While first-years begin their college journey, seniors enter the homestretch to a diploma and the rest of the student body resumes their trek, it’s easy to neglect the many aspects of Whitman operations that shape students’ experiences. Whether student or staff, arriving or returning, Whitties likely missed one or more of the summer happenings.
Some events, like teenage debaters and dancers swarming the grounds for summer camps, probably won’t affect Whitman life very much, but other developments have a direct or subtle impact. Many of the topics referenced below are issues that News will examine in-depth as the year progresses.
The National Science Foundation awarded two grants to Whitman, totalling $795,000, to purchase a 1,200-pound, $388,000 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and a $407,000 scanning electron microscope.
Maxey Hall renovations began, with planned additions of 18 offices, four classrooms and three student lounges. Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Paul Harvey estimates that the project will be completed by June 2010.
Whitman’s Board of Trustees elected three new members: Megan Salzman Medica, of The Plaines, Va., Nancy Serrurier, of Menlo Park, Calif., and David Nierenberg, of Camas, Wash.: to four-year terms.
The Career Center and Community Service Center became the Student Engagement Center, while Fellowships and Grants services moved down the hall to occupy two former study rooms in Reid.
The Princeton Review’s annual college-selection guide ranked Whitman at #15 in the Happiest Students category, down from #1 at the start of the ’07-’08 school year. Director of Admission Kevin Dyerly notes that simply being on 10 of the top 20 lists boosts Whitman’s visibility.
Whitman signed on to participate in the new Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. Through the program, Whitman will give over $18,000 per year each to two students with veteran status. The VA then matches this aid.
As opportunities for scientific research increase and sources for party costumes decrease, a new school year begins, with students eager to leave their mark by utilizing what Whitman already offers and perhaps forming new possibilities where they find something missing.
