Through Student Engagement Center, Whitties to teach civil rights lessons

Through the Student Engagement Center and a partnership with the Walla Walla Public Schools and the Southern Poverty Law Center, the college is coordinating the Whitman Teaches the Movement initiative, which will enhance civil rights education for Walla Walla students in grades 2, 5, 7 and 11.

As students return to campus this week, a cohort of 100 will teach 45-minute lessons at the 10 local public schools. The lessons are age-appropriate and based on a curriculum developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, history teachers and organizations that specialize in teaching history. Teaching days are Jan. 19, 20, 23 and 24.

Noah Leavitt, assistant dean for student engagement, is managing Whitman’s involvement in the program and says this is “an extraordinary opportunity for Whitman students to address real world issues of non-discrimination, justice and citizenship in a way that enables them to serve and engage with our community.”

Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Mick Miller says collaborating with Whitman on this project allows the district to enhance learning opportunities and better utilize a valued and trusted community asset. “We chose to participate in the Whitman Teaches the Movement project because we wanted our students to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement, have strong role models in our classrooms, and to strengthen our ties to Whitman College,” Miller said.

Student lessons by grade level are:

• Second: Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins
• Fifth: Jackie Robinson
• Seventh: Women in the civil rights movement
• Eleventh: Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail

Staff changes and transitions

Effective Jan. 9 – Cristy Naber has joined the Development and College Relations team in Advancement Services as the data processing specialist. She is responsible for Millennium biographical and gift data processing, including handling address changes. Contact her at x5153 or nabercl@whitman.edu; her office is Memorial 111.

Banff Mountain Film Festival comes to town Jan. 24

Breath-taking scenery and heart-pounding action and adventure characterize the films of the Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour, which comes to Whitman Tuesday, Jan. 24 in Cordiner Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets for Whitman faculty/staff/ students are free with valid ID and available at the door. Annually the Whitman Outdoor Program hosts the film festival. For more information contact the Outdoor Program Rental Shop at x5965.

Coming Events
All free unless otherwise noted

Wednesday, 1/18
Panel: “Visions of the Future: Students Reflections on Civil Rights.” Whitman’s Black Student Union hosts a panel discussion on the Civil Rights Movement as part of the week-long celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Moderated by Nina Lerman, associate professor of history. Audience Q&A to follow. 7 p.m. in Jewett Main Lounge.

Thursday, 1/19
Lecture: “Reflections on the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King, Jr,” by civil rights leader Samuel B. McKinney. The pastor at Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church from 1958 to 1998, he was a friend of Martin Luther King Jr. and convinced King to speak in Seattle in 1961, King’s only visit to Seattle. McKinney marched in Washington D.C. in 1963 and in Selma and Montgomery in 1965. 7 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium.

Tuesday, 1/24
Film Festival: Banff Mountain Film Festival, featuring inspiring action, environmental, and adventure films, hosted by the Whitman Outdoor Program. Free ONLY with Whitman ID; get tickets at the door. Cordiner Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m.

Friday, 1/27
Music: Fridays at Four Recital Series Presents Music From Warmer Climates: Classical Guitar Music From Spain, Brazil, Paraguay, and Cuba with Dr. Paul Grove. 4 p.m., Kimball Theatre.

Saturday, 1/28
Special Event: Celebration of the Life of George Ball. Whitman and the Ball family are cohosting this tribute event. Read tributes HERE. Cordiner Hall, 2:30 p.m.

Save the Date

Feb. 8-12
Theatre: HJT One-Act Play Contest. Tickets available beginning Jan. 27; call x5180 for prices and information.

Click HERE for more campus event listings.

Athletic Events – Home Games

Swimming (Harvey Pool)
Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. vs. Pacific Lutheran
Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. vs. University of Puget Sound

Parting Shot
By Greg Lehman, photographer/communications officer

The Bratton Tennis Center was more lively than usual, as John Hein and the women’s tennis team hosted young people from the community for a week-long series of clinics. 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