Thursday, June 29, 2023

The following is an excerpt from “True Chemistry” in the Spring 2023 issue of Whitman Magazine:

Aaron Lefohn ’97 chose Whitman College because it was academically selective—and it had a vibe he liked. At the time, he had no idea how much that decision would affect his life and inventive career path. 

“When I visited Whitman, the scene of people studying hard, playing Ultimate Frisbee on Ankeny, and enjoying Whitman’s outdoor rock climbing wall—it just seemed like a challenging and welcoming place for the next step in my life,” Lefohn says.

Today, Lefohn is Vice President of Graphics Research at NVIDIA, a technology company at the forefront of what he describes as accelerated computing. NVIDIA, founded 30 years ago, is a leader in 3D computer graphics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and other fields and products that rely on innovative and accelerated computing.

Read more.

Assistant Professor of Politics Andrea Sempértegui recently co-authored an article published in the journal Society & Natural Resources. The article, titled “Ontological Conflicts in the Plurinational State: The Case of Indigenous Resistance against the Mirador Mega-Mining Project in Ecuador,” centers on Indigenous resistance to the mega-mine Mirador in Ecuador. While mining occupation has displaced entire communities, Indigenous peoples continue to claim this territory as their own.

As a reminder, Whitman College offices will close at noon on Friday, June 30 for a discretionary half day and remain closed Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 in celebration of the Fourth of July holiday.

Cleveland Commons will be open for lunch service from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday but will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. (And don't forget, summer punch cards are back! )

Please note that annual fire alarm inspections will take place on campus throughout the summer. Testing will start at 8 a.m. and may continue for two to four hours. Next week, testing will occur in Bratton Tennis Center on Wednesday, July 5 and in Douglas Hall on Thursday, July 6.

Did you know that the Bon Appétit website includes more than just menus and hours? In addition to articles about food trends and healthy eating, they also share an occasional recipe—like this Very Zucchini Spice Bread recipe that uses a higher-than-average amount of zucchini to help you use any surplus you may end up with!

The Whitman College calendar is quiet this weekend. If you are looking for something to do in the community, explore the Visit Walla Walla calendar of events.

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

“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.

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