian Engagement at Walla Walla University will coordinate a Day of Celebration and Legacy Walk on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 15. Gather at Reid Campus Center at noon for light refreshments and poster making, then walk from Whitman College to Gesa Power House Theatre at 1:30 p.m. for a musical performance by recording artist Chris Pierce. (Flyer attached.)

The Counseling Center invites Whitman students to take the anonymous “Alcohol eCHECKUP” survey. Answer a few questions about your drinking habits and family history to receive personalized feedback based on comparisons to national and local college norms. Whitman students can access the survey any time and the survey can be completed multiple times. 

The Whitman Wire seeks feedback from the community through its annual readership survey. This survey collects basic demographic information, content of interest and recommendations for improvement. Personal information is not collected. Questions or concerns? Email Kasey Moulton ’24 and Rachel Husband ’24 at wire@whitman.edu.

The Staff Advisory Council (SAC) will hold elections to fill representative seats opening up at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. Council members typically serve three-year terms and meet every other week. If you are interested in serving on SAC (or other college committees), please fill out this Google form. Elections will be held in March. The mission of SAC is to advise the president of the college on behalf of the staff, to improve communication and to promote a respectful, civil and engaged staff experience. Questions? Email sac@whitman.edu.

Photo (Olivia Wood ’27): Last weekend, students performed a collection of dance-theater works titled “Two Truths and a Lie” at Harper Joy Theatre. Next up in the season is the Studio Series, featuring guest artists Drama Tops, Jasmine Mahmoud and Shannon Stewart.

9–11 a.m.

Final Exams

Noon

QConnect: LGBTQIA+ Discussion Group

Cleveland Commons, Lizzie Murr Conference Room

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Stretch & Strength

Sherwood Athletic Center

2–4 p.m.

Final Exams

3–5 p.m.

Open Office Hours: Off-Campus Studies

Memorial Building, Room 205

4 p.m.

Factbook Town Hall

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

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