Newsroom

Watson Fellow inspired by Adopt-a-Grandparent

May 13, 2018 Devin Reese '18, a biology and film and media studies major from San Francisco, is one of two Whitties to win the coveted Watson Fellowship this year (the other is race and ethnic studies major Zuhra Amini '18 from Seatac, Washington). His project centers on aging, a process he familiarized himself with during visits to Odd Fellows retirement home through Whitman's Adopt-a-Grandparent program. He plans to study how the elderly are cared for in societies around the world.

Sociologist Paula England '71 elected to National Academy of Sciences

May 1, 2018 A sociology and anthropology major at Whitman who is now a distinguished professor in New York University's sociology department, England earned the honor in recognition of her achievements in original research in her field. She focuses on gender inequality in the labor market, the family and sexuality. She joins the ranks of former NAS members such as Albert Einstein, Barbara McClintock, Margaret Mead, Thomas Edison, Orville Wright and Alexander Graham Bell.

Music professor honored for 37 years at Whitman

April 25, 2018 Catharine Gould Chism Chair of Music Susan Pickett retires this month after nearly four decades at Whitman. To recognize her many contributions to the college and community, Lecturer of Music Amy Dodds, along with fellow faculty members and friends, have organized a tribute concert featuring many of Pickett's former students and works by Marion Bauer and John David Earnest, among others.

Remembering congressman and broadcaster Al Swift '57

April 22, 2018 An eight-term Democratic congressman who represented Washington's 2nd Congressional District for 16 years, Swift sponsored what became the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, known as the "motor voter" bill for requiring that states allow citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver's license. He was an expert on telecommunications, energy and environmental policy, and earlier in his career won a regional Emmy for his work in television.

Adam Michel '12 appears on Heritage Foundation panel

April 17, 2018 A politics major at Whitman, the policy analyst earned his masters in economics from George Mason University, where he is currently pursuing his Ph.D. He focuses on tax policy and the federal budget with an emphasis on the economics of taxation and international tax competition. The panel consisted of scholars and attorneys debating the implications of a South Dakota law imposing sales tax on out-of-state internet businesses with no physical presence in the state. The Supreme Court heard oral argument on the constitutionality of the law in South Dakota v. Wayfair.

Walla Walla named No. 1 Small City Road Trip Destination

April 15, 2018 A college town known for its charming main street, rolling wheat fields and famous sweet onions, Walla Walla topped the list of 10 Best Small City Road Trip Destinations. The community was also recently crowned friendliest small town in America by Rand McNally and USA Today.

Reza Darvish '21 extols virtues of outdoor leadership

April 15, 2018 The pre-engineering major from Miami recently returned from a weeklong hiking trip in the Utah Canyonlands, where Whitman students learned wilderness skills, environmental ethics, risk management and more with the help of their instructor. He now hopes to secure an internship with AmeriCorps Conservation or the Bureau of Land Management.

Whitman geology professor presents at volcanic wines conference

April 9, 2018 Professor of Geology Kevin Pogue, a terroir expert, was part of the first annual International Volcanic Wines Conference on March 27 in New York City. Guests sampled wines from more than 50 wineries from 16 different volcanic wine regions.

Walla Walla in the national spotlight

April 6, 2018 Whitman's southeastern Washington home has been making a big name for itself, growing from a small wheat farming community at the foot of the Blue Mountains to a world class travel destination.

Whitman anthropologist on preserving Poland's primeval forest

March 25, 2018 Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Studies Eunice Blavascunas weighs in on large-scale logging operations in Białowieża, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest remaining part of an ancient forest that once stretched across much of Europe. Blavascunas has studied conservation politics in new nature preserves in Poland for more than 15 years.

Whitman admission director advises applicants

March 23, 2018 According to Adam Miller, Whitman's director of admission, "We want to see applicants demonstrate academic challenge, but also have rich and fulfilling lives outside of the classroom. Applicants should pursue things that grab their interest and attention. We call that 'passion.'"

Netflix acquires film by director Annie Howell '90

March 22, 2018 An English major, she attended New York University's film program, the Screenwriters Colony and IFP's Emerging Narrative, and teaches in the graduate film program at the City College of New York. She recently sold the rights to "Little Boxes" (2016). Her new film is "Claire in Motion."

Biochemist Charles Denby '05 brews hops-free beer

March 20, 2018 A biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology major at Whitman, Denby earned his doctorate in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley. His idea to brew beer without hops stemmed from his research on creating a sustainable fuel source from terpenes, plant molecules that can mimic the taste of hops. Hops are a resource-intensive crop, requiring large amounts of water and sunlight to grow.

Whitman math professor honored for advocacy

March 16, 2018 Professor of Mathematics Albert Schueller serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Walla Walla and Columbia counties. CASA volunteers work with children ages 12 and younger who have been removed from their homes due to safety or health concerns and make recommendations to the court based on their observations.

Andrew Schwartz '18 pens letter to the editor on Heidegger

March 12, 2018 The philosophy major argues that German thinker Martin Heidegger's ideas remain provocative despite his political affiliations. "If you want to understand what is going on when someone gives you bad vibes, or why that couch just doesn’t work in that corner, Heidegger might be able to help," he writes.

DREAMer Alejandro Fuentes Mena '13 commended on senate floor

March 7, 2018 U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D.-Ill.) shared the pscyhology major and Teach for America member's story as part of his ongoing advocacy on behalf of DACA recipients.

Emily Wigley '82 lobbies for fewer restrictions on food trucks

March 7, 2018 An art history major, she owns and operates the Orca Eats food truck on Vashon Island, and serves on the advisory board for the Washington Food Truck Association. The law Wigley helped pass allows food to be prepped, stored and cooked right in the food trucks rather than only in brick-and-mortar kitchens.

President Emeritus Tom Cronin on his new book

February 22, 2018 Tom Cronin, president of Whitman from 1993 to 2005, discusses his new book, Imagining a Great Republic: Political Novels and the Idea of America (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017), and the paradox of politics and power.

Whitman again named Fulbright top producer

February 18, 2018 Whitman is included on the list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2017-2018 Fulbright students recently announced by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the country's largest foreign exchange fellowship program.

Lee Mills '09 to feature in League of American Orchestras national conductor preview

February 15, 2018 The music major is one of six highly skilled conductors selected to participate in the League of American Orchestras 2018 Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview next month at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The two-day showcase is one of the most prestigious pathways for new talent.