Whitman Stories

A college located 260 miles east of the Pacific Ocean may not be thought as the best environment to pursue studies in marine biology. But biology major Makana Stone ’20 found that despite Walla Walla, Washington’s high desert climate, she was able to find the opportunities she needed to pursue her love of marine science at Whitman College.

When John Cunnison '95 started at Whitman College, he thought he wanted to be a doctor. But in a first-year class with now-Emeritus Professor Timothy Kaufman-Osborn, he discovered politics. Driven by intellectual curiosity, after he earned his bachelor's in politics from Whitman, Cunnison traveled to Kunming, China, to teach English through the Whitman in China Program.

Kim Smith ’90 returned to Whitman to give the 2019 Sava and Danica Andjelkovic Endowed Lecture: "Education for Sustainable Development: The Future Depends on Us!" Smith’s expertise in — and passion for — environmental sociology has made her an international leader in sustainability education, representing the U.S. in global efforts, while also bettering her own community in Portland, Oregon.

Religion major and psychology minor Sam Geschickter '20 got first-hand experience learning the theories and processes of investment banking as an intern at Baker Boyer Bank in Walla Walla, Washington. Geschickter combined the critical thinking skills he's learned at Whitman into his internship experience.

The Whitman College Board of Trustees has announced the renewal of President Kathleen Murray's contract dating from July 1, 2020.

Each semester, dozens of students at Whitman College work closely with faculty mentors in labs and classrooms across the campus. These collaborations often result in research papers, journal articles, capstone projects for graduating seniors, and presentations at the Whitman Undergraduate Conference. This fall, nearly two dozen science students had the opportunity to share their research projects with other scientists and students at the 28th annual Murdock College Science Research Program Conference in Vancouver, Washington.

It’s important to study history, the old saying goes, because history tends to repeat itself. If we study the past, we can avoid repeating our mistakes. When it comes to America’s history with slavery, Hasan Kwame Jeffries thinks we still have plenty of reflection and work to do.

A Chemistry major at Whitman and recipient of the Watson Fellowship, Eustis, who plays the trumpet, studied transnational dialects of jazz in Sweden, India, South Africa, Brazil and Japan after college. He now works as the digital projects manager for SFJazz Center.

Meet Our Whitties is an occasional feature produced by the Office of Communications. It features a Q&A with students from across Whitman College.

A team of Whitman voice students and teachers traveled to Central Washington University for the annual National Association of the Teachers of Singing (NATS) regional competition. Four Whitties advanced to the final round of this prestigious singing competition with three singers placing first in their categories and one placing second.

Whitman College is celebrating the success of its first-year writing assessment program, which has received the 2019 Beacon Award for Excellence in Student Achievement and Success from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Many people never think twice about where water comes from - it falls from the sky, it is easily available through any faucet, and it covers 71% of the globe. It seems a nearly infinite resource. Chris Bromley '97 knows it's not - and as a water rights attorney, it's his job to help individuals and businesses find the balance of the many demands on water.