Nearly three years ago to this day, I stepped onto campus absolutely unprepared for the following four years ahead of me. I’m not just talking about the fact that I was still packing my bags at 3 a.m. the night before my flight left for Walla Walla; I was also unprepared to leave behind my family, my friends and the life that I had created for myself in the past 18 years. I was creating a new identity in a new environment.

I didn’t know what was ahead of me, but as I look back upon the time I’ve spent at Whitman, I’m so happy to have had the experiences I’ve had thus far. Not everything that’s happened to me during the past three years has been great, but lows are a part of life too. Had I not taken chances in a new and accepting, albeit unfamiliar community, I never would have had the opportunity to create new highs. Whether you’re jumping up and down with excitement to return to classes and dorm hangouts, or you’re dragging your feet at having to return for another year of late night study sessions, or you’re new to campus and ready to transition to adulthood, remember that Whitman is a place to try something new and to be open to all types of people and adventures.

We, the staff of The Pioneer, put together this issue of The Circuit in the hope that it will introduce the incoming class to a slice of the Whitman experience and help re-acquaint those of you who are ready to be back at Whitman. Lachlan Johnson has provided a helpful look at different majors on campus (page 17), and Aleida Fernandez has provided a list of helpful tips for surviving your first year at Whitman (page 12). For those interested in a snippet of Whitman athletics, four Whitties from both varsity and club sports reflect on their summer training (page 7).

No back to school issue, of course, is complete without a roundup of summer activities. Tristan Gavin (page 24) and Genny Jones (page 29) detail their frustrations and successes working at a summer school and Whitman’s Organic Garden, while photographers Catie Bergman (page 20) and Faith Bernstein (page 32) bring us on a photographic journey through their summers in Costa Rica and Montana.

Whether you are a brand new first-year or a seasoned senior, I hope these pages can provide you with a glimpse of what Whitman has to offer and inspire you to take your own chances during the time you have left here.

Shelly Le
Editor in Chief
[email protected]