Whitman College Pioneer - Spring 2009 Issue 11 by Whitman College Wire

Whitman’s unexplored history pg 14

april 30, 2009 Volume CXXIV / Issue 11 Walla Walla, WAshington whitmanpioneer.com

ren faire reigns pg 21

wrestling club created

lacrosse semi finals Back Cover

pg 30

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Betas sing their way to choral victory by Aakanksha Veenapani Contributing Reporter

The Whitman College Choral Contest has been part of campus tradition for 85 years since its conception in 1925. The year 2009 saw a twist to this campus staple with the introduction of the People’s Choice Award—or, as it is officially known, the David W. Ogle Award for Proficiency in the Field of Creative Musical and Lyrical Composition with Outstanding Mastery and Demonstration of Imaginative and Entertaining Medium through Performance. The first recipients of this award are the men of Beta Theta Pi, who also won first place in the men’s category. The Betas sang Kid Rock’s

“Bawitadaba” and “Took My Girl Out Walking,” a Beta classic of unknown origin, to support their charity, Students for a Free Tibet (SFT). According to its Web site, New York-based SFT is a non-profit founded in 1994 that strives to “make life difficult for the Chinese government” and raise awareness about human rights issues in Tibet. Through the People’s Choice Award, the Betas raised two boxes of food and over $100 for SFT. The Betas worked hard on their musical pieces, but had fun along the way. “I’m really proud of how hard the guys worked, they really came together to produce such an angelic CONTEST, see page 2

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The members of Beta Theta Pi fraternity performed “Took My Girl Out Walking,” and Kid Rocks’ “Bawitadaba” during the eighty-fifth annual Choral Contest. Pictured above from left to right: Joe Gustav, ‘10, Jon Bressler, ‘11, Devin Stone, ‘12, John David Davidson, ‘11, Ben Elstrott, ‘12, Masud Shah, ‘11, and Tim Strother, ‘12.

Celebrated alum Swine flu hits visits campus Washington by Mike Sado and Gillian Frew A&E Editor and Director of Writing

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Former ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, ‘71, sat down with Chair of History, David Schmitz on Tuesday, April 28 to discuss the future of the Iraq War.

A bachelor of arts in English can take you far. For Whitman alumnus and former United States Ambassador Ryan Crocker, it took him to Iraq. Crocker sat down with history professor David Schmitz to discuss the future of Iraq on Tuesday, April 28 in Cordiner Hall. He will return to campus in May to deliver the 2009 commencement address entitled “The Long War.” Rather than describing a country in turmoil, however, Crocker was cautiously optimistic about Iraqi sovereignty after all United States military forces are withCROCKER, see page 6

Six probable cases reported in WA counties by Josh Goodman Reporter

Though an outbreak of swine flu in Washington State has not yet been confirmed, on the evening of Wednesday, April 29, the Washington State Department of Health announced the identification of six probable cases: three in Seattle, two in Snohomish County and one in nearby Spokane County. WhitSWINE FLU, see page 2

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News

April 30, 2009

Contest’s ‘People’s Choice Award’ likely to continue CONTEST, from cover

tenor,” said junior Marshall Baker, conductor and arranger of the Beta Theta Pi production. “I don’t really have much to say other than ‘My name is Kid Rock.’ But really, I mean, it was fun and sweet to win finally,” said senior Riley Clubb, who helped Baker with the award winning arrangement. The People’s Choice Award is the brainchild of senior David Ogle. Ogle, along with senior Ben Keagan, sophomore Nigel RamozLeslie and first-year Stephen Stradley, comprise the programming board sub-committee that proposed the idea of having a People’s Choice Award.

“The programming committee was divided into four or five sub-committees to take care of Choral Contest. My sub-committee, which came up with the idea [of a People’s Choice Award] deals with rules and judges. Once we came up with it, the idea was instantly supported by the rest of the programming committee,” said Ogle. The People’s Choice Award added a dynamic element to the show by involving the audience. “I think a lot of [the motivation behind the award] was that the Choral Contest programming committee felt like they wanted to have something that would motivate some of the groups, that traditionally feel like they don’t have a chance at winning, to keep investing

some energy in it and keep doing fun things that would get the crowd involved. I think we saw that: we saw performances that wanted to engage the audience,” said Leann White, assistant director to the student activities office. “We thought [the award] would be a good way to get the audience involved and get back to the basics of the event which is about being a fund-raiser while keeping in mind the first three letters of that word,” added Ogle. Audience response to the newly incorporated award was positive but, perhaps, not as widespread as anticipated. “Far fewer people [voted] than we gave out ballots to. There were probably about 30 ballots cast, and we gave out more ballots than

that,” said White. Whether the response was mitigated due to the newness of the award or lack of awareness about the voting structure, the David W. Ogle Award is here to stay. “Absolutely we will continue [the award]. I think we do whatever we can to try and do some philanthropy with [the award] and I think people like to have a reason to give. It’s up to students ultimately, I really don’t get a choice, but I would say that is a good thing for them to do,” said White when asked whether the award would continue in subsequent years.

Administration vows to monitor swine flu situation SWINE FLU, from cover

man’s administration is taking steps to ensure that students are safe in the event that Walla Walla County is affected. Swine influenza, caused by the H1N1 virus, has now killed at least eight people in Mexico and the U.S. and sickened at least 148 people on four continents, according to the World Health Organization. Hundreds more cases and over 100 deaths, largely in Mexico, are suspected but not confirmed. “The college has a pandemic flu plan [that]

Corrections for Issue 10, April 23 A photo of the women’s lacrosse team was misattributed to Peter Zipparo. The photographer was David Jacobson. In the Board Editorial, a typo resulted in the printing of Ron Urban’s name as Rob Urban. (Apologies to Mr. Urban)

Inside the Pioneer News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Opinion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-18 A&E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-23 Reviews.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Humor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-26 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-32

puts into motion a series of meetings and decisions made by a team,” said Associate to the President Jed Schwendiman at the time of publication. As a result, Schwendiman said, the Health Center has purchased masks and hand sanitizer to prevent this or any other contagious disease in case the situation worsens. Additionally, President Bridges and Dean of Students Chuck Cleveland issued a campus-wide statement on Sunday, April 26, alerting the Whitman community that the administration was actively monitoring the situation. “We will continue to watch the situation, remain in contact with local public health officials, and take precautionary measures as needed,” Bridges said in the statement. “I will also communicate with you directly as additional information on the outbreak becomes available.” As for what students should do right now, the answer is the same as preventing more common strains of the flu: wash hands, wash hands, wash hands. “Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective,” instructs the Center for Disease Control. Other recommendations include covering your

tial infection. “I think the college has been very proactive and will take the necessary steps to help stop the spread of the disease if it becomes necessary to do that here,” Schwendiman said. Meanwhile, no Whitman trips or activities have been cancelled yet. “I know that professors Aaron BobrowStrain and Bob Carson have been contacted about their upcoming trips to Mexico and Canada, respectively,” said Director of Communications Ruth Wardwell. “I believe it’s a wait-and-see status.” In regards to Whitman as a whole, Wardwell notes the difficulty in taking steps to remain safe without causing panic. “One of the challenges is to be vigilant and prepared without causing alarm or panic,” she said. “We hope individuals will take note of what’s happening, follow recommendations and simply stay aware.” RASMUSSEN The same steps that are general guidelines for staying Confirmed cases of swine flu. healthy should protect a nd they know they have possibly Probable cases of swine flu students and the commubeen in contact with anyone in Washington state. nity from a possible local outbreak of the swine flu. from the infected states or Mexico, they should seek imFor the most recent developments regardmediate medical attention,” said Bridges. Having a plan and communicating with stu- ing the Whitman community, visit whitdents should help the college handle a poten- manpioneer.com.

nose and mouth when sneezing and to “avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.” However, if a student has flu-like symptoms, he or she should go to their health provider. “Please contact your health care provider if you do experience any influenza-like symptoms,” said Director of the Health Center Ellen Collette in a statement to students. “If any individual shows signs of flu-like symptoms (fever or respiratory problems)

News

April 30, 2009

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Sexual assault resources introduced to campus

Be the green dot: Whitman launches new sexual assault program The Green Dot campaign is Whitman’s newest tool to prevent sexual assault. “A green dot is any behavior that makes our campus safer,” said Barbara Maxwell, Associate Dean of Students for Student Programs and Activities. Green dots are positive actions that fight negative behavior, which is represented by red dots. Red dot behavior includes sexual assault and interpersonal violence. “We also label a red dot as any behavior that ignores, justifies, or perpetuates [sexual assault],” said Maxwell. Maxwell and involved students tabled in Reid last week to raise awareness about the Green Dot program. Junior Jacqueline Kamm, a member of the Sexual Assault Advisory Board and one of the students promoting the campaign, emphasized the accessibility of the new program. “You can be an ally against sexual assault or sexual violence on the smallest level or the largest level,” said Kamm. Maxwell also stressed the wide reach of the Green Dot initiative, calling it a “bystander intervention program.” “It’s geared toward making the community active in prevention behaviors,” she said. As co-chair of the Washington Sexual Violence Prevention College Coalition, Maxwell helped choose the Green Dot program as a prevention initiative for associated schools. Other colleges and universities in the coalition include Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, the Evergreen State College, Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Washington. Dr. Dorothy Edwards started the Green Dot initiative at the University of Kentucky. The program’s success prompted the state of Kentucky to adopt the campaign, too. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga also uses the system. Maxwell will attend Edwards’ Green Dot training session from May 26 to May 28 in Seattle along with Juli Dunn, the director of academic resources, Adam Kirtley, the Stuart

Coordinator of Religious and Spiritual Life, and Sean Gehrke, the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing. Maxwell and the rest of the attendants will learn how to train students to intervene effectively in a situation of sexual assault. “It has to be safe for the person who’s going to try to intervene in that situation and then ultimately you want it to be effective,” said Maxwell. For more information about the Green Dot initiative, visit greendotkentucky.com.

by Elana Congress Reporter

Campus women to gather tonight to ‘take back the night’ with town march Tonight at 9 p.m., students will meet at Reid Campus Center to “take back the night.” The evening will start with a march in town and on campus, followed by a moment of silence in front of Memorial and an open mic session in the basement of Reid. Take Back the Night events occur internationally throughout the year—the time and place are irrelevant. What matters instead is the message that’s conveyed: a message of empowerment and of intolerance for sexual violence. Juniors Nikki Schulz, Laura Deering and Christy Henderson coordinated Whitman’s first Take Back the Night event last

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spr i ng for a project in their gender studies class. Junior Jacqueline Kamm, a member of Whitman’s Sexual Assault Advisory Board, helps coordinate programming for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April). She attended Take Back the

Night last year and wanted the event to continue. She approached Schulz, Deering and Henderson about putting on the evening again. Deering and Schulz agreed to join her. This year, though, Take Back the Night isn’t the product of an academic assignment. Instead, Schulz, Deering and Kamm are heading up the project out of their own interest. Schulz describes their motives as “feeling strongly enough about it to want do something.” All three agreed that last year’s open mic was particularly powerful. “Hearing these people speak about their experiences tells you the gravity of the situation and shows you how many people have been really affected, even at Whitman College,” said Deering. The open mic provides a venue for honest and open discussion about sexual harassment. “Sexual assault is labeled as a silent crime in that people don’t ever talk about it—so it’s our goal to get people talking,” said Schulz. The open mic will also include student performances, such as poetry readings, dances and songs. Whitman’s all-female A capella group, The Sirens of Swank, will also perform. Deering said last year’s Take Back the Night was the most meaningful event she ever attended. “After seeing it last year, I don’t know why you wouldn’t come,” she said. “Actually hearing people speak honestly and completely openly about a totally personal and damaging event is just really amazing.” For more information about Take Back the Night, visit takebackthenight.org. Join Whitman students at Reid at 9 p.m. this evening to help take back the night.

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April 30, 2009

Adapted version of GoPrint to continue next year by Maggie Allen Reporter

With the close of the inaugural year of the printing system GoPrint, many students’ initial concerns have been alleviated. Whitman College Technological Services (WCTS), in conjunction with the Campus Conservation Committee, are beginning to make plans for next year, taking students’ opinions into consideration. A survey concerning GoPrint was sent out to students a few weeks ago, and WCTS is currently finishing reviewing the preliminary survey results. According to the results, the vast majority of students feel that the $60 free printing credit is sufficient for both themselves and other students, and that the system is successful in saving resources and preventing accidental print jobs. “I think people have become accustomed to GoPrint,” Osterman said. “A lot of the initial concerns about the free credit amount being insufficient have gone away now that people

have experienced how far it gets them.” First-year Lizzy Schiller agreed that it is a helpful resource. “I think it makes people more aware,” she said. Many professors also believe that GoPrint is a useful system that saves students’ money. “I use CLEO for readings that I would have put on reserve,” said Associate Professor of

I think people have become accustomed to GoPrint.” -Mike Osterman, WCTS Middleware Analyst-

Politics Jeanne Morefield. “Most of these readings are very old, out of print, and in the public domain. I expect students to print so that we all have the same text in class. I do this rather than having them spend exorbitant amounts of money on out-of-print books or collection of essays where we only use some of the materials.” However, some still express concerns about

the system. According to the results of the survey so far, students’ main concern is that the free credit amount is one size fits all. Variables indicated were the reading load of a particular class, the reading load of particular majors or divisions, such as the social sciences, or whether or not the student is writing a thesis. A common sub-theme of the reading load concern is that students are sometimes provided an electronic copy of a document but are required to bring a printed version to class. The second major complaint concerns the GoPrint software itself. Some students are concerned about the slow printing jobs in the queue, being charged for releasing a print job when the printer is not working, finding out how to be refunded, and being charged an extra page when printing to one of the library printers. Possible plans for this system may include lowering the allotted budget. This was discussed at the first printing forum in March and was also a question on the survey. This is

being considered by not only WCTS, but also by the Campus Conservation Committee and the President’s Council. “We will also be working over the summer to address issues with the functionality of the GoPrint software, as well as looking at ways to make it easier to request a refund for a printing error,” Osterman said. Some faculty members, such as English and Core professor Margo Scribner, would rather not use printers at all. “I think that asking to print is really a waste,” Scribner said. “I wish we could use electronic sources and not print out at all, but [GoPrint] is a good system. It all evens out since some people use more [paper] than other people.” The final, more detailed results of the survey will be presented and discussed at the second printing forum, which will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 in Olin 157. “The entire campus community is welcome and encouraged to attend,” Osterman said.

Whitman students feel pressure to live up to ranking by Josh Goodman & Alex Jeffers Reporters

Everyone’s seen the Princeton Review rankings proclaiming Whitman’s students among the nation’s happiest. In an environment full of young, like-minded, active and intelligent people, who wouldn’t feel satisfied? Though Whitman students’ collective level of happiness is reportedly very high—first in the nation in 2007 according to the Princeton Review, although only 17th last year—some Whitties feel a social pressure to express contentment about their school. While many students are indeed happy, in some cases their testimonies do not reflect their true level of satisfaction. “We are the ‘happiest students,’ this is the ‘happiest time of our life,’ of course I feel pressure to be happy or at least appear happy,” said junior Sarah Deming. “I feel like that is what the public perception is.” Among first-years, the transition to college life may contribute to an inflated sense of wellbeing.

“First semester is a little overwhelming, so you tend to exaggerate how happy you are sometimes,” said first-year Brett Konen. Lyman House Resident Director Ben Wu, at Whitman since fall 2004, believes that though Whitman is a generally happy place, students do not feel pressured by national rankings. “I feel like, generally speaking…the expectation here is that people are going to talk about the highlights and the good things [of their lives],” he said. “Even before [the happiness ranking], I feel like it’s something that was always here, because we’ve been ranked pretty highly overall in terms of student happiness by various publications. In my opinion, [the ranking] didn’t change the campus culture.” The effect of publications’ rankings of student happiness may be of limited importance because of their questionable research methods. “As far as social science research goes, the Princeton Review isn’t methodologically the most sound [organization],” said Whitman Director of Institutional Research Neal Chris-

topherson. “As far as how they collect information from students it’s not the most scientific methodology. You can kind of take it with a grain of salt. It’s out there for the prospective students.” Though Whitman does not normally gauge student happiness, it does survey graduating seniors on their satisfaction with their Whitman experience. In 2006, 13 out of 322 graduating seniors said they weren’t satisfied, while the other 96 percent said they were satisfied. According to Christopherson, this is somewhat higher than most other liberal arts colleges. In spite of the high rankings, Associate Dean of Students Barbara Maxwell acknowledged that some social pressure to be seen as happy may exist. “I do think most students are happy,” she said. “I also think every student goes through ups and downs, depending on what’s going on with them personally, or through their family, or academically, and I think most of them are short-term things that will come around. But I do acknowledge that there are some students who are unhappy, and my guess is that there

are some students who are unhappy that fake being happy. And I guess they fake it so they don’t stand out, because no one wants to stand out as unhappy.” Senior Kiki Brennan pointed out that even the happiest students will be sad at times. “I can be sad about things in my life and still be really glad that I’m at Whitman, where I have good friends that I can talk to about it,” she said. “The ‘happiest students’ rating doesn’t mean that no one is ever sad, it just means that we are generally satisfied with all of the things we have available to us.” Yet for others, ‘happiest students’ is an understatement. “I’ve never had to exaggerate how much I love Whitman,” said junior Kelsi Evans. “Rather, I’ve never been able to express fully how much I appreciate this place.” Next year’s Princeton Review rankings are likely to show a change in Whitman’s happiness ranking; they seem to every year. But regardless, Whitman will remain a place where students go through the ups and downs of life.

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April 30, 2009

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College catalog moves online, saves resources Reporter

Registration edged closer to paperless this year, as all returning students were migrated to electronic versions of the catalog of the college. In years past, the college had provided each returning student with a hard copy; now only incoming students receive one. The switch was an effort to save money and be more environmentally friendly. “This semester we all got this directive to cut our budget by 5 percent,” said Registrar Ron Urban. “The decision was made based on that 5 percent cut to eliminate printing costs for the catalog. The other explanation that’s offered is—I think people genuinely believe this, though I see some cynicism about this— we’re becoming increasingly green. We’re trying to save paper. Fifteen hundred copies of this [is] a small forest, basically.” In addition, the switch puts Whitman on par with other institutions. “When you say you’re still printing [the catalog], they kind of look down their noses on you,” said Urban. “Whitman’s kind of following in the wake of others, we’re not on the cutting edge of this.” While many students agreed with these reasons, that didn’t keep some from feeling inconvenienced. “It’s a good idea to cut down on hard copies to save resources, but… there has to be a balance,” said first-year Chapman Strong. “The lack of hard copies this semester was ridiculous. I found myself trying to steal my prospie’s hard copies when they weren’t look-

ing.” “Copies should be offered for students who want them, rather than distributed to everyone,” said first-year Brett Konen. “At the very least, every section should get a few to share.” Hard copies were available through SAs and the Academic Resource Center, though not very many students took advantage of those opportunities. “We received two boxes and we haven’t even cracked the second box,” said Interim Academic Resources Program Coordinator Colleen McKinney. “There are about 50 in each box and we’ve given away about 20.” This may be because the e-mail announcing the change said catalogs at the Academic Resource Center were “for students who do not have web access.” All Whitman students have access to the internet in the library and academic buildings, and it appears that hard copies were simply given to students who wanted them. Many students, despite liking their hard copy, were fine with the electronic version. “It makes it harder to compare classes, but it’s not the end of the world,” said sophomore Lissa Erickson. “I think I use my copy more to check distribution and major requirements,

internships available

but as long as you get a copy of the catalog your freshman year then you don’t need to get a new one every other year.” “Even though it would make my life a lot easier to have a hard copy of the course catalog, I think that only offering the electronic copy is a

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great way to save paper and it makes a lot of sense,” said sophomore Gabriella Brandt. “This is kind of a moral struggle for me.” Students had many ideas for next year,

ranging from having copies on reserve in the library to offering a Word document version so that it would still be possible to highlight courses. While nearly every student has an opinion, the debate over the switch hasn’t been very passionate. “I thought it would be much more controversial,” said Urban. “I thought the sustainability folks would say ‘Yes, right on!’ and the folks like me who love a security blanket would burn the college in effigy, and so far none of that.” Meanwhile, no students replied to the initial announcement. “I didn’t really receive any comments about why we didn’t have [a hard copy],” said Assistant to the Dean of Students Donna Cummins, who sent out the announcement written by Provost Lori Bettison-Varga. “This will be a year where we’ll find out what happens,” Cummins said. “If there’s an overwhelming demand, we’ll mitigate whatever problems there were.” With or without a hard copy of the catalog, returning students successfully wrapped up pre-registration last Thursday night.

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April 30, 2009

Crocker: ‘Iraq improving’ CROCKER, from cover

drawn from the country by the end of 2011. “We’re six years into the new Iraq. It’s still just the beginning of the story,” said Crocker in front of a crowded auditorium of Whitman students, faculty and Walla Walla community members. “The development of a state and society takes substantial amount of time.” He pointed to several recent developments in Iraq, such as the January provincial elections, this month’s election of new Iraqi Parliament speaker Ayad al-Samarrai and the Iraqi government’s plan to send up to 10,000 Iraqi students abroad for undergraduate and graduate education. Crocker also said that decreasing violence levels in the country are a sign that the situation is slowly stabilizing, and that the United States needs to stick with its current plan in Iraq. “If the Iraqi experiment succeeds,” Crocker said, “it can provide an example for the rest of the world.” According to Associate to the President Jed Schwendiman, these words may be echoed in Crocker’s commencement address. “Undoubtedly, he will have some amazing stories to tell and good advice to pass along,” said Schwendiman. Crocker graduated from Whitman in 1971 and is a 38 year veteran of the United States Foreign Service. Former United States President George W. Bush awarded him the rank of Career Am-

bassador, the highest rank in the Foreign Service, in 2004. On Jan. 8, 2007, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice nominated Crocker as Ambassador to Iraq. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Crocker retired in February of this year. In a 2007 congressional address with General David Petraeus, Crocker reported the progress of the Iraqi government and stated his belief that “a secure, stable Iraq at peace with its neighbors is attainable.” “Ryan Crocker is one of the most experienced, talented and respected U.S. Ambassadors,” Schwendiman said. “He was given one of the most challenging jobs imaginable and handled his work admirably.” While at Whitman, Crocker toured campus with senior Willie Kunkel and met with history students taking the “U.S. & Wars with Iraq” class. After a lunch with President George Bridges and ten students, Crocker, a former TKE, paid a visit to the TKE house. Schwendiman expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of Crocker’s commencement address. “What make this so special for us is that he is a product of Whitman College and often credits the faculty members who he worked with at Whitman with making significant contributions to his success,” Schwendiman said. “We all have something to learn from his story.”

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WhitmanCollegePioneer Stop sacrificing student ‘body’ to mind S PRING 2 0 0 9 Editors-in-Chief: Kim Sommers, Jamie Soukup Director of Writing: Gillian Frew Business Director: Megan McIntire

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Editorial Policy The Whitman College Pioneer is published under the auspices of the Associated Students of Whitman College. The purpose of The Pioneer is to provide pertinent, timely information and entertainment for Whitman students, alumni, faculty, staff and parents, as well as the Walla Walla community. In addition, The Pioneer strives to act as a catalyst and forum for communication within the Whitman community. To do so, The Pioneer publishes weekly Board Editorials. These opinion pieces reflect the views of The Pioneer, and not necessarily the views of each individual associated with the newspaper. The Pioneer welcomes letters to the Editor or any contradicting opinion pieces.

SUBMISSION Policy Letters to the editor may be submitted to The Pioneer editors, Jamie Soukup and Kim Sommers, via e-mail at editors@whitmanpioneer.com or sent to The Pioneer, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA, 99362. All submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Saturday prior to the week that they are intended to appear. All submissions must be signed and may be cut for space and edited for journalistic style.

PIONEER BOARD EDITORIAL We all know the fitness spiel: exercising regularly helps manage stress and regulate your sleep schedule, gives you more natural energy, guards against health issues like weight gain, high blood pressure and heart disease, and may even have the quasi-mythical properties needed to cure depression, fight cancer and bring peace to Gaza. (Well, maybe not that last one.) But what most college students don’t appreciate is that these exhortations to exercise are particularly applicable to them, which makes Whitman’s failure to incorporate a physical activity credit into its general distribution requirements all the more perplexing and detrimental. As a Whitman alumna from the class of 1969 recently remarked, we may feel young and invincible now, but the glory days aren’t here to stay. Here are a few factors contributing to the unhealthy lifestyle characteristic of college students: • Immobility: attending classes and meetings while studying for hours on end means that much of the day is spent in a sedentary position. • Sleep loss: most students regularly operate under a significant sleep deficit as a result of frequent all-nighters and intensive studying. • Poor diet: Whitman students expect a lot of their bodies, punishing them not only with junk food and sugary snacks but often with a host of other substances harmful to long-term health. • Eating disorders: National studies have shown that as many as 20 percent of college students have struggled with an eating disorder, often triggered by negative body image. The lack of physical activity requirement is a gaping hole in the curriculum. Whitman’s current approach not only preferences the mind over the body, but the mind at the expense of the body.

This is all the more important to consider in light of recent events; with the elimination of the Sports Studies and Recreation Activities minor, the Athletic Department is in the preliminary phases of considering a physical activity requirement. The department hopes to implement such a requirement after a three-year review process. As it stands now, Whitman’s curriculum prepares us for lives of physical idleness. The most extensive movements in most Whitman classes involve relocating outside on nice days or pushing desks together for small group discussion. Although many Whitman students play IM sports, a fact much touted by the admissions office, most students approach them more as a social venue rather than an activity requiring physical exertion or the cultivation of specific athletic skills. Similarly, Outdoor Program trips or club sports are available but only attract a select group of students. Adding an activity requirement would encourage all Whitman students to prioritize physical activity instead of pushing it aside. Students may feel too bogged down by academic commitments to go to the gym after class or sign up for Beginning Kayaking. Yet if physical activity were to be integrated into the distribution requirements like fine arts, students would have a reason to get active. Requiring activity credits would also hopefully inspire students to pursue further athletic involvement. Right now, sixty percent of students have taken at least two activity courses—why not increase that number to require three or four required credits over the course of four years? Doing so would be a simple step toward promoting a healthier, more active campus. It’s time this liberal arts institution took a more kinesthetic approach to education and the student “body.”

op-ed

Whitman College Pio neer

April 30, 2009

letters to the editor

Medak-Seguin gets greeks wrong Enough with the greek bashing EDITOR, Though I am absolutely flattered that Mr. MedakSeguin believes sororities to be so omnipotent as to attract a significant number of women who otherwise would have remained independent simply by adding a fourth sorority, it is unfortunately a false assertion. The goal to be attained by adding a fourth sorority is to deal with increased interest in sorority membership. At current levels, the existing three sororities cannot continue to accommodate the large number of women who want to be greek. Our chapter facilities are above full capacity and our pledge classes are large even by state school standards. Adding the fourth sorority would cause there to be four medium sized chapters as opposed to three huge chapters. If the number of greek women ever gets to 50 percent of the women on campus it will be because 50 percent of the women on campus want to be greek and not because Panhellenic added a fourth, or even fifth sorority. Medak-Seguin proposes a campus wide binding vote to determine whether the greater Whitman community wants to allow the addition of a fourth sorority. The problem with this proposal is that the people who would be affected most by this addition are contained within the sorority system itself. The potential for changes within the sorority system caused by a fourth sorority is high in comparison to the potential for changes for the Whitman community at large. For example, the sororities would have smaller pledge classes which could make the bonds between pledge class members stronger at the expense of a larger group. The bottom line is that whether a sorority system is composed of three or four chapters is of no consequence to those outside of the system. The

vast majority of the significant changes caused by the addition of a fourth sorority affect only those within the system, which is the strongest argument for keeping the decision to within the system as well. Medak-Seguin also staunchly maintains that greek women have no time for anything but school and greek events. I vehemently disagree. Greek organizations work hard to instill both interpersonal and leadership skills in all their members and thus hold some of the most important and influential, not to mention time-consuming, positions on campus. Greeks are ASWC Executive Council Members, Pioneer editors and reporters, varsity athletes, club officers, as well as more than half of the ASWC senators and numerous Resident Assistants. One would be hard pressed to find a group on campus without significant greek membership and leadership. However, the most problematic assumption in the article in my opinion is the pervading belief that greek culture is simply objectively bad. Medak-Seguin mocks the feeling of instant connectedness one feels as a result of joining a greek group. Connectedness is something that all people strive for whether it is as a member of an athletic team, freshman section, club or performing group. The greek system is simply another, possibly more traditional, way to be connected to a greater community. It is completely up to a potential member to decide if the greek system is a system she wants to be connected to. If she chooses to become a member, she can make her membership as timeconsuming as she wishes it to be—a choice that should be free from the condemnation of the rest of the Whitman community.

- Rachel Constantino Wallace ‘10

EDITOR, ENOUGH with the greek bashing. I know, I know, you were really pressed for time this week. Let’s see…I know! I’ll write an article about the greek system! That way, I don’t have to waste any time actually checking my facts, and I can practice my self-righteous indignation, which needs work anyway. I’ll start with the easiest and most obviously misrepresented fact. Panhellenic wants to add another sorority in order to make each chapter smaller. Each group currently has about 90 members. Most sororities at campuses across the country are around 60 or less. Panhellenic would seek to maintain the same number of women in the greek system, but each sorority would take a smaller pledge class. The next misleading allegation is that recruitment would be intensified in order to “convince women who would have otherwise opted for an independent lifestyle to join a sorority.” Unbeknownst to many independents on campus, we have very explicit and very strict rules for recruitment. Each female freshman section gets one Recruitment Counselor who is disaffiliated during recruitment (meaning she doesn’t reveal her particular greek association). Beyond that, and the three recruitment events (Activity Day, Philanthropy Day and Closing Day), no affiliated member of a sorority is allowed to be in a freshman dorm that they do not live in, nor spend time with freshmen (excluding siblings, class and things like sports teams). These rules will stay the same. Panhellenic can advertise for recruitment all they want, and the Recruitment Counselors can do their best to convince girls in their sections to rush, but ultimately it is each fresh-

man’s decision. Which brings me to my next point: the author admits that he spends a lot of time with a certain group of friends, but says that “it is my decision to do so, not that of a socially limiting hierarchical structure whose implementation I pay for.” Well, guess what? It is my decision to be a member of a sorority, and it was hands-down the best decision I have made at Whitman. Socially limiting? Don’t pretend like you hang out with everyone on campus. Personally, I don’t consider a social network of over 90 incredible women “socially limiting,” You want to talk about exclusivity? One could just as easily pin exclusivity on the Outdoor Program, which is not dictated by a national hierarchical structure but by the socio-economic (that’s right, I can use big words too) pressures that determine whether or not someone can afford to have the entire Patagonia winter collection. Or the drama program, or varsity athletics, or the Young Dems, or whatever group you want. Human beings naturally form groups in order to socialize. Whenever I read articles bashing the greek system, I think the same thing as I do when reading pro-life editorials: If you don’t like [abortion, sororities] don’t [get, join] one. The only reason greek life is “mystified” is because people outside of it find it easier to make assumptions and spread false rumors about our practices than go out of their way to find out the truth. I challenge anyone to ask me a question about the greek system and my sorority. I think you’ll find that we’re more open than you think we are.

- Alice MacLean ‘11

Radicalism has strong merits in our political environment EDITOR, In his op-ed piece from April 23, Spencer Janyk claims, “Radical actions are far from productive, on the contrary, they invite their perpetrators to be smacked down by the policy pros who actually know what they’re doing.” I believe that in making this judgement Janyk fails to note the significance of radical action. Though Janyk is eager to point out that our “constitution [was] designed to secure rights for everyone,” apparently he feels that radicals are wasting these rights. He is forgetting that our country was founded by radicals who wanted

to make sure that anyone, even those who held contentious and radical beliefs, could enjoy the right to freedom of speech. Clearly this instance—the founding of this country, one which Janyk lauds for being founded on a form of government “designed to secure rights for everyone”—is a perfect example of radical action come to fruition to benefit many. In response to Janyk’s claim that left-wing radicals destroy “any chance of gaining conservative allies” I present the example of the radical environmental group EarthFirst!. This organization was fully aware of, and even embraced the fact that their

extreme actions—such as placing metal spikes in trees so that loggers could not cut them down for fear of severely damaging their equipment— would make other environmental groups such as the Sierra Club seem more moderate. This means that they had the power to push the political center left, thus moving closer to the accomplishment of the goals of environmental groups in general. This is clearly not futile radical action. Janyk claims that if “a clear majority of the American public believed in radical values[…]there would be profound disagreement all the time [and] we would need to rethink our basic approaches to

foreign and domestic policy on all fronts.” To this I say, is profound disagreement necessarily an evil to be avoided at all costs? Are complacency and uniformity of thinking any less dangerous than active—and dare I say radical—debates taking place? And have we not needed to seriously rethink our foreign and domestic policy for the last eight years anyway? Perhaps if more people had been willing to take to the streets during the Bush administration we would not be suffering the woes of a faltering economic system and two failing wars today.

- Adrienne von Wolffersdorff ‘09

April 30, 2009

Op-ed

QUESTIONS ABOUT US:

I know you are but what am I?

One of the most tell- Whitman’s facing budget challenges, or anying characteristics of thing about climate change that can make the Whitman student people take ten minutes out of their day to pen body revealed itself a a letter to the editor: it’s the greek system. It’s couple months ago when a way to write “At Least I’m Not A” and then this paper ran a column fill in the blank. Why does the greek system, as a relic from concerning the greek Gary system. The particular an era of reckless drunken rioting or an inteWANG column alleged that the gral part of Whitman’s community, mean so Columnist greek system promotes much to those in it and outside of it? It’s just conformity and ran counter to the goals of the an easy way to label someone and save yourCollege for churning out creative and inde- self the trouble of checking out their Facebook, much less talking to them. And for those of us pendent minded students. Now, whether or not you agreed with the within the system, they’re identities and patcolumn doesn’t matter. The controversy over terns of behavior already laid out for us to try. How easy. the column and subI can’t speak for you sequent ones (greek You see, the real trou- but I can’t sit down shirts?) published in ble in defining yourand write my autobithis paper exemplify ography just yet. how we easily fall self in terms of what you’re The first step to into a habit of defin- not is that it creates the illuthat process of finding ing ourselves on the sion that you are somehow yourself is to figure basis of what we are out what you’re not. not rather than what closer to figuring out who you are.” So, this whole college we are. experience is a conLet’s think about stant struggle to find it this way. We went out what you like, who to college to find ourselves, especially because we chose Whit- you like to be around and what kind of person man. There’s no vocational program here; you are, and part of that is figuring out what everybody does different things, from ulti- you don’t like. The trick to finding yourself is to know the mate frisbee to keg lock-ins. The campus is so small it’s easy to find and then keep a circle balance between defining yourself positively of friends after our first year. This, along with as, let’s say, a student activist rather than negFacebook and gossip, leads to the phenomenon atively as an independent, or a non-greek. The first four definitions from dictionary. of people only knowing of each other and not com for the word “independent” all start with really knowing each other. Now, with stereotypes, pretending to know “not influenced,” “not subject,” “not depenother people becomes even easier. After all, dent” and “not relying.” Well then, what exa stereotype already gives you a lens to look actly does an independent stand for? Is that even the right way to think about through. No point in figuring someone else out if you can label them a Kappa (and all the Whitman students first and foremost in terms subsequent stereotypes) and be done with it. of the greek system? Doesn’t thinking about She’s boring now because you already think whether or not you are a member of the greek you know everything there is to know about system first makes the greek system more relher. Similarly, there’s no point to finding your evant than some want it to be? You see, the real trouble with defining yourown self if you’ve already initiated and can self in terms of what you’re not is that it creassume the mantle of Beta brotherhood. Put that stereotype into print and everyone ates the illusion that you are somehow closer gets a little offended or emboldened. Unin- to figuring out who you are. Instead, thinking tentionally, writing about the greek system is about your identity only by process of eliminaa sure-fire way to generate tons of letters to tion prematurely closes off some experiences that may actually get you closer to yourself. the editor! It’s not how bad the economy is, nor how

Whitman College Pio neer

s say ? ú s e J d l u W h a t wo

‘Seeing through o I’s: What to do w ur it Iran and Israel’ h The recent UN conference on racism seems to have splintered nations and offended many with its dubious stance on the Israeli-Palestinian matter. The highlight of Jesús the five-day conference VÁSQUEZ came on Monday, when Columnist President Ahmadinejad of Iran, fancying himself the champion of the Palestinian people, bombastically denounced the formation of a “totally racist government in occupied Palestine.” Though the U.S. had boycotted the conference in advance, the controversial speech aroused the ire of protestors and spurred over 30 delegates to walk out (including the whole of the EU nations that had attended). Though Mr. Ahmadinejad did not go so far as to outright deny the Holocaust—indeed, he neither confirmed nor denied its existence in his speech—he did aggressively characterize Israel as a nation founded via “military expeditions and invasion.” What sparked the initial boycott of the conference by the U.S. and Israel was a small, concise phrase that was like diplomatic hemlock to most Western nations. This is the second UN conference on “Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,” the first of which occurred in 2001 in South Africa, and the

latest having occurred last week in Switzerland; the participants in the recent conference agreed to the tenets of a document drafted in 2001 which includes the lethal phrase: “We are concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people under foreign occupation.” Of course, if one is Israel, or an ally of the nation (say, the U.S.), one may be tempted to avoid connections with this document like the plague. But if one is the U.S.—particularly the U.S. under the Obama administration—what should one do? The matter is a touchy one, given that President Obama has bent over backwards to prove his fidelity to Israel, while still keeping the door open for renewed relations with Tehran. Yet, Ahmadinejad doesn’t help matters much, with his flamboyant saber rattling and incendiary remarks that border on the absurd. Yes, Israel has acted disproportionately in the past, and yes, some of these actions should be seen as flagrant violations of international law, but, when the poster child of the movement to “bring justice to the Palestinian people” is someone who questions the existence of the Holocaust, then, obviously, there’s a bit of a problem. Furthermore, the rise of Benjamin Netanyahu and his conservative Likud party within Israel doesn’t help matters much. It seems that

Douglas

SEEING, see page 13

Op-ED

Whitman College Pio neer

T P OIN

K eep it down in there We have become a culture dependent on having background music throughout every moment of our lives. On most Whitman bus rides we don’t talk to each Lisa CURTIS other, we shut each othand er out with earbuds and Alex KERR stare at the sky. Whitties Columnists run by Bennington lake listening to their iPods instead of just listening to the lake. We are creating a world for ourselves without natural sounds. That’s fine. That’s our choice. There is a new invention in production right now, however, that will destroy the one last time and place where everyone, no matter where they live, gets to just curl up and listen to nature at work—in the womb. It’s called the Blaby, and it straps around the belly of a pregnant woman. The woman uploads her music onto a small hard drive on a broad fabric strap and then it vibrates her amniotic fluid to the song of her choice, creating a surround-sound system for her very startled child. It also offers her the option to play a recording of her voice, or anyone’s, at the child. It’s not the thought of what people will play for their kids that terrifies us, it’s the notion that people will use the Blaby in general. The reasons why the Blaby is a terrible and essential piece to the end of humanity are clear. Just in case you are one of the many fools who disagrees, here are just a few: 1) It’s already loud up in there. For most of your kid’s waking life your heart has been bigger than it’s face and has been pumping an insane amount of blood all around and INTO it. If you don’t think the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are loud already, go sleep in the Hoover Dam. Now imagine that while you try to sleep some omnipotent jackass decides it would be a good idea to blast Bon Jovi at you so that it vibrates literally everything you touch. 2 ) She can already hear you talking! Hearing your voice louder is just terrifying!

The idea that you need an mp3 of your voice to talk to your baby is ridiculous. Your voice box is your child’s upstairs neighbor. You don’t need to use the Blaby to oscillate your whole uterus to get your message across. Just imagine how terrified your child will be when the voice she has been hearing softly from a distance her whole life suddenly appears high-def like it’s RIGHT BEHIND HER. Don’t give her PTSD before she’s born. 3) Let’s see how YOU like it. When was the last time you were blind, underwater, upsidedown and squeezed in on all sides? Before you strap on a Blaby, let’s see if you can handle it. Get a giant balloon, the size that are tethered to the roofs of auto dealers, get in it with a breathing tube and a blindfold, fill it with warm water and then put stereos on either side of it and play a recording of your mom so that it reverberates the skin of the balloon itself like an air-tight jacuzzi. Would this be more comforting than just hearing your mother speak to you from the outside? No. Silence is golden. Let’s allow our future generations to have just nine months of peace and quiet because with our affinity for incessant noise, that’s the last they’ll ever get.

April 30, 2009

“Some differences are playful; some are poles of world historical systems of domination. ‘Epistemology’ is about knowing the differSpencer ence.” - Donna HarJANYK away Columnist What is nature? That’s a useful question that people have been asking for a long time, but one that I prefer is: what does it mean to be natural, and with what consequences? My fellow columnists Alex and Lisa are also concerned with issues of technology and nature, and the relationship of the two, and I would like to forward a way of look ing at the use of technology and nature that I think will yield fruitful insights. In this, I am deeply indebted to the writing and thought of Donna Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto.” Most progressives in the United States seem to insist that tec h nolog y is always an instrument that dominates the organic, and call upon us to Douglas recognize our bodies as

Counte

a sacred site of resistance against it. I suggest, following Haraway, that a “slightly perverse” shift of perspective gives us more room to contest meaning, exercise power and experience pleasure. The distinctions between organic and machine have been broken down. Our brains are computers, our hearts are run by pacemakers, our nervous system is electrical. Our robots climb stairs and have conversations. At the same time, the boundary between physical and non-physical is broken down. Like most binaries, the more we learn about them, the more we find that they run together. I think that we are all already cyborgs. Our worldview, our understanding of bodies and objects are already mediated by, through, with and against technology. We can’t see bodies without understanding that they are a series of molecules and DNA structures. We have the capability to “flag” certain stories and events for later transcription into Facebook, blogs, etc. and everywhere we collect photographic images to aid in our memorization and ability to explain. For many people and ideologies today, a cyborg world is a controlled one, a destruction of the planet in the name of defense based on an appropriation of women’s bodies. It doesn’t have to be that way. We do not have to be afraid of or pick sides between our connections to animals and machines. There is no forced choice between iPhone and organic patchouli incense. This is not to say that there aren’t problems associated with technology. It can be used to control, discipline, hierarchalize, organize and violently destroy. Some people like being dominated, controlled and organized, but others don’t. The relationships we have with our bodies and with other people are highly personal, but we should afford people the right to do what they please with their bodies and their minds. To some this means plastic surgery and iPods, to others, dropping off the grid and living in a food forest with no shoes. There’s nothing wrong with either of these paths. To take either is to remain and affirm our cyborgism.

r- Poi nt

We are all cyborgs

Op-Ed

April 30, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

New weapons ban follows footsteps of past gun legislation failures The Assault Weapons Ban is a failed attempt at gun control and will not work again. Taking its cue from sophomore gun enthusiast Harry Hixon, the Bryant government should not FONG mandate to the popuColumnist lation what they need, and instead should punish for actions rather than possessions. The ban is more of a show to prove to citizens that politicians are doing something to protect the states and citizens that elected them. Bans on the local and state levels were found to be ineffective in Gary Kleck’s book “Point Blank.” The previous ban and the current proposed ban do not provide a safer America, but merely a cosmetic anticrime legislation. Previous bans on firearms have proved

ineffective. After instituting a firearm ban in 1996, Australia experienced a 3.2 percent increase in homicide countrywide and 300 percent increase in the Victoria state. Australia also had a 45 percent increase in armed robberies, with assaults up 8.6 percent. For the preceding years, Australia had a slight decrease in crime (worldnetdaily.com).

Gun control did not work in the U.S. before and will not work in the future.” Gun control did not work in Australia, and would not be effective in the United States. According to research by Christopher Koper in a report to the National Institute of Justice, the ban’s effects on gun violence were too small for reliable measurement.

If the previous ban produced no noticeable results, then gun control should not be an issue. The assault weapons ban was cosmetic at most and was not effective. A stricter control would only bring catastrophic effects like those of Australia. Many people think that assault weapons, due to their semi automatic and automatic firepower, are more hazardous. Criminals could kill more victims faster with assault weapons. Assault weapons are more effective due to features such as a flash suppressor, folding or retractable stock and pistol grip. Yet the pistol grip makes shooting more difficult, according to Hixon. The folding stock supposedly makes a gun easier to conceal, but decreases its effectiveness in aiming. Before the ban, Koper states that between 1 and 8 percent of guns were assault weapons.

The banned guns could also be replaced with legal substitutes or other exempt semi automatic weapons. Gun rights are indeed a conservative value, but also a liberal one. Allowing citizens to carry guns means that the government trusts its citizens. If the government treats people like children, they will soon behave like children. Guns also give equality. A 100 lb. man has no chance against a 250 lb. thug, unless he has a gun and can disable the thug in order to run away. Gun control did not work in the U.S. before and will not work in the future. Banning guns eliminates the first crime deterrent: protected citizens. Instituting another permanent ban is first, against the U.S. Constitution and second, an ineffective anticrime legislation.

Earth Day: An area of town worth seeing trying to ignore the mercury warning on the side. The eyes now look confused. Emma pushes me aside and approaches the women, explaining our random early Sunday appearance in broken Spanish, repeating again “gratis, gratis.” The lady smiles, finally she understands. She takes the light bulb and our Spanish information packet about green energy and closes the door, just after a little black head peeks out at us from beneath her skirts. I wink at Emma. Four more light bulbs to go. It’s April 22, Earth Day, and our chosen project through the Center of Community Service is to distribute free-energy efficient light bulbs to one of the poorest districts of Walla Walla—the “squatter town.” According to our project organizer, the residential neighborhood right outside of the penitentiary has a reputation of holding spouses and

Breaking the Bubble

by Alethea Buchal Guest Columnist

Her brown eyes look warmly down on me and they are so shiny it looks like they’re smiling. I suddenly realize she doesn’t understand a word I’m saying. “Do you want a free energy-efficient light bulb?” I say, gesturing dramatically and pointing to the light bulb case in my hand,

families of inmates, waiting for their release. Bucking stereotypes of prison neighborhoods like this one, many in this neighborhood are simple and kind home-owners. There was no denying that every resident of the district was poor. The houses were small and had old house paint, weeds, cheap lawn furniture, beer cans or plastic toys strewn over modest yards. Most windows were cracked, repaired only by shiny silver duct tape or sheets of butcher paper. One house

The experience of communicating with these people changed me. If they could be so happy, so content under such conditions... Why... What the hell was I worrying for?!”

even had a sofa made up of old car seats (seatbelts still intact) torn, no doubt, from some abandoned vehicle at a local land-fill. What was weird was the intense benevo-

lence and cordiality I felt from every resident we communicated with. They always opened their doors beaming and took the light-bulbs and information packets, even when they had no idea what we were saying or why we were intruding on a Sunday morning. Many said things like “God bless you” and “Take care” every time we left. And it wasn’t the hippy-dippy, I’m-just-saying-this-so-you’llget-out-of-my-hair kind of way, but a sincere and cordial goodbye. A number of the houses also had signs such as “Love,” “God bless America” and “We can do this” posted in their yards. I distinctly remember two houses having the same faded sticker of Mother Mary on the door frame. But their situation was by no means rays of sunshine. Sometimes when we knocked on the door, younger kids opened up and looked at us with distrust…or fear. I had no idea where their parents were. I still remember the red, ruddy face of one young boy who answered the door after we knocked, heard some kind of muffled “cominwe’rebusywait,” knocked again, and nearly bolted after a voice screamed, “Jimmy GO ANSWER the EARTH, see page 13

Op-Ed

Whitman College Pio neer

Musings from

Abroad

by Margaux Cameron Contributing Columnist

Because of the nation-wide strike in French public universities, my experience in the Parisian education system has been limited to my one hour per week at the Catholic university in Paris, where I am enrolled in a history class which I believe has been held six times (easiest three credits ever). I was very disappointed at not being able to enroll in the Sorbonne, and felt that the “study” of my study abroad was rather lacking, since, let’s face it, the courses at the IES center for us American students leave much to be desired. However, my host mom kindly took it upon herself to enrich my perspective of the French education system by spending an entire family dinner explaining to me and my American roommate exactly how pointless the U.S. undergraduate liberal arts schools are. Why would you waste four years of your life and money attending school to learn general information that isn’t tailored specifically to your future career? Isn’t that what high school is for? French teens usually decide on their career paths much earlier than Americans, because in their education system, changing majors often

April 30, 2009

We can’t all be trained monkeys: Higher education in France

results in losing a semester or whole year of credit. As such, their classes at the university level are generally much more tailored to their future career plans, and are more or less equivalent to U.S. graduate school. (When I brought up the fact that neither of my parents attended graduate school, my host mother’s response suggested that their jobs could be just as well executed by trained monkeys.) While initially I felt angered and insulted by this encounter (not to mention frustrated—I mean, I am spending four years of my life and money on this), it got me thinking about high school attitudes toward academics. Everyone’s been that kid: “Why do we have to learn this? I’m never going to use calculus in real life. Is this on the final? Because otherwise I won’t bother.” While I won’t argue with the fact that taking classes you’re not interested in is incredibly boring and frustrating, hopefully by this point we’ve all come to the conclusion that a liberal arts education is actually a good thing. If I’d had the presence of mind and the French skills, I’d like to have responded to my host mother by saying, “Alternatively, we’ve got the rest of our lives to spend on our careers— why start that now?”

Our life isn’t a race to see who can climb the job ladder faster—at least, it’s not supposed to be. The Parisian students in my entry-level history class at the Catholic university whisper, text and Facebook during the entire class, because to them, it doesn’t matter. Since their entire grade is based on one test at the end of the semester, they don’t even have to attend class, as long as they do enough research on their own. Yeah, maybe they’ll be able to start earning a paycheck in their chosen career before I will, but will their limited academic knowledge really make them better at their jobs? I don’t think so. Besides, a mixture of classes I have to take and classes I choose to take is just plain more fun than jumping directly into graduate-style courses. I know we all get tired of hearing it, but college is a holistic experience. If you rush through it just in order to move on to the next stage, who’s to say you’re not going to spend your whole life doing that? Talk about wasting time—who wants to constantly keep rushing ahead? Pushing for the next promotion? Enjoy the moment, French people! Even if my host mother will never understand this, I’d like to think that the supposedly “useless” knowledge I’ve gathered during classes completely unrelated to my career goals will

someday pay off. If anything, I like to think they make me more interesting to be around. Sure, I’m an English major, but I can also discuss life cycle nutrition at great length. I mean, who doesn’t love learning random facts? Maybe I’m just a complete geek, but I’d rather be at least somewhat familiar with a variety of subjects than feel limited by my career path. And most U.S. students do get the opportunity to eventually immerse themselves in “useful” knowledge that will help them in their job. Maybe it takes a little longer, but honestly—what’s the rush?

Whitman’s take on Liberal Arts from the Whitman Web site: “Experiences that connect you to the real world. A Whitman liberal arts education extends to challenging learning experiences outside the classroom, across the region, and around the world. Research opportunities, social and athletic programming, informal lectures and discussions, service learning, study abroad, internships, and real-world fieldwork allows you to place your classroom learning in the context of daily life. These experiences help reinforce the ideas and insights inspired by rigorous theoretical learning within Whitman’s classrooms.”

An amusement park built for our times

Over 100 days into the new administration, the nation is still grasping for an answer to the recession. Look no further. The solution to our problems has arWilliam rived, and it’s MAX LAWRENCE Columnist XTREME! Welcome to Collapseland, the official amusement park of the economic crisis. Collapseland provides an interactive, fun guide to the still-unfolding meltdown and— this works, trust me—creates a national cathartic experience that will lift America out of the recession. Only Chinese currency accepted, please. Upon entering the park, you see the Hous-

ing Bubble, a supersized bouncy castle with an exciting twist. You’ll want to be there when it explodes—the thrill is seeing where your kids land! Collapseland is family fun for all income brackets. For meals, those with cash to spare will enjoy the atmosphere of the AIG Board Room. Your Kobe steak will be served on a luxury old-growth mahogany conference table and followed by a full spa treatment. Those on a budget will prefer the prices at the Soup Line. Walking past the Bear Sterns Plunge, you come to the Madoff House of Mirrors, where you can spend hours lost among the shimmering profit margins. Elie Wiesel will be your tour guide. Don’t miss the Geithnerizer, one of Collapseland’s signature rollercoasters. The Gei-

Upon entering the park, you see the Housing Bubble, a supersized bouncy castle with an exciting twist.” thnerizer is brand-new, but we built it with the oldest techniques in the book. Its wooden planks positively rattle with experience and confidence! The Geithnerizer excites despite dozens of missing support beams. Prepare to be genuinely thrilled as the train nearly careens off the track several times! If you begin to overheat, head over to Colbert/Stewart Falls, our premier water attraction. Several Geithnerizings take a toll, but a

plunge over the Falls will cool you off. Don’t mind Jim Cramer floating around at the bottom—we think he’s just swimming. Of course, every amusement park needs a signature attraction, and Collapseland is no different. At the center of the park is our towering rollercoaster, simply named the Dow. Famed for its volatility, the Dow hits peaks and valleys faster than Glenn Beck’s manic mood swings. Look up at that train right now—there’s a foolish small boy sitting by himself! The train is slowly climbing, but he’s too short to see when the plunge will come, or even if there is one. For now, he’s just sitting there in nervous anticipation, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

op-ed

April 30, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

It’s Ridiculous

Easy professors waste my time Everybody knows bad professors should be avoided. One of the first things I learned when I was a first-year was that it was better to select classes for professors than for topics. But what Derek I have been running into THURBER Op-Ed Editor recently is not bad professors, but easy ones. Professors who don’t care about grading —who don’t want to push me to do my best— are a waste of my time. It’s ridiculous that I should spend so much money to come here each year and not get pushed to learn as much as I can. I know it can be nice to know you don’t have to try your hardest on a paper for a certain class. But if you know the professor is going to be easy grading it then you won’t try and you won’t learn. I had class at Whitman that was flat-out the easiest class I have ever been in. I went and sat in the room each week listening to a lecture that was very straightforward. And I wrote papers that did little more than scratch the surface of the topic. It should have been the easiest “A” I have ever had. But I got a “B.”

I don’t blame the professor. I think he or she did the right thing in giving me a “B,” but he or she did not do the right thing in teaching me. If I had cared about what I was doing... if I had thought I was going to get anything out of class... if I had been pushed to try harder by the professor... then I am sure I would have

The classes that are the hardest are the most rewarding. And ultimately, we do the best in those classes despite their difficulty.”

gotten a better grade. It is an interesting but very true phenomenon that occurs at Whitman and probably at almost every other college and university around the country. The classes that are the hardest are the most rewarding. And ultimately, we do the best in those classes despite their difficulty. Another class I took at Whitman stands out as challenging me to always do better. At first I wanted to cry and give up—to throw in the

towel and exclaim that nothing could make this professor happy. But after my initial frustration at the first bad grade on a paper, I was that much more determined to do better on the next paper. I was going to show my professor that I had what it took to be in that class. I ended up getting an “A” in the class. Logically, it should have been the other way around. I should have gotten the better grade in the easy class. But I didn’t. I didn’t care in the easy class. The hard class and the hard professor made me want to try my best. They made me do my best. It is one of the best feelings in the world to get a paper back with a good grade on it and know—I mean truly know in your heart— that you earned it. That paper was a good paper because your professor wouldn’t give you an “A” if it weren’t. These classes are the ones that stand out. So here is what I would say to the professors: Don’t go easy on us. We want to earn our grades and we will try so much harder if we respect you for only taking our best work. From now on, I am only taking the classes with professors that have a reputation of being hard graders. Those are the classes I do the best in and the ones I like the most. Those are the ones I remember as the best.

Want Your Voice

HEARD?

Agree or disagree with something you see?

Submit a Letter to the Editor Today Send submissions to editors@whitmanpioneer.com See Submissions Guidelines on page 7 for more details

UN walk-out not beneficial SEEING, from page 9

Netanyahu views Iran as Israel’s chief threat, and thus, any actions or statements by Iran and its leaders to threaten or intimidate Israel must be dealt with swiftly. To simply summarize, I have a feeling that the Obama administration would like to freshen relations with Iran and continue through the Mideast Peace Process, which includes advising Israel to temper its attacks, and act with greater prudence. Yet, such a position is difficult to embrace when Ahmadinejad seems to foam at the mouth, employing prejudiced and militant rhetoric, in addition to other, more real threats (like funding Hezbollah), prompting Israel to ‘defend itself’ out of fear. Ideally, more moderate leadership would be necessary in both nations, to spur dialogue and ensure a lasting, constructive peace. Ideally.

Communicating door to door EARTH, from page 11

F*****’ DOOR!” Emma was the one who managed to keep her head and gave Jimmy a light bulb and an informational packet. Sometimes when we knocked on the door, no one answered—or would answer ever again. One lady told us that the man of “that house on the corner died there two weeks ago, bless his soul.” There were several houses like that. They didn’t have any residents. It was the people that were there who wanted to share their stories with us who affected me. That day when we left and returned to the warmth of Whitman, I actually felt like we might have done something. Energy-efficient light bulbs aside, the experience of communicating with these people changed me. If they could be so happy, so content under such conditions…why…what the hell was I worrying for?! Bike down Boyer, take two rights, cross the railroad tracks under the highway and it’s a whole different ball game…but it’s worth seeing. Have a bubble breaker? email it to buckalak@whitman.edu

FEATURES

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER

FEATURES

APRIL 30, 2009 APRIL 30, 2009

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER

‘89, LOVE INTEREST

ERIC MA XON, ‘87,

TRISTRAM LUNDQUIST, ‘89, VICTIM

CONVICTED OF MURDER

EDITORS’ NOTE: What follows in this ﬁve-page features spread are some of the legends that have been ﬂoating around Whitman campus. We have heard these subjects discussed in low whispers from students who are unsure of the truth, and we wanted to set the record straight about some of the more prominent rumors.

= < 8 K L I <

SUZANNE MEURAT,

In the 1970s, Whitman professors ran a series of programs that brought students and inmates from the Washington State Penitentiary into close contact—maybe too close. “The philosophy…was to increase the interaction between residents and free people,” said Professor of Physics, Emeritus Craig Gunsel, who initially became involved in the program after his wife encouraged him to volunteer. Through what was called the “Social Therapy Program,” prisoners mixed with Whitman students in the Olin Hall faculty lounge, and even went home with them through the “Take a Lifer to Dinner” program. For the most part, these interactions took place without police supervision.

“When I look back on some of things we did with some of those guys, it’s shocking nothing happened. We were rolling with some real hard guys,” said Professor of Foreign Languages and Literatures Emeritus Dale Cosper. Cosper started the program in 1971, along with Lee Bowker and Paul Peterson, both professors at the time. Within two years Peterson and Bowker had left and Cosper was running the program. Gunsel took over in 1975. The then warden and associate warden were also Whitman alumni and very supportive of the programs, allowing them to expand. Through “Take a Lifer to Dinner” students

would “check out” a convicted murderer and bring him home for a meal, before returning him to prison. There were no guards present during these exchanges, and according to Cosper, “a couple of those guys escaped while they were at people’s houses for dinner.” “Looking back on it, it seems kind of naïve, but before…these programs were progressive, an effort to provide something different,” said Cosper. During their peak popularity, student participation in the programs reached between two and three hundred students. “Whitman students are very, very bright but they are also naïve,” Gunsel said. “After they went out to the prison, they would come

back still very bright, but less naïve.” In 1979, an inmate stabbed an ofﬁcer, instigating a prison lockdown. During this time, prisoners were not allowed to leave their cells at all. According to Gunsel, this event dramatically altered the culture of the penitentiary. Although shocking, the prison’s comparative laxity thirty years ago coincided with a record number of convicts earning Associate’s degrees—more, in fact, than in any other prison in the nation. The prison currently offers only GED courses and English as a Second Language. “The hope was that if convicts were given the opportunity, they would take on responsibilities,” said Gunsel.

by Chelsea Bissell On May 18, 1987, Whitman student Tristram Lun-

cember…she started going out with ‘Tris’ sometime in

dquist, a sophomore, died of multiple gunshot wounds

January or February,” said Cleman in a May 20, 1987

to the chest from a .22 caliber hand gun. He was mur-

issue of the Union Bulletin.

C J WISLER

dered by fellow Whitman student, senior Eric Maxon.

At about 1:30 p.m. on the day of the murder, Maxon

Prior to the murder, Lundquist and Maxon fought

came to Lyman where Lundquist lived and took the

over the affections of the same girl, sophomore Su-

victim to wheatfields eight miles Northeast of Walla

zanne Meuret.

Walla to “talk” over their differences regarding their

While Whitman may not be a large city

former president Thomas Cronin (who

ing] left alone by the law,” said junior David

Lundquist was murdered over a love-triangle.

mutual lady love. Maxon returned without Lundquist

school in a rough neighborhood or have the

served from 1993-2005) funded Walla Walla

Protter.

“It was a pretty standard love triangle. Suzanne had

and by 7:35 p.m., Lundquist was reported missing.

Hilton sisters as students, its rumor mill op-

Police Department (WWPD) patrol vehicles

erates overtime. From the playful story of

for campus use.

been dating Eric first and had just gotten tired of the relationship or somehow it had broken up,” said Whit-

According to Lawson, the romantic combination of Lundquist, Maxon and Meuret was dumbfounding.

by Shannon Buckham

Protter listed some examples, including Whitman students who scaled the Marcus

cidentally” pull out their Whitman I.D.s According to some students, Whitman is a major ﬁnancial supporter of the police department.

a ghost in North Hall to more insidious ru-

Allegedly, Cronin “bought off” the police

Whitman with grappling hooks only to be

“I’ve heard that Whitman is the number

man alum, Brek Lawson. Lawson, who graduated in

“I guess part of the, well I don’t want to say humor

mors, the gossip is always titillating. One of

so that they would protect the campus but let

picked up by the college shortly after, stu-

one funder of the police force, buying them

1990, lived with both Lundquist and Meuret in Lyman

of it, but it was ironic that these three people were in-

the most controversial products of campus

students off easily in instances of underage

dents caught hot-boxing a car in the wheat

new cop cars each year,” said senior Matt

during the time of the relationship drama and ensuing

volved in a love triangle,” he said.

hearsay is that Whitman subsidizes police

drinking and partying.

ﬁelds and told by the ofﬁcer to “have a safe

Cameron.

murder. Matt Cleman, a fellow Lyman resident in 1987, also spoke of the affair. “Suzanne and Eric broke up about November or De-

Lawson depicted the students involved as colorful characters.

cruisers to shield students from the law. According to one version of this rumor,

“I don’t know if it is true, but it goes along

night,” and instances of students whose

with other stories of Whitman students [be-

speeding tickets are waived when they “ac-

FEATURES

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER

FEATURES

APRIL 30, 2009 APRIL 30, 2009

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER

‘89, LOVE INTEREST

ERIC MA XON, ‘87,

TRISTRAM LUNDQUIST, ‘89, VICTIM

CONVICTED OF MURDER

= < 8 K L I <

SUZANNE MEURAT,

by Chelsea Bissell On May 18, 1987, Whitman student Tristram Lun-

cember…she started going out with ‘Tris’ sometime in

dquist, a sophomore, died of multiple gunshot wounds

January or February,” said Cleman in a May 20, 1987

to the chest from a .22 caliber hand gun. He was mur-

issue of the Union Bulletin.

C J WISLER

dered by fellow Whitman student, senior Eric Maxon.

At about 1:30 p.m. on the day of the murder, Maxon

Prior to the murder, Lundquist and Maxon fought

came to Lyman where Lundquist lived and took the

over the affections of the same girl, sophomore Su-

victim to wheatfields eight miles Northeast of Walla

zanne Meuret.

Walla to “talk” over their differences regarding their

While Whitman may not be a large city

former president Thomas Cronin (who

ing] left alone by the law,” said junior David

Lundquist was murdered over a love-triangle.

mutual lady love. Maxon returned without Lundquist

school in a rough neighborhood or have the

served from 1993-2005) funded Walla Walla

Protter.

“It was a pretty standard love triangle. Suzanne had

and by 7:35 p.m., Lundquist was reported missing.

Hilton sisters as students, its rumor mill op-

Police Department (WWPD) patrol vehicles

erates overtime. From the playful story of

for campus use.

been dating Eric first and had just gotten tired of the relationship or somehow it had broken up,” said Whit-

According to Lawson, the romantic combination of Lundquist, Maxon and Meuret was dumbfounding.

by Shannon Buckham

Protter listed some examples, including Whitman students who scaled the Marcus

cidentally” pull out their Whitman I.D.s According to some students, Whitman is a major ﬁnancial supporter of the police department.

a ghost in North Hall to more insidious ru-

Allegedly, Cronin “bought off” the police

Whitman with grappling hooks only to be

“I’ve heard that Whitman is the number

man alum, Brek Lawson. Lawson, who graduated in

“I guess part of the, well I don’t want to say humor

mors, the gossip is always titillating. One of

so that they would protect the campus but let

picked up by the college shortly after, stu-

one funder of the police force, buying them

1990, lived with both Lundquist and Meuret in Lyman

of it, but it was ironic that these three people were in-

the most controversial products of campus

students off easily in instances of underage

dents caught hot-boxing a car in the wheat

new cop cars each year,” said senior Matt

during the time of the relationship drama and ensuing

volved in a love triangle,” he said.

hearsay is that Whitman subsidizes police

drinking and partying.

ﬁelds and told by the ofﬁcer to “have a safe

Cameron.

murder. Matt Cleman, a fellow Lyman resident in 1987, also spoke of the affair. “Suzanne and Eric broke up about November or De-

Lawson depicted the students involved as colorful characters.

cruisers to shield students from the law. According to one version of this rumor,

“I don’t know if it is true, but it goes along

night,” and instances of students whose

with other stories of Whitman students [be-

speeding tickets are waived when they “ac-

FEATURES

APRIL 30, 2009

w b y Gillian Fre

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER By protesting the Vietnam War draft, stu-

with, and the entire student congress had

dents in the late 60s were increasing their

voted for recruiters to be barred.”

own likelihood of being drafted. Despite

“I was very supportive of student activism. Sometimes students went a little

b y S ar a Le v y

According to De Grasse, the protest too far, but they were just young!” he

this threat, Whitman students continued to was not a “momentary eruption,” rather, it said. “The students in ‘68 were revo-

think

lutionary, they were a different type of something is wrong then they can go talk Between 1967 and 1970 “The Hershey ers chose a designated “leaker” to spread students. It was the years between ‘64 and to someone about it. At a school like CoDirective” put in place by General Lewis news of the protest before it occurred, and ‘72 that shaped Whitman into what it is lumbia it is a different story.” Ultimately, in 1970 the Supreme Court Blaine Hershey said that the act of protest- 15 to 20 students volunteered to help block today.” make their opinions heard.

took a great deal of planning. The organiz-

ing could actually void a person’s educa-

the road. De Grasse also said that this was

tion deferment and put him or her at risk of not merely a “romantic effort.” Each parbeing drafted immediately. Because they

ticipant expected to be suspended and ar-

saw this as an impediment to free speech,

rested.

Edwards said that he isn’t sure how he

ruled that “The Hershey Directive” was

feels about the way the administration unconstitutional. President Richard Nixon then removed Hershey from the Selective handled this issue. “I’ve often thought about the idea that Service but appointed him as presidential maybe the administration overreacted, but advisor and promoted him to a full four-

many Whitman students felt that military

“The plan was that we would be asked

recruiters should not be allowed to solicit

to leave, and all but two of us would leave.

I’m really not sure if anything else could

star General. At that time, Hershey was

on campus.

The two of us would be arrested and then have been done,” he said, during a phone

the only one to have received this rank

interview. “On the one hand, shouldn’t without ever having served in combat. When Nixon came to visit the campus in nior Charles Lawrence, who now teaches tinue this for about a day, and then the military recruiters be allowed to recruit? September 1971, Whitman activists ﬂew at Seattle University, and junior Michael recruiters would get bored with it and go But on the other hand it was a very tense De Grasse, who is now a lawyer in Walla home,” said De Grasse. time. Hershey said that those who protest- the American Flag backwards to protest Walla, were arrested for blocking military However, the plan was destroyed when ed the draft would lose their draft defer- war and his actions as president. Twenty-one years before Whitman’s first di- to student outcry.

She told the Walla Walla the Board of Trustees of having “developed an

versity symposium, the campus

Union-Bulletin in March of 1986 that the shanty

avarice and greed which is famous, but which

was embroiled in controversy

town symbolized how Whitman’s spending was

is actually better suited to a private business

antithetical to human rights.

than to a liberal arts education” and that “ob-

over

college

investments

companies apartheid-era

serving

“The shanty town is an expressive statement of

sessed with material security, they have loudly

South

condemnation of apartheid voiced through soli-

ignored the larger questions of purpose and

Africa. To protest darity with the South African blacks,” Pelo said. the spending,

Blacks living in racially segregated South Af-

c on s t r uc t e d

restricted their mobility. This system of apartheid

a shanty town lasted from 1948-1994. in front of Memo-

At that time, Whitman owned stock in more

vehicles from entering the Student Union

they found out that instead of just being

Building (which has since been replaced

taken to jail, slapped on the wrists and re-

by Maxey Hall).

leased, the protesters would be locked up

and it was. But it was a free speech effort

“We simply didn’t have the funds for ev-

as well,” said De Grasse in his address to eryone to get arrested,” De Grasse said. the class of ‘69, who had their reunion last

Tom Edwards, who was an Assistant

ment, and that is a violation of American

Lawrence, who also spoke at the reunion, sees the draft threat as a deﬁning

Rights.” Protests such as this one were going on all across the country, but according to Ed-

part of his college years. “Without the draft, we would have had

wards not all of them were as nonviolent a very different experience at Whitman,” he said. as this one. “In 1968, a professor from Berkeley came

He also has only one regret about the

weekend. “Just for protesting, you could be Professor of History here in ‘68 and also to visit, and he said that there’s no problem way students conducted the 1968 protest. “We should have just had them arrest subjected to a draft, and this made many spoke at the reunion, said that he fully sup- here. There’s no grafﬁti, no violence. But everybody and not worried about the bail!” people afraid to protest. We thought this ported the student protests on campus dur- we just haven’t had any violence because wasn’t something the school should put up ing the 60s and 70s. it’s a small enough school that if students he said.

where near the quality institution it pretends

rica were not eligible to vote, and the government to be.”

two more would sit down. We would con-

“People viewed it as an anti-war protest, until they paid a $100 bail each.

greater human understanding…Whitman is no-

students

In the morning of April 15, 1968, se-

According to then Dean of Students Russel DeRemer, students had college approval to construct their symbolic shanty town. Although the

rial Building to dem- than a dozen companies conducting business in Union-Bulletin reported that around 50 students onstrate the poor living

South Africa, including IBM and Coca-Cola. showed up to help build, enthusiasm had ﬁzzled

conditions of black South Af- These investments generated about $375,000 in ricans.

by the end of the week as students began leaving

revenue each year, and were worth a total of about for Spring Break.

In addition to creating a make- ten million dollars. shift slum, Whitman Stu-

dents for Social Change

Despite a vote by students and faculty to re-

While the debate reached a tipping point during move funding, the Board of Trustees voted to re-

D EN

the week leading up to a Friday Board of Trustees

tain investments, limiting only those that would

planned theatre per- meeting to address concerns, critics had been urg-

directly beneﬁt the South African government or

formances, cam- ing divestment for several months, and students pus

discus- had arranged a one-day boycott of class. College

sions and a candlelight vigil

raise

Whitman treasurer Pete Reid argued that continuing to invest was a better way to urge compa-

tion.

nies to “apply pressure where it could best be ap-

awareness of the is- are fiscally sound but morally bankrupt?” sue.

military.

spending had become a subject of extreme conten“Do we need educational institutions which

ZIPPARO

“At one point… Maxey was also the mayor of Walla While illegal, these activities persisted because the police Walla. He may have undertaken something like this,”

force “turned a blind eye,” according to Maxey.

Off-duty fire fighters and police officers are also al-

lowed to use Baker Ferguson Fitness Center for train-

Another part of the rumor is that current president Bridges said. “I do know that he is single-handedly re-

For all those conspiracy theorists that love a good

plied on the South African government to remove

George Bridges stopped subsidizing police cars be-

sponsible for shutting down the brothels in Walla Wal-

rumor depicting the “bad” side of Whitman, police

ing purposes.

“Though the college encourages faculty community

apartheid.”

cause he found it immoral.

la, partly to keep the Whitman men in line, but also at

payoffs make a fun story to retell, but lack any clear

service – just as it encourages community service in

evidence.

the student body – the college itself does not ﬁnancial-

Ann Pelo, a rep- wrote Jack Riehl in an inflammatory letter to

A report adopted by the Board of Trustees fur-

resentative of the group, the editor, in which he also identified himself

ther stated, “There is not evidence to indicate that

untrue, adding that speculation about Whitman’s in-

as a Whitman alumnus and former member of

divestment is an effective strategy for improving

volvement in the community may have originated In: A Personal Story,” reﬂected on his time as mayor, in-

special investment advisory com- the administration. In the letter, which was

the admittedly reprehensible situation in South

because of another former president, Chester Maxey cluding his controversial crackdown on prostitution and the police department is “collaborative,” the WWPD said Bridges. “We do not have subsidized police cars

resigned a month prior from a mittee set up by the college in response

published in Februrary, Riehl also accused Africa.”

Bridges, however, called the rumor humorous but the request of the federal government.”

(president from 1948-1959).

Chester Maxey’s autobiography, “The World I Lived

Whitman’s Treasurer and Financial Ofﬁcer Peter ly contribute to the police department,” Harvey said. Harvey said that while Whitman’s relationship with

gambling, which until that time had been largely tolerated. receives no funding from the college.

“To the best of my knowledge… the answer is ‘no,’” from the Walla Walla Police Department.”

WHITMAN COLLEGE PIO NEER

FEATURES

APRIL 30, 2009

The state originally charged Maxon with first degree murder. But on January “Tristram was tall, dark hair, a beard—

14, 1988, Maxon pled guilty to a reduced

a thin little beard. He was a trench coat

charge of second degree murder.

type-of-guy.

A bit of an odd person…

Walla Superior Court Judge Yancey Reser

I think I recall him and some other guys

who presided over the case asserted that

hanging around and playing Dungeons and

because of difficulties with evidence in the

Dragons. It was big at that time and that

case, first degree murder would have been

was kind of his speed,” said Lawson.

difficult to peg.

Walla

Maxon, was alsoconsidered “odd” by

Controversy around the case thickened

those who knew him, but in a different

as Maxon’s parents were nearly arrested for

way.

contempt against the court. The day of the

“He was stockier, his hair was a light

murder, Maxon had placed phone calls to

brown, he was, hard to say specifically,

his parents. The elder Maxons initially re-

but overweight just 30 or 40 pounds,” said

fused to testify against their son or answer

Lawson. “He was not Tristram, Tristram

any questions regarding their conversations

was tall and thin.”

that day. Eventually, they were forced to

Considered an “imposing figure” by

testify about the conversations in court.

Lawson and accused of having an “intense

Although Maxon was determined to have

personality” by Cleman in the Union Bul-

had suffered certain mental incapabilities,

letin, Maxon had the potential to intimidate

Judge Reser denied Maxon’s suggestion

wiry Lundquist into a wheatfields expedi-

that his ineptitudes prevented him from a

tion.

lucid determination of right from wrong on

Furthermore, Maxon was athletic, into

the day of the murder.

body building, football and strength.

Maxon was sentenced to 13 days and

Someone who, according to Cleman, was

eight months in state prison, the longest

“really into” being the member of a frat.

possible sentence for second degree mur-

At the time of his death, Lundquist was

der.

just starting to get into drama. He was also

In spite of the drama surrounding the

a standout enthusiast of math, physics and

murder involving two Whitman students,

astronomy.

there were varied reactions to the event on

“He was simply an outstanding student,” said Phil Sakimoto, Visiting Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Physics. But for all their differences, Maxon and

campus. “I can only speak for Lyman people, I’m hearing them say it’s like a bad nightmare, a bad movie,” said Cleman.

Lundquist had the same fatal taste in wom-

But Lawson remembers the student reac-

en and the same competitive edge. Their ri-

tion as one of relative apathy for a murder.

valry was brewing on a couple of fronts. “Not only did he and Eric like the same girl, but they had battles over the chess board,” said Lawson.

“They matched

wits.” ALDEN

This deadly competition culminated in Maxon’s fateful decision to unleash his wrath against Lundquist with a .22 and his even more surprising decision to turn himself in half a day later. Maxon went to Walla Walla police station at 5:30 am on May 19 and told officers that he was “in some trouble,” and led them to Lundquist’s body.

“It wasn’t a popular trio on campus… they were part of the loner crowd,” said Lawson. He claims that had the trio been a more popular group on campus there would have been “more of a splash” over the murder. On the day of his conviction, Maxon issued a statement to the press. “I’m deeply sorry for what happened and I wish I had a chance to repay other than sitting in a prison cell,” he said.

April 30, 2009

A&E

Whitman College Pio neer

Holocaust survivor receives praise at presentation by CJ Wisler Reporter

While Whitman College offers a slew of colorful, interesting speakers for the community every year, it does not often bring in eyewitnesses of one of the world’s most horrifying tragedies. Rarer still, the night of the Tuesday, April 21 event saw Maxey Auditorium completely fill up with Whitman and Walla Walla community members, to listen, learn and see the story of the Holocaust through a survivor’s eyes. In honor of Yom Hashoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Week, Whitman’s club HillelShalom presented Holocaust survivor Fred Taucher on Tuesday, April 21 to present his story, entitled “Saved by the Enemy: A Holocaust Survival Story.” Hillel-Shalom is part of Hillel, The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Hillel-Shalom seeks to provide a connection to Jewish students on campus. The group provides students with a central social gathering of Jewish campus students and staff members. Events include monthly gatherings at the local synagogue, Temple Beth Israel, holiday celebrations and other social events such as Shabbat. Born 1933 in Berlin, Germany, Taucher survived one of the most horrifying periods in human history largely though the protection of Gertrude Nölting, a family friend and high-ranking member of the Nazi Party and a personal friend of Hitler. Taucher and his brother were the only members of his family to survive the HoWheeler locaust. His father was arrested and sent to Aushwitz, where he died a few days later. Holocaust survivor, Fred Taucher tells his story to a packed Maxey Auditorium on April 21. Shortly before the Soviets liberated Berlin in May 1945, Taucher’s mother disappeared and survival all over the country, it took him over life is too short and that I… [needed] to start was never heard from again. Taucher was also captured at one point and 42 years to finally begin telling it. Taucher speaking about it. So she decided to divorce stated in an interview me.” sent to SachenhausDespite the darkness surrounding his stothat he began telling en, another concen...It’s important to his story about twelve ry, Taucher occasionally punctuated the sortration camp, after two days of interroremember that hate is years ago because of row with humor. “[After the liberation], we went to an his ex-wife. gation. Due to an air not gone, and we need to be “My ex-wife I think area [where American soldiers were staraid, he and several exposed to the past and not was a bit anti-Semit- tioned]… and told the soldiers we wanted to Russian soldiers esic, and didn’t believe go to America and that our father was born in caped from the train shut away.” on the way to the -Julia Nelson, co-President of Hillel-Shalom, ‘10 I went through all Manhattan,” said Taucher. “That was all we those things,” said knew. We didn’t know that Manhattan was camp and returned to Taucher. “I was not allowed to talk about it. not a state but a part of New York City.” Berlin. Taucher’s detailed account of his youth Taucher now tells his powerful story of After I had open heart surgery, I decided that

during this trying period generated spontaneous applause, tears and a standing ovation as he concluded his presentation. For Hillel-Shalom advisor Sharon Kaufman-Osborn, Taucher’s presentation holds great importance to her and to the rest of the community. “We are approaching a time where there are going to be fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors that are still living,” said Kaufman-Osborn. “It’s important to hear these stories as a way of reminding us to speak up [against] intolerance.” “For genocides that have occurred during these past ten years in Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Darfur… these are problems that carry on,” said co-president of Hillel-Shalom and senior Amy Strauss. “With the rise of the Aryan Nations [a racial purity group] occurring now in today’s world, it’s important to remember that hate is not gone, and we need to be exposed to the past and not shut it away,” said co-president Julia Nelson. “It’s important to educate people, especially from a first-hand experience of a survivor.” Taucher’s reaction to his praise was one of humility, despite students and community members asking for photographs and autographs of him. At one point a fellow war veteran well-wisher—as Taucher is a veteran of the Korean War—recounted old war stories with him and shook his hand. Taucher was very open and generous to his audience members and greatly appreciated the openness of the Whitman College and Walla Walla community members attending his presentation. “This was by far one of the best audiences I have spoken to,” said Taucher. “Everybody, everyone, really listened.”

For a full biography of Fred Taucher’s experience, go to everettcc.edu/programs/socsci/humanities/index.cfm?id=9580.

For more information about the Holocaust, visit the Washington State Holocaust Resource Center at wsherc.org/.

A&E

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Casting for breast cancer by Alyssa Fairbanks Reporter

The brightly colored plaster breast moulds hanging around campus hint at a unique event put on by the Fine Arts House (FAH): their annual breast casting day. Anyone interested had the opportunity to make a plaster cast of their chest on Saturday, April 25, from 1-4 p.m. at the FAH. Later this week, the FAH will host an Artists’ Colony to paint the casts. The FAH’s artistic event is also a fund-raiser for breast cancer. The cost to make a cast is $3, of which some covers the material and the rest is donated to a breast cancer research organization. “Last year the FAH made almost $200 to donate—a lot of people came,” said sophomore Arianna Cortesi, who lives at the FAH and is helping put on this year’s event. She also said that this year’s sign-up sheet was looking pretty full, so they expect a good turnout. “This event has been a Fine Arts House tradition for a very long time,” said sophomore Liz Hockett another resident of the FAH. “It was such a great feeling to look out at the sign-up sheet and find it full after only a couple days of being up! We had to add

personal significance. “For me, at least, I participate because breasts are such a sexual symbol in our culture. I think it’s a way to really make them your own again, to own your own sexuality,” she said. “Plus, you get to paint them and that’s fun.” Hockett came hesitantly last year with her roommate. “I was very, very hesitant to be naked around anyone else. When we got here though, the atmosphere was so chill and everyone was really nice, I didn’t feel awkward at all. I felt like it helped me and my roommate bond in a new way,” she said. For the men participating, the process has a different significance. Cortesi mentioned that few males participate, but that the FAH is seeking to change that. “We renamed the event this year to ‘chest casting’ instead of ‘breast casting’ in hopes of reeling in more dudes, but yes, there are a lot of f e m a le s ,” said Hockett.

vaR o n in

m o r e time slots to accommodate all of the people who wanted to participate.” The basic process of making a plaster cast of your breasts, or chest in the case of the men participating, was explained by Cortesi: “You show up to the FAH. Boys go around to the back door, because they do their chest casting in the kitchen; girls come to the front door, and they cast their breasts in our living room. There are bowls of warm water and piles of plaster strips on each of the tables; basically, you get them wet and make a plaster cast of your breasts/chest. It usually takes about 20 minutes.” For Cortesi, this is an important event. Not only does it raise money for cancer research, it also has

FAH Facts - Once they are painted look for these common designs: calm designs, very nipple-centric patterns, abstract and non-representative designs or painted to look like actual boobs. - This year the name of the event was changed from “Breast Casting” to “Chest Casting.” - Over 80 people “got plastered” this year. - The FAH used more plaster strips than expected this year. - This year two girls made little plaster casts of their bellybuttons.

April 30, 2009

Summer Fashion Report by Alyssa Fairbanks Reporter

Actual sunshine, leaves emerging on the trees, flying Frisbees on Ankeny—all signs that summer is coming to campus. With summer’s imminent approach we find ourselves wondering: What should we be wearing? Fashionising.com gives us a helpful guide to summer 2009’s fashion trends. 1. Sheer Fabrics: see through, soft, feminine, layered and draped. Be careful to appear sophisticated rather than indecent. 2. Bikinis/Monokinis: one shoulder, cutouts, summer floral and ethnic prints and sheer cover-ups Look at Victoria’s Secret and American Eagle Outfitters for hot summer swimwear. 3. One shoulder/backless: dresses, shirts and bikinis highlight the shoulders and back. Think Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto in John Galliano at this year’s Oscars Red Carpet. 4. Grecian: flowing goddess dresses and gladiator sandals Check out Nordstrom for an array of chic gladiator sandals that come as flats, heels and wedges. Also look at The Gap for sandals. 5. Fringe: Inspired by the 1920’s flappers, fringe is in this summer. Shirts, skirts, dresses and even sandals. Be careful though pick one piece and pair it with something else that is understated, for example, a short fringed skirt with a simple tee. Shop at American Eagle for cute, reasonably priced fringed sandals. 6. Tribal/Ethnic: This ranges from animal prints, geometric shapes, earthy hues, turbans, Egyptian style drapery, kaftans, sheer fabrics in neutral or jewel tones and safari wear. Go for bold, vibrant prints and don’t be afraid to stand out. 7. Butterfly Motifs: butterflies symbolize hope, resurrection, beauty, femininity and the ability to be ever changing. You will find butterflies on shirts, dresses and even accessories. I personally love Collette Dinnigan’s summer collection. While out of the average college student’s price range, her collection features several trends including

butterfly motifs, one-shoulder gowns, and jewel-encrusted dresses. 8. Jewel-Encrusted: jewels are all over gowns, day jackets, day dresses and accessories. 9. Fairy-Tale Romance: Flouncing ruffles, rosette clusters, gowns and delicate capelets. For the most part this trend will stay on the run-ways and editorial shoots. However, try pairing a ruffled blouse with skinny jeans and heels or a full, ruffled skirt with a simple tee. Trends like these, which come straight off the runway, are often hard to translate to labels the average Whittie would buy. Perhaps, you don’t really care what the designers are dictating this summer. In that case, look for simple light weight fabrics. Try for bold, bright, geometric prints and patterns. And don’t forget the continued domination of the gladiator sandal, a trend that started last summer and is still going strong.

van d e r b

ilt

A&E

April 30, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer 21

Kim

Rennaisance Faire: Whitman travels back in time On Saturday, April 25, Whitman’s Renassance Faire gave visitors a chance to eat funnel cakes, watch unicycle jousting, and listen to traditional music. The reigning King and Queen were Barry Balof and Claire Valente. KIM

Thrashing for a good cause at Battle of the Bands by Lauren McCullough Reporter

Though Whitman offers Coffeehouse for entertainment, this Saturday students will have the opportunity to watch performances from several popular student bands in the same show. Phi Delta Theta is running their second annual Battle of the Bands at 7 p.m. in the Reid Ballroom to raise money for a local non-profit organization. The lineup features five student bands in competition for first place: The Breezes, Danger Mermaid, Bartalk, the Peeled Tangerines and Floyd Webber Project. The night will also feature a guest performance from Orange Fight, the popular band comprised of Whitman faculty members Michelle Janning, Keith Farrington, Mathew Prull, John Cotts, and Neal Christopherson. The competing bands play different genres of music, to create a varied, eclectic show.

Wes Price, senior and guitarist of Danger Mermaid is looking forward to the show. He says “It’s a fun way to bring everyone together, because there aren’t really any other events like this.” He also adds that the lineup is “a real testament to the musical culture here at Whitman.” While the event will undoubtedly appeal to students who are looking forward to hearing some live music, Battle of the Bands is also a philanthropic event. In addition to tickets, t-shirts designed by Phi junior Brooks Volkman will be sold. All proceeds from the sales will go to Blue Mountain Heart to Heart, an organization concerned with HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. Matt Morris-Rosenfield, senior, is the head of the Battle of the Bands committee. He explained that “one of the larger efforts of the Blue Mountain Heart to Heart is to educate and help decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. They do a needle exchange,

and give out clean needles – which is the first step in helping.” The money raised will be immensely helpful to the organization, as “the needle exchange runs largely on donations since tax and funding cuts have left them with very little,” said Morris-Rosenfield. If enough money is raised, Blue Mountain Heart to Heart will also use funds for educational programs about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. “Battle of the Bands will always be an event that will choose a local organization to give money to for help,” he said. Last year, Phi Delta Theta was able to donate $1,100 to the Walla Walla Community Center for Youth from Battle of the Bands proceeds. The fraternity is hoping to it will continue to be a popular event. “Hopefully it will gain enough acclaim, so that it will keep getting bigger and bigger, so that we can keep giving back to the community,” said Morris-Rosenfield.

Morris-Rosenfield views Battle of the Bands not just as a charitable event, but as an opportunity to foster unity within the campus. “We as a fraternity, wanted to start an annual event that would involve the entire campus. We want to include faculty members in this because we want it to be an all Whitman event,” he said. He adds that he hopes faculty involvement will lead to stability of this event in following years. “As of right now, our contact with Blue Mountain Heart to Heart is Professor Galindo of the Spanish department,” he said. Tickets will be available in Reid and Jewett this Friday during lunch for $5, or for $8 on the opening of the show in Friday. Donations are welcome.

A&E

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April 30, 2009

Wax on: Thetas wash cars for new shelter by Sara Levy Reporter

Many local homeless women are unable find shelters, so the Kappa Alpha Thetas decided to do something about it. “Helpline is opening a new women’s homeless shelter in Walla Walla. Right now they have a homeless shelter for men and one for families and one for battered women. But the battered women’s shelter is always full and it’s really hard to get into so they’ve been having to turn a lot of women away,” said sophomore Tegan Klein. She helped organize a Theta car wash, which took place on Apr. 25. All donations went toward building the new shelter. About halfway through the car wash, Klein said that the event was a big success so far. “It opened at 9, but we didn’t get any cars until about 9:45. Since then it’s been going strong! We’ve been asking for $10, but most people have been giving $20, which is nice. We also got a check from one of our alumns who couldn’t come, but thought the cause was great,” she said. Klein said that this is the Thetas’ first spring philanthropy project. Other events that they have partaken in recently were a cleanup at the Kirkman Museum with Beta Theta Pi, a Valentine’s Party at the Oddfellows senior center, and Mentees to Campus Day. In the fall they host a pancake feast called Cakes for CASA. CASA stands for Coart Appointed Special Advocates. It helps children get advocacy in the courts, and it is Thetas’ national philanthropy organization. “We’re very dedicated to our service, and we’re girls who love to give our time,” Klein said. “We get really enthusiastic about our causes.” Some of the customers were pretty enthusiastic, too. “One person came up to us and was like ‘Oh I’m so excited, you guys don’t even have to was the car, just get the windshield clean!’ because her windshield was filthy and she couldn’t see through it. We still washed the car, though,” said Klein. Most customers left their keys with the girls and then came back for the car later. First year Alexe Helmke said that she got to meet a lot of alumns who were waiting for their cars, including some talkative ones.

“One guy got really interested and intrigued by how many foreign cars there were here. So he talked about that a lot, and then after that he took like 30 minutes to come back and get his car,” she said. Most of the cars belonged to alumni, since the event was conveniently scheduled during a reunion. Klein said that this was done on purpose, and that they had placed the event in the alumni weekend calendar. “It was mostly alums, but there were a few students too,” first-year Kelsie Baher said. “We also had a couple bike washes. And actually a golf-cart wash.” The Thetas raised $877 overall. Sophomore and Theta sorority president Laura Van der Veer said, “The car wash was a huge success and I hope that we make it an annual, or maybe even biannual event.” At right: Members of Kappa Alpha Theta draw in a large alum crowd. Below: Kappa Alpha Theta members Annie Horman, ‘11, right, and Emily Ufheil-Somers, ‘09, left, soap up a car at the April 25 car wash fund-raiser. Proceeds were donated to the Helpline women’s shelter.

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A&E

April 30, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

New moon for ‘blue moon’ at student magazine release by Alethea Buchal Reporter

It only comes out once a year, compiled of a handful of selections made by hundreds of applicants in art, poetry, and prose. Whitman College’s student-staffed art and literary magazine “blue moon” celebrated the release of its 22nd volume last Sunday, April 26 on the Reid side lawn. Though perhaps not as explosive as former parties, the release party was a warm, refreshing experience for some attendees. “This release party is a testament of Whitman creativity on campus,” said first-year Aaron Aguilar as he fingered through the glossy pages of his personal copy. Everyone who attended the party received his or her own free-copy of the magazine. Students had the opportunity to nibble on a few bite-sized treats, listen to original music, and

BLUE MOON, BY THE NUMBERS: Volume 22 126 pages 15 poems 12 works of prose 6 works on the DVD insert 12 dollar price for non- Whitman students

explore the different media displays throughout the side lawn, including a video discussing the history of “blue moon” and a look at some of the copies of the original artwork fastened on surrounding trees. “I wish they had these pictures hanging around campus all the time. They are gorgeous. We just need more art up on display on a regular basis,” said first-year Jessi Whalen. Artistic contributors of the Blue Moon felt the same way, including the artist of this year’s cover, senior Jessica Conrad. “I am so excited that my artwork will become part of the Whitman community and it is so wonderful to be able to share your artwork and ideas through ‘blue moon,’” said Conrad. Conrad’s cover design is an abstract, mixedmedia piece. The piece originally had a black background, but it soon transformed into a multi-layered three-dimensional piece created from acrylic, glass, and gesso. Conrad’s piece was not the only one that made into the volume; thirty-five other pieces including acrylics, prints, photographs, lithographs, oil paintings, polaroid emulsion transfers, ceramic, graphite, scratch-board, and other mixed media pieces made the cut. Other contributions included 15 works of poetry, 12 works of prose, and a DVD insert featuring Tyler Calkin, Sean Day, Obreanna McReynolds, Jessie Neil, Sam Alden, Tim Shadix, Alex Thomas, and Zach Ellenbogen. Each year the mixture of artwork, poetry, and prose is completely different than the year

Norman

Sam Epstein, ‘12, Aaron M Zalman, ‘12, Nick Gottschall, ‘09, Rimmy Doowa, ‘12, and Adriel Borshansky, ‘12 perform on April 26 on the Reid Side Lawn as part of the blue moon release party.

before. This year, “blue moon” started accepting film and animation submissions to expand on the already diverse forms of media. “It’s interesting because all the staff members choose separately so a lot of us don’t know what’s coming from other genres and it’s a total surprise to see how they all mix together and form one publication,” said co-editor in chief and Jenna Mukuno. Though on the smaller end than previous is-

sues, Mukuno says the blue moon is a worthy buy. “It’s a slightly smaller publication than year’s past, but we’re really passionate about every piece that’s in there,” said Mukuno. Copies of the new “blue moon” volume will be on sale in the Reid Campus Center at noon. Whitman students will receive free copies, while non-Whitman students must pay $12.

thisisyourFACE the pio’s arts and culture blog

http://thisisyourface.tumblr.com e-mail us today! mmwhitman.pioneer@gmail.com

Norman Norman

Hannah Sieracki, ‘12, and Shannon Morissey, 12, leaf through the pages of the new blue moon.

Whitman College Pio neer

REVIEWS

April 30, 2009

Music Video Meltdown, Volume II by Mike Sado A&E Editor

“ LO V E S E X MAGI C ” C IARA F EAT. J U S TIN TIM B ERLA K E F r o m “ F a n ta s y R i d e ” ( 2 0 0 9 , L a f a c e ) D IR : D i a n e M a r t e l

“boom boom pow ” T h e b l a ck e y e d p e a s t h e e . n . d . ( 2 0 0 9 , i n t e r sc o p e ) D IR : M at h e w cu l l e n

“ S e xu a l e r u p t i o n ” Snoop dogg E g o T r i p p i n ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , G e ff e n ) Dir: Melina

Where’s the magic? While the ultra-limber Ciara squeals and writhes over the increasingly disgusting Justin Timberlake (Seriously, he and “The Hills’” Spencer Pratt should compare whose beard looks more flesh-colored.), I’m waiting for the wands and magicians deviously twirling their mustaches and bright bursts of candy-colored light. It certainly fulfills the “sex” part; there is, for example, a reel’s worth of licking that should give Jessica Biel all the more reason to send Timberlake to seventh heaven (Hey-yo!). “This is the part where we fall in love,” Ciara sings as she lies down on Timberlake’s prostrate body. Yeah . . . no. Girl is deluded. Then she transforms into Kelis at the end, ‘fro and all. So maybe there is magic in this video after all.

“I’m so three-thousand-and-eight, / you so two-thousandand-late!” The Black Eyed Peas. Always the wordsmiths. This time it’s about becoming technology, according to will.i.am, and if we don’t get it, we’re two-thousand-andlate. Except no one understands the Black Eyed Peas, so really, I’d be happy to believe that they are from the year 3008. Mrs. Josh Duhamel turns into She-Ra at some point. Then will.i.am throws up on his auto-tuner and mixing equipment to synthesize the worst 90s dance club anthem ever. Threethousand-and-eight my ass; this is nineteen-ninety-eight. I think they even turn into variations on the Master Control Program from “Tron.” ‘Cause they’re becoming technology, y’all! Ha ha ha. I hope they die. Whoops.

Like I really need to explain this video. What’s it all about, Snoop?

FINAL WORD: False Advertising

FINAL WORD: HP Touchsmart Commercial

final word: “Orgasms”

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April 30, 2009

HUMOR

Scavenger hunt marred by unfortunate wording The first annual Whitman College Scavenger Hunt also became the last annual Whitman College Scavenger Hunt last Saturday, when the wacky hilarity was brought to a sudden and violent halt at the discovery of a severalmonth-old cadaver. The location where the body was discovered or the supposed cause of death have yet to be released. “I mean, I never guessed that when the list said we needed to find ‘someone late’ it would mean this,” said a horrified participant who wished to remain anonymous. Organizers of the event fervently maintain that they intended teams to search for a person who was late in the temporal sense, such as a student who had overslept and missed the beginning of an IM frisbee game. Authorities, however, are taking this dark turn

of events much more seriously. “We haven’t ruled out the possibility that there might be four more bodies somewhere on campus [five teams total participated in the scavenger hunt - ed.],” said an officer of the Walla Walla Police Department. To this end, divers trolled the bottom of Lakum Duckum yesterday, although no evidence has yet turned up to suggest the presence of additional corpses. For their part, students involved in the hunt are simply trying to forget it. “I feel like somebody made me live out ‘The Most Dangerous Game,’” said one particularly well-read student. “I’m no General Zaroff! I’m not!” Passersby wished to point out that this is totally not like that story at all.

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HUMOR

Whitman College Pio neer

April 30, 2009

Wow, that last page was pretty dark, wasn’t it? Here, this one has much less to do with death. - editors A

Question For

Charlotte by E.B. White channeled through Evelyn Windsor Night fell on Zuckerman’s farm. In the barn, all was quiet, save for the muffled, comforting sounds of sleeping livestock: the sighing of the cows in their manger, the faint squeaking of Templeton the rat as he snored in the feed trough. In a corner of his pen, Wilbur shifted slightly, blinking up at the stars. Why can’t I sleep? he thought, puzzled. By this time he should be a soft, dreaming pink mass, not a very awake, very confused young pig. He snorted, feeling uneasy. “What’s wrong, Wilbur?” asked a silvery voice next to his ear. “Oh, hello, Charlotte,” said Wilbur, looking up at his friend. “I’m just feeling restless, I guess.” “Just restless?” Charlotte prodded gently. “You look worried.” “Well…” Wilbur pawed at the dirt with his hoof. “I watched the news through the Zuckerman’s kitchen window today.” “Ah.” Charlotte nodded wisely. “You heard about the swine flu, I suppose.” “Yes. And Charlotte, I had a terrible thought: what if I get it?” The spider laughed so hard she shook her web. “Oh, Wilbur! There have been no reported cases in our state! Don’t worry, you won’t get the swine flu. That’s just media sensationalism.” “Oh, thank you, Charlotte!” Wilbur said in relief. “If you say so then I know I’ll be just fine.” “That’s the spirit,” said Charlotte, repairing a small hole in her web. “Chin up!” “It would be so terrible if I were to catch it. I would have to stay away from all of my friends. Fern wouldn’t be allowed to visit.” Wilbur’s ears drooped sadly at the thought. “That’s called, ‘quarantine,’” Charlotte volunteered. “Whatever it is, I’m glad I’m not it,” said Wilbur adamantly. “But now at least I shall be able to sleep. Clever Charlotte!” “Good for you, Wilbur,” Charlotte said, settling in the center of her web. “Keep your mind on positive things, and you will become positive as well. Be happy and everyone around you will—” Wilbur suddenly let out a loud cough, followed by a pronounced sniffle. There was a slight pause. “Don’t worry, Charlotte,” said Wilbur. “I’m not ‘quarantined!’” The two friends shared a good laugh under the moonlight.

An Open Letter from Holly Bridges (dog) - discovered at the Bridges’ residence Dear Familee,

I am running away. Pleese do not to try to folow me. I made this desishun after a lot of thought and I am not going to change my mind. But wait, you will sey, we were always so nice to you Holly! We gave you kibles and walks and tummy rubs! We are good owners! And to that I sey, yes you were. I will never have another familee as nice as you. But the truth is I am feeling negleckted. Everyone loves President Obama’s puppy so much and I am also a presidenchal dog and no one talks about me! To sum up I am unapreshiated by the campus even though you love me. So I am going to go leave. Maybe I will go live with Bo and then I will be in pikshures and the campus will sey, oh! That dog belongs to our campus! She is our presidenchal dog! We should never have taken her for granted! And I will agree. I will miss you. I still love you very much. Holly

Thank You Students!! by George Bridges (president) Wow, students! Thank you so much for your help with finding Holly and getting her safely home. I know that all of you are extremely skilled when it comes to dealing with Whitman’s demanding academic rigors, but who would have known you all are super sleuths as well! We just may have to change Sherwood’s name to Sherlock once they’re done renovating it! In all seriousness though, it means an enormous amount to me and my family that Holly has made it home safely. Boy, isn’t she a firecracker! I never would have guessed that those hours spent teaching her to read and write were actually working. In conclusion, follow your hearts. And don’t be surprised if you see Holly auditing one of your Politics classes sometime soon! Don’t think I haven’t noticed these presidential aspirations of hers. Guess I better watch my own back! George

April 30, 2009

The

SPORTS

Whitman College Pio neer

FullCourt Press A super bowl in London?

commentary

by Andy Jobanek and Billy Low Sports Editor & Reporter

Andy: Ask anybody what’s the first thing they think of when they hear of London, and I bet you nobody will say American football. Yet NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league officials have targeted London as the key to globalizing the sport. These efforts have had little consequence for the league up until now as only two regular season games have been held in London over the past two years. However, soon one of those games might be the Super Bowl. Nothing is official yet, and the sites of the next three Super Bowls have already been announced, but league officials have discussed the process London would have to go through to make a bid to host the Super Bowl. Considering that the last two regular season games held in London sold out and brought in a hefty profit for the league, it’s clear what the league is after with a move to one of the biggest markets in the world. However, the Super Bowl is now a two-week event with several events happening outside the stadium before the actual game. The league counts on active participation in these events for revenue and it’s uncertain whether Londoners would have sustained interest in American football for two whole weeks. Two years ago the league constructed a giant animatronic statue of Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins and few people showed up to see it. I’m sure the league would have no problem selling tickets to the game or commercial space on television, but every other aspect of the game would suffer.

In general, the league’s desire for globalization is understandable. They’re the most popular sport in America and they want more money. Ultimately, the move to London is a move for more money and is another example of corporate America imposing on foreign territory. It’s laughable to say that American football is an international game when the NY Times found that only 4 percent of NFL players in 2007 were foreign born. That’s horrible in comparison to the 20 percent of foreignborn players that make u p

efforts would have cost an American city the hundreds of millions of dollars that comes with hosting the event. Billy: The British or any international audience may need more than one Super Bowl to sustain an interest in American football, but winning loyal fans should not be the NFL’s goal in bringing the Super Bowl to London. The league does not need to go for a touchdown on first down, so to speak. Televising the game around the world globalizes the sport and peaks some interest in it (at least for a day) because i t

ca l

NBA rosters, a n d the 29 percent in Major League Baseball. Even if Londoners show up to a Super Bowl there’s no way for them to forge a personal connection to the sport that would last beyond the one day spectacle and the league’s

ki n

gives fans a closer look at the sport, so the actual game itself will draw even greater interest. The sellouts suggest the regular season games in London successfully attracted potential customers for the NFL. By bringing Londoners

the Super Bowl, the league is rewarding them with a new and improved product. I agree that Londoners would likely ignore all the festivities that take place two weeks before the Super Bowl, but the NFL doesn’t have to pick up the Super Bowl and plop it down in London the way it is in the United States. Rather, it can modify the festivities to fit a less-informed audience, such as by hosting more activities that educate London about the sport. Goodell could even hand out bracelets that spread NFL awareness. The league should not mind sacrificing the revenue of all those festivities once in favor of building a solid fan base that will provide it with even more money in the long run. Anyway, depriving rich Americans of the game just once wouldn’t hurt that bad. It’s not like Andy Taylor has the money to take Opie down to the Super Bowl when it rolls into Mayberry one Sunday afternoon. Lastly, the league will likely attract more international players once it has built a solid fan base in foreign countries, such as the United Kingdom. The NFL is really the only vehicle for football to spread to foreign markets. Sports such as basketball and baseball lend themselves well to recreational pick-up games. You only need a ball and a basket to play basketball, and there are relatively few rules required at the recreational level. You can even still shoot baskets if you’re lonely and have no friends. In contrast, if you don’t have enough players and don’t know all the rules (because you’ve never seen the sport on TV), you’re probably not going to play any pick-up football. While the NBA can promote basketball across the world, the NFL has to first teach football to the world.

Once prominent club softball team no longer playing by Libby Watkins Reporter

Due to a lack of players, the Whitman women’s club softball team is not competing this spring. The team has not played any real games since the fall of 2007, but hopes in years to come to be able to rebuild a team. “We tried a little bit at the beginning of this school year, but we never had more than four players at any practice,” explained senior Linda

Mummy. “Then the girl who had been putting practices together left Whitman.” The team, when it was running, was organized by captains and did not have a coach. Practices were a couple times a week and were worked around the busy schedules of the players. “The girls on the team are of mixed experience,” said junior Kristianne Chavez, who was left in charge of the team when the previous captain left. “We had some who had played a lot

in high school to those who had never played at all until last year.” Many team members graduated last year, which Chavez points to as one of the largest problems in keeping the team together. However, the club softball team has not given up, and encourages anyone who is interested in playing to contact Chavez at chavezkm@whitman.edu or check out the Web site at whitman. edu/club_softball. The Web site has not been updated since the team was last in existence,

but still gives useful information including press releases written about the team when they were still competing consistently as well as pictures of the former team. “If it would be possible to save this team, it would be awesome,” said Chavez. “Mostly we like to go out there and have a good time; it’s not about being the best team. We just like being out in the sunshine throwing the ball around.”

Whitman College Pio neer

SPORTS

April 30, 2009

Golf teams finish conference season Team ousted in Men’s team places fifth, women take eighth in NWC

Willamette and PLU, however, both teams placed ahead of Whitman in the tournament. Molitor, reflecting on the season, acknowledged the team’s developments and anticipates future improvement next season. by Mallory Peterson “We made progress this season with Associate Sports Editor the women’s golf team in terms of posting team scores for conference The Whitman men’s and events,” said Molitor. “The women’s golf teams ended last few years, we have their seasons last weekend posted individual scores placing fifth and eighth rebut have not had enough spectively in the Northwest depth on the roster to post Conference Golf Champiteam scores.” onships. The men played Throughout the season, at Tokatee Golf Course in several players have perBlue River, Ore., while the formed exceedingly well, women competed at Apple contributing to the team Tree Golf Course in Yakidynamics and improving ma, Wash. the team’s overall score. Men’s golf coach Peter According to Molitor, McClure, in an interview sophomore Sydney Saito before the tournament, had a chance at all-conhoped that the team would ference honors dependfinish in the top five. Goal ing on her performance at achieved, McClure and the the NWC Championships. team are more than satisFirst-year Allie Lodine, fied with their final placethe team’s top newcomer, ment both individually and secured the number two as a team. Sophomore Brian position on the team. Barton finished in a threeFirst-year Jenn Keyes also way tie for second place. had an outstanding year of Looking back on the season, competition. In Molitor’s McClure is content with the opinion, senior Sophia team’s achievements and Sady, sophomore Joanne progress individually and as Yang and junior Kelsi Eva unit. ans “provided us the depth “The men on our team we have needed in order to have practiced faithfully post team scores.” and each and every one of hong The women’s team is the team members have tried also anticipating new their best on every shot they Brian Barton, ‘11, tied for second at the NWC golf championships and was one of growth next season as a have taken,” said McClure seven golfers named to the All-NWC men’s golf team. The men’s team as a whole result of recruitment. in an e-mail. “That is all a finished in fifth and return every player from this year’s roster. “We are pleased with coach can hope.” our recruiting efforts to According to McClure, the season’s highlight was when sopho- Clure. “I’m sure we will be stronger and this point,” said Molitor. “We will be adding a minimum of three players who have more Brian Barton won the Northwest deeper in 2009 – 2010.” The women’s golf team, on the other done well in conference and state level Fall Classic at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick, Wash. on Oct. 19. Barton hand, finished eighth in the NWC Cham- events.” birdied the last four holes to secure the pionships. The team entered the tournaAt the close of the season, the men’s tournament, winning by three strokes. ment ahead of Lewis and Clark College, and women’s golf teams look forward to This win provided the team with a positive one point behind Willamette and two the fall with optimism and are prepared outlook on the rest of the season and also points behind Pacific Lutheran University. for both individual and team growth. counted toward one-quarter of the scoring Coach Skip Molitor hoped to catch up with for the NWC tournament. With the conclusion of the season, McClure is optimistic about next season. McClure expects that all players will return next fall since the team is currently devoid of seniors. New recruits will also provide the team with new dynamics and skills. “There are several promising incoming players for next year’s team,” said Mc-

semis last year LACROSSE, from back cover

Standing in their way, however, are Western Washington University and Western Oregon University, two teams that beat Whitman 15-9 and 2013 respectively during the regular season. If they play to their potential, the Whitman team is confident that they can compete with both teams and snag another conference title. “Going into playoffs, I feel like, as a team, we have a good balance of confidence and awareness,” said junior attacker Bidnam Lee. “We know that if we play to our full potential, we can win the conference title, but at the same time, we know that if we don’t bring it for 60 minutes a game, every game, some of these teams will be very difficult to beat.”

Our disregard for our own individual selves is exceeded only by our immense regard for the collective success of the team.” -Bidnam Lee, ‘10

Bringing it every game might be hard for the many injured players on the team who are nursing torn labrums and sprained ankles among other ailments. “There are guys on the team right now playing with shin splints, torn labrums and sprained ankles, damaged ligaments, pulled muscles and strained backs,” said Lee. “These are all injuries that would just get better if they stopped playing, but for all of those guys, for all of us, the opportunity to be champions is worth so much more than simply getting better.” “Our disregard for our own individual selves is exceeded only by our immense regard for the collective success of the team, and the ultimate success for the team would be to win the title,” said Lee. There are a few improvements that the team would like to make before their semifinal matchup against Western Oregon. One of these is learning to work more as a team and less as a loose collection of talented players. “We have as much individual talent as anyone in the league,” said Lee, “but we’re really trying to focus on becoming more cohesive as a unit in all facets of the game, whether defensively or offensively.” If the team wins the conference title, they will get to go to the national tournament which is being held in Denver, Colo. this year.

SPORTS

April 30, 2009

Whitman College Pio neer

Run, swim, shoot hoops for good causes this weekend by CJ Wisler Reporter

Whitman College students pride themselves on their ability to take on challenges. Now, Whitman’s varsity swimming and basketball and the Student Health Advisory Council is giving students the opportunity to participate in challenging their bodies in several upcoming events including the Triathlon and 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament. The annual Triathlon, run by Whitman College’s varsity swim team, offers students the chance to compete and exercise to help raise money for the swim team. “It’s a really important event because we need extra support to travel outside the region in the winter, but it’s also a really fun event for students,” said swim coach Jennifer Bloome. The event is really “user-friendly” according to Bloome, because the event’s courses are relatively short, with a 10k cycling course, 500yard swim and 5k run. “There’s not the really big intimidation factor, unlike larger triathlons,” said Bloome. “Students end up running with professors and enjoying the community. It’s just a really great way to have fun and get motivated to be healthy.” The Triathlon also brings students closer to

the town via the small businesses helping support the event. “It’s a really fun community event,” said Bloome. “A lot of the downtown businesses such as Hot Poop, Big Cheese Pizza, The Patisserie, Pete’s Ski Shop and Sweet Basil are donating to the event. We don’t have big corporate checks… we’re really local.” The Triathlon entry is $30 for individuals and $45 for a team and takes place Saturday, May 2. Students can register at the Baker Fergusson Fitness Center before or at the event. The Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) also put on a Fun Run to raise money for the Doctors Without Borders Program. “We have been hosting this race for a few years now and all the profits this year are going

to the program,” said Vice President of SHAC Fritz Siegert. “It’s a great program that funds and coordinates excursion trips for physicians to third world countries to practice medicine in areas where health care is lacking or practically nonexistent.” The yearly event consists of a 5k and 10k course that runs the same course as the Triathlon. “The run was really great,” said Seigert. “We had a lot of alumni show up. We found one alumni there who has been running it [the FunRun] for over 20 years.” The event took place on Saturday, April 25 and raised over $300, all of which was donated E. johnson to Doctors Without Borders. The men’s basketball team is putting on a campus-wide 3-on-3 Tournament Saturday, May 2 to raise money for the team and let Whit-

man students participate in a non-varsity basketball program. “We are hoping this tournament will help fill the gap in the intramural’s program that resulted in the Sherwood renovation,” said men’s basketball Assistant Coach Matt Airy. “Essentially we wanted to give Whitman students a day to get out and play some basketball with friends in an organized setting.” The tournament consists of three divisions: competitive, recreational and women’s. All teams (except women’s) can be co-ed and are guaranteed a three game minimum. Team rosters consist of a maximum size of four players. Varsity players are eligible to participate at a maximum of one per team. The cost per team is $50. Whether shoot hoops with friends or running against a professor, these programs offer nonvarsity students the chance to participate in these important events for a good cause.

Schedule of Events Triathlon–Saturday May 2. Money from the triathlon will help fund the Whitman swim team. 3-on-3 basketball–Saturday May 2 at Desales high school. Money raised for the event will go towards the men’s basketball team.

Baseball bids six seniors farewell Ski teams will race in USCSA BASEBALL, from back cover

The team is feeling good about the weekend and is confident about this time’s matchup with UPS, who is currently in sixth place in the conference with a record of 9-18 and an overall record of 12-23. “UPS is a good team, but they’re a little young,” said Korsmo, adding that they had some key players graduate last year. “It’s a big advantage that we got to see their pitching earlier in the year so we know what to expect.” The Missionaries have been improving their pitching and their hitting since their last game with UPS, according to Korsmo. However, he expressed concern at the recent injury of one of the team’s top pitchers, junior Blaine Mercado. “We have been plagued by injuries all year long,” Olson said. “I think we may have a chance to finally get healthy this weekend and have fun.”

kim

Erik Korsmo, ‘11, leads Whitman into the final weekend of competition atop the team in batting average (.356), hits (37), slugging percentage (.538), on base percentage (.446) and is tied for the lead in triples and home runs. Whitman’s offensive as a whole has improved drastically from last season, rocketing the team’s batting average from .226 last year to .272 this year.

SKI TEAM, from back cover discuss and assist in shaping the future of our ski program,” Bridges wrote in his letter to the Whitman student body. The new plan cuts the ski teams combined budget from 240,000 dollars to 40,000 dollars. Bridges mentions in his letter that more than 60 percent of the funds will address instructional salary needs, while the rest is added to other varsity sports teams’ national travel budgets. As part of the transition, Alpine head coach Tom Olson and Nordic head coach Calisa

Shouweiler will be let go. Their contracts expire July 1, 2009, at which point they will no longer be employed by the college. Both President Bridges and Athletic Director Dean Snider believe the ski programs will continue their previous success in United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) competition. The Nordic women’s ski team placed second, while the men finished third at the USCSA national championships March 3-7.

Whitman College Pio neer

SPORTS

April 30, 2009

New wrestling club springs from common interest by Andy Jobanek Sports Editor

Ankeny frequently hosts football, soccer and Frisbee in the form of pickup, intramural and club games, but in the shadow of those sports, a new one has emerged. On Sunday, April 5 a group of wrestlers held the first meeting of their new club sport on Whitman’s central field. “[Wrestling’s] just one of those things I got really interested in at one point and talked to people around here and they had interest, so I thought it’d be cool to start a club and get things going,” said sophomore Viral Oza, a four-year wrestler in high school. The club formed last semester, but spent most of that time trying to get funding from ASWC. Oza asked for money from ASWC’s contingency fund to supply wrestling mats in Sherwood for next semester. Oza stated that turnout for the club has been strong so far, and he thought that the addition of mats with the indoor environment would draw even more people to the club. So far, the biggest meeting of the club was ten people—a sign of general interest, but also of the club’s

The club would have to travel outside of money will go towards little things such as infancy. “Right now [the club’s] just a couple people Walla Walla to receive funding from the ath- advertising and protective headgear. The response to the club has surprised Oza who are interested who come together and roll letic department, according to Oza, although around,” said Oza. “Most of the people haven’t the department recognizes them as a club so far, who didn’t know what direction the club would take once he formed it last semester. wrestled since high school or only wrestled for sport on campus. “Initially, I had no idea what it was going Next year, the club will operate on a $100 two years in high school so things are a little budget funded solely by ASWC. Most of this to be,” said Oza. “At first I thought it’d just be rusty and we’re just catching up on stuff.” people who wrestled before but The club won’t be able to didn’t want to wrestle competitravel to any tournaments tively.” this semester, however, due With several other clubs on to their size, but hope that campus, Oza sees the wrestling in future years they will club filling a niche within the be able to compete at local club sport community, while meets within Walla Walla still offering the laid back nature County as well as host of other club sports. campus tournaments. Oza “People who wrestle in high doesn’t see the team travschool really like the concept of eling beyond Walla Walla rolling around and trying difdue to the tremendous time ferent things,” said Oza. “A lot commitment that would reof people don’t think it can be quire. informal, but it can be very in“I’m hoping we can deformal like Frisbee, or a pickup velop a school roster where football or a pickup soccer game. people have matches, but So if you have a mat and a couple it’s very low key, informal norman people who want to roll around it and not competitive orientcan also be very informal.” ed,” he said Rebecca MacFife, ‘11, tussles with a fellow wrestling club member at a club gathering.

T H ROUGH T H EI R EY ES: by Noah Moskat Reporter

With spring at last sprung and the end of the school year looming on the horizon, next year’s fall varsity sports season may seem a long way ahead. But for varsity athletes, the fall is already quickly approaching. “Next year” is about to become “now”—and it is at this time that preparation becomes critical. And in the next few months, summer vacation will provide an important training period for fall sport student athletes. On top of any other plans for working or internships, they will dedicate time to keeping in shape nearly every day of every week. Some work by themselves, others with teammates; they train here in Walla Walla and in hometowns across the country. But wherever they will be, student athletes recognize the significance of their efforts in the next few months—not to mention the personal initiative required without a coach to motivate them.

summer sports training

“There are expectations for what you’re going to do,” said sophomore Cooper Crosby, a member of the men’s varsity soccer team. “It will be up to people on the team.” And what they are going to do includes much more than just playing their sport. Crosby is one of several men’s soccer players who will live in Walla Walla this summer. Along with his intention to play soccer most every day, he plans to perform a number of conditioning and strength workouts to improve his general fitness. “We’ll have a conditioning program, with running four to five days a week,” Crosby said. “It will pick up speed as the summer goes

on, getting harder at the end.” Junior women’s soccer captain Corina Gabbert also addressed training aspects beyond playing the sport itself. “Summer training is usually a mix of a lot of running, lifting and playing soccer when you can,” Gabbert wrote in an e-mail. “The days that I’m not playing soccer I do some kind of running workout, which can vary from track workouts to sprints to long distance. Three times a week I try to go to the gym and do some kind of lifting.” Gabbert, who will spend the summer at home in Portland, Ore., mentioned that she primarily trains on her own, working out with

mitchell

another person occasionally. Junior cross country runner Curtis Reid, on the other hand, much prefers having partners with whom he can train. “I try to run with teammates as much as possible,” said Reid, who, like Crosby, will remain in Walla Walla this summer. “Training runs are more enjoyable when you have a teammate with you.” According to Reid, the cross country summer training itinerary includes six days of running each week. These daily runs average about eight miles at the beginning of the summer, and move up to 12 or 13 by its end. In addition, runners will practice short intervals (one mile) at a fast pace, lift weights or “cross train” by riding a bicycle. While this schedule may sound intense to the average person, the efforts these athletes put in over their summers serves only as the foundation for practices in the fall. As Reid put it, “The goal of the summer training is to prepare to train even harder during the season.”

SPORTS

April 30, 2009

L—Blaine Mercado

SCOREBOARD

Game 2 Whitman

of the Week

thursday april 23, 2009 Women’s tennis: Whitman College at Ojai Tennis Tournament in Ojai, Calif. Singles: Kelly Fox (Chapman) def. Katie Oost (Whitman) 5-7, 6-1, 10-1 Rachel Owens (Point Loma University) def. Elise Otto (Whitman) 6-1, 6-4 Both defaulted out of doubles bracket

friday april 24, 2009 Men’s tennis: Whitman College at Ojai Tennis Tournament in Ojai, Calif. Doubles: Justin Hayashi/Dan Wilson (Whitman) def. Ramsey Bernard/Grant Friedman (Pomona) 8-5

5.0 17 13 12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (3-28, 2-23 NWC) 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 - -

Whitworth (8-26, 6-20 NWC) 3 1 3 4 3 1 X - Pitchers W—Liam O’Brien L—Blaine Mercado

R H E 5 6 2

15 14 0

IP H R ER SO 5.0 2 0 0 2 5.0 14 14 14 0

Sunday april 26, 2009 Baseball: Whitman College vs Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Whitman (3-29, 2-24 NWC) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 Whitworth (8-26, 6-20 NWC) 0 0 0 3 0 0 X 3 6 0 Pitchers W—Chad Flett L—Pete Stadmeyer

IP H R 7.0 7 1 6.0 6 3

ER SO 1 4 3 3

Both advance to quarterfinals

Saturday april 25, 2009 Men’s tennis: Whitman College at Ojai Tennis Tournament in Ojai, Calif. Doubles: Quarterfinals Justin Hayashi/Dan Wilson (Whitman) def. Jared Kamel/Marc Vartabedian (U.C.-Santa Cruz) 8-2 Semifinals John Watts/Charlie Cutler (Washington University) def. Justin Hayashi/Dan Wilson (Whitman) 8-1 Baseball: Whitman College vs Whitworth Spokane, Wash. Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Whitman (3-27, 2-22 NWC) 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 Whitworth (7-26, 5-20 NWC) 2 6 2 0 3 3 4 2 Pitchers IP H R W—Nathan Johnson 7.0 8 5

University in

R H E

5 10 1

X 22 22 2 ER SO 5 6

Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Whitman (3-30, 2-25 NWC) 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 5 1 Whitworth (9-26, 7-20 NWC) 2 2 3 2 0 0 X 9 10 0 Pitchers W—Brent Flyberg L—Calvin Davis

IP H R 7.0 5 2 4.0 7 9

ER SO 2 2 8 1

Men’s golf: NWC Championships at Tokatee Golf Club in Blue River, Ore. Top Whitman Finishers (par 72): Brian Barton (72, 78) 150 Steve Campbell (79,77) 156 John Abercrombie (80, 80) 160 Grant Brandal (90, 87) 177 Paul De Barros (84, 89) 173 Noah Jolley (82, 92) 174 Women’s golf: NWC Championships at Apple Tree Golf Club in Yakima, Wash. Top Whitman Finishers (par 72): Kelsi Evans (104, 102) 206 Sydney Saito (106, 100) 206 Allison Lodine (123, 102) 225 Jennifer Keyes (116, 119) 235

Whitman College Pio neer

SCHEDULE for Next Week

Friday may 1, 2009 Baseball: University of Puget Sound vs. Whitman College (two nine-inning games) at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla, Wash., 12 p.m. Game Notes: This series was originally scheduled for the weekend of March 7-8, but postponed due to wintry weather conditions. Whitman is assured of another last place finish even with a sweep this weekend. UPS is lead by Mark Rockey who leads the conference in batting average (.467), slugging percentage (.943) and on-base percentage (.600). His total OPS is 1.543. Besides Rockey, Puget Sound has one other player currently batting over .400 in Dakota Resnik at .405. Puget Sound struggled over the last two weeks though, losing seven of eight against the two teams at the top of the conference. Whitman and Puget Sound played a non conference game earlier this season at a tournament at Linfield College. Puget Sound won 9-8, but Whitman took a 8-7 lead into the bottom of the sixth before the Loggers pushed ahead. Junior Blaine Mecado, who has frequently started the first game of the weekend during the conference season, badly twisted his ankle earlier in the week. His status for this weekend’s game is uncertain.

Whitman Athlete

of the Week Kendi Thomas Each week, the sports staff will pick one Whitman athlete who performed exceptionally during the previous weekend. The distinction will be judged both on the individual’s performance and his or her impact on the team. Junior Kendi Thomas dominated the Northwest Conference Championships, as did her entire team. Thomas won the road race individually and then led Whitman in a two through five finish in the conference final criterium.

Saturday may 2, 2009 Baseball: University of Puget Sound vs. Whitman College (two seven-inning games) at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla, Wash., 11 a.m. Game Notes: A short ceremony to honor the team’s seniors will precede Saturday’s first game. The seniors to be honored are Calvin Davis, Dan White, Chris Faidley, Matt MorrisRosenfeld, Trygve Madsen and Pete Stadmeyer. Sophomore Erik Korsmo who was batting over .400 at midseason has dropped to .356, although Korsmo and Morris-Rosenfeld both homered last weekend to raise their season totals to three apiece. Stadmeyer, who leads Whitman in ERA each of his four years at Whitman, will pitch the first game Saturday, his last as a Missionary. At noon the Student Athlete Advisory Committee will offer free hot dogs, chip and drinks to all Whitman students present with their WID. Scoreboard and Schedule courtesy of Dave Holden, Sports Information Director

courtesy of Ysbrand nusse

Her fast finishes pushed her past her nearest competitors and reclaimed the conference leaders jersey. Thomas’ name will be called to the starting line as one of the conference leaders when the team travels to nationals on the weekend of May 9-10. The recent success comes after Thomas finished third in the women’s Pro 1, 2 criterium at last weekend’s Tour of Walla Walla. The Pro 1, 2 category was comprised, as its name implies, of several professional racers competing against college students like Thomas. by Andy Jobanek

Sports

Whitman College Pio neer

April 30, 2009

Baseball closes year against UPS by Libby Watkins Reporter

The Whitman baseball team will finish their season this weekend, May 1-2, with a four-game series against the University of Puget Sound. This will be the final weekend for six seniors: pitchers Pete Stadmeyer and Trygve Madsen, first-baseman Matt MorrisRosenfeld, outfielder Dan White, outfielder/pitcher Calvin Davis and reliever Chris Faidley. Stadmeyer, Madsen, MorrisRosenfeld and White are fouryear veterans, while Davis is finishing his third year on the team and Faidley his rookie season. With such a large proportional representation, the seniors have an unequivocal presence on the team; come next season, their absence will be easily apparent. “I’m going to miss the seniors a lot when they graduate,” said first-year Peter Olson, a pitcher on the team. The Missionaries will play a double-header of nine-inning

games on Friday, May 1 and a double-header of seven-inning games on Saturday, May 2. On Friday, the first game will begin at noon, while Saturday’s first games starts at 11 a.m. “The team is trying to end the season right,” Olson said. The season has been a difficult one; the team has a season record of 3-30 and 2-25 in conference. “I would love to go out with some final wins,” said sophomore Erik Korsmo. “It would be a great way to show [the seniors] off and give them a final thanks.” When the team played UPS in a game during their preseason, they lost with a close score of 9-8. The Missionaries had overcome a 7-4 deficit to lead the Loggers in the fifth inning with a score of 8-7, but they could not hold on to the lead and ended up giving up the winning run in the eighth inning. While Whitman out-hit UPS 19-10, they left a tokim tal of 11 runners stranded. Brian Kitamura, ‘10, and the rest of the Whitman baseball team will finish their

jacobson

Bidnam Lee, ‘10, battles an opposing player from Western Washington University. Lee and the rest of the Missionaries lost to WWU 15-9 and may face them again in the semifinals. Lee and teammate Sunn Kim, ‘11, stand eighth and first in points per game, respectively.

For the Whitman men’s lacrosse team, the season starts in the frigid cold of midwinter, more than a month and a half before the team’s first match. Starting so early, according to Coach Dave Schmitz, is a “commitment to excellence” which the players are happy to bear and is part of the reason the team has had so much success. Since 1985, when Schmitz arrived, the team has won the Pacific Northwest Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA)

Sports Editor

conference title nine times and finished a close second five times. “The hard work and willingness to play as a team have made us successful over the years,” said Schmitz. “[The players] understand what we are trying to do and go out and play with intensity and execute. They respect the tradition of the program and enjoy the game.” With a 17-4 win over Willamette on April 25 in the quarterfinals of the conference championships, the team is looking to carry its momentum through to a conference title. LACROSSE, see page 28

SKI TEAM, see page 29

Lacrosse enters semifinals Reporter

by Andy Jobanek

Seven weeks after President George Bridges sent an e-mail to the Whitman community detailing the administration’s plans to reduce Whitman’s varsity ski programs to club sports, he sent another letter to the Whitman student body Tuesday, April 28 announcing the Board of Trustees’ adoption of the proposed plan. The trustees met over a conference call on April 23 where they made their final decision to convert the teams to club sports. The changes will go in effect in the 2009-10 school year. The final decision comes after two student forums discussing the proposal and the review of a counter-proposal that members of the ski team, parents and alumni drafted in an attempt to cut costs while maintaining the team’s varsity status. The counter-proposal was reviewed in a smaller meeting between two skiers, a parent, alumnus, President Bridges and the Board of Trustees chair on Monday, April 13. The trustees were originally scheduled to make their final decision on Monday, April 6, but that meeting was delayed so the ski team’s counter-proposal could be reviewed. First-year Alpine skier Torey Anderson had mixed feelings on the administration’s attempt to address the team’s counter-proposal. “I’m glad they [extended their deadline] because that showed they took careful consideration into this, but I think that there were still areas left untouched that could have led to a compromise,” said Anderson. “If they had tried to contact us more and get our feedback instead of just reading the proposals and making their decision off of that then some compromise could have been reached.” Bridges addressed the ski teams efforts in his letter. “The trustees and I admire the dedication that students, their parents and alumni skiers have exhibited over the last two months in working thoughtfully to consider,

season on Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, with a four-game series, playing BASEBALL, see page 29 double-headers against the University of Puget Sound. So far, the team has a season record of 3-30 overall and 2-25 in conference. The team will part with seniors Calvin Davis, Chris Faidley, Dan White, Matt Morris-Rosenfeld, Trygve Madsen and Pete Stadmeyer. The latter four were four year veterans of the team.

by J. Staten Hudson

Trustees adopt proposal to reduce ski teams to clubs