Recap of staff coffee with the president

President Bridges opened last week’s staff coffee with a recap of the November trustee meeting, sharing that among key topics was a preliminary budget discussion in advance of the February meeting, at which time the 2010-11 budget will be adopted. Also discussed were plans for the Harper Joy Theater renovation and expansion.

He expressed thanks to staff in general and stated that the last year, between such challenges as the recession, budget issues, H1N1 and now ice storms, felt a bit like surviving the 10 plagues. In particular, the president acknowledged the HR group for managing the transition to a new health care benefit provider, facilities staff for battling the ice and snow, WCTS for their labor-intensive work to transition the campus to SQL, and the alumni relations staff for their success with reunions.

The president also discussed the visual identity effort that is under way. Its primary purpose is to unify the look of the symbols and colors that represent the college. Currently there are a variety of looks. The colleges to which we aspire all have a more unified look, which is particularly critical in fundraising efforts and external communications.

John Bogley ’85, vice president for development and college relations, addressed recent fundraising success and shared the words of a scholarship recipient, and also of a scholarship donor who said, “I want a recipient of this scholarship to change the world.” Fundraising priorities are to strengthen academics, support scholarships and grow the college’s endowment.

The news that gave the president the most joy to present is that the student who had been most critically injured – a brain injury – in the vehicle accident earlier this semester has shown substantial recovery and is speaking coherently.

Finally, President Bridges wished the campus community happy holidays.

Happy Holidays to all

The Fountain wants your party photos!

Did you take fun photos at the Winter Dessert and Dance Party? With your subjects’ permission, e-mail photos to thefountain@whitman.edu for inclusion in a photo gallery that will link from the Jan. 4 edition. Please submit photos by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23. Questions? Contact Ruth Wardwell, director of communications – x5768 or wardwers@whitman.edu.

Couple links campuses for event on human trafficking and to support shelter

For Amy and Greg Dodds coordinating an educational event to be hosted at Whitman College and Walla Walla University is as easy as conversation over the breakfast table.

The Dodds — Amy, adjunct assistant professor of music at Whitman, and Greg, an associate professor of history at WWU — are among community members coordinating a four-day event to raise both awareness about human trafficking in the United States and funds to support the new Walla Walla Helpline STEP Women’s Shelter.

“Shelter for Freedom” — to be held Jan. 14-18, 2010, on the two campuses — will feature special guests Anne Archer, Academy Award-nominated actress and founder of Artists for Human Rights (AFHR), and Michael Wisner, executive director of AFHR. Also in Walla Walla for the event will be Michael Cory Davis, an actor and the writer/director of the film “Cargo: Innocence Lost,” which will be screened at 5 p.m. on Jan. 16 at Cordiner Hall. It will be followed by a panel discussion with Archer and Davis, as well as local and regional experts on human trafficking in the Pacific Northwest.

Other events at Whitman include “Be Free: Humanity through Poetry and Music” at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Chism Recital Hall, followed by an art exhibit opening at Baker Faculty Center at 6 p.m. “Be Free” includes poetry readings, coordinated by Dan Lamberton of WWU, and music by women composers with an introduction by Susan Pickett, Catharine Gould Chism chair of music. Organizers also are coordinating with Whitman’s Intercultural Center to include Martin Luther King Jr. Day events on the schedule.

The film screening is free with student ID or $10 general admission. Tickets are available at the Whitman Bookstore. Most events, including the poetry/music event, are free. Donations for Helpline STEP Women’s Shelter will be accepted at all events and proceeds from all events benefit the shelter.

For the complete schedule of “Shelter for Freedom,” visit this link and watch future issues of The Fountain.

MLK Day events at Whitman will include community service projects, a volunteer fair, a panel discussion and the traditional march downtown. Watch The Fountain for details.

Three cheers for snow removal

Three cheers and bundles of thanks to the plant services crews – and their equipment – for clearing campus walkways during the recent storm.

Athletic Events – Home Games

Women’s Basketball
Wednesday, Dec. 30 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Trinity Western University (exhibition)

Basketball games take place in Sherwood Athletic Center on the George Ball Court.

Keep up to date with Whitman athletics scores, schedules and reports via the athletics Web site.

Parting Shot
By Greg Lehman, photographer/communications officer

Since I was a child I’ve thought “snow good, ice bad.” Let’s hope when we meet again in 2010 we’ll have lots of photogenic fluffy stuff and not a hint of hard slippery stuff! This is an icy view of the sculpture “Pirouette,” near the Hall of Music.  Full size.

The Fountain is published by the Office of Communications. Send news to thefountain@whitman.edu. Photos are accepted. Submissions are due by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the following week's issue. Director of Communications: Ruth Wardwell. Online: www.whitman.edu/fountain