Whitman Today
 

Friday, August 25, 2023

Welcome New Students

Photo (Lia Beatty): A side view of the Class of 2027 posing for a group photo.

This incoming class of 480—first-year and transfer students—was chosen from the largest pool in Whitman history, more than 6,200 applicants. 

At a welcome event for new students and their families, Adam Miller, Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid, addressed the incoming class, many of whom were recruited by his team. 

“Finding such a talented, diverse and engaging group of students is absolutely a team effort,” said Miller. “Each of you has earned your place at Whitman and we are honored to welcome you here.”

Miller shared more about how this incoming class will contribute to Whitman’s efforts to build an inclusive community for students from all backgrounds. 

“You are, by pretty much any measure, the most diverse class in Whitman history,” Miller said. 

Nearly 15% of the group are international students—from 45 countries and sovereign nations. Almost 40% of the U.S. students identify as students of color. Setting another school record, 115 members of the incoming class will be in the first-generation of their family to attend a four-year college. 

The West Coast has strong representation in the group, with 58% of the incoming class coming from Washington, California and Oregon. The next most represented states are Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado and Hawaii.

Read more.

Noteworthy

Local Alum Featured in New York Times Article

Local middle school teacher and Whitman alum Beth Clearman ’90 was interviewed in a New York Times article published yesterday. The article profiled the Walla Walla Public Schools district regarding a recently lifted temporary ban on students using generative AI chatbots.

Submit a Noteworthy Announcement

Announcements

Invitation to Convocation on Monday

Whitman College’s annual Convocation ceremony is a calling together of everyone on campus—students, faculty and staff—to mark the beginning of the next academic cycle, and to welcome the incoming class of first-year students into our community. Please join us for Convocation on Monday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. in Cordiner Hall.

 

Fall Athletic Facility Hours Start Next Week

Starting Monday, Aug. 28:
Baker Ferguson Fitness Center:

  • Monday–Friday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday–Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5–8 p.m.

Starting Tuesday, Aug. 29:
Harvey Pool:

  • Monday–Thursday: 7–9 a.m., Noon–1:30 p.m., 8–10 p.m.
  • Friday: 7–9 a.m., Noon–1:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 2–5 p.m.
  • Sunday: 2–5 p.m., 7–9 p.m.

Sherwood Athletic Center (main doors):

  • Monday–Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sherwood Athletic Center (lower level ramp door):

  • Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Bratton Tennis Center (open seven days per week):

  • Whitman community: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Non-Whitman patrons: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 

Whitman Wire Jobs Close Wednesday

The Whitman Wire student-run newspaper is currently hiring for all staff positions. Any student with an interest in writing, photography, illustration, copy editing, distribution, social media, podcasting or design should apply by Wednesday, Aug. 30. Email completed applications and any questions to Rachel Husband, Publisher, and Kasey Moulton, Editor-in-Chief, at wire@whitman.edu.

 

COVID-19 Protocol Clarification

To clarify one of our current protocols, employees who are symptomatic and are awaiting test results should stay home until a negative test result is confirmed. Once the employee receives a negative test result, they may return to work. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home for at least five days, based on the current isolation guidelines provided by the CDC.

Photo Finish

A large group of international students pose for a photo in an outdoor area of campus.

International Student Orientation began last week to allow more time for students to learn about Whitman, Walla Walla and the United States. 

Happening This Weekend

 

Friday

7:30–9:30 a.m.

Orientation: Breakfast

Cleveland Commons

9–10 a.m.

Whitman College Job Fair

Reid Campus Center

10:30 a.m.

Orientation: Consent Awareness, Bystander Intervention & Health Relationships

Cordiner Hall

Noon–1 p.m.

Orientation: Lunch

Cleveland Commons

Noon–6 p.m.

Orientation: OWL Extended Activities

Various Locations

5:30 p.m.

Whitman Men’s Soccer vs Blue Mountain Community College

Athletic Fields

6–6:50 p.m.

Orientation: Dinner

Cleveland Commons

7 p.m.

Orientation: Title IX & Security in the Residence Halls

Jewett Lounge and Lyman Lounge

8–11 p.m.

Orientation: Night @ Reid

Reid Campus Center

Saturday

10:30–11:50 a.m.

Orientation: Brunch

Cleveland Commons

11 a.m.

Whitman Women’s Soccer vs Alumnae

Athletic Fields

Noon

Orientation: DEIA Workshop (for Students Living in Jewett & Prentiss)

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

Noon

Orientation: Gender & Sexuality

Anderson Lounge and Lyman Lounge

1 p.m.

Whitman Men’s Soccer vs Alumni

Athletic Fields

2 p.m.

Orientation: OWL Group Meet-up 3

Ankeny Field

3 p.m.

Orientation: DEIA Workshop (for Students Living in Anderson & Lyman)

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

3 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Volleyball vs Alumnae

Sherwood Athletic Center

5–6:50 p.m.

Orientation: Dinner

Cleveland Commons

8–11 p.m.

Orientation: Glow-Up Courtyard Dance

Courtyard Between Anderson and Prentiss

Sunday

9–11 a.m.

Open Garden

Organic Garden (corner of Penrose and Pacific)

9 a.m.

Orientation: Dining @ Whitman Tour

Cleveland Commons

10:30–11:50 a.m.

Orientation: Brunch

Cleveland Commons

Noon

Orientation: OWL Group Meet-up 4

Ankeny Field

1 p.m.

Orientation: Gender & Sexuality

Jewett Lounge and Prentiss Lounge

3–4:50 p.m.

Orientation: Identity & Belonging Scavenger Hunt

Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room

5 p.m.

Orientation: Night @ The Fields

Athletic Fields (Shuttle from Reid Campus Center)

5 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Soccer vs Walla Walla Community College

Athletic Fields

7–9 p.m.

Returning Students Pool Party

Veterans Memorial Pool

7 p.m.

Orientation: Title IX & Security in the Residence Halls

Prentiss Lounge and Anderson Lounge

8:30 p.m.

Outdoor Movie: “Guardians of the Galaxy”

Reid Campus Center, Side Yard

Whitman Events Calendar

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.

Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.

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