Whitman Magazine

When the pandemic hit, Taha Ebrahimi ’01 knew she needed a project—a break from her day job in data visualization and a reason to get outdoors. Her quest to learn about her city’s trees became a Northwest bestseller, “Street Trees of Seattle.”

Now in its second year, Whitman College’s new Brain, Behavior and Cognition (BB&C) program already has 50 declared majors—the first of whom are receiving their degrees this year.

New faculty leaders share their vision for building on the rich traditions of Whitman’s signature interdisciplinary field program, where students spend 14 weeks on the road learning about the interior American West.

Art major Asya Johnson ’26 started a student-led Photography Club on campus that brings students together around a shared creative interest. Learn how she finds growth, leadership, community and creativity on campus.

Whitman College’s Faculty Fellows program started strong this year with a cohort of emerging scholars who are sharing their unique experience and expertise with students while developing their teaching, creative and research skills.

As one of the first statisticians in Whitman’s Mathematics and Statistics Department, Marina Ptukhina is breaking new ground in the program and teaching her students to think critically about data. 

Zachary S.O. Lough ’08 discovered his passion for cidermaking during a three-year sailing adventure navigating across the Pacific Ocean. Now he’s the co-owner of Channel Marker Cider in Seattle.

The Clock Tower is easily the most recognizable landmark on Whitman’s campus. But few get to venture into the structure itself—until now. Get an inside look at the iconic tower’s interior. 

As a coach, teacher and administrator, Kim Chandler has spent over 30 years supporting college athletics. She jumped at the chance to chat with us about her time at Whitman and its amazing student-athletes.