Former Governor Dan Evans visits campus, lunches with students

For former Washington State Governor and U.S. Senator Dan Evans, a decades-long political career was not a vocation. “It’s part of my life. It is the art of science and government, and I’m a full-time practitioner,” he told Whitman students who joined him for lunch in Maxey Hall on Friday.

Evans spoke in one of Professor of Politics Phil Brick’s classes during the day Thursday and to a campus and community audience on Thursday evening on the topic of “Where Have All the Moderates Gone?” “Dan Evans breaks political stereotypes,” said Bruce Magnusson, associate professor of politics and coordinator of Evans’ visit, which was supported by the Governor Arthur B. Langlie Fund for Northwest History, Politics and Public Service. “This experience makes a difference to these students.”

Evans shared entertaining and enlightening stories from his long career during lunch on Friday, drawing laughs and smiles from about 10 students in attendance. He also answered questions on subjects that ranged from energy alternatives to the role of the United States in the world. Evans’ visit was a huge boon for students, said Kramer Phillips ’08 after the lunch. “Both in terms of hearing him describe his experiences and the personal aspect of meeting him and networking,” Phillips said.

Former Washington state first lady Nancy Bell Evans ’54, vice chair of the Whitman College Board of Trustees, also was on campus for meetings on Thursday and Friday. For more on Evans’ meeting with students, see the Union Bulletin article.

Faces you should know:
Whitman’s security officers

pictured left to right: Terry Thompson, Craig McKinnon, Eric Heimbigner, John DeLaney, and Tim Wright.

Campus safety was among the topics of discussion at the recent Staff Breakfast, and one particular issue raised was that it would be helpful for campus community members to know Whitman’s security officers by face. Because some of the security officers work shifts when most faculty and staff are not on campus, chances to meet these colleagues in person are limited. The Office of Security web site includes photos of the security staff, also pictured above.

Whitman recognized in the media

Whitman’s students and programs, regularly noted in the media, were heralded by two noteworthy sources in October. “The Chronicle of Higher Education” listed Whitman as being among the colleges with the greatest number of Fulbright recipients. In Whitman’s category, only two other colleges in the country won more Fulbright scholarships last year. And the “Seattle Times,” in a series of articles aimed at students looking for the right college, heralded Whitman’s theater program as a special and unique program.

Need student input?
Try the panel

A new, panel of student volunteers has been assembled to provide input/feedback for student-focused communications, from printed materials and correspondence to Web pages. The panel self-selected, responding to an open invitation to all Whitman students. About 15 students have signed up, eager to help campus community members with details that can make your student outreach as effective as possible. To use this service, simple send an e-mail to studentpanel@lists.whitman.edu. Be as specific as you can in terms of the kind of input/feedback you’re looking for. And be sure to include a deadline. Questions? Contact Ruth Wardwell, director of communications – x5768 or wardwers@whitman.edu.

Faculty profile: Barry Balof
Assistant professor of Mathematics

Department: Mathematics
Birthplace: Champaign, Ill.
Education: B.A. from Colorado College, 1997 (classmate of Brooke Vick in Psychology), Ph.D. from Dartmouth, 2003
Years at Whitman: Five
Courses: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Introduction to Mathematical Thinking
Favorite books: “Godel, Escher, Bach” by Douglas Hofstadter; “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris; “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell
Favorite films: “Raising Arizona,” “Spellbound” (I was, and still am, a word nerd), “Good Will Hunting.”
Favorite sculpture on campus: “Rainbow Spiral.” It has a pattern using the Fibonacci Numbers, and I'm excited whenever I see mathematics in traditionally non-mathematical settings.
Best travel experience: Study Abroad in Budapest, Hungary, when I was an undergraduate, then returning eight years later with my wife (Claire Valente)
Interests/pleasures: Contract Bridge, crossword puzzles, running and other exercise
Recent accomplishment: Survived five days as single dad (for Mary Elizabeth, 3, and Daniel, 6 months) while my wife was at a conference.
What people don’t know about me: I grew up in a military family, so I've lived in some exotic places, including Anchorage, Alaska, and the Azores in Portugal.
Why I teach: I love seeing the moment of understanding in my students, when what was once a difficult problem suddenly snaps into focus and makes sense.
Favorite aspect of Whitman: That the students are both incredibly bright and well-adjusted socially. This combination makes for an ideal teaching and learning environment.
What I’ve learned here: The main key to successful education is for both students and professors to constantly challenge themselves.
Quote: “A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems.” (Paul Erdos)

All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

Monday, Nov. 5
Lecture: Kimball Lecture “The Universe of Love in The Golden Ass” by Keith Bradley of the University of Notre Dame. 7 p.m., Maxey Auditorium.

Monday, Nov. 5
Lecture: “Economics and Democracy: The Role of Economics in Balancing Individual Interest and the Public Good” by Richard B. Norgaard of the University of California at Berkeley. 7:30 p.m., Olin Hall 130.

Tuesday, Nov. 6
Lecture: “Emersonian Perfectionism” by Professor Tom Davis. 7:30 p.m., Olin Hall 157.

Wednesday, Nov. 7
Lecture: “Culture Wars and the Importance of Free Speech” by author Salman Rushdie. 7:30 p.m., Cordiner Hall.

Wednesday, Nov. 7
Play: HJT presents “The Ghost Sonata” at 8 p.m. on the Freimann Stage. Tickets and information: 527-5180.

Thursday, Nov. 8
Film: French-Language Films Series presents “Bamako.” 7 p.m., Olin Hall 130.

Thursday, Nov. 8
Reading: Visiting Writers Reading Series presents Kim Barnes. 7 p.m., Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory.

Thursday, Nov. 8
Play: HJT presents “The Ghost Sonata” at 8 p.m. on the Freimann Stage. Tickets and Information: 527-5180.

Thursday, Nov. 8
Conference Lecture and Panel Discussion: The “Global Change, Local Challenge” conference presents “The Energy Transition: Why Climate Change and Fossil Fuel Depletion Spell an End to the Hydrocarbon Era” by Richard Heinberg, author of “The Party’s Over” and “Power Down.” 7 p.m., Maxey Auditorium; panel discussion follows lecture.

Friday, Nov. 9
Concert: Fridays at Four presents Brass Quintet and Flute Choir Recital. 4 p.m., Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory.

Friday, Nov. 9
Film: CAS presents “Quinceañera.” 7:30 p.m., Kimball Theatre, Hunter Conservatory.

Friday, Nov. 9
Concert: The Whitman Jazz Ensemble will perform a Fall Concert conducted by David Glenn. 7:30 p.m., Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music.

Friday, Nov. 9
Play: HJT presents “The Ghost Sonata” at 8 p.m. on the Freimann Stage. Tickets and Information: 527-5180.

Saturday, Nov. 10
Play: HJT presents “The Ghost Sonata” at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the Freimann Stage. Tickets and Information: 527-5180.

Sunday, Nov. 11
Play: HJT presents “The Ghost Sonata” at 2 p.m. on the Freimann Stage. Tickets and Information: 527-5180.

Sunday, Nov. 11
Concert: The Whitman Symphony will present a Fall Concert conducted by Edward Dixon. 7:30 p.m., Cordiner Hall.

Sunday, Nov. 11
Film: CAS presents “Quinceañera.” 7:30 p.m., Kimball Theater, Hunter Conservatory.

Monday, Nov. 12
Concert: The Whitman Jazz Nonet will perform a Fall Concert conducted by David Glenn. 7:30 p.m., Chism Recital Hall, Hall of Music.

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