Whitman College is a private liberal arts college located in Walla Walla, Washington. Founded in 1882 as a seminary, it was later renamed in honor of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, pioneer missionaries in the region. The college is known for its rigorous academics, close-knit community, and commitment to providing a well-rounded, personalized education.
Academics:
Whitman College offers undergraduate programs in over 45 majors and 35 minors, covering a wide range of disciplines within the liberal arts and sciences. Some of the most popular majors include psychology, economics, biology, politics, and environmental studies. The college emphasizes small class sizes, personalized attention, and a strong focus on undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities.
Whitman also offers a unique program called the "Whitman Plan," which is a general education curriculum designed to foster intellectual breadth and encourage students to explore various disciplines. This plan includes requirements in areas such as writing, foreign language, cultural pluralism, and quantitative analysis.
Campus:
The Whitman College campus spans 117 acres in the heart of Walla Walla, featuring a mix of historic and modern architecture. Campus facilities include academic buildings, residence halls, a library, art and music centers, athletic facilities, and a variety of outdoor recreational spaces. Whitman's campus is known for its picturesque setting, with tree-lined streets, beautiful gardens, and a serene atmosphere.
Athletics:
Whitman College's athletic teams, known as the Blues, compete in NCAA Division III and are members of the Northwest Conference. The college offers a variety of varsity sports, including basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming, and more. The school's colors are navy blue and light blue.
Traditions:
Whitman College has several traditions that foster a sense of community and pride among students, faculty, and alumni. Some notable traditions include:
1. First-Year Orientation: A series of events and activities designed to welcome new students to the Whitman community and help them acclimate to college life.
2. Opening Convocation: An annual event marking the beginning of the academic year, with faculty and staff dressed in academic regalia and a keynote address from a distinguished speaker.
3. Senior "Wine-Down": A celebratory event for seniors held at the end of the academic year, with wine tastings and food from local wineries and restaurants.
4. Commencement: The graduation ceremony for seniors, featuring a procession of faculty and graduates, speeches, and the conferring of degrees.
Admissions:
Whitman College has a holistic admissions process, considering factors such as academic performance, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), extracurricular activities, recommendations, and personal essays. The college offers an Early Decision program for students who are certain that Whitman is their first-choice institution, as well as a Regular Decision option. In recent years, Whitman College has adopted a test-optional policy, meaning that standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are not required for admission.
