News
[ May ] [ April ] [ March ] [ February ] [ January ]
May
Poet Track and Field Rises to the Top
5.15.12 Ten Whittier College track and field athletes have been named to the 2012 Men's and Women's Track and Field All-SCIAC Teams.
On the men's side, six Poets earned All-SCIAC honors led by senior Brandon Wilcox who took home a first place finish in the shot put, a second place finish in the discus, and a fourth place finish in the hammer.
On the women's side, junior Alyssa Sialaris led the way for the Poets, earning 36 points for the Whittier squad during the SCIAC Championships, taking home All-SCIAC recognition in four throwing events. Sialaris also won the SCIAC Field Athlete of the Year honor by finishing in first place in the hammer and discus and second place in the shot put and javelin competitions.
Click here for more.
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English Professor Awarded NEH Grant
5.15.12 Thanks to a new grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), English professor Andrea Rehn will spend the summer researching the works of Jane Austen alongside now understudied (but once well-known) writers of her own day. Led by professor Devoney Looser of the University of Missouri at Columbia, Rehn, and 15 fellow seminar members, will work together to understand how the new digital availability of archival materials transforms research practices and therefore also undergraduate teaching.
"Since my own research is archive-intensive, I have been looking for ways to integrate archival experiences into the undergraduate English classroom. I am particularly excited by the potential for digital archival research to springboard students toward producing, rather than merely consuming, digital media," said Rehn.
"Just as digital archives now offer my students access to extremely rare materials (such as Jane Austen's surviving manuscripts), digital media platforms can connect undergraduates to a wider audience than traditional models of undergraduate writing. This feedback loop, in turn, provides an ideal situation for students to hone their ability to critically evaluate digital and internet sources. Being able to produce, as well as critically analyze, digital media is a 21st century literacy skill that will benefit all English majors, whether they go on to graduate school or to begin their careers."
Rehn's proposal grew from a simple but quite successful digital project that students in her Nineteenth Century Novel class did last year with the assistance of instructional media designer Sonia Chaidez and instructional technologist Kathy Filatreau.
"Digital Humanities initiatives seem really well suited to Whittier students, I think, since they offer us a way to enhance student experiences (such as offering opportunities for archival research) without having to drive to research libraries. They also offer platforms for our students to 'publish' their work, therefore developing their own resumes while also raising the profile of the College," she added.
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Whittier College Celebrates its 109th Commencement Ceremony
5.11.12 With tassels at their brow and gowns at their feet, nearly 400 members of Whittier College's class of 2012 descended on Memorial Stadium to take part in the 109th Commencement Ceremony.
Business Administration and Political Science double major Nikita Patel delivered the student address.
"When asked where you graduated," Patel told her classmates, "answer it like this: 'I'm a graduate from Whittier, a small, private liberal arts school . . . in Southern California. Most known as the place where Richard Nixon graduated from - you know, the president.' So when you say a president went to our College, what you're really saying is, 'OK, look, I can one day be the president of the United States.'"
After Patel's address, the attention was turned to Nobel Prize-winning chemist Mario J. Molina, feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether, and educator and advocate Chauncey Veatch, who were each conferred with an honorary doctorate of humane letters (L.H.D.) and appointed honorary Poets.
Click here for full coverage of the 2012 Commencement Ceremony.
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Whittier College Student Teachers Recognized
05.09.12 Twenty-three aspiring teachers and Master of Arts in Education candidates were honored during the Department of Education and Child Development student teachers recognition event.
It was a bittersweet ceremony for the students, staff, and faculty who were also saying farewell to Director of Student Teaching Services Kathe Robbs, who is retiring after eight years at the College.
During her tenure, Robbs taught 200 student teachers, restructured the student teaching seminar, led monthly in-service meetings for Whittier's cadre of college supervisors, and visited each student teacher at the various school sites.
The ceremony was followed by a champagne reception to toast both the accomplishments of the graduating student teachers and Robbs commitment to the program.
Whittier College partners with Broadoaks Children's School and 16 other local elementary, middle, and high schools to provide training for future teachers.
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SCIAC Honors Stellar Poets
05.08.12 The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) gave Whittier College something to buzz about this week, recognizing a number of student athletes for their stellar performances during the 2012 school year.
In baseball, seniors Andrew Vallejo, Ryan Schwenn, and Taylor Fallon led the All-SCIAC Teams being named SCIAC Athlete of the Year, SCIAC Pitcher of the Year, and a 1st Team All-SCIAC selection, each respectively, capping off their final year with the Poets in impressive fashion. More
Whittier's women's lacrosse team was honored with a first-team selection and four second-team honorees. Junior Carolyn Mukai landed on the first-team for the third straight season. Sophomores Shaina Denny and Amiya Moretta earned All-SCIAC recognition for the second straight season, while sophomore Dana Barraco and freshman Lily Baxter earned 2nd Team Honors for the first time. More
In the wake of a fifth place finish at SCIAC Championships, the Whittier men's tennis landed three athletes on the all-conference team. Junior Julian Seneviratne, senior Patricio Carregha, and sophomore Chris Schommer earned first-team and second-team honors each, respectively, as they led the Poets to as high as a No. 17 ranking in the ITA national polls. More
Finally, following the 2012 SCIAC Golf Championships at Diamond Valley Country Club in Hemet, Calif., SCIAC released its all-conference teams and senior Doug Kennedy was honored as a second-team selection. More
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Whittier's Newest Alumni CLass
05.06.12 First came the the "Cheers!" Then came the clinking of glasses. And that's how the Class of 2012 kicked off Senior Week at Whittier College's annual Alumni Association Induction Brunch.
With the stress of finals behind them and an excitement for graduation dancing on their shoulders, seniors passed the afternoon laughing with friends and chatting away with table hosts from the College's Alumni Association.
Later, alumnus Henry Priest '98, alumna Nadine Barragan '09, and President Sharon Herzberger shared with the seniors some words about life after graduation, the transition from student to alumni, the importance of 'giving back' to the College, and the advantage they'll have in the real world thanks to their liberal arts education.
However, the highlight of the afternoon was when the seniors received their official Whittier College Alumni Pin, inducting them as the newest members of Whittier's Alumni Association.
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Whitter College Honors Latino Graduates
05.06.12 Professor, author, and poet Mariano Zaro was the keynote speaker at the 11th Annual Latino Graduates Celebration.
Zaro, who spoke mostly in Spanish, encouraged the seniors present to see their cultural heritage not as a fixed identity, but as a solid foundation that gives them the freedom to take risks and embrace the unknown.
"Roots are not static. Your roots are arms, arms that open windows, doors -- doors that will lead to unexpected roads, surprising roads that you will travel and build. Your roots are wings."
See more on YouTube.
He added, "You invent, create, change. You change us. Transform us. Surprise us. And, this capacity to create and to destroy will bring you success and joy and, perhaps, passion and conflict. But don't be afraid. You are prepared. Do what you have to do.
"During the ceremony, about 60 Whittier students donned the traditional cap-and-gown and were formally recognized by President Sharon Herzberger. In addition, several students took to the podium to give words of congratulations to fellow graduates and to thank friends and family who supported their educational goals.
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Poet Award Recipient Dick Beam Dies
05.04.12 Richard "Dick" Beam '58, who was an assistant coach on two of USC's national championship football teams and later became an NFL executive, died of cancer on Thursday in Corona. He was 75.
Beam began his nearly 40-year career in sports as a player at Whittier High School and then Whittier College, where he was coached by George Allen and Don Coryell, both future legendary NFL coaches. He then coached for the Poet freshman and varsity football teams under Coryell.
After obtaining his teaching credential, he spent the next 10 years teaching English, history, and P.E. classes and coaching football for local high schools before joining the coaching staff of nationally ranked college football team, the Trojans of University of Southern California. He served as assistant coach at USC for four years, then got the chance to move up to the National Football League, as assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Three years later, Beam shifted his professional track to sports administration, hired as the Buccaneers' vice president. In 1981, he was offered the chance to return to the West Coast as vice president for the Los Angeles Rams—a position he'd hold for the next decade. In 1992, Beam was named Chief Operating Officer for the the Orlando Thunder, one of only four U.S. teams operating under the newly-formed (but short-lived) World League of American Football. He also served briefly as player agent before finally choosing to retire from professional sports in 1994. Throughout his career, he served in 29 Superbowls as a Team Liaison.
Beam is survived by his wife, Dorothy, son, Donn, daughter Cathy Crofts, and three grandchildren.
Read more on ESPN.
Services will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at 10 a.m. at Whittier Area Community Church, 8100 Colima Rd., Whittier 90605. A reception will follow at Friendly Hills Country Club, 8500 Villaverde Dr., Whittier 90605. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Whittier College Athletic Department.
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Greenleaf Gallery Displays Art Students’ Prized Works
05.02.12 The Studio Arts Department held its annual end-of-the year exhibit of student works, consisting of paintings, photography, sculptures, and other masterpieces.
This year, prizes were decided by guest judge Nancy Meyer from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) who awarded first place to Hallie Doane '13, for her work "Untitled;" second place to Drew Pigott '12 for his work "Giraffe;" and third place to Erik Rempen '12, for his work "Culture*."
"It's exciting that someone from LACMA actually liked my work, considering all the time put into it," said Doane, the first-place winning artist.
Additionally, separate works by Lizbeth Hernandez '12 ("Daydreamer") and Eleanor Demis ''13 ("Malibu Tranquility") were chosen for the President's Purchase Prize, which was funded this year by a gift from alumna artist Kelly Thompson '95, and created with the help of Professor Jenny Herrick to enable the College to acquire works by talented Whittier students.
Hernandez' and Demis' work will become part of Whittier's already-impressive collection of art and 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.
Outstanding Student-Athletes Honored at Annual Purple & Gold Banquet
05.02.12 Whittier College student-athletes were recognized for their achievements on and off the field at the 2012 All-Sports Awards Banquet hosted by the Whittier College Athletics Department and Purple & Gold Club.
The night was highlighted by the presentation of the four major awards: Male and Female Freshman Athlete of the Year: Jacob Porter and Dannika Navales-Lugtu; Male and Female Team Sport Athlete of the Year: Andrew Vallejo '12, Sam Russell '12, and Alayna Rigo '14; Male and Female Individual Athlete of the Year: Kevin Curbelo '14 and Alyssa Sialaris '13; and Presidential Scholar Athletes: Megan Maguire Marshall '12 and Richard Hoover '12.
Other exceptional senior athletes receiving accolades included Tyler Aisner, Katrina Thoreson, Doug Kennedy, Robert Bazlen, Denisse Martinez, Nikki Mendoza, Greg Preer, Nathaniel Easterman, Drew Menez, Patricio Carregha, Ryan Schwenn, and Michele Callaway.
In addition, all the conference, regional and national award winners were recognized as well as those students who have maintained a minimum grade-point-average of 3.7.
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April
URSCA Shines Light on Whittier Undergraduate Researchers and Artists
4.30.12 Dozens of Whittier College students participated in the 2nd Annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Arts (URSCA) Presentation Day held last weekend.
URSCA is designed to give students a chance to present research accomplished throughout this academic year. Presentation topics were varied and ranged from "Case Studies in Foreign Policy" to "Mapping Social Mobility in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations: Digital Storytelling Meets 19th Century Novel."
The day's academic presentations were rounded off with a faculty and student poetry session - "Don't Fear the Poet: Faculty Poets and Student Poets Read Together."
Click here to see more photos on Facebook.
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2012 Honors Convocation Recognizes Outstanding Poets
4.30.12 Dozens of Whittier College students were bestowed with various honors from departments and college heads for their dedication to academics and service at the 2012 Spring Honors Convocation. To see a full list of students honorees click here.
Professor of Education and Child Development and the 2011 Harry W. Nerhood Teaching Excellence Award recipient Don Bremme delivered the keynote address. Watch the full speech on YouTube.
Later in the program, Professor of History Elizabeth Sage was named the 2012 Nerhood Award winner.
Click here to see more photos on Facebook.
Honors convocation was part of Family Weekend - a two day event designed to showcase student accomplishments. The weekend kicked off with the Jazz It Up Concert and Fashion Show in the Campus Center Courtyard and concluded with the annual Hawaiian Islanders Club Luau.
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Poet Volunteers Recognized
4.26.12 The Whittier College Office of Alumni Relations hosted its 2nd Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on April 20. The College celebrated and honored the contributions, service, and dedication demonstrated by members of the Poet volunteer corps and leadership groups. Nineteen volunteer groups were represented - from affinity organizations and fundraising groups to leadership councils and student campaigns. Alumna Lyn Carty '96 served as the emcee for the night and showcased each group's accomplishments.
Steve Weston '83 President of the Alumni Association told the group, "Each of you leads by example, and I thank you for giving our extended Poet family - the students, the faculty and staff, fellow alumni, families, friends, and others - such an impressive and heartfelt example of what Whittier means to you and the importance you place on serving this institution with devotion."
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Whittier College Receives More than $400,000 with NIH Grant
4.26.12 Whittier College has been awarded a $458,178 grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to help the College build capacity in research administration infrastructures. The funds - which will be expended over the next five years - will help establish an Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) for Whittier faculty.
The specific aims of the OSR are to support faculty in their research efforts and increase faculty research activity at Whittier; build research capacity in the biomedical and biobehavioral fields; and increase research opportunities for underrepresented students.
The College plans to staff the OSR with a grant manager and other professionals to provide individualized support to faculty and research training, such as workshops on topics that include grant prospect identification, grant writing, proposal development, and successful grant management.
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Emi Shimamoto '15 Named SCIAC Athlete of the Week
4.25.12 Poet softball utility player Emi Shimamoto was recently honored as the SCIAC Female Athlete of the Week, making her the seventh Poet to win this honor this year and only the second freshman to do so.
Shimamoto enters her first season with the Poets and has been a catalyst in both the field and at the plate. She is a versatile player from Santa Clarita, Calif., who can play both outfield and infield positions.
Shimamoto looks to lead a young Poet squad to its first-ever SCIAC Championship Title when it travels to Riverside, Calif. for the SCIAC Post Season Tournament to take on the No. 1 seeded Bulldogs of the University of Redlands this Friday, April 27, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
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Whittier College to Honor Three Leading Scholars During 2012 Commencement Ceremony
4.18.12 Whittier College will celebrate its 109th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 11 at 9 a.m. in Memorial Stadium on the Whittier College campus. During the event, distinguished scholars Mario J. Molina, Rosemary Radford Ruether, and Chauncey Veatch will each receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters (L.H.D.).
Mario J. Molina is the first Mexican-born citizen to receive a Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which he was awarded along with his co-recipient in 1995 for his role in exposing the threat to Earth's ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbon gases. Best known as a groundbreaking leader in Christian feminist theology, Rosemary Radford Ruether has had a distinguished career as a teacher, scholar, and activist in the Roman Catholic Church. And, Chauncey Veatch was named National Teacher of the Year 2002, receiving the honor from President George W. Bush.
The honorees will have the opportunity to offer a few words of advice to the nearly 450 undergraduate and graduate students expected to receive their degrees.
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Biotechnology Company Appointment of Whittier Grad as Chief Commercial Officer
4.17.12 Whittier alumnus Christopher Muller B.A. '84, M.B.A. '87 has been named as the new Chief Commercial Officer at QLT Opthalmics, Inc., a biotechnology company.
Bob Butchofsky, president and CEO of QLT Inc., said, "I am very excited [that Muller] has chosen to join QLT and we look forward to his strong contribution to the strategic and operating management of the company."
In his new position, Muller will oversee QLT's global marketing, sales, commercial strategy, and the development of global launch plans for products in QLT's product pipeline.
Muller comes to QLT as an experienced medical marketing professional.
Read more in Market Watch.
More>>
Whittier Opens Campus to Admitted Students for Enrollment Events
4.15.12 "Do you have a baseball team?"
"How do I sign up for work study?"
"Do I need to declare a major as a freshman?"
These were just some of the questions asked by the more than 250 high school seniors who visited Whittier College on Sunday. They came from high schools far and wide, with varying interests and personalities, yet these young men and women shared something in common: all had recently received acceptance letters from Whittier, inviting them to be part of its Class of 2016.
Earlier in the day, the high school seniors and their parents had gathered at Graham Athletic Center, where they participated in a Q&A with representatives from the campus' Admissions and Financial Aid Department and received a warm welcome from Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger.
Click here to read more.
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Poet Joins Board of Worldwide Children's Rights Organization
4.15.12 Child development major and president of OMEP-Whittier College Kallia Wade '12 recently traveled to Washington D.C. to attend her first meeting the OMEP-USA Board of Directors. The youngest-ever board member, she joins as the liaison for Jamaica Projects.
During her stay in the nation's capital, Wade met Nurper Ulkuer, UNICEF's Worldwide Chief of Early Childhood Development. Wade made Ulkuer an honorary member of OMEP-Whittier College and presented her with a sash worn by members of the organization at graduation.
OMEP (World Organization for Early Childhood Education) is an international organization working on behalf of the health, well-being, rights, and education of the world's children.
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Political Science Professor Speaks on the Power of Incumbency
4.14.12 Professor Eric Lindgren recently spoke to the Whittier Daily News regarding the results of Whittier elections in which the three incumbents won all 23 precincts in the city.
"It's the same old story - incumbent power," said Lindgren who is an expert in American politics, elections, political parties, the media, methodology, and urban/city politics.
"They ran as a block which helped them a lot," he added.
Read more in the Whittier Daily News.
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Faith Govan '14 is Named Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Contact
4.12.12 Whittier Scholars major Faith Govan '14 has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. Nominated by their college president, the award recognizes inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country.
Through service, community-based research, and advocacy, the 2012 class of Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves and the root causes of some of the most pressing social issues that challenge us all. The students demonstrate a personal commitment to creating lasting change for the better in their communities.
Govan is recognized for demonstrating the type of civic engagement that sets an example for others, shining a positive light in a time when negativity has dominated much national conversation.
A passionate advocate for disenfranchised population and an action-oriented leader, Govan's ability to conceptualize and implement programs prompted her appointment as a fellow within Whittier's Center for Engagement with Communities. In that role, Govan coordinates a mentorship program for local high school students who might not otherwise consider higher education. She is strengthening the College's network with social service agencies in the community and building student involvement.
Using expertise gained through a self-designed major in social reintegration post-conflict and through projects while studying in South Africa, Govan anticipates working with refugees and ex-convicts to promote their successful participation in society.
Campus Compact is a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and university presidents - representing some 6 million+ students - who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education, that is, to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.
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Final Backpack to Briefcase Workshop Explores Unique Career Paths
4.11.12 "Careers You Never Even Thought Of..." was the theme at the final Backpack to Briefcase event of school year. And with a panel consisting of a special effects artist, a forensic scientist, a zoo keeper, and a health coach/roller derby skater, the evening's speakers truly represented the uniqueness of Whittier alumni.
Gathered around the fireplace at Dezember Alumni house, snacking on small desserts and drinking coffee, students and alumni discussed the always popular topic this time of year: life after graduation.
While the majority of students in the room were underclassmen with graduation still a couple years off, they were nevertheless eager to hear from the four Whittier College graduates who had once been in their shoes, who had already made a name for themselves in the outside world, and who - on this night - returned with some wisdom to share.
Click here to read more.
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Whittier College Receives National Recognition for Community Service
4.11.12 For the second year in a row, Whittier College has been admitted to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction for its exemplary commitment to service, developing campus-community partnerships that produce measurable impact, and engaging students in meaningful service-learning activities. Awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the honor with distinction was given to only 110 colleges and universities across the nation.
"At Whittier College we believe in service learning," said President Sharon Herzberger. "Our students are very fortunate to have a faculty that provides them with opportunities to use the communities outside our campus as classrooms and to take part in meaningful projects that really make a difference in the lives of the stakeholders in these communities. It is such an honor to receive this wonderful recognition for the second year in a row. It shows our students that they are not just heroes here in our own neighborhood, but individuals also celebrated on a national stage."
Directed by professor Joyce Kaufman, the Center for Engagement with Communities (CEC) serves as both a hub for student-service learning projects and a force behind established and developing partnerships between the College and the community. The Center is a prime example of the College's commitment to applied learning and to educating students for citizenship and service.
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Tony Barnstone Talks About Poetry and Translation
4.03.12 Whittier College English professor Tony Barnstone recently sat down with Melissa Studdard, host of radio show blog Tiferet Talk, for a conversation about poetry and his approach to editing and translation.
Barnstone is the author of more than a dozen books and the recipient of many awards, including a Pushcart Prize, the Randall Jarrell Poetry Prize, and the Pablo Neruda Prize in Poetry. His poetry collections are Naked Magic, Sad Jazz: Sonnets, The Golem of Los Angeles, and Tongue of War, a collection of dramatic monologues set in the Pacific during World War II.
Click here to listen or download Barnstone's interview with Tiferet Talk.
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April sees Ryan Schwenn '12 Do It Again
4.03.12 Poet Ryan Schwenn was recently highlighted by the Whittier Daily News for his impressive performance on the mound this season.
Last month, in a game against SCIAC top ranked University of La Verne, Schwenn was dominant in throwing his first career no hitter, leading the Poets to a 4-0 victory over the Leopards.
"It doesn't get better than that," said head coach Mike Rizzo. "[Schwenn] pitched the game of a lifetime."
Schwenn's no hitter also landed him a SCIAC Male Athlete of the Week title.
And the winning streak has only continued for Schwenn and the Poets.Just last week, the Poets completed a series sweep of Occidental College, winning game one in extras 4-3 and holding on late in game two 10-9.
Up next for Whittier are the Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran who host the Poets this coming Friday, April 13, with game time slated to begin at 3:00pm.
Read more in the Whittier Daily News and WCPoets.com.
Human Genome Company Names Whittier Grad to Management Team
4.03.12 Whittier
alumnus Adam Rosenberg
'92 has been named as the new senior vice president and head of
corporate development at Knome Inc., a human genome interpretation
company.
"Knome
is well situated to play a fundamental role in leading the impending
revolution in personalized medicine and genomics, and
I'm excited to join the team," said Rosenberg.
In
his new post, Rosenberg is responsible for all transactional aspects of
the company, in addition to developing Knome's intellectual
property strategy and playing a leadership role in establishing Knome's
partnerships in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
Rosenberg
is an experienced life sciences executive who has played a key role in
founding and building a number of successful companies.
Read More in Market Watch.
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Whittier College Students Give Back Over Spring Break
4.02.12 Spring
Break offered a number of Whittier College students
the opportunity to travel, explore new cultures, and to give back. Such
was the case with students who participated in Alternative Spring Break
and the Whittier College Choir tour to New Orleans.
Sponsored
by the Cultural Center's Interfaith Programs, Alternative Spring Break
involved eight Whittier students and one alumnus who volunteered at
various community based organization in one of the poorest areas in San
Francisco.
 "When
we decided to do Alternative Spring Break we knew that we were going
into an environment that would conflict with our views, beliefs, and
backgrounds,"
said participant Melissa King '15.
"I personally believe when we allow
ourselves to do that then we are able to build and expand ourselves by
seeing situations from opposite cultural perspectives. I encourage
everyone to do this for their spring break... It
is a life changing experience."
Whittier
College Choir members, led by professor Stephen Cook, partnered with
the United Saints Recovery Fund for a day of community service at City
Park, New Orleans. Students also performed at Lakeview Presbyterian
Church and participate in a masterclass at Tulane University. (Click here to watch a video of Voce's Performance.)
"It
was amazing to learn about and experience a completely different
culture from our own. I really enjoyed taking part in community service
and masterclass at
Tulane University. I look forward to returning to this amazing city in
the future," said choir member Samantha Justine Quintanar '13.
Click here to read more from Quintanar's blog.
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March
Poets Take First Place in Whittier Invitational
3.30.12
The Poet golf team took home first place honors in the Whittier Invitational with an overall score of a 293 this past weekend. Over the course of the season, the team has improved its national ranking to No. 35 in Div III.
Junior
Greg Garcia led the way for the Poets shooting a 72, while Doug Kennedy
'12 and Matt Liotta-Butterworth '12 each finished with
73s.
The
Poets look to get back on the course as they travel to Riverside on
Sunday, April 15 where they will take part in the SCIAC No. 5event hosted by Redlands University.
Read more in the Examiner.com and wcpoets.com.
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Professor Joe Price Shares his Thoughts on the Tebow Trade to the New York Jets
3.26.12 Professor Joe Price's expertise on the intersection of sports and religion was requested once again as the Tim Tebow trade controversy began to fuel.
Tebow,
ex-quarterback for the Denver Broncos has been traded to the New York
Jets, making many critics wonder what the outcome of
this trade will mean for Jet fans and Tebow himself.
"What
I think (being in New York) will show is the steadiness of his faith,
and that's what many have tried to question," said Price. "If he
succeeds in New York, it's not just because he's north of Colorado
Springs and within arm's reach of Focus on the Family.
He's right there within arm's reach of Manhattan, a very different
culture. But if his faith is expressed in the same way, winning and
losing, that really identifies the authenticity and the depth of his
faith."
Tebow
has received attention across the country for his throwing technique as
well as his displays of faith on the field that have become commonly
known as "Tebowing."
Read more in Associated Press.
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Men's Lacrosse Team breaks Winning Streak in a Fist-Clenching Game against Union College
3.22.12 Every year, the Whittier College Men's Lacrosse Team test their relative strength in a competition called, The Iron Poet. The team tests at the begining of the fall and the end of the winter. The purpose of this test is to see who can improve their relative strength the most over that period of time.
Watch the following video, produced by Kevin Sun '13 and Andrew Swett, that shows "testing day," the culmination of the poets strength and conditioning program.
Click here to see video.
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Economic Forecasts Show Class of 2012 Have More Job Prospects
3.19.12 According to a Los Angeles Times news report, "the job market for this year's college graduates appears to be on the upswing." The article sites two different surveys by the National Association of Colleges and Employers and the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State, that indicate seniors will have a better time finding employment this year than in the past few years and that more businesses are recruiting at campus job fairs this spring.
"Yet, students are still urged to start searching aggressively long before graduation."
According to Linda Ross, director of career planning and internships, students at Whittier College are indeed taking their job search seriously. Interviewed for the Los Angeles Times article she said that her office has received an unusually large increase in requests for career counseling from freshmen.
"During their whole high school time, they saw people losing jobs and heard about the bad economy," she said. "So they are coming to college more career-focused."
Business and economic double major Sean Arps '12, attended a recent "Backpack to Briefcase" networking event, in which Whittier alumni discussed how they landed their first jobs and provided career advice to students. Arps has tempered optimism toward his job search.
"I definitely will be graduating at a better time compared to any time in the past four years or so," he said. "So my prospects are looking up."
Read more in the Los Angeles Times.
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English Professor Publishes New Book of Short Stories
3.19.12 Professor Fred Arroyo's new book, Western Avenue and Other Fictions, has been recently published by the University of Arizona Press. Arroyo is an Andrew W. Mellon postdoctoral fellow in English at Whittier College.
Read a recent review in Publishers Weekly.
Arroyo is also the author the novel The Region of Lost Names. Both his books appeared as a part of the Camino del Sol series. Named one of the "Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch (and Read)" in 2009 by LatinoStories.com, Arroyo is a recipient of an Individual Artist Grant from the Indiana Arts Commission.
Join Arroyo and fellow professors Tony Barnstone and Scott Creley, with special guests Rob Davidson from California State University, Chico, for a "Poetry and Prose Reading" at Half Off Books in Uptown Whittier on Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 p.m.
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Actor Julian Sands Comes to Whittier College for One Night Only Event
3.14.12 Girl in the Dragon Tattoo actor Julian Sands was at Whittier College for a special performance of The Celebration of Harold Pinter (directed by John Malkovich).
The show was followed by a Q&A session with the artist. Click here to watch it on You Tube.
The Celebration of Harold Pinter, is a tribute play honoring the Nobel Prize winning writer's poems and political prose. Sands has appeared in a variety of both low-tier and higher-budget films and television programs. Most recently he played a young Henrik Vanger in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
This play was the opening event for Whittier College's Center for Collaboration with the Arts Spring Symposium.
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Poet Shares Her College Experience in National Latina Magazine
3.13.12 English literature and theater arts student Samantha Justine Quintanar '13 is featured in the most recent publication of LATINA Style magazine.
Quintanar's personal essay, which appears in the "College Beat" section, addresses her struggle with identity and how her Whittier experience has contributed to her cultural pride and self-confidence.
"Attending a private-liberal arts school was an incredible achievement considering I was the first Quintanar woman to attend college," she wrote.
“College Beat” regularly features accomplished Latina students from all over the country discussing their college experience.
Read more in LATINA Style
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Top Environmental Scientists James Galloway '66 Visits Whittier College
03.09.12 Award-winning biogeochemist, educator, and author James N. Galloway '66 was on campus last week to receive the Poet Award for Alumni Achievement and to meet with students, faculty, and staff as part of two-day visiting scholar residency. Galloway spoke at a number of classes, toured the urban farm learning laboratory, and gave a presentation for the Environmental Science Colloquium.
Whittier blogger Emily Baeza interviewed Galloway about his research and work on the Nitrogen Calculator.
Click here to watch the interview on the Sustainability@Whittier College blog.
Galloway has been called both a "pioneer and an exceptional leader" on global biogeochemical issues focusing on documenting and understanding the massive changes that are occurring in the global nitrogen cycle both through his own research as well as fostering a major international effort.
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Whittier College Calls Halt to Cal Grant Cuts
3.6.12 In a recent editorial for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger writes that the governor and state legislators must reconsider a proposed cut to the Cal Grant Program that would reduce the maximum award of $9,708 to $5,472 for students
attending California's private colleges and universities.
“The fiscal challenges that led the governor to propose reductions in the Cal Grant are daunting, but this proposal represents an ill-conceived and
counterproductive way to solve our economic woes. The long-term impact can be disastrous,” said Herzberger.
Read more in the San Gabriel Valley News.
On Wednesday students from across the state, including Mario Obando '13 and Poonam Narewatt '13, will rally in Sacramento as part of the AICCU Day in the Capitol (Association of Independent California Colleges
and Universities), which includes a morning briefing with legislative
members and full day of advocating support for Cal Grant funding.
Read more in the Whittier Daily News.
At Whittier 338 Students are currently receiving a Cal Grant—about 21% of all students. If this proposal is approved more than $3.1 million would be taken away from Whittier students—effectively putting at risk the educational future of financially deserving, academically qualified students. The cut will apply to both incoming and returning Cal Grant recipients starting in the Fall 2012.
Click here for more info about the Cal Grant.
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Whittier Graduates Perform at Local Spot
3.6.12 Will Halsey '08, Scott Parrelli '10, and Abe Rivers '08, will be rocking out along the rest of their band mates in The Voodoo Fix this Friday in Uptown Whittier's Fenix 5-4.
The band formed in 2007 as the Blues Ensemble with the help of professor Danilo Lozano. Shortly after, they began writing their own material and thus grew into their own as The Voodoo Fix..
Band members include vocalist/guitarist Rivers, guitarist Parrelli, guitarist and keyboardist Andrew Russell of Whittier, drummer Jeremy Dietz, and Halsey on the base.
In May 2011, the band released a new album, "Not For Nothing" and it is currently on tour. The group will make only four tour stops on the West Coast, one of which is in Whittier, where they got their start.
"We're trying to communicate to our fans and our friends that have kept us alive over the years how hard we're working and how we've got some big stuff on the horizon. We're working on some new songs in the studio that we really think our fans are going to love" said Halsey.
Read More in the Pasadena News Time.
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Poet Featured in Gay Rights Video
3.6.12 Poet track and field distance runner Jordan Vega '13 is featured in a promotional video for "Second Class Citizen," a documentary by Ryan James Yazek about what it's like to be an openly gay NCAA athlete.
Yazek is a 23 year old filmmaker and blogger from Houston, Texas who has worked on various films promoting the need for equality for the gay community.
Vega will also be featured in the 3rd edition "Fearless," a photography series by artist Jeff Sheng. Beginning in 2003, Sheng has photographed over 100 openly homosexual student athletes across the United States and Canada.
Watch the Video
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Former Poet, Dave Jordan to be inducted to Hall of Fame
3.5.12 Former Poet Dave Jordan '59 was recently inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions the game and dedication to his players. He now joins other high profile coaches and players such as Don Coryell, Dick Vermeil, and John Madden, among many others.
At Whittier, Jordon played for legendary coaches Coryell and George Allen.
He started his own coaching career at Chowchilla High School. It wasn't until 1971 that Jordan found his dream job as head coach at Grossmont College, winning the state championship just three years later.
Jordan's career has been devoted to promoting education through scholarship, giving his players the discipline and motivation they need to continue to be successful.
"I want to tell you all that winning was great! But even greater was the chance I had to help so many young students to get their lives straight," said Jordan,
He retired in 2005 passing on Grossmont's success to his son, Mike Jordan, who has been head coach since.
In 23 years as head coach of the Griffins, Dave Jordan compiled a 135-89-9 record and was a two-time State Coach of the Year. Several of his players moved to the NFL, including Jay Taylor (Chiefs), Kevin McCadam (Falcons), Larry Moore (Bengals, Colts) and Akili Smith (Bengals), while many others have go on to pursue lucrative jobs.
Read more in the San Diego Union Tribune.
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Whittier Scholars Come Together for a Night of Networking
03.1.12 Author and scholar Dr. Paul Jay was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Whittier Scholars Program (WSP) retreat — an event designed to bring together current students and alumni of the WSP. Fittingly, Jay spoke about creative ways that colleges can work to serve and network with its alumni.
"
The annual retreat is one of the best ways for our current WSP students to get to know our alumni and to converse with them about their self-designed majors, aspirations for the future, and career plans," said Professor Doreen O'Connor-Gómez, WSP director. "It is also a wonderful opportunity for alumni to share with our current WSP students their experiences, specifically how the WSP prepared them for their own career paths."
Jay teaches at Loyola University in Chicago. His areas of specialization include modern and contemporary literature and theory, cultural theory, visual culture, and the relationship between literature and globalization. His books include "Being in the Text: Self-Representation from Wordsworth to Roland Barthes," "The Selected Correspondence of Kenneth Burke and Malcolm Cowley," and "Contingency Blues: The Search for Foundations in American Criticism."
Check out WSP on Facebook. More »
Award Winning Mexican Playwright Speaks About Immigration
03.1.12 Award-winning playwright, poet, essayist, critic, and theatre director Hugo Salcedo spoke at recently Whittier College.
This spanish lecture touched on the theme of immigration to the United States as portrayed in Mexican plays. He talked about how these works address social problems in an acutely and critical way with colloquial language that often reaches the poetic ear.
"The theme featuring Mexican migration to the United States refers broadly to the motivations, circumstances, or travel adventures of the characters and their individual or collective imagination," he summarized.
Salcedo has received recognition for his outstanding work multiple times. He has won three Premio Punto de Partida prizes on separate occasions given by The National Autonomous University of Mexico for his plays, including San Juan de Dios/ Saint John of God in 1986, Dos a dos/ Two to One in 1987 and El viaje de los cantors/ The Crossing in 1989. The Crossing was also awarded the Tirso de Molina award in 1989, for best Spanish speaking play of the year and was the first play written by a Latin American writer to win this prize and Premio Mejor Autor Mexicano (Best Mexican Author Award) in 1990, from The Association of Critics.
Several of his award winning plays have been staged in Latin America and Spain. He has been a guest professor at universities in Mexico, El Salvador, Spain, France, United States, and China. Salcedo holds a Ph. D. from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and is currently a drama professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California.
Read More in El Mexicano.
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February
Senator George Mitchell to Speak at Whittier College:
The Implications of the Arab Spring for Peace in the Middle East
2.29.12 Former Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell was the 2012 Feinberg Lecture speaker at Whittier College on Tuesday night in the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts.
His lecture, The Implications of the Arab Spring for Peace in the Middle East, addressed timely
issues related to international peace efforts.
During his speech, Mitchell gave powerful insight into both the congressional process and the
United States' efforts to build peace in the warn-torn areas of the Middle East.
"It's a huge and daunting challenge to rebuild trust, not only between the leaders, but between two peoples with such a long and painful history of conflict.
They must get into negotiations, they must conclude negotiations in order to get what they want,"
said Mitchell.
"The Israelis have a state, a very successful state. But what they don't have is assured and sustainable security for their people. On the other hand, the Palestinians don't have a state. They want one and they ought to have one.
But the Palestinians are never going to get a state if the people of Israel don't have a reasonable sense of security.
And Israel is never going to get that security until the Palestinians have a state.
That will be the ultimate test of leadership on both sides."
FULL VIDEO IS AVAILABLE
HERE
A noted diplomat, Mitchell has spent his post-senate years helping to broker resolutions to some of the world's most critical conflict areas.
In the late 1990s Mitchell chaired the Northern Ireland Peace Talks that led to the historic Good Friday agreement. He also served on an International Fact-Finding Committee on violence in the Middle East in the early 2000s.
Most recently he was appointed by President Barrack Obama as a U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, a term which concluded in 2011.
The Feinberg Lecture Series is made possible through an endowment established by the late Sheldon Feinberg, a former trustee of Whittier College,
and his wife, Betty, in order to invite major scholars to the College to discuss broad historic, religious,
and political issues encompassed by Judaism and its role in changing the world.
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Whittier College Commemorates 40th Anniversary of "The Week that Changed the World"
2.27.12 A special lecture by Dr. Richard Solomon, Enabling the Dragon: President Nixon and the Week That Changed the World, commemorated the anniversary of President Richard M. Nixon's '34 historic trip to China. Solomon is President of the U.S. Institute of Peace and in 1972, as a senior staff member of the National Security Council, supported Nixon and Henry Kissinger in opening relations with China.
"The Nixon initiative is one whose consequences today will shape in a major way the international relations of the 21st century," said Solomon addressing a full house in AJ Villalobos Hall.
"China and the United States today are the major world powers most capable of reshaping this new international environment to our mutual benefit or if we don't handle them well, to considerable mutual cost."
Click here to watch the complete lecture.
"It's only as leaders in both Beijing and Washington are as bold in their approach of managing this relationship as were president Nixon and Chairman Mao, only as our leaders work to develop the positive factors in the relationship while managing the areas of conflict, can they avoid the great costs that would return back to us with a new era of confrontation. This is the great challenge of managing the legacy of Richard Nixon's opening with China."
Solomon was assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 1989 to 1992. He negotiated the Cambodia peace treaty, the first United Nations "Permanent Five" peacemaking agreement; had a leading role in the dialogue on nuclear issues between the United States and South and North Korea; helped establish the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation initiative; and led U.S. negotiations with Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam on important bilateral matters. In 1992-93, Solomon served as U.S. ambassador to the Philippines.
Read more about the 40th Anniversary of Nixon's trip to China on NPR, China Daily, and The New York Times.
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Alumna's Work Highlighted at Southwest Museum
2.27.12 Artist Linda Vallejo's '73 exhibit, "A Prayer for the Earth," is the opening installation in the Contemporary Artist Series 2012 at the Museum of the Southwest located in Midland, Texas.
Years in the making, her latest exhibit is part of a tribal series resulting from 30 years of studying Native American traditions.
Vallejo connects her passion for art with her multicultural upbringing and experiences in the U.S. as well as Germany and Spain.
"I draw inspiration from many different points of view," said Vallejo. "Books, poetry, visual art, architecture, political issues, social issues. I draw inspiration from about everything I experience."
Read More in the San Angelo Stand Times
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Senator George Mitchell to Speak at Whittier College: The Implications of the Arab Spring for Peace in the Middle East
02.22.12 Former Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell will be the 2012 Feinberg Lecture speaker on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts. His lecture, "The Implications of the Arab Spring for Peace in the Middle East," will deal with timely current issues related to Arab states. The lecture is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP please call Terrie Valenzuela 562.907.4219.
Cited by "Time" magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential Persons in the World," Mitchell has been a prominent figure in American politics for more than three decades, from his earliest appointment to Congress in 1980 to his mor recent post as U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, a term which concluded in May 2011.
While in the Senate, Mitchell served as Majority Leaders for six years and served on the Finance, Veterans Affairs, and Environment and Public Works Committees. Notably, he was instrumental in the passage of landmark legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, laws improving higher education access, and ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement and creation of the World Trade Organization.
Following his Congressional service, Mitchell guided numerous negotiations with foreign nations, chairing the Northern Ireland Peace Talks in he late 1990s and an International Fact-Finding Committee on violence in the Middle East in the early 2000s. Domestically, he oversaw high-profile investigations involving steroid use in Major League Baseball and mishandling of monies collected through the American Red Cross Liberty Fund, which provided relief for September 11 attack victims and their families.
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Whittier Alumna Makes it Onto the Amazing Race
02.20.12 Jamie Graetz '00 made her TV debut last night as a contestant on the reality show, "The Amazing Race." She and her partner Nary Ebeid won forth place in the first competition of the season.
Check out a video from the show.
Both Graetz and Ebeid work as federal agents enforcing the nation's controlled substances laws. According to Graetz, the skills employed in this demanding job go far in helping them make it to the finish line and win the grand prize of $1 million.
"We are aggressive, pay attention to detail, are always ready for a challenge and never give up. Go hard or go home!" she said.
"The Amazing Race" is an eight-time Emmy Award-winning reality series, which pits 11 teams, each comprised of two members, against each other on a trek around the world for approximately 25 days. At every destination, each team must compete in a series of challenges, some mental and some physical, and only when the tasks are completed will they learn of their next location. Teams who are the farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses. More »
A Whittier College Student in Italy Takes an Interdisciplinary Look at Food
02.17.12 Whittier College junior Michelle Kilpatrick is spending the spring semester in Perugia, a central Italian city known for its chocolate and 35,000 university students.
Kilpatrick is participating in the Food Studies Program (FSP) at the Umbra Institute, where in addition to a rigorous classroom schedule, there are a number of food workshops and field trips. The FSP encourages students to think about the fact that while most humans eat three times a day, hardly anyone ever stops to ask the basic questions about where their food comes from.
On a recent field trip, Kilpatrick visited a local cooperative made up of twelve dairy farmers who together own a small cheese factory. She and her classmates met a maestro casaro (master cheesemaker) at the small cooperative in the fields outside of Parma who has been making 200 pound wheels of Parmesan cheese for the last 35 years.
Kilpatrick's visit to the cheese factory was part of a longer excursion, during which students also visited a small prosciutto cooperative and a family-run balsamic vinegar shop.
"I have never felt more beautiful than I did at the Parmesan cheese cooperative and I have never been more delighted by balsamic vinegar. I am certain I will return home a cheese and vinegar snob," said Kilpatrick.
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Alumna Named Top Academic Officer at Online University
02.17.12 Marijane Axtell Paulsen has been appointed as the chief academic officer at Jones International University (JUI). In this role, Paulsen will be responsible for leading and managing the entire range of academic activities for JIU including oversight of the University's curriculum, instruction, assessment of student learning, service, and compliance to ensure teaching excellence, and fulfillment of the University's vision and mission.
Prior to joining JIU, Paulsen held a number of academic leadership roles for both universities and community colleges where she had the opportunity to lead her institutions through explosive growth periods.
"I am committed to the value of higher learning for students and the communities they will live in," said Dr. Paulsen. "Along with my fellow academics at JIU, I look forward to inspiring and motivating students across the globe to use education as a change agent in their lives."
Paulsen holds a BS from AZ State in Zoology, an MS from Whittier College in Biology, and a Ph.D in Higher Education with a focus on Environmental Science from University of Southern California. Read more in PR Web.
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Report Looks at College Grads' Future Job Prospects
02.17.12
Whittier College students were recently interviewed for an article in American News Report that looks at a new Pew Research study on the unemployment rate for young adults.
For her part, Poonam Narewatt '13, an English and political science major, admits that the economic situation is not ideal for upcoming graduates, but suggests her peers need to think outside the box.
"I don't think our college graduates are limited to America," she said. "I think the world's economy can support graduates. I think our generation just needs to get creative. Capitalize on the things we're good at."
The article was written by Whittier College political science major Matt Anson '13.
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College Fundraisers Feel Optimistic
02.17.12 Despite the current economic woes, donations to U.S. colleges and universities rose last year by an estimated $30.6 billion according to a report by the Council for Aid and Education. The Chronicle of Philanthropy further reports that While its true that most of the money—86 percent—went to just 25 percent of the institutions, there seems to be an overall optimism on college campuses.
This point is echoed by President Sharon Herzberger, "People are feeling more positive about philanthropy."
"We're feeling good about reaching out to alumni and parents. They like the notion of being able to help students come to a very high quality college and get a good education," added Herzberger.
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Whittier College Dedicates New Aquatics Center, Gateway Bridge, and Hall of Fame
02.13.12 Whittier College celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated Lillian Slade Aquatics Center, new Gateway Bridge, and Hall of Fame conference room with a ribbon cutting ceremony and plaque unveiling.
With particular flourish, the plaque to the Gateway Bridge was uncovered to reveal a sign reading, "Sharon D. and David K. Herzberger Gateway Bridge." The stunning new walkway, built with the generous support of John '45 and Jan Cauffman, allows viewers to watch tennis matches and aquatics from inside the glass entrance.
"David and I received the surprise of our lives on Friday afternoon. John and Jan Cauffman are some of the most generous, most humble people we know. We are so honored that they chose to name the Gateway Bridge after us. David and I will treasure this memory," said Herzberger stated.
Click here to view photos on Facebook.
Poet parent John Peel officially cut the ribbon to the entrance of the Graham Athletic Center. The crowd was then lead into the new Hall of Fame conference room that features large brightly lit pictures of Poet athletes along the walls, as well as plaques honoring former star players.
Dozens of student athletes, alumni, trustees, and friends of the College were on hand to help with the celebration including Bill and Jan Woods, Ruth B. Shannon, Alan '71 and Irene Lund, Jim Parks, Bill '55 and Harriet Harris, Joyce '77 and Peter Mullenbach, John and Laurie '84 Peel, Vince Daigneault '85, Mitch '96 and Lyn '96 Carty, and board president Don Herrema '74, among others.
Read more in the Whittier Daily News.
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Professor Robert Marks Traces China's Ecological History
02.14.12
Richard and Billie Deihl Professor of History Robert Marks is the author of the new book, "China: Its Environment and History (World Social Change)," which examines the evolution of China's relationship with nature from ancient times to the present day.
Asia Times recently published an an extensive interview with Marks discussing much of the research included in his book.
According to Marks his book is unique in that, "Other scholars have done major environmental studies of imperial or modern China, but mine is the first to cover all of China's 10,000-year-long environmental history from the emergence of farming to now."
The book focuses on the interaction of humans and their environment and traces changes in the physical and cultural world that is home to a quarter of the world's population.
"As a historian, I am very aware that little of the past is inevitable. The future is contingent on many factors and events. Actions taken now can change outcomes. Knowing about the past - my book's contribution - should inform choices to enhance human survivability in a world of natural diversity and beauty," said Marks.
Marks is fluent in Mandarin and has authored three other books, "The Origins of the Modern World — A Global and Ecological Narrative from the Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-first Century," "Tigers, Rice, Silk and Silt: Environment, and Economy in Late Imperial South China," and "The Making of the Modern World: Connected Histories, Divergent Paths, 1500 to the Present."
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Whittier College Students Excel in Academics
02.13.12 Whittier College named 170 undergraduate students to the Fall 2011 Dean's List.
Students' academic accomplishments have been noted in various hometown newspapers including: Walnut Patch, The Greeley Tribune, Redlands Daily Facts, Mount Helix Patch, Las Vegas Review-Journal,
Marin Independent-Journal and Downey Patriot, among others.
Undergraduate student are awarded Dean's List honors if he or she earns a 3.70 grade point average (GPA) while completing a full-time course load (12 units) in the fall and spring terms.
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Former U.S. Deputy Secretary Of State, Richard Armitage Speaks At Whittier College
02.06.12 Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage was on deck today to share his experience both in Washington, D.C, and abroad, first in a political science class, then later in a public talk hosted by the Whittier College Richard M. Nixon Republican Club, and at an intimate lunch with students and faculty.
WATCH NOW.
During his remarks, Armitage quite literally covered a lot of territory, cutting a wide swath through his three decades of experience in foreign policy and noting what the immediate future might hold for U.S. relations with countries like China, North Korea, and Indonesia. He spoke of his friendship with and great regard for former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and praised both Powell and current Secretary Hilary Clinton's advocacy for an increase in resource investment to support U.S. foreign service officers living and working abroad—often in dangerous locales.
At one point, he noted one of the key factors casting a shadow over America's global interactions over the last 10 years and through two presidential administrations.
"What happened after 9/11 that [has really impacted U.S. foreign relations] is that we began a very significant export—that is, a very unfriendly face to the rest of the world. Up to that time, America was seen as a place of hope, opportunity. But born out of anger, fear, we became regarded as something different. And it's taken us a long time to return to center... we're still trying to get there."
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Whittier College Professor Provides Techniques to Reach English Language Learners
02.06.12 Professor of education Ivannia Soto-Hinman's recent article "Listening and Learning," was published in the February issue of Principal Leadership.
The article deals with the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) in middle and high school. Soto-Hinman writes about the technique of shadowing ELLs to help educators gain firsthand knowledge of where the gaps in students language development lay. On the basis of their observations educators then explore strategies to support students.
Soto-Hinman specializes in language acquisition, systemic reform for ELLs, secondary literacy and urban education.
She is the author of, "ELL Shadowing as a Catalyst for Change," forthcoming from Corwin Press.
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January
President of the US Institute of Peace to Speak at Whittier College
01.31.12 Richard Solomon, president of the United States Institute of Peace, will be speaking at Whittier College on Friday, February 24 at 11:00 a.m. in AJ Villalobos Hall, 7214 Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 90608. His lecture, "Enabling the Dragon: President Nixon and the Week That Changed the World," is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.
For additional information, contact president@whittier.edu.
Solomon was assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 1989 to 1992. He negotiated the Cambodia peace treaty, the first United Nations "Permanent Five" peacemaking agreement; had a leading role in the dialogue on nuclear issues between the United States and South and North Korea; helped establish the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation initiative; and led U.S. negotiations with Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam on important bilateral matters. In 1992-93, Solomon served as U.S. ambassador to the Philippines.
More »
Whittier College Fashion Blogger Says Give Turtle Necks a Chance
1.30.12 In her style advice for the week, College Fashionista blogger Lizbeth Hernandez '12 counseled readers on how to stay warm and stylish during the winter weather.
“I'm a spoiled Southern Californian who experiences the sun shining about 90% of the year. Obviously, now it's too cold to wear those super chic and feminine styles that spring 2012 is going to bring us. It's not snow cold, but a piercing cold that the layers of spring pieces can't cover… So, let's just embrace the season while it lasts because spring and summer will be arriving real soon.”
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Poets Cruise 106-51
1.28.12 The Whittier College men's basketball team achieved a resounding victory over the Caltech Beavers, 106-51, on Saturday evening. This is the sixth time this season that the Poets have hit the 100 point mark.
With this win the Purple & Gold are now in a three way tie for second place with Pomona-Pitzer and Redlands, while Claremont-M-S still stays atop the standings with a 6-1 record with their only loss coming from the hands of the Poets.
More »
Whittier College Hosts Math and Science Conference for Local Girls
1.28.12 More than 300 eighth-grade girls from 21 area schools attended the American Association of University Women's Math and Science Conference held at Whittier College.
Whittier President Sharon Herzberger was one of the keynote speakers at the event. Other speakers included Whittier Mayor Cathy Warner and other local professional women working in a variety of fields.
Whittier College adjunct professor and Supervising Deputy Attorney General Pamela Holmes '82, J.D. '88
spoke to the young women about her work and the importance of pursuing careers in math and science based fields.
"I believe strongly in educating young girls early on in math and science so they don't feel pressured to follow traditional female work roles," said Holmes in a recent Whittier Daily News article.
The conference is designed to help eighth-grade girls plan their high school classes and interest them in a variety of careers.
Read more in the Whittier Daily News
More »
Poets Knock Off No. 12 Ranked Stags in Double Overtime
01.23.12 Saturday was an exciting day for Whittier College athletics. Behind a strong performance by the Poet men and women's swimming & diving teams was a surprising win by the men's basketball team.
The Poets came back from a ten point deficit at half-time to upset the No. 12 ranked team in the nation, the Stags of Claremont-M-S. The Stags came into the evening's contest with a record of 15-0, 4-0 in SCIAC boasting one of the best records in Div. III this season.
Whittier now moves to 12-4, 4-1 in SCIAC.
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Jan Term Exposes Students to the World
01.23.12 From traveling to South Africa and Ireland to going on field trips to Skid Row and the Walt Disney Music Hall, Whittier College students explored unique destinations this past Jan Term.
The business department organized courses that introduced students to international commerce in Argentina and China. Read blogs from these trips here: Argentina and China.
For his course on warfare, political science professor Fred Bergerson led his class on a tour through Fort Irwin—a major training area for the United States military (read more).
Meanwhile, students in Professor Les Howard's workshop in urban studies explored an often forgotten part of Los Angeles, Skid Row, to study homelessness in the city (read more).
Other local destinations included the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple, Grammy Museum, LA Opera, LACMA, and the Fowler Museum, among others.
Whittier College Community Honors MLK Jr.
01.17.12 "Character, Self Determination, and Service" was the theme for the 2012 Whittier College Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The annual event included spoken word, dance, and other musical performances by students, faculty, alumni, and community groups. The evening's two masters of ceremonies were alumni David Martin '04 and Thlestone "TC" Collymore '10.
Slide Show
Student speaker Kallia Wade '12 read excerpts from the work of Jamaican poet Louise Bennett and Langston Hughes' poem "Let America Be America Again."
"Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed — Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above. (It never was America to me.)"
"Lanston Huges and MLK really were not speaking for one people they were speaking for all," said Wade.
Click here to watch a video of her presentation.
More »
Whittier College Opens Doors to First-Generation Students
01.09.12 Whittier College is featured in the current edition of "American Life — Hispanic Living" magazine, a USA Today publication. The College is mentioned as a top institution in the area of diversity.
Read the full article online by clicking here.
More »
Professor Joe Price Comments on Bronco's Faithful Quarterback
01.07.12 As Super Bowl season approaches, sports and religion expert professor Joe Price has been speaking to members of the media regarding football fans and Denver Broncos star quarterback Tim Tebow. The young quarterback has received much attention lately for his religious displays on the football field.
According to Price, some people who won't tolerate a player like Tebow commenting on his faith are okay with players endorsing commercial products on and off the field.
"Why would it be any different to identify a person's motivation if it's a matter of faith rather than a matter of commerce?" said Price.
Moreover, in an Associated Press article, Price was asked, "Does God really care about football?"
"Not one whit," said Price. "But does God care about people who play football? You betcha."
Read more in the Associated Press and the Erie Times-News.
More »
Whittier College Inaugurates New Aquatics Center
01.05.12 Whittier College welcomed the new year with a newly renovated aquatics center. The lady Poet swimming and diving team had the honor of taking the first swim in the center's new regulation sized pool.
See a video by clicking here.
In addition to the multi-lane pool, the aquatics center now boasts a four color display board, a media room, and new bleachers, diving boards, and locker rooms.
Moreover, the new Hall of Fame entrance now features a new walkway that allows viewers to watch tennis matches and aquatics from inside the glass entrance. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Hall of Fame Conference Room is scheduled for February 10.
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