Whitman receives grant from George T. Welch Trust to expand local science fair, basketball clinics

Thanks in part to generous grants from the George T. Welch Trust, the second annual Whitman Science Fair will take place in early March, 2013, and will be open to all students in grades 6-12. Also, Whitman’s “Together We Can” leadership basketball camps and clinics will start this fall.

The George T. Welch Trust is a local trust supporting community initiatives, scholarships for Walla Walla area students and grants to help those in need meet medical costs. For decades, the trust has made these investments that improve the quality of life in the Valley. Whitman has been a long-time beneficiary of the generosity of the trust.

“We want all students, regardless of income or level of parental involvement, to be able to experience the excitement of hands-on science,” says Mary Burt, science outreach coordinator.

Eric Bridgeland, head men’s basketball couch, says he and his staff are proud to partner with local sponsors to provide basketball camps and clinics for local kids.

For more information about upcoming youth basketball camps and clinics, click HERE.

To read the full story, click HERE.

Call for proposals open for Innovation in Teaching and Learning Grants

This is the fifth year of the Innovation in Teaching and Learning grant program, and the call for proposals has been issued. These grants are intended to support projects during the 2013-2014 academic year. According to Timothy Kaufman-Osborn, provost and dean of the faculty, the three primarily goals of ITL grants are:

• To enhance the quality, while also expanding the range and accessibility, of learning experiences offered to Whitman students
• To provide faculty and staff with opportunities, dedicated resources, and/or release time to develop improvements in teaching, learning and advising
• To cultivate linkages among diverse elements of the academic program, curricular as well as co-curricular.

The deadline to submit proposals is Thursday, Nov. 1. For more information about ITL grants, click HERE

Call for nominations: 2013 Commencement Speaker

Staff and faculty are invited to submit nominations for this year’s Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient. The deadline to submit names of candidates for consideration is Friday, Sept. 28.

Honorary degrees are conferred by vote of the Board of Trustees, on recommendation of the faculty in recognition of the public service and achievements of the recipient. Submit nominations HERE.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Whitman top amongst Northwest schools

In its 2013 edition, U.S. News & World Report ranks Whitman No. 43 in the nation and top amongst Northwest schools. It also lists Whitman among colleges with the lowest average total indebtedness. The report has spotlighted Whitman as a “hands-on experience” and a college where students “stay involved with campus life.”

Staff changes and transitions

Effective Sept. 17 – Lisa Kushiyama is the new gift planning coordinator in the Development Office. Her responsibilities include the administration of the gift planning program, helping to settle estate gifts and assisting with marketing for the gift planning program. Kushiyama moved to Walla Walla with her husband, Casey, who is the new assistant women's basketball coach. She is also working part-time as the assistant women’s volleyball coach. Contact her at kushiylm@whitman.edu or x3004; her office is Memorial 215.

Faculty news brief

Katrina Roberts, Mina Schwabacher Professor in English and the Humanities, is among finalists for the poetry category of this year’s Washington State Book Award (formerly the Governor's Writers Awards). Each year, the Seattle Public Library’s Washington Center for the Book selects six outstanding books published by Washington authors. Roberts was recognized for her acclaimed book of poems, “Underdog” (University of Washington Press 2011).

Campus Events
All free unless otherwise noted

Monday, 9/17
Farewell to Chef Christian: Join the Bon Appetit staff in bidding a fond farewell to Master French Chef Christian Chemin as he leaves Whitman for a new assignment. 4-5:30 p.m., Baker Faculty Center.

Tuesday 9/18
Lecture: "Injustice at Every Turn: Findings from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey." A talk by visiting lecturer Jody Herman, manager of transgender research at the Williams Institute. 7 p.m. in Olin 157.

Thursday 9/20
Lecture: "Closets, Combat and Coming Out." A lecture by U.S. army veteran and activist Rob Smith, who will share his perspective as a gay soldier and person of color. His visit to campus marks the one-year anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. 7 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium.

Friday 9/21
Music: The Fridays at Four Recital Series presents "Love Through a Latin Lens," with Gary Hemenway, piano and vocals; Doug Scarborough, bass and vocals; and Glen Ayers, percussion. 4 p.m. in Kimball Theatre.

Friday 9/21
Art: Richard Martinez, assistant professor of art, presents an artist talk about his painting series "Dynamic Convergence." Noon in the Sheehan Gallery. For more information, click here.

Saturday 9/22 - Sunday 9/23
Theatre: The Instant Play Festival. HJT presents seven plays presented each day Saturday and Sunday. Students write, produce and perform 14 plays in in 48 hours. Tickets available Sept. 7. For more information, click here.

Tuesday 9/25
Retirement reception for Carol Harris: The Human Resources Department wishes a happy retirement to Carol Harris after 26 years of service to Whitman’s staff and faculty. 3 p.m. in Baker Faculty Center. Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday 9/25
Storyteller: Latina storyteller, performance artist, writer and teacher Olga Loya shares traditional tales from Latin America as well as stories from her own life growing up in East Los Angeles. 7 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium.

Thursday 9/27
Lecture: "In Plain Sight: Muslim Tibetans and Conceptualizations of Tibet." David Atwill ’89, associate professor of history and Asian studies at Pennsylvania State University, discusses his research on Tibetan Muslims. 7 p.m. in Olin 130.

Thursday 9/27
VWRS: The Visiting Writers Reading Series presents a reading by visiting educator, poet and editor Rob Schlegel. 7 p.m. in Kimball Theatre.

Friday 9/28
Music: The Fridays at Four Recital Series presents Three Strikes Jazz Quartet, with Jonas Myers, piano; Robby Seager, percussion; Max Bates, saxophone; and Caitlin Foster, bass. 4 p.m. in Kimball Theatre.

Saturday 9/29
Lecture: “The Impact of Global Environmental Challenges on U.S.-China Relations.” China expert and award-winning journalist Orville Schell explores China’s current environmental crisis and what it means for the U.S. and the rest of the world. 4 p.m. in Maxey Auditorium. For more information, click here.

Saturday 9/29
Music: The Music Department presents a faculty recital with Nathan Shiu, voice; and Melissa Loehnig, piano. 7:30 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall.

To see more campus events, click here

Athletic Events – Home Games

Women’s Volleyball
Friday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. vs. Willamette University (Sherwood Center)

Women’s Tennis
USTA/ITA Fall Regional Championships (Outdoor courts and Bratton Tennis Center)
Sept. 22-24; times to be announced.

Parting Shot
By Greg Lehman, photographer/communications officer

Several dozen students gathered on the South Lawn of Memorial last Tuesday to pay tribute to the victims of 9/11. Student photographer John Lee '16 was there to capture this shot. 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