Whitman Stories

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.

Professor of Sociology Michelle Janning and Caitlyn Collins '08, an assistant professor of sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, were interviewed about the double standards implicit in societal perceptions of single mothers as compared to single fathers.

More than 40 students and alumni from Whitman College received fellowships, grants or scholarships from prestigious programs during the 2018-2019 academic year. The recipients are also among the college’s most diverse: more than 40 percent represent first-generation students or those from diverse background, according to Keith Raether, director of the Office of Fellowships and Grants.

George, an assistant professor of anthropology who studies linguistics and digital media, also notes that the rise of the exclamation point may be tied to the fact that research indicates young women and young people of color are linguistic innovators.

Associate Professor and Microsoft Chair of Computer Science Janet Davis, founding chair of Whitman's computer science department, offers five ways to help women feel more at home in computer science classes.