Whittie Traditions: From Taking the Stage to Hunting for Rubber Ducks

When I was looking into colleges, I mostly focused on the West Coast. I loved everything about West Coast schools, from the promise of academic challenge without stifling competition to the proximity to my family. However, there was one category where the East Coast schools seemed to eclipse the western schools: traditions.

It makes sense, in some ways, because everything on this side of the country has had less time to develop those sorts of practices. Here’s the thing – Whitman totally has traditions! Here are a few notable ones.

1. Summer Shakespeare aka Summer Shakes

The Summer Shakes is an annual student-run production of one of William Shakespeare’s plays. The choice of play differs from one summer to the next. Last summer’s production was a wonderfully goofy rendition of Twelfth Night. This summer they’re putting on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The students involved with the show come back to campus two weeks early to rehearse and prepare, and then they perform in the amphitheater during the first week of school.

1. The Duck Hunt

First off: we do not hunt the real, live ducks.

We do, however, have a great tradition where we hunt for rubber ducks all over campus! Every spring, over the span of about four days, hundreds of rubber ducks are hidden around campus for students to find and turn in for a reward. I will caution anyone interested in this tradition that you’ll have to get up early for this, or else you’ll be left in the dust since students with 8 a.m. classes always manage to find all the rubber ducks. 

2. The Annual Renaissance Faire

Whitman College has hosted the Annual Renaissance Faire every year since 1970, with the first break in tradition occurring for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the faire returned in 2022, in spite of the unusual April snowfall. The faire is planned by a student committee and features local vendors, skits, music, foam sword fights, and more. Not to mention the spectacular costumes everyone wears!

3. Climbing Styx

Less of an annual tradition and perhaps more of a custom, Whitman students can often be seen climbing on the beloved Deborah Butterfield statue sitting at the heart of campus—Styx. A sturdy metal horse that appears as if crafted from driftwood, some might claim this treatment is disrespectful to the artwork, but I (and many generations of Whitties) would disagree. We absolutely adore Styx, and what better way to show love and appreciation than by interacting with the sculpture. I’m not the only one who likes to read while sitting on Styx. Whitties say, climb on!

4. Getting in Hunter Fountain

Another custom that’s definitely worth mentioning. In front of the Hunter Conservatory, which is the brick building near where they hang the “Welcome to Whitman” banner across Boyer Avenue, there is a large, bowl-shaped fountain. On particularly hot days (or barely-warm days, if you’re brave), the fountain is the perfect spot to cool off.

5. Pinging

Several pillars support Cordiner Hall, and they are unique in that they are actually two smaller rectangular pillars very close together. If you stand between the two pillars, cup your hands slightly, and slap the surface, a fun pinging sound can be heard. The sound, which has been compared to the pitter-patter of a duck’s feet or the sound of a Star Wars blaster, can only be heard within the pillars, confusing any passers-by who aren’t in the loop!

Whitman has been around since 1859 and we, Whitties, have clearly made good use of that time. Maybe when you come to Whitman you’ll get to start some traditions of your own!

Zoe Perkins ’25 is a Rhetoric, Writing and Public Discourse major from Hillsboro, Oregon. If Zoe seems mildly resentful about students with 8 a.m. classes finding all of the rubber ducks, that’s because she is. Because she isn’t great at waking up on time, Zoe didn’t find any ducks this year. 🙁