Innovation in Teaching and Learning grant recipients announced

Studying the history and ethnobiology of the silk roads of Asia, programming with robots and researching a United States/Syria theater exchange are a few of the experiences that will be offered to students next year thanks to the college’s Support for Innovation in Teaching and Learning initiative.

Fourteen faculty and staff members have been awarded funds for nine projects designed to expand the quality, range and accessibility of learning for Whitman students. The program was administered by the Office of the Provost and Dean of the faculty; a committee selected nine applications for funding, based on their ability to make major transformations in students’ learning experiences.

The grants went to: Phil Brick, politics, for “Kinetic Media and Integrative Learning on Semester in the West”; Cynthia Croot, theatre, for “U.S./Syria Theatre Exchange”; Heidi Dobson, biology, and Brian Dott, history, for “History and Ethnobiology of the Silk Roads”; Frank Dunnivant, chemistry, “Redesigning CHEM361 and Creating CHEM 420”; Sarah Hurlburt, French, and Mike Osterman, technology services, “Interactive Timeline Tool for the Sakai Learning Environment”; Kari Norgaard, sociology and environmental studies, “Klamath Field Study Program”; Jason Pribilsky ’93 and Suzanne Morrissey, anthropology, “Anthropology and Latin American Studies”; Albert Schueller, mathematics, “Programming with Robots”: and Ginger Withers, Chris Wallace and Dan Vernon, biology and BBMB, “Building New Science Courses and Labs Around Discovery; Integrated Inquiry-based Instructional Unites and ‘Clabinar’ Courses.”

For more information, see 2007-2008 Grant Recipients.

Access instructions for “away messages” here

Since the college will be closed Dec. 24–Jan. 2, it is advised to leave “away messages” that inform callers/e-mailers about the closure on your voice mail and e-mail. In case you need reminders about how to do this, the information is a click away: Instructions for voice mail Instructions for e-mail

Symposium on Diversity and Community: “Unfolding Identities”

“Unfolding Identities,” Whitman’s second Symposium on Diversity and Community, is set for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21, 2008, and will be similar in format to last year’s symposium.

President Bridges will welcome members of the Whitman and Walla Walla communities to the plenary session, which runs from 10 a.m. to noon. This open-to-the-public event will feature presentations by Whitman students, faculty and staff, and Whitman’s Chamber singers will perform.

The afternoon schedule, which is for Whitman community members only, will offer more than a dozen workshops by professors, students and staff on topics that include “Dialogues on Racial and Class Stereotypes,” “The Whitman Missionary Identity” and “Under-represented Groups in Science.”

The traditional Martin Luther King Day March will be followed at 7 p.m. with a lecture by Patricia Williams, law professor and author of the monthly “Diary of a Mad Law Professor” for Nation magazine. She will discuss “Seeing a Color Blind Future,” and her talk will be followed by a performance of the Whitman Jazz Combo. Free tickets will be available at Reid Campus Center and at the door. For more information, see the symposium Web site.

blue moon

For the second straight year, Whitman College’s annual student-run art and literary magazine, blue moon, has been awarded the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Medal. The recognition comes after judges critiqued blue moon’s 20th volume, which was published last May.

“This award really recognizes the tenacity, vision and innovation that last year’s staff brought to the magazine,” said editor-in-chief Kate Rosenberg ’08.

Published every spring, blue moon features the visual art, poetry and prose of members of the Whitman community, including students, faculty, staff and alumni. It is entirely student-run.

“This gold medal designation further demonstrates what people familiar with blue moon already know: It’s a top-notch art and literary magazine, among the best of its kind in the country, with excellent literary and visual content, a clear crisp design and stellar organization,” said Scott Elliot, assistant professor of English and blue moon’s academic adviser.

A press release announcing the award was posted on the Annapolis Group’s media Web site. Check the site out; Whitman news will be featured there often in the coming months. The 21st volume of blue moon will be published in May 2008. For more information, including submissions, visit the blue moon Web site.

– Mark Prentice ’08

William Gates Sr. to present 2008 Commencement Address

William Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, retired attorney and father of the famous entrepreneur, will present the 2008 Whitman College Commencement Address on Sunday, May 18, 2008.

President George Bridges, in making the announcement, cited Gates’ lifelong commitment to public service, his visionary leadership of the Gates Foundation, and his longstanding passion for improving the living conditions of the poor as inspirational and particularly fitting for Whitman’s Commencement address. “I cannot think of a better person to address and advise our graduates,” he said.

Gates Sr., a retired attorney who co-founded the Seattle law firm now known as Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, earned his law degree at the University of Washington, where he now serves on the Board of Regents. He is an advocate for numerous causes, which include improving education and reducing homelessness.

Staff Profile: Travis Congleton
Publications Designer

• Office: Memorial Building room 315
• Birthplace: Thousand Oaks, Calif.
• Education: I graduated Columbia Adventist Academy in Battle Ground, Wash., and then continued my education at Walla Walla College (now University) where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design.
• Years at Whitman: Two.
• Favorite book/film/music/play/art/etc: My favorite author is Hermann Hesse.
• Favorite sculpture on campus: Balancing Act
• Best travel experience: Visiting Boston for Thanksgiving. I hope to travel to Italy or Japan someday.
• Interests/pleasures: I’m addicted to viewing and creating almost all forms of art, including photography, paintings, poetry, drawings, etc., and enjoy reading while drinking a good mug of coffee.
• Recent accomplishment: I feel a sense of accomplishment whenever a large layout job is finished (50-Year Plus newsletter, student handbook, student planner, etc.)
• What people don’t know about me: The first CD I ever purchased was by the Spice Girls.
• A day in the life/on the job: Basically, my day is spent staring at a computer screen, although I do get the opportunity to meet with campus clients to brainstorm about their projects and to help meet their design and production needs. I try to bring fresh design concepts to all my projects, whether it’s the Whitman Undergraduate Conference program cover, a poster or a brochure. I also help out in the printing room at Boyer House when needed.
• Favorite aspect of Whitman: Having an office in the Memorial Building, I get to look out and see the beautiful campus, making it much easier to spend the rest of the time on the computer.
• What I’ve learned here: It’s important to follow your dreams and strive to improve yourself.
• Quote: “Love isn’t there to make us happy. I believe it exists to show us how much we can endure.” – Hermann Hesse

Healthy holidays to you

Most holiday revelers likely have been duly warned by magazine and newspaper headlines of the season’s inevitable and potentially deadly side effect: the dreaded two-pound weight gain. However, for those who refuse to accept this fate, Juli Dunn, associate professor of sport studies, head athletics trainer and WhitFit coordinator, offers a few tips for staying in shape for the holidays or any time:

• Don’t eat after 7 p.m.; brushing your teeth at this hour can help you remember.
• Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large ones (or one or two humongous ones).
• If you find yourself staring at yet another rerun of “It’s a Wonderful Life” or a marathon sports offering, alternate between doing pushups and crunches at each commercial break.
• If traveling, ask your host to take you as a guest to the local fitness center. If driving, stop periodically to get some exercise and take along healthy snacks. If flying, walk or sprint through the terminals instead of taking shuttles or people movers.

Coincidentally, registration for the Fifth Great Fitness Challenge at Whitman will start shortly after the winter break. The challenge will officially kick off on Jan. 22, 2008, and run through March 7.

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