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July
Whittier College Receives Grant From Edison International
07.02.09 Edison International has awarded Whittier College a grant for $10,000 to support undergraduate science research. The Edison Undergraduate Summer Science Research Fellowships for Minority Students will provide talented students of color majoring in the sciences with vital support to conduct science research.
"Edison's investment in these Whittier students will help ensure that our next generation of scholars, researchers, and scientific leaders is diverse in background and experience and prepared for work in collaborative environments," said President Sharon Herzberger. "These are fields that are so crucial to our country's future well being. We foresee a long partnership with Edison, creating new and varied opportunities for future scientists." More »
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June
Washington Post Music Critic Josh du Lac '93 Remembers Michael Jackson
06.26.09 In his blog for the Washington Post, Whittier College alum and seasons music writer Josh du Lac eulogizes the late, self-proclaimed King of Pop Michael Jackson.
"Try, for a moment, to separate the art from the artist. Consider Michael Jackson's entertainment proffer in a vacuum-sealed space," writes du Lac.
"In that bubble, where Bubbles and all the peculiarities and plastic surgeries matter not one whit, you will find a man — and, if you go back far enough into the archives, a child — who was unquestionably one of the most transcendent performers in popular music." Click here to read more. More »
Professor Joe Price Discusses the Mets-Yankee Rivalry in Biblical Terms
06.26.09 Professor of religious studies Joe Price is featured in a recent Newsday article discussing the inter-city rivalry that divides New York into two fan camps - Mets or Yankees.
"It's sort of Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael," said Price, editor of From Season to Season: Sports As American Religion. "The older brother often is considered privileged and, in something like intra-city rivalries, the issue often is about privilege. As the younger child often feels the need to prove himself, likewise the team that sees itself less privileged feels the need to prove itself against the privileged other, to earn the city's embrace," added Price in Newsday. More »
President Herzberger Speaks About Education's Greater Purpose
06.25.09 Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger spoke about the role that education plays in both social progress and economic recovery for a recent article in Currents magazine.
Herzberger is quoted saying, "For too long we have talked about education as a private good. It is time to shift our rhetoric and reemphasize the role of education as a public good, recognizing a well-educated citizenry and wide access to education benefits us all."
Aspiring Journalist Yasmin Khorram '09 Translates Language Skills into an Opportunity
06.23.09 Whittier College senior Yasmin Khorram is gaining coveted ground as a CNN intern this summer. Khorram, a fluent Farsi speaker, has been working closely with the West Coast news crew to cover breaking news surrounding the Iranian elections.
"The violence towards the protestors in Iran right now is horrific, but it is clearly giving me an amazing opportunity to lend my skills, knowledge, and own history to my internship," said Khorram. "The newsroom is constantly asking for my assistance with this rapidly developing story." More »
Whittier College is Example of Thrift in the New York Times
06.21.09 The New York Times reports that Whittier College has joined colleges across the country in taking small steps to save money in this tough economy.
The story mentions efforts taken in the Campus Inn to reduce food waste. Through student-led educational efforts and a management decision to go "trayless," food waste dropped from 7.4 ounces per student in the fall to 2.7 ounces per student in the spring—saving the college almost $30,000 a semester. More »
Poet Coach Richard Kim '93 Speaks About Golf Team's Bright Future
06.19.09 Whittier College golf coach Richard Kim '93 was featured in the Whittier Daily News. Kim guided the Poets from the "doormat" of the NCAA Division III ranks (268th place) to a finish in the top 25 percent of all D-III schools (68th place) in 2009.
Kim's transformation of the golf program began in September of 2007, and in the article he states that the Poets are one or two players from being "really, really good." More »
Professor Joe Price Makes Sense of Sport Rivalries
06.09.09 Religion professor Joe Price, editor of the book From Season to Season: Sports as American Religion, was recently quoted in Newsday explaining sports rivalries. Price described these clashes as "archetypes of good versus evil, us versus them, the pure versus the impure." More »
Center for Academic Success Nationally Certified
06.09.09 Whittier College's Center for Academic Success (CAS) has received national certification by the College of Reading and Learning Association's (CRLA) International Tutoring Program Certification (ITPC). The ITPC ensures that CAS's tutor training program provides the highest quality teaching and preparation for peer tutors and allows CAS to issue CRLA certificates to individual tutors who meet various levels of certification requirements.
"Our future plans include advancing our program certification to Level 2 and 3, which will continue to enhance the quality of our tutoring training program as well as enhance the quality of our tutoring services," said CAS Director Kristina Alvarado-Gonzalez.
CAS programs include individual academic guidance, peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, a peer academic coaching program, and an academic success workshop series.
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Associate Dean Lisa Bortman Named Advocate of the Year
06.09.09 Associate Dean Lisa Bortman, director of First Year Programs, has been named Advocate of the Year by the National Resource Center on First Year Experience and Student Engagement.
Each year, presidents of American post-secondary institutions are invited to nominate one educator on their campus for this award. A national panel of distinguished educators review the nomination portfolios and select 10 individuals as the nation’s Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates.
As a group, these individuals mirror the diversity of American colleges and universities. They share the common goal of improving the educational experience of first-year students, yet their methods for doing so are uniquely responsive to the particular institutional settings of which they are a part.
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May
106th Whittier College Commencement Ceremony
05.22.09 The 106th Whittier College Commencement ceremony took place at Memorial Stadium under a brilliant Southern California sky. More than 350 graduate and undergraduate students smiled anxiously and soaked in the sun's rays, waiting for their opportunity to walk on stage and receive their diploma.
Keynote speaker Dr. Marian Wright Edelman—noted children's rights activist—provided the Class of 2009 the needed inspiration and advice for life post-graduation. More »
Adrienne Cisneros Selekman '81 Advises Graduates to "Take Charge" of their Future
05.19.09 Nearly 50 students donned the traditional cap-and-gown to be formally recognized by President Sharon Herzberger during the 8th Annual Latino Graduates Celebration.
Distinguished alumna Adrienne Cisneros Selekman '81 was the keynote speaker. A seasoned professional in public relations and public affairs, Selekman most recently served as a presidential appointee to the U.S. Department of Energy.
"[As a student at Whittier College] Dr. Martin Ortiz advised me to take charge of what I believed in and to own it. He inspired me to do all that I do and to always give it my best," said Selekman to the graduates in attendance. "Go forward class of 2009, and take the Martin Ortiz 'take charge spirit' with you."
The event was dedicated to the memory of Martin Ortiz '48, founder of the Center for Mexican-American Affairs at Whittier College, later renamed the Ortiz Programs in his honor. Ortiz passed away earlier this year.
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Greenleaf Gallery Features Art Students' Prized Works
05.14.09 The Studio Arts Department held a juried exhibit of student works. The juror, Leslie Jones, a curator from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, awarded first place to Desi Stewart '09 and second to Farrin Ochoa '09. David Charbonier '09 and Whitney Egoian ''09 tied for third place.
Farrin's work entitled Tlacuache was also chosen for the inaugural President's Purchase Prize, which was created with the help of Professor Jenny Herrick to allow the College to acquire works by talented Whittier students. These works will become part of the College's already impressive collection of art and will be exhibited on campus for successive generations of students and visitors to see. All student works are currently on exhibit at The Greenleaf Gallery in Mendenhall on the Whittier campus.
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Class of 2009 Includes Fulbright, Pickering, and National Science Fellows
05.14.09 Three Whittier College seniors have been chosen for top academic fellowships. Political science major Caitlin Finley '09 has been awarded a Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship from the U.S. Department of State. Economics major Priya Punatar '09 has received a Fulbright Fellowship, which will enable her to travel to Terengganu in Malaysia to teach English to high school students. And, Whittier Scholars major Juliette Donatelli '09 was awarded the Heartland Ecological/ Environmental Academic Research Training Fellowship, funded by the National Science Foundation. More »
Annual All-Sports Awards Banquet Celebrates Student-Athlete Achievement
05.13.09 More than 300 athletes, coaches, parents, faculty, and staff attended the annual All-Sports Awards Banquet last night in celebration of the individual achievements of Poet student-athletes.
Four major awards were announced last night recognizing both male and female athletes: Freshman of the Year, Team Sport Athlete of the Year, Individual Athlete of the Year, and Presidential Scholar Athlete of the Year. More »
Chinese Military Expert Dennis J. Blasko Speaks at Whittier College
05.12.09 Dennis J. Blasko, former U.S. Army military intelligence officer and foreign area officer specializing in China, gave a special lecture at Whittier College yesterday in A.J. Villalobos Hall. His talk addressed U.S. political-military challenges from China in the 21st century.
Blasko is a well-respected, independent analyst of the Chinese military and author of The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century, published in 2006.
Watch a video recording of the lecture here.
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Whittier College Recognizes Student Service
05.04.09 Celebrating a milestone, Whittier College held its 5th Annual College and Community Expo on Saturday, May 2, to recognize the thousands of hours of dedicated service provided by Whittier College students to local non-profit organizations.
During the 2008-09 school year, 102 students, majoring in everything from psychology and education to business and biology, worked with more than 50 local nonprofit organizations.
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April
Ideas Hatch, Incubate, and Coast Along at Whittier College
4.30.09 There's a new phenom taking place on the sloping campus pathways these days, as electric bikes--and a brand new company formed by students, two young alumni, and a professor--draw the curious and eco-friendly out of their cars, off their feet, and onto a new craze: the Pedego.
The Pasadena Star reports: "Business is hatching at Whittier College
And the offspring is an electric/hybrid bicycle that a group of students, faculty and alumni unveiled Saturday at the campus.
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Whittier College's Theatre Students Go International
04.30.09 Students from Whittier College's Theatre Department, led by professors Jennifer Holmes, Gustavo Geirola, and Doreen O'Connor Gomez, participated in the III International Theatre Festival in Barranquilla, Colombia.
The students performed Lorca in a Green Dress, a play by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Nilo Cruz, at the largest theatre in Barranquilla. The festival featured theatre performances by artists and students from Argentina, France, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, and the United States, as well as several Colombian productions.
Read the group blog here.
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B-Ball Alum and CA State Senator Tony Strickland '93 Throws Obama a Challenge
04.29.09 California State Senator Tony Strickland used to tear up the basketball court when he was a player for the Poets. Now, the 6' 5" Whittier alumnus towers more often in the Sacramento capital than on the court, though he's had the opportunity of late to do both. Beginnning with a one-on-one challenge (which he won) against a local sports radio host, Strickland is now joining minor league Los Angeles Lightening basketball team for at least one game this season (Saturday, May 2, at Gilbert Sports Arena in Thousand Oaks), joining other teammates formerly of the Utah Jazz, L.A. Clippers, and Phoenix Suns. Beyond that, Strickland, a Republican representing CA's 19th District, has also issued a friendly one-on-one court challenge to fellow basketball enthusiast President Barack Obama.
Aptly noted in the Ventura County Star, "It already has all the makings of a classic rivalry between hoops-crazed politicians. Republican versus Democrat. Current state senator versus former state senator. Whittier College graduate versus Occidental College alumnus." More »
Spring Honors Convocation
04.20.09 During the 2009 Spring Honors Convocation dozens of Whittier College students were bestowed with various honors from departments and college heads for their dedication to academics and service. To see a full list of students honorees click here.
Patricia Van Oosbree, assistant professor of kinesiology and leisure science and the 2008 Harry W. Nerhood Teaching Excellence Award recipient, delivered the keynote address, "If Not This?"
Dean of Faculty Susan Gotsch presented the 2009 Nerhood Award to chemistry professor Devin Imoto. Read more here. More »
Professor Laura McEnaney Awarded Howard Foundation Fellowship
04.06.09 Professor Laura McEnaney, Nadine Austin Wood Chair in American History, has been awarded a George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation Fellowship for her post-World War II project entitled "Postwar: A Social and Policy History of Peace, 1944-1953." The Howard Foundation awards a limited number of fellowships each year for independent projects in selected fields. The Foundation targets its support specifically to early to mid-career individuals who have achieved recognition for at least one major project. More »
Beloved Alumna Allie (Darling) Lowe ’37 Dies
04.06.09 College Trustee and devoted alumna Allie (Darling) Lowe '37 died this weekend in her home in Whittier. Lowe graduated from Whittier with a degree in American History and was a member of the Thalian Society. As an alumna, she established an endowed scholarship in honor of her parents Ida and John Darling and recently worked to establish a position in religious and spiritual life within the Student Life division. She had a wide-ranging career as a teacher, researcher, and consultant; and she was an avid volunteer for such organizations as the American Red Cross, League of Women Voters, and the YWCA. The family is planning a service in the Whittier's Memorial Chapel in May.
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March
President for a Day at Whittier
03.24.09 In these economic times, Whittier College is trying to impress upon its community the value of a liberal arts education. With this in mind, Whittier decided to send College President Sharon Herzberger to see what this educational experience is all about and to live first-hand the life of today's student who must juggle academics, work, and extra-curricular activities. At the same time, political science major Caitlin Finley '09 spent the day as President Finley - taking on certain responsibilities of the College president such as touring facilities, meeting with staff, faculty and alumni, as well as handling some fundraising duties. Read more in the Whittier Daily News.
Read their blogs here: President for Day and Student for a Day.
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Whittier College Students Tackle Childhood Obesity
3.24.09 More than 50 Whittier College students are partnering with local fitness expert Michael Seril to show a group of 200 overweight grade schoolers the joys of being physically active. This is part of the Advocating Children's Fitness Fair that will take place at Whittier College on April 18.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to bring awareness of the growing problems of obesity in youngsters, and the lack of P.E. in area elementary schools," said kinesiology professor Kath Barlow in the Whittier Daily News. More »
Whittier College Announces Appointment of New Vice President for Academic Affairs
03.17.09 Announced today, Dr. Charlotte G. Borst has been appointed Whittier College's next Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, effective July 1, 2009. Borst will succeed the current dean, Dr. Susan Gotsch, who has been at Whittier for seven years.
"Charlotte is bringing to Whittier a wonderful breadth of interests and experience, devotion to our interdisciplinary tradition, and dedication to advancing students' aspirations and achievement," said President Sharon Herzberger. "We are fortunate to have such a strong colleague joining our leadership team. I know her particular talents and expertise will be instrumental in the strategic advancement of our academic programs."
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Professor Geetha Rajaram Comments on New Labor Secretary
03.16.09 According to an article in La Opinion, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will face challenges balancing her strong ties with labor unions and her new duties at Labor Secretary. Economics professor Geetha Rajaram commented in the Spanish-language daily that big businesses are already showing concern. She gave as an example the recent downgrade of Wal-Mart shares by Citibank that cited upcoming legislation to simplify the process of forming unions as a potential concern for the company. More »
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February
Dr. Judea Pearl Addresses Whittier Community
02.20.09 Dr. Judea Pearl delivered the 2009 Feinberg Lecture entitled "Being Jewish, American, Western in the Post-911 Era" to a packed room of students, faculty, alumni, and friends last night in AJ Villalobos Hall at Whittier College.
Dr. Pearl, the father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, dedicated the evening's discourse to his son who was killed in Karachi, Pakistan on February 1, 2002.
"You brought joy, friendship, music, and insight to many people around the world," said Dr. Pearl. "Today people gather to honor you, so this is your revenge. The victory of the boldness for which you loved humanity, the victory of the human spirit, forever struggling for the noble, forever daring the impossible."
Along with his wife Ruth, Dr. Pearl co-edited I am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl, an anthology which provides a panoramic view of how Jews define themselves in the post-9/11 era. More »
Memorial Stadium's New Turf Highlighted
02.19.09 Newman Field's new artificial turf is the subject of an article in Sports Turf magazine.
"The synthetic field completely revolutionized our sports program," said athletic director Robert Coleman in an interview for the magazine. "The field has become a multi-dimensional facility; activities are scheduled nearly round-the-clock."
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Whittier Athletes Shine in the Classroom
02.17.09 The Whittier College Athletics Department announced that 189 of its student-athletes completed the fall 2008 academic semester with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
The student-athletes' success is highlighted by the individual achievements of Nicholas Papageorge '09 (football), Reme Bohlin '11 (tennis), Cathleen Clinnin '11 (lacrosse), and Megan Maguire-Marshall '12 (swimming) who all finished the semester with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Moreover, the women's cross country team will be recognized by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as an All-Academic Team for achieving a team GPA of 3.21. More »
Whittier College Announces Appointment of New Dean for the Law School
02.11.09 Following an extensive, national search, Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger announced Monday that Penelope Bryan has been appointed Dean of Whittier Law School, effective July 2009. Bryan will succeed the current dean, Neil H. Cogan, who has helmed the law school for the past eight years. Read more in the Orange County Register. More »
Professor Dan Duran Offers Insight to Recent History
02.09.09 Business administration professor Dan Duran was in Washington D.C. during the 44th Presidential Inauguration this past January 20. In this blog he reflects on the election and how he and his family played a role in history. Click here to read his blog. More »
Whittier College Professors Comment on Love, Religion, and Football
02.02.09 As an avid football fan and expert in the intersection of sports and religion, Professor Joe Price was a sought after expert this week to give his take on the annual pigskin battle that took place on Sunday. Dr. Price is quoted in the Pittsburg Tribune-Review, National Post, and Kansas City Star comparing the event to a religious experience.
For his part, relationship expert and psychology Professor Charles Hill gave some advice in Women's Health magazine to football-widows on how to best handle the big day.
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Frost/Nixon Misses the Mark for Whittier Alumnus
02.02.09 The film Frost/Nixon, a dramatization of the taping of interviews by British TV host David Frost with former President Richard Nixon '34, has received critical acclaim and been nominated for five Academy Awards, including best picture. But for alumnus Geoff Shepard '66, author of The Secret Plot to Make Ted Kennedy President: Inside the Real Watergate Conspiracy, the film is the latest in a long series of ad hominem attacks on the 37th President of the United States. Shepard was an attorney on Nixon's White House staff for five years, and helped in his Watergate defense.
Read a comple film review here. More »
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January
For Whittier Students The Time is Now
01.30.09 First-year student Adrian Gonzales was the first place winner of the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Oratorical Contest at Whittier College. The annual event honors the life and legacy of Dr. King and seeks to inspire students to imagine how they can play a role in the continuing struggle for civil rights and social justice in the U.S. and around the world.
"[In] this new, progressive year of 2009, there is work to be done. And today I am here to tell you that we cannot wait because when we look for an opportune time to act, the time is now," said Gonzales during his speech, echoing the theme of the evning, The Time is Now.
Each of the winning speeching emphasized the need for young people to continue to be active participants in social and political change. The competition was organized by Director of residential life Delaphine Hudson and the residential life staff.
Read the winning speeches here: Adrian Gonzales '12 , Natalie Smythe '12 (second place), and Jennice Ontiveros '11 (third place). More »
Whittier College Withdraws Request to Raze Gilford Hall
01.29.09 Whittier College has decided to withdraw its request from the City of Whittier to demolish Gilford Hall, a 100-year old building that had served as a mailroom for more than 40 years. Razing the building would allow the college to make additional parking for the Campus Center. Members of the Whittier Conservancy had opposed demolition and asked the City to designate it a historic landmark. The building has not been declared as such.
Read a statement from President Sharon Herzberger here.
A View of History From Whittier College
01.20.09 Joining young people across the nation, Whittier College Poets gathered for a public viewing of the 44th Presidential Inauguration in the Ettinger Student Lounge. The viewing was followed by a brief presentation on the significance of the day's event by Dr. Eric Lindgren, associate professor of political science. Read more in the Whittier Daily News.
Meanwhile, in the days leading up to the event, Whittier College Nixon Fellows Teresa Baranowski '10 and Neslie Tumulac '11 headed to Washington, D.C. to actively take part in this historic occasion. Read the related article, also published in the Whittier Daily News. More »
Whittier College Loses Faithful Alumnus "Chet" McCloskey
01.20.09 Devoted alumnus Chester "Chet" McCloskey '40, founder of chemical manufacturing company Norac, Inc., died January 15 at the age of 90. Throughout his life, McCloskey had been a generous alumnus and in 2009, he and his wife established the McCloskey Chair in Chemistry and the Hazel Cooper Jordan Chair in Arts and Humanities. Moreover, he was always a faithful Poet fan.
"I hope you were able to experience the same joy I experienced in seeing Chet on the sidelines of football games, wearing his original letter sweater and, as always, cheering on the Poets," said President Sharon Herzberger in a letter to the Whittier community.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31, at 10:30 a.m. in Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena. In lieu of flowers, the McCloskey family has suggested gifts be sent to Whittier College Office of Advancement.
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Whittier College Community Mourns Loss of El Jefe Martin Ortiz '48
01.13.09 Martin Ortiz '48, who served Whittier College for more than 40 years and who founded and directed Whittier College's Center of Mexican American Affairs, died yesterday afternoon. Ortiz' dedication to bettering the lives of students and to educational excellence has left a permanent mark on the College.
"His commitment helped to transform Whittier College into one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country and created an environment that promotes our founders' mission to respect people of all backgrounds," said President Sharon Herzberger. "He will be missed, but his legacy is strong." Read more in the Los Angeles Times.
UPDATE: A memorial service honoring the life of Martin Ortiz '48 took place on January 25 at Whittier College. To read coverage of the service in the Whittier Daily News, click here.
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Chinese Delegation Tours Whittier College's Richard M. Nixon '34 Collection
01.12.09 Today, Whittier College hosted a delegation of Chinese officials led by the Hon. Xu Jialu, vice chairman of the National People's Congress of China. Vice Chairman Xu is visiting the United States to deliver a series of lectures and develop further ties between the U.S. and China as senior advisor of the China Association for International Friendly Contact. The delegation visited the Rose Hills Center for Information and Technology Resources to view the College's collection of material belonging to President Richard M. Nixon '34, accumulated during his time as vice-president.
"We talked about the importance of faculty and student exchanges, cooperation in science and technology, and the need for people all over the world to get to know each other's language, customs, and culture better," said Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger.
Whittier College has a growing connection with China and recently signed two agreements with Chinese universities that will expand study and travel opportunities for students. Currently, the College offers programs at universities in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong as well as the January Interim course that travels through various regions in China.
Nixon Fellows Head to Washington D.C. for Historic Presidential Inauguration
01.06.09 Whittier College Nixon Fellows Teresa Baranowski '10 and Neslie Tumulac '11 are heading to Washington D.C. this month to be part of the 44th Presidential Inauguration celebration. The two have been blogging about president-elect Barack Obama and the election process since November.
In an article looking at how colleges are planning for this historic inauguration, Inside Higher Ed highlighted excerpts of the fellows' blogs.
"There is an overwhelming sense of joy and hope stemming from the change that Obama has promised," writes Baranowski from Spain, where she had been studying abroad. "It will be interesting to see if this feeling stays the same or changes as Obama begins his presidency."
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Whittier Mourns the Loss of Former Trustee Carl L. Randolph, Jr. '43
01.06.09 Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees Carl L. Randolph, Jr. '43 passed away on January 3, 2009, near his home in Seattle, Washington. Randolph earned a B.A. in chemistry from Whittier College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in chemistry from USC. Given an honorary degree by Whittier in 1982 for his longstanding leadership in the field of science as well as to his alma mater, Randolph served on the Whittier Board of Trustees from 1972-90, officially awarded emeritus status in 1990.
Randolph is the retired CEO and Chairman of U.S. Borax and Chemical Corp. His wife Jane Taber Randolph '43 is also a graduate of Whittier College.
A memorial service is planned in Washington.
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