Whitman Welcomes Newest Students & the Class of 2028

On a crisp and sunny morning, the Whitman College community welcomed its newest students, including nearly 400 first-year students in the Class of 2028. 

Staff, faculty and returning students offered up their time to be friendly faces and helpful guides on Move-In Day—reinforcing what it means to be a Whittie.

“At Whitman, you are never alone,” President Sarah Bolton told new students in a welcome event that included families. “You are surrounded by friends and future friends, mentors and advisors who are here just for the purpose of helping you find your way.”

Welcome to Whitman!

Students checked-in at Reid Campus Center and their various residence halls—collecting their orientation class T-shirts and the hundreds of boxes they shipped to Whitman’s campus post office. 

Looking Forward to So Much

It was clear that each student arrived with distinct experiences and diverse passions. These first-year students are already considering how their unique interests can make a meaningful impact on their education.

Avid adventurer Everett Calhoun is looking forward to combining his passion for the outdoors with his academic interests.

“I am undecided, but I like photography, history and environmental studies as well as some social sciences,” says Calhoun, who is from Portland, Maine. “When I visited, I met with Whitman’s Outdoor Program and got to tour the cool equipment shop with all the gear and saw all the outdoor opportunities students have here.”

Meanwhile, Chicago native ​​Miazoë Corral says she is thrilled about the possibility of taking her Whitman education abroad. 

“I’m looking forward to my classes, especially my Chemistry and Biology classes since they are my favorite subjects,” says Corral. “But what I am really excited for are my Greek classes because I really want to learn the language and hopefully study abroad in Greece.”

Who Are These Whitties?

These incoming students hail from 43 countries across the globe, 33 U.S. states and four tribal nations—as well as 15 students from our own Walla Walla Valley. 

Of Whitman’s more than 420 new students, about 90 of them will be first in their family to attend a four-year college. International students make up 17% of the group and nearly 29% of new students identify as students of color.

And some students have long ties to Whitman. Sarah Dowell, from Port Orchard, Washington, says she can’t wait for classes to start but is also looking forward to continuing a family tradition.

“I can’t wait to rush a sorority,” she says. “My dad graduated from Whitman in 1985. He was a Phi Delta Theta. My grandpa also came to Whitman and was a Beta Theta Pi but he was drafted into the Korean War before he could graduate in 1952. They are both happy that I ended up at Whitman.”