Campus News
Withycombe named a Professor of the Year
“Everyone who teaches has to begin with the assumption that they have the ability to change lives. I’m just fortunate to have a whole lot of successful former students who confirm I’ve been able to do that,” said Bob Withycombe, professor of rhetoric and film studies.
How high is that waterfall?
On Aug. 18, 2009, at 5 a.m., six bleary-eyed Whitman geology majors piled into a van and set off to Palouse Falls. Our mission: to measure the exact height of the falls. This height has been estimated at somewhere between 175 and 200 feet but has never been definitively determined.
“Core” and more
The course formerly known as “Antiquity and Modernity” — often referred to as “Core” — is now “Encounters.” With the new name comes new genres and added depth in the syllabus.
Symposium explores sociology from academic, practical angles
Jacqueline Kamm ’10 is fascinated by the study of sociology, particularly the investigation of social problems and inequalities. But there’s a problematic paradox in this field.
Pete and Hedda Reid Service Award
Peter Harvey ’84, Whitman treasurer and chief financial officer, was honored at the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce banquet in November with Whitman’s Pete and Hedda Reid Service to Walla Walla Award, formerly called the Town-Gown Award.
Negotiating a nonconventional niche
For 30 years, researchers had seen a pattern: More gay men than lesbian women attended traditional religious congregations. Melissa Wilcox, associate professor of religion and director of the gender studies program at Whitman, had studied this pattern, but felt the wrong questions were being asked.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you to all who participated in the online readership survey! Here's a sampling of what we learned.
Waste and opportunity
Camila Thorndike '10 writes, “In one of the poorest parts of our country, I discovered a largely untapped wealth of resources to fight climate change: the renewable energy of youth.”
“Where do you fit in this world, between heaven and earth? How do you reconcile the competing obligations?” Such were the potent questions that John D. Cotts, associate professor of history, formulated as he studied the letters of 12th century French cleric Peter of Blois.
Sherwood main court renamed to honor Dr. Ball
While the facility took center stage at the rededication of Sherwood Athletic Center in November, it was George Ball, Weyerhaeuser professor emeritus of biblical literature, who received heartfelt accolades for his devotion to Whitman athletics and athletes.
New coach takes helm of baseball team
Jared Holowaty, an assistant coach at the University of Maine for the past four years, is the new head baseball coach at Whitman.
Soccer player earns Academic All-America honors
Corina Gabbert ’10 has been voted to ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-American Second Team.
Whitman cross country women place 25th at NCAA Division III championships
Yasmeen Colis ’10 and Sara McCune ’10 led the women’s team to a 25th place finish at the NCAA Division III National Cross Country Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, in November.
Whitman scoreboard
Fall athletics highlights.
Cross country coach chairs NCAA Rules committee
Malcolm Dunn, head men’s and women’s cross country coach, was named chair of the NCAA Rules Committee for Track and Field and Cross Country this summer. The committee oversees the rules updates, adoptions and interpretations for all three NCAA divisions.