Whitman Stories

For "a town full of passion projects, but without pretense" look no further than Walla Walla, known not just for apples and wheat, but a thriving wine and fine dining scene with a "refreshingly down-to-earth spirit."

Whitman Teaches the Movement (WTTM) — Whitman College’s student-led program that brings civil rights lessons to Walla Walla public schools every January and February — received the Service Program of the Year award at the IMPACT Conference, held Feb. 21-24, 2019, at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

For a town its size, Walla Walla certainly sustains a vibrant art scene. Since 1973, Whitman's Sheehan Gallery has played a proud part in that tradition, welcoming countless visitors through its wide wooden doors to enjoy the six exhibitions it mounts each season, all of which are free and open to the public.

"Attacking Apathy" was the theme of this year's Power and Privilege Symposium, held Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, in classrooms and lecture halls across Whitman College's campus.

Three Whitman College alumni shared their stories of failure and defeat - and ultimately, success - at a panel hosted by the Student Engagement Center on Feb. 14, 2019. The event was put on to encourage students to think about how their decisions at Whitman will influence their futures, but each speaker emphasized that the path to a successful and fulfilling career is anything but linear.

First-graders at Edison Elementary School in Walla Walla, Washington, learned about equality and the civil rights movement through the lens of the story of Ruby Bridges during the annual Whitman Teaches the Movement.

Danielle Garbe Reser '97 knows the value of the Whitman College network. It was, after all, a Whitman alumnus who helped set her on a career path that took her overseas and to the White House, twice. Now Garbe Reser is back in Walla Walla, giving back to the community that gave her so much, and serving current students at Whitman.

At the second Fridays at Four concert of the semester on Feb. 15, four of John David Earnest’s compositions will be performed by fellow Whitman faculty members, vocalist and senior lecturer Diane Gray-Chamberlain and pianist and senior lecturer Jackie Wood.

In February 2019, Whitman College held its first Community Processing Day, celebrating the software that allows anyone to create three-dimensional art using programming language.

Whitman alumna Bella Zarate '14 is using her psychology degree from Whitman College to help connect prospective employees with career at Facebook in San Francisco, California.

Each February, many people are focused on hearts - from the palpitations of love on Valentine's Day to concerns over health for American Heart Month. Whitman alumna DeLisa Fairweather '87 will share her expertise on heart health and the impact of gender at "Gender, Skin, Bodies: A Gender Studies Research Roundtable" at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, at the Kimball Theatre.

Education and advocacy are two principles Jessica Matthews upholds as Whitman's new Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate (SAVA). Hailey Powers was Whitman's first SAVA, holding the position for two years prior to Matthews assuming the role.