Walla Walla WHAT? A Visit to Whitman College.

Flying in to Walla Walla, Washington, you can see rivers, forests, mountains and farms all around you as you land. Whitman College could not be set in a more picturesque location! 

 It is not surprising that Whitman students, called Whitties, definitely take advantage of their surroundings through all of the opportunities offered through their Outdoor Programs office. Not many colleges can say that they offer courses in beginning rock climbing and beginning kayaking to their students! This year, each freshman received $150 to spend to participate in a trip to either kayak, climb, ski or more, and most of the freshman class also participated in what they call “Scrambles,” which are freshmen orientation trips to different locales. Besides having a beautiful location and lots of ways to explore the great outdoors, Whitman College is home to students who want an education that engages them inside and outside of the classroom.

Here are some photos from my campus tour:

Whitman College is a small liberal arts college, with about 1,500 students, located in Walla Walla, Washington. Walla Walla is a charming college town with some great restaurants and shops and it is located a few hours from both Seattle and Portland. As a liberal arts college, students are encouraged to explore their academic opportunities in many different subjects. At the foundation of a Whitman education is Encounters, a year-long multi-disciplinary course required of all first year students. All students read the same texts and books but professors from many different disciplines teach sections of no more than 17 students. When I was visiting, author and environmentalist Bill McKibben gave a fascinating talk to all of the students in Encounters, who had read one of his books, called Earth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet.

Another highlight of the Whitman experience is getting to participate in the Undergraduate Conference. One day every year, students participate in a campus-wide celebration of student academic research. Students give talks, make poster presentations, exhibit their art, and perform original work. Some of these projects grow out of relationships with professors, which students are able to establish since there are no teaching assistants. Some of the most popular majors at Whitman are in the sciences because there is such an emphasis on taking advantage of research opportunities. Whitman even funds 100 summer internship or research projects for students every year.

For students who are looking for an explorative liberal arts experience in a beautiful setting in the Pacific Northwest, Whitman College is the perfect fit. Even though Walla Walla is slightly off the beaten path, it is well worth the trip to check it out!

Published by: LP