A Spring To Remember: The Semester in Photos
Look back at the good times and memorable moments from Spring 2025 at Whitman College
Photography by Patrick Record and others as noted
It started with a blanket of snow over Ankeny and ended with first spring ducklings waddling their way around campus. In between, students found opportunities to showcase their scholarship, perspectives and talents; to learn from faculty, each other and renowned visitors to campus; and to make memories that will last a lifetime. Throw in a few heart-stopping national championships—and what do you have? An unforgettable spring semester on Whitman’s campus. Take a look back with us.
Ready for anything. Whitman students (from left) Marina Roberts ’27, Chloe Hunter ’27 and Ethan Klein ’25 kicked off the semester practicing patient assessment skills during a Wilderness First Responder course (SSRA-242) with NOLS Wilderness Medicine.
The legacy of liberation. In January, Gelic Jerona ’27 (left) and Benitha Tumukunde ’27 (right) made posters in Reid Campus Center before the 2025 Day of Celebration Legacy Walk in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
Snow day, let’s play. Whitman’s campus enjoyed an early February snowfall—and Whitties took full advantage for some chilly fun.
The creative mind at work. Art major Mario Salazar '25 worked on a project in his senior art studio in the Fouts Center for the Visual Arts.
Winning words. Whitman debaters (from left) Isabel Mathy ’25 and Alexa Grechishkin ’25 secured Whitman's first national parliamentary debate championship—a historic moment for the Debate and Forensics program. (Photo by Baker Weilert-Pekar.)
Reclaiming hope. In February, the 2025 Power & Privilege Symposium brought together Whitman students, faculty, staff and guests—like educational consultant Dr. Terrell Strayhorn (left) and photographer and activist Fatimah Hossaini (right)— for important conversations about structural oppression.
Gotta be Blue. The home crowd turned it up when Whitman played host to the 2025 Northwest Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Whitman takes the title! The Blues beat the George Fox Bruins to win the Northwest Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament on March 1 at the Sherwood Center. They capped off their amazing season by advancing to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships.
Under the surface. Students from Geophysics (GEO-310) performed a seismic survey in front of the Hall of Science. They were attempting to detect different layers of earth underneath Ankeny Field using a seismograph.
The stories that scare us. In Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Aarón Aguilar-Ramírez’s (left) First Year Seminar, Monsters and Monstrosity (GENS-176), students discussed how societies around the world create, fear and reinterpret monsters.
The world at Whitman. In April, International Night gave Whitman students from around the globe the opportunity to share their culture through food, performances, demonstrations and fashion. (Photo by Yahir Tzec ’25.)
Students and scholars. On April 15, Whitman College students and faculty came together for the 27th annual Whitman Undergraduate Conference—a celebration of the scholarship, critical thinking, self-driven exploration and creativity of Whitman students.
A moment in the sun. Students took a break from Undergraduate Conference to soak up some spring rays and good company.
It’s a ball! Does it get any better than a sunny spring afternoon on Ank?
Center stage. Whitman welcomed an exciting range of guest speakers to campus this spring, including poet and writer Javier Zamora (left), author of the memoir “Solito,” who spoke to an audience in Maxey Hall about his journey to the U.S. from El Salvador as a child.
Victory is doubly sweet. In April, Whitman again played host to a Northwest Conference Tournament—when both the men’s and women’s tennis teams earned the right to host on their home courts. Both teams won their titles and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships.
A vibrant tradition. This year’s Taste of Africa events hosted by the Whitman African Students Association showcased food, fashion, performance and storytelling to honor and celebrate Africa’s cultural richness. (Photo by Zhenheng Xu ’26.)
The cutest campus tour. The ducklings arrived and took their first steps around Whitman’s campus in April—to the delight of onlookers.
You’ve got a friend in me. In May, the Whitman Friends volunteer program hosted a carnival-style Friends Fun-anza event for local elementary schoolers and their mentors at Reid Campus Center
Wallapalooza returns. Students kicked off the first weekend in May with the annual live music and arts festival outside Reid Campus Center.
Celebrating native culture and community. On Saturday, May 3, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Whitman College celebrated the second annual Pášx̣apa Powwow at Sherwood Athletic Center.
Building together. In the week leading up to the Pášx̣apa Powwow, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation member Fred Hill Sr. led a tipi building demonstration on the lawn of Cordiner Hall. (Photo by Yahir Tzec ’25.)
Their moment to shine. At Whitman’s 139th Commencement on May 25, more than 415 graduates—one of Whitman’s largest classes ever—celebrated their journeys and received their degrees. Congratulations, Class of 2025! (Photos by Kim Fetrow ’96 of Kim Fetrow Photography.)