“Now Is the Time” campaign launches in Seattle; you’re invited to WW launch Dec. 2

Following the successful, joyful public launch of the Now is the Time campaign in Seattle last Friday, all staff, faculty and students are invited to attend the Walla Walla launch, to be held Friday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. The event will highlight goals of the historic $150 million effort and show how continued investment in Whitman’s people and programs will prepare students for success in the 21st century.

“Whitman has a wonderful 130-year tradition of excellence in the liberal arts,” says John Stanton ’77, Whitman trustee and chair of the campaign, who announced in Seattle that $97 million had been raised to date. “But we cannot rest on our laurels. The college faces the challenges of keeping our curriculum and programs relevant, making a Whitman education accessible for those that qualify, and strengthening our financial foundation, which requires us to continue to invest.”

About 200 alumni, governing board members and friends of the college attended the gala event. It served as the public announcement of the campaign, which is aimed at three building blocks of top-quality liberal arts and sciences education: academic excellence, scholarship support and financial strength. Highlights of the evening included the screening of a video that brought to life the ideals and outcomes of a Whitman education and a performance by pianist Stephen Beus ’04. The video is available online now at the campaign site. See a photo gallery here.

Staff coffee with the president set for Nov. 30

All staff are invited to join President Bridges for coffee and conversation on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 8:30 a.m. in Olin 130. To support conservation and sustainability efforts, please bring your owncoffee mug.

Staff Profile: Dennis Hopwood
Director of Human Resources

• Birthplace: Hollywood, Calif.
• Education: M.S., higher education administration, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse; B.S., sociology, University of Idaho.
• Years at Whitman: Not yet! I arrived Nov. 7, and I’m delighted to be a part of Whitman.
• Favorite… (any or all)
  • Film: “Moonstruck”
  • Book: Virgil’s “The Aeneid”
  • Play: “The Mikado” (Gilbert & Sullivan)
• Favorite sculpture on campus: I’m looking forward to making that selection.
• Best travel experience: Paris and Italy (again, and again).
• Interests/pleasures: Hobby farming, nonprofit land trusts (land conservation).
• Recent accomplishment: Being appointed to this role at Whitman. I’m honored and humbled to have been selected to join one of the finest private liberal arts colleges in the country.
• What people don’t know about me: I’m a twin.
• A day in the life/on the job: I’ve spent a good deal of the first two weeks meeting with faculty and staff, gaining the value of their insights on what makes Whitman such a special place. I’ve found the sense of community, commitment, and collaboration at the college to be refreshing and encouraging. I hope to contribute to sustaining and furthering those cultural attributes, and I look forward to meeting more members of the Whitman community.
• Favorite aspect of Whitman: The passion for the liberal arts and the extraordinary level of academic excellence.
• What I’ve learned here: That as small and community-oriented as Whitman is, it still will take me some time to learn everyone’s name! But I’m working on it!
• Quote: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Martin Luther King

A Thanksgiving dessert recipe from Bon Appétit – Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie Bars

Again this year The Fountain brings you a Thanksgiving recipe suggestion. This year, it’s a dessert recommended by Heather Mansker, Bon Appétit pastry chef, who says it’s a favorite at Prentiss Dining Hall.

Crust:
1 ½ cups + 2 T all-purpose flour
½ cup + 1 T powdered sugar
¾ t salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ t vanilla

1. Mix all ingredients on low speed until smooth, do not over-mix.
2. Spread dough evenly in greased 9x13 pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or just until lightly golden.

Chocolate Pecan Topping:
6 eggs
1 ½ cups corn syrup
1 ½ cups sugar
½ t vanilla
2 cups chocolate chunks (use your favorite chocolate, dark, milk, white, etc.)
2 cups pecans (roughly chopped)
½ t cinnamon

1. Mix eggs, corn syrup, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until mixture is smooth.
2. Scatter chocolate chunks and pecans evenly over baked crust, then carefully pour egg mixture over crust.
3. Bake at 325-350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until bar only jiggles slightly in the middle.

Coming Events
All free unless otherwise noted

Wednesday, 11/30
Lecture: Frank Warren, creator of PostSecret, shares his extraordinary story and a few secrets. PostSecret is a growing collection of half a million anonymous, artistic confessions scribbled on postcards and mailed to Warren’s home. Staff and faculty may pick up their free tickets at the bookstore Nov. 28-30 with Whitman ID, as well as three tickets for family members. Q&A and book signing to follow. 7:30 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. Doors open at 7.

Thursday, 12/1
Music: Thirteen students perform in the Concerto Aria Competition with a variety of instruments. The winner(s) will go on to perform in the Whitman Orchestra Spring Concert in April. 7 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall.

Saturday, 12/3
Music: “Songs of Peace and Joy.” The music department presents the Chorale and Chamber Singers Fall Concert. Conducted by Jeremy Mims. Featuring Millia Loehnig and Jackie Wood, pianists. 7:30 in Cordiner Hall.

Sunday, 12/4
Music: Junior Violin Concert. By Katri Gilbert with Marla Nelson, piano. Featuring works by Handel, Sarasate, Bartok and Wieniawski. 3 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall.

Thursday, 12/8 to Sunday, 12/11
Theatre: “Bus Stop.” Harper Joy Theatre presents a romantic comedy by William Inge about the lives of people stranded in a small-town diner during a blizzard; performed on the Alexander Stage. Tickets available Nov.18; for more information click here.

Friday, 12/9 to Saturday, 12/10
Dance: “AIRPORT!!!” choreographed by Vicki Lloid, explores the meaning of waiting, confusion, boredom, intrigue and overheard conversations. This dance performance includes student works and performances by Whitman’s Irish dance group and the Whitman Dance Team. 8 p.m. in Cordiner Hall.

Parting Shot
By Greg Lehman, photographer/communications officer

A scene seen by generations of Whitties – Dr. Ball with his bike talking with a student, in this case Adriel Borshansky ’12. 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. Editor: Gillian Frew. Managing Editor: Ruth Wardwell. Online: www.whitman.edu/fountain