Faculty and Staff Accomplishments
Final Broadcast

Christopher Petit, assistant professor of theatre, is spending his sabbatical working on "Final Broadcast," an original theater production which is the result of collaboration between Petit and the theater company "Umo Ensemble." "Final Broadcast" was conceived by Petit and David Godsey, created by the Umo Ensemble, and is being directed by Petit.

"The initial research for the project began in my Performance Ensemble class at Whitman," says Petit, "and it was further aided by an Abshire Grant." Dru Johnson '07 is featured in the production, which draws on the work of a myriad of writers, including Italo Calvino and Michael Ende.

The production utilizes stage clowns and traditions of absurdist theater to explore the question of whether "time" exists as a natural phenomenon or as a human construct. The project is being supported by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission and also a "King County 4 Culture Grant."

The story of "Final Broadcast" is rooted in the isolated world of a late night radio talk show host and a devoted listener. When the talk show host declares that time is an illusion, events are put in motion that propel him and his listener onto a powerful journey through the labyrinth of time's elusive nature. Traveling through surreal and strangely familiar worlds their quest for lost time brings them face to face with the most fundamental questions of human existence where they are forced to make a crucial and irreversible choice about their relationship with time.

The show can be seen Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave., Seattle, WA. For more information call (206) 388-0569.

WhitFit breaking records again this year

It's another record-breaking year for Whitman, according to Juli Dunn, head athletic trainer and administrator of WhitFit, the college's employee wellness program. Whitman is again faring well in the Governor's Health Bowl (see www.HealthiestState.org). Last year, WhitFit participants helped Whitman finish 4th in the Healthiest Business Challenge, and the college is on target to improve its record this year. The most recent Healthiest State Newsletter reported that "Whitman College has taken the lead in the College Division."

In fact, more faculty and staff members are enrolled in this fall's program than in any previous year, and alumni are starting to get into the act, due to the efforts of Heather Pitre '89. "The only element missing," says Dunn, "is participation by trustees and overseers." If anyone has ideas on how to get the message out to them and get them involved, let me know." Dunn can be reached at (509) 527-5911 or 527-5258 or at dunnjl@whitman.edu

Staff Profile: Douglas Carlsen
Bookstore Director

Name: Douglas Carlsen (Douglas, not Doug)

Job and officeDirector, Whitman College Bookstore

Birthplace: Coulee Dam, Washington

Education: Whitman College, 1974 – BA English.

Years at Whitman: 22 years this time, but was a part-time employee from 1974-1977 coaching soccer.

Favorite books: Oracle Night by Paul Auster; Bone People by Keri Hulme; Days between Stations by Steve Erickson; Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami; Scorch by A.D. Nauman; and Magnetic Fields by Ron Loewinsohn.

Favorite Films: "Closely Watched Trains" by Jiri Menzel; "Shop on Main Street" by Jan Kadar; pretty much anything by Akira Kurosawa; the "Apu Trilogy" by Satvajit Ray; "Bye Bye Brasil" by Carlos Diegues.

Favorite Music: Both Avo Part's and Henryk Gorecki's third symphonies; Flamenco, Irish and classic jazz; Leonard Cohen; Allison Kraus; Sam Phillips; and John Fahey.

Plays: "Sylvia" by A. R. Gurney; Ken Dietz's plays; "King Lear" by William Shakespeare.

Best travel experience: A toss-up between my honeymoon to Northern Italy, especially the Cinque Terra, and a visit to our friendship family student in Taiwan.

Interests/pleasures: Writing poetry and short stories; acting; reading; tea; watching film; photography; yoga; and working on our property.

Recent accomplishment: Began guitar lessons.

What people don't know about me: I was the first Whitman women's soccer coach and later played first division soccer for a season.

A day in the life/on the job: Trying to find a balance between the books and the "books" – between finding just the right title for a customer and managing the monies for the college.

Favorite aspect of Whitman: The energy and enthusiasm of the students.

What I've learned here: Water travels downhill.

Quote: What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy? – Mahatma Gandhi

Monday, Oct. 15
Lecture: Environmental Studies Talk: "Scorched Earth: Fire and Conservation History" will be presented by environmental journalist Rocky Barker, of the Idaho Statesman newspaper, at 4 p.m. in Olin 157. Free.

Tuesday, Oct. 16
Lecture: Assistant Professor of Philosophy Rebecca Hanrahan will present "The Problem with Zombies" at 7:30 p.m. in Olin 157. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Concert: Whitman College Music Department presents a Chamber Orchestra Concert directed by Lee Mills '09 at 5:30 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Reading: Visiting Writers Reading Series presents Carolyne Wright at 7 p.m. in Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Lecture: The annual William O. Douglas Lecture, "Uncle Aldo (Leopold): Learning to Learn about the Natural World," by acclaimed author William deBuys will be presented at 7 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Film: Whitman College French-Language Film Series presents "Les Amities Maléfiques/Poison Friends" at 7 p.m. in Olin Hall 130. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Lecture: Whitman College Career Center presents the Andjelkovic Endowed Lecture by Steven Reed '73, founder and head of the Infectious Disease and Research Institute, "A Non-profit Biotech Model for Global Health Solutions OR Developing Vaccine on a Shoestring," at 7 p.m. in Ballroom B, Reid Campus Center. Free.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Play: Harper Joy Theatre opens "Isn't It Romantic," a warm and funny comedy by Wendy Wasserstein, at 8 p.m. on the Alexander Stage. Tickets and information: 527-5180.

Thursday, Oct. 18
Lecture: Greg Jones, of Southern Oregon University, the world's leading expert on global warming and viticulture, presents "Climate Change: Observations, Projections and Potential Implications for Viticulture and Wine Production," at 8 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium. Free.

Friday, Oct. 19
Opera: Fridays@Four presents Scenes from "Cosi Fan Tutte," a sneak preview of HJT's December production, at 4 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music. Free.

Friday, Oct. 19
Concert: Whitman College Music Department presents a Sampler Concert with performances by the Whitman Chorale, Jazz Band, Symphony and Wind Ensemble at 7 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. Free.

Friday, Oct. 19
Film: Cinema Arts Series presents "An Unreasonable Man" at 7:30 in Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory. Free.

Friday, Oct. 19
Play: HJT presents "Isn't It Romantic" at 8 p.m. on the Alexander Stage. Tickets and information: 527-5180.

Saturday, Oct. 20
Recital: Whitman Music Department presents Shanna Cole's senior recital at 7:30 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music. Free.

Saturday, Oct. 20
Play: HJT presents "Isn't It Romantic" at 8 p.m. on the Alexander Stage. Tickets and information: 527-5180.

Sunday, Oct. 21
Film: CAS presents "An Unreasonable Man" at 7:30 p.m. in Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory. Free.

Sunday, Oct. 21
Play: HJT presents "Isn't It Romantic" at 2 p.m. on the Alexander State. Tickets and information: 527-5180.

The Fountain is published by the Office of Communications. Send news to Editor Lenel Parish at thefountain@whitman.edu. Photos are accepted. Submissions are due by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the following week's issue. Editorial Assistant: Marcy Manker ’10. Managing editor: Lana Brown. Director of Communications: Ruth Wardwell. Online: www.whitman.edu/fountain