Whitman Refined My Passion for the Environment

I always thought I’d end up majoring in Environmental Studies, Biology or Geology in college because of my passion for the environment and the natural world. But a single class at Whitman completely flipped my world upside down and introduced me to an unexpected interest that allowed me to make an impact in a field I love!

At Whitman, we are encouraged to take classes in a variety of subjects, so I took a class called “Theories of Justice.” I signed up without reading the course description because I thought the name was cool. That class opened my world. I discovered a whole new side of the environmental sciences that I never even considered like theory and law. So in addition to my science courses, I began taking politics classes—where I learned about real ideas that have impacted real communities.

I’ve been introduced to everything from how the city of Paris was designed in the 18th century to deforestation in Brazil and the nuclear test sites in Algeria. We even learned about the birth of the Blues music in New Orleans and Socrates and the stars. Each of these is related to one another and the professors at Whitman encourage students to delve into the connections between them.

I know that if any of these ideas feel too big to tackle, I can pop into my professor’s office hours. They are genuinely delighted to see me and answer all my questions. It might seem scary to ask for help, but it makes all the difference in the long run. Whitman professors are some of the most thoughtful and impressive mentors who want you to succeed. I have built some great professional relationships that have extended beyond my classes, and I’ve used their expertise in applying for jobs and conferences. Most recently, I worked with one of my professors to brainstorm topics for me to present at a TEDx event in my hometown.

Guest lecturers are often invited to campus to share their expertise which I appreciate! These speakers have diverse perspectives and are really passionate about their work. Many times they hold campus-wide lectures and they share advice by visiting the classrooms. The class sizes are small so it gives each student the opportunity to connect with these distinguished researchers as they answer our questions and get to know us personally. One of my favorite memories was when historian and researcher Samia Hemmi sat in on our class! 

There are also opportunities for us to explore how our interests intersect with the local community through field trips. My courses have taken me to various places ranging from the conventional museum to the unconventional local landfill. I never before thought that I would have so many unique experiences in college but Whitman weaves it in seamlessly. Each of these opportunities has expanded my worldview exponentially, and I’ve only benefitted!

As I finish up my Sophomore year, I now understand how ancient ideas about freedom and democracy connect to modern issues like environmental policy, and then take those ideas and tie them to colonial concepts of property. It might sound complicated, but professors at Whitman break it down for you. It’s so cool and interesting! 

With the option to pursue a combined major, you don’t need to leave any of your interests behind. I declared my major in Environmental Studies-Politics at the beginning of my sophomore year, and I am loving my studies. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at Whitman. It’s not just about learning. It’s about growing as a person, connecting with amazing mentors, and preparing for the future. I’m excited to see what my next two years at Whitman will bring.

Calen Romig ’27 (she/they) is an Evironmental Studies—Politics combined major from Placerville, California. She has had several small magazines publish her poetry!