Whitman Welcomes New Students & the Class of 2029
Whitman College celebrated the arrival of roughly 420 new students at the start of fall semester
By Melissa Welling ’99 and Esmeralda Marin
Photography by Patrick Record and Esmeralda Marin
Video by Patrick Record
It all starts here. Enjoy these highlights from Opening Day and New Student Move-In 2025.
The late summer sun may have taken the day off, but nothing could dim the smiles of Whitman College’s newest arrivals as they gathered on campus Wednesday, Aug. 27, for Opening Day 2025. Energized and excited Whitties, families and volunteers gathered to settle in for the start of the fall semester—and the next four years of learning, adventure and life-changing experiences.
Early birds. New Whitties couldn’t wait to kick off the day—and the check-in line snaked around the block before the doors opened.
All hands on deck. It takes a village of volunteers to settle students into their new homes—but we all know families are the real MVPs.
Let’s unpack this. From their first moments in their residence halls, Whitman’s newest students started making their rooms feel like home—and building bonds with the folks who will become their friends, classmates and support system.
Dressed to impress. Between the Class of 2029 T-shirt reveal, proud parents wearing their heart on their sleeves and Dean Kazi Joshua’s Move-In Day fit—this year’s crew brought the vibe.
Giving a hoot about you. After move-in, students headed to their first meetup with their OWLs—Whitman’s amazing (and wise) crew of Opening Week Leaders.
Meet Your New Classmates
Whitman’s newest students come from 35 states and 40-plus countries and sovereign nations, including 32 from our own Walla Walla Valley and one from 10,267 miles away in Eswatini. Some were stepping onto Whitman’s campus for the first time; others made multiple visits—one starting seven years ago!
They include over 370 first-years and more than 40 transfer students—nearly a third of whom are among the first in their family to attend a four-year college.
They’ve won awards at international youth film festivals, testified in front of a state legislature, started their own businesses, directed theater productions and represented Panama in the Davis Cup. They’re into ceramics, crochet, thrifting, robotics and everything outdoors! They’re excited to study abroad, play for the Blues, find “the best hammock spot on the West Coast” and—most of all—make new friends.
However short, long or winding the journey, this talented group of students brings new ideas, diverse experiences, and fresh energy, enthusiasm and creativity to campus.
“We chose you because we saw something special. Not just your academic excellence or outside-the-classroom accolades, but more significantly, something unique in you: Your curiosity, your energy, your resilience, your boldness. Your kindness, creativity and sense of adventure. Your willingness to lead. To stand up against injustice. To shape your own path and contribute to those around you. To open up to new experiences and embrace new challenges. These are the special qualities that will help you thrive and enrich the Whitman community over the next four years.
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Adam Miller, Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid
In the afternoon, new students gathered as a group for the first time in Sherwood Athletic Center along with their families. President Sarah Bolton—and other campus leaders—assured them that their voices and perspectives matter here.
“The faculty and the staff are here for you in the deepest, truest sense,” she said. “They want to know who you are. They want to help you get where you want to go. They want to get to know how your mind works and how your heart works and to guide you as you read and write and analyze and create art and music—and as you grow and develop your own voice for the ways that you want to speak into the world and make a difference.”
“All of us who are here before you arrived are rooting for your success. You are gifted. You are brilliant. You are resilient. You are beautiful. And we are blessed that you have chosen to make Whitman your home. Welcome home.
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Kazi Joshua, Dean of Students
You belong here. Welcome to Whitman, new students and Class of 2029!