Tuesday, November 23, 2021

A $1 million gift from Jeff and Liesl Wilke, parents of Taylor Wilke ’18 and Julia Wilke ’21, has funded the creation of the Wilke Family Computational Laboratory to bridge theoretical and experimental methods of study.

 

Whitman students enrolled in STEM courses for the Fall 2021 semester have access to a brand new, state-of-the-art facility designed for computational chemistry, a branch of chemistry that uses computer simulation to help solve complex problems. 

 

“The technology that powers computational chemistry is an integral part of a 21st century STEM education, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have the Wilke Family Computational Laboratory up and running on our campus,” says President Kathleen Murray.  

 

This high-tech, multipurpose space supercharges curricular innovation with the ability to visualize and manipulate molecules in 3D. 

 

“It’s exciting for students to observe what they have drawn on paper in a 3D space and rationalize their chemistry, gaining a whole new perspective about the stability or the reactivity of certain types of molecules,” says Associate Professor of Chemistry Dalia Biswas, who spearheaded the project with support from the chemistry and computer science departments, Whitman College Technology Services and the Physical Plant. 

 

Read more.

Winter Clothes Drive

From now through Monday, Dec. 6, you can donate new and used winter clothing in the collection boxes in Reid foyer and at the Glover Alston Center (GAC). The clothing will be distributed through the recently expanded student clothing closet at the GAC and the Walla Walla Alliance for the Homeless.

 

Types of items wanted:

• New or used cold weather jackets, boots and general winter clothing. (Used items should be clean and in good condition.)
• New gloves and socks.
• The Alliance is also in need of feminine hygiene products.

Benefits open enrollment is now open and ends on Friday, Dec. 3. You only need to take action if you are making any changes or want to enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA). Details of our benefits plan can be found in the Open Enrollment Guide and the Summary of Benefits and Coverage.

 

A virtual information sessions will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov 30 (Google link). If you are not able to attend but would like more information, check out our virtual presentation. To obtain enrollment forms through BambooHR or to receive more information, please contact hr@whitman.edu or call (509) 527-5172. 

Have an event you'd like to share 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 times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time. 

 

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