You find yourself in an unknown place, overwhelmed by the action, dazed and confused. Maybe you know this feeling; maybe this, your arrival at Whitman, is your first experience with it.
While Whitman is by no means a large campus, the local lingo and affectionate campus aficionados can be a lot to take in during the first few days, and locations are often critical during the bustle of orientation. Soon enough, you’ll be name-dropping these popular places with the best of the seniors. But until that point, The Pioneer has got you covered. Here are the meanings of many of the monikers you’ll hear tossed around and the basic knowledge that will help inform your first few weeks at Whitman, ensuring you make every class, appointment and date.
Memorial Building
The central building with the iconic clock tower reaching into the trees is Memorial Building, more frequently called Mem. This is where the administrative action takes place on campus,and you’ll find everything from President Bridges’ office to the Academic Resource Center and the Business Office. Fun fact: the lights around the face of the clock change color throughout the year!
Reid Campus Center
As one of the oft-frequented locales of the prospective student phase, Reid Campus Center (sometimes abbreviated in print as RCC) is probably already on your radar. But some confuse the shortened title of Reid with a person named Reid and get confused when you say you’re going to grab some curly fries or check your mail at him. People are most likely referring to the building, so just keep that in mind as you hear the one-syllable word tossed around.
Ankeny Field
Ankeny Field is often referred to as Ankeny, but other nicknames that you may hear may include Ank, Anks and/or Spanks. As you probably already know, this is where a whole lot happens on campus––from pick-up sports to orientation activities and barbeques to water balloon wars. As summer wanes and temperatures begin to fall, remember to keep an eye out for those sprinklers––they can be known to suddenly start up, requiring quick feet to dodge the water.
Prentiss, Jewett and Lyman
You are probably already familiar with these three residence halls because they are just that––residence halls. But these three words are also used on their own to describe not a living space but an adjacent eatery. Up Boyer Avenue from Reid, Prentiss is open seven days per week for all meals and tends to host the largest number of menu options. Off the main foyer of Jewett Hall is the dining hall, open most days with several food options. Hidden away behind the large fireplace in the Lyman common area, Lyman Dining Hall offers limited meals, self-served and a quiet place to eat with friends. Some people make it to their senior year without eating in Lyman––or even finding their way there––but don’t let the size intimidate you. It’s actually possible to hold a coherent conversation and can be a nice change from the hustle of the other two halls.
Boyer Avenue
This is one of the central streets cutting through campus. Running roughly east-west, Boyer borders Reid, Mem and Prentiss and is handy for direction-giving or walks.
BFFC vs. BFC
The two are similar in letters, but vastly different in location and purpose. BFFC, or Baker Ferguson Fitness Center, is home to a large weight room, Harvey Pool and lockers and showers. BFFC is on one side of campus, behind the science building and next to Cordiner, down Park Street from Reid. It is often referred to as simply “the gym,” but be sure you’ve clarified which gym you’re discussing, because Sherwood Athletic Center, right across the street, is home to multipurpose gyms and the varsity weight room. BFC, Baker Faculty Center, is on Boyer next to Prentiss. The building hosts special events for faculty and students. While you’re more likely to frequent BFFC than BFC, some freshmen still don’t know the difference of use between the buildings by spring.
Lakum Duckum
Also bordering Boyer is Lakum Duckum, home to the majority of Whitman’s many mallard ducks. College Creek cuts through the lake as well as much of the rest of campus, providing duck-viewing locations throughout your day. Look closely at the male mallards for curly black feathers on their tails and be sure to keep an eye out for for ducklings in the spring!
Cordiner Glen
Right below the Office of Admission and Financial Aid, along Boyer, is a well-kept garden commonly monikered Narnia. The picturesque landscape features College Creek, as well as various paths, plants and benches perfect for a quiet conversation or escape when the foliage is plentiful.
Clarette’s
Tucked away next to BFFC is Clarette’s, the beloved breakfast-all-day diner barely a stone’s throw from central campus. Known widely for their pumpkin pancakes, Clarette’s is just as famous on the Whitman campus for the Clarette’s Challenge. The successful Challenge consists of pulling an all-nighter (whether for studying or leisure), staying up until Clarette’s opens at 6 a.m. and savoring the yummy food and much-appreciated coffee. The practice usually involves seeing at least a few other Whitman acquaintances if you choose your night well.
Athletic Fields
Unless you are part of a sports team frequenting these fields for practice and games, you might not immediately know where to find the Whitman soccer or softball fields. They are about a 10-minute walk from much of campus, tucked away right along Highway 12. The fields are a bit confusing to find because they are next to DeSales High School and their adjoining fields, but the Whitman fields are clearly marked by the blue Whitman College sign. Walking north up Penrose Avenue from right behind the Science Building spits you out at their entrance on E Sumach Street.
