FALL 2026
Whitman Magazine
Curiosity and care: two qualities that set Whitties apart as they launch challenging and innovative careers around the world after graduation. In this issue of Whitman Magazine, you’ll meet Whitties—working in science, research, advocacy, health, technology and other careers—who are making our world and communities better.
Cover Story
Totally Immersed: Young Alums Plunge Into the Depths of Marine Science & Advocacy
Meet the ocean explorers. From the icy waters of Antarctica to the ocean’s “twilight zone,” these Whitman College graduates are diving into meaningful careers in the great blue.
Feature Stories
Enjoy highlights from this issue of Whitman Magazine.
A Lifesaving Purpose for a Whittie Innovator
How do you know your medication is the real thing? It’s a challenge health tech entrepreneur Ashifi Gogo ’05 set out to solve in countries where pharmaceutical counterfeiting is common. Today his tech tools are helping people around the world access safer medicines and better healthcare.
Charting a Path to Med School & Beyond at Whitman
Whitman College surrounds pre-med and pre-health students like Marika Cartier ’26 with a supportive system of personalized advising, immersive learning opportunities and peer support as they prepare to launch their healthcare careers.
Linked for Life: How Three Whitman Students Saved a Beloved Professor
When Professor Emeritus Pat Keef collapsed at Whitman College’s fitness center, three students sprang into action. Their quick response and CPR training saved his life. Now, they are advocating for accessible medical training on campus to ensure that others are ready to respond when every second matters.
More Than Medicine: Meet Whitman’s New Professor of Public Health
For Jennifer Kue, understanding communities is key to improving health equity and outcomes—a perspective she looks forward to exploring with students as she helps launch Whitman’s new Public Health program.
Student Spotlight: Sol Tran ’27 Puts Finance to Work for the Global Good
Can studying Economics and Math make the world a better place? Sol Tran ’27 thinks so—and she’s exploring the possibilities from Walla Walla to Nepal to Washington, D.C.
Feeding Walla Walla: Whitman Students Turn Service Into Impact
Whitman College students fight food insecurity in Walla Walla through hands-on service, like gleaning at local farms and supporting food access programs. Explore how Whitman connects community engagement, sustainability and real-world impact to student learning and leadership.
Blues Score Big on Leadership
Whitman’s student-athletes develop leadership skills that continue to pay off long after the game is over. Head Coaches Matt Helm and Michelle Voiland shared their insights into how they turn teammates into lifelong leaders.
Designing a Life: Insights From a Whittie Web Designer
After a career that has spanned art direction, marketing and UX design, Anna Dawson ’13 launched her own website design studio in 2024 from her home in Madrid, Spain. Here she shares how her journey to entrepreneurship evolved and tips for crafting a creative career.
More to the Story
Read bonus content highlighted in this issue of Whitman Magazine.
Newly Discovered Deep-Sea Fish Named in Honor of Whitman Professor
A team of researchers who recently discovered a new species of deep-sea snailfish have named it Careproctus yanceyi in honor of retired Whitman College professor Paul Yancey, recognizing his lasting impact on marine biology.
Whitties Making a Difference in Public Health
Around the globe and in their communities, Whitman College graduates have been making valuable contributions to the field of public health for decades. As Whitman launches a new Public Health program, meet a few of the Whitties making the world healthier.
A Home for the Arts at Whitman
Take a student-led virtual tour of the Fouts Center for Visual Arts with Art major Joey Biehl ’26—and discover a place where creativity and exploration thrive.
On Boyer Avenue
What’s happening on campus—community and college news.
Three Whitman Seniors Named 2026 Watson Fellows
Three Whitman College seniors—Riley Cooper, Maryanne Ndung’u and Darta Sipola—have been named 2026 Watson Fellows, earning prestigious national grants to pursue independent global research projects after graduation.
Whitman & Community Partners To Co-Create Learning Experiences That Center Indigeneity, Immigration & Incarceration
A $1.5 million Humanities for All Times grant from the Mellon Foundation will create opportunities for students to learn from diverse communities in the Walla Walla Valley and understand how studying the humanities can fuel real-world change.
![[Alt] Portraits of Bassett Fellows Ruth Iiyambo (left) and Ishaan Swami (right).](/images/whitman-stories/stories/2026/June/Bassett-tn-750x600.jpg)
Two Whitman Grads Will Have Global Experiences as 2026 Bassett Fellows
Congratulations to Ruth Iiyambo ’26 and Ishaan Swami ’26, this year’s recipients of Whitman’s Bassett Fellowship, as they prepare for global travel and research after graduation. Learn more about their projects and where they’re headed.
![[Alt] A blue and gold tassel with a 2026 charm hanging from a student’s graduation cap](/images/whitman-stories/stories/2026/June/Commencement-tn-kimfetrow2026-750x600.jpg)
Ready to Make Their Mark: Meet Whitman’s Newest Alums
Whitman College’s Class of 2026 made the most of their Whitman experiences. They researched alongside their professors. They studied abroad. They found valuable internships in diverse fields. They joined clubs and causes. They excelled in the classroom, on athletic fields, in labs and in numerous organizations. They led and they lifted up others. Meet some Blues who are ready to make their mark. We can't wait to see what they do next.
FEATURED PHOTOS
Now & Then: Whittie Eyes on the Skies
The rooftop of Whitman College’s Hall of Science has given generations of students a spectacular vantage point for witnessing some of nature’s most inspiring astronomical phenomena.
Tell Us About It!
Whether you’re just starting your first job, embarking on a career change, or preparing to retire after a fulfilling life’s work, we want to help you share your news with your classmates.
About Whitman Magazine
Whitman Magazine is the flagship publication of Whitman College. It supports the college and its strategic goals by telling our best stories, whether about alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors or the institution itself.