Exclusive interview with DJ White Shadow
Vision 2011 - 2012 ASWC promises greater student representation, communication and funding of student club initiatives.
volume cxxix
The preeminent DJ and producer discusses creative selfdestruction and working with Lady Gaga. page 4
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www.whitmanpioneer.com | Whitman news since 1896 | Walla Walla, Washington
2011
W H I T M A N R E M E M B E R S 9/11 by MOLLY JOHANSEN
Staff Reporter
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or Whitman College students, Sunday, Sept. 11 was a day that began and ended in song. Songs from many religious traditions were featured at an interfaith service held at Walla Walla’s First Congregational Church. The service was conducted by the Interfaith Amigos, a trio composed of spiritual leaders from the three Abrahamic religions. The church choir and Whitman’s Chamber
Singers both performed during the service. Whitman’s Religious and Spiritual Life Coordinator Adam Kirtley, was the organizational force behind bringing the Interfaith Amigos to Walla Walla on the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. Kirtley contacted Imam Jamal Rahman, Pastor Don Mackenzie and Rabbi Ted Falcon, the members of the Interfaith Amigos. The group came together in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Their work focuses largely on the importance of honest interfaith conversation in healing the rift caused by 9/11. “[The office] felt compelled, with it being the 10th anniversary [of the September 11 attacks], to engage more intentionally,” Kirtley said, talking about his efforts to produce a series of special commemorative events. The anniversary was marked by the worship service, a lecture by the Inter-
faith Amigos and a candlelight vigil. The service included songs and prayers from three different religions, giving almost everyone in attendance something with which to connect. Kirtley felt it was important to avoid a primarily Christian service with token elements of Islam and Judaism. Instead, sections of the service were dedicated to Christianity, Islam and Judaism, respectively. “I’m proud of Whit-
man and the [First Congregational] church,” said Jan Eyestone, a community member present at the service. Sophomore Rania Mussa, an intern at the Office of Religious and Spiritual life, found the union of the three faiths a special and unique experience. “[It was a] great, oncein-a-lifetime thing. Usually people are trying to do the opposite [of unification],” she said. see REMEMBERANCE, page 3
Sociology department juggles courses to accomodate faculty members on leave, Bridges takes on section by SAM CHAPMAN Staff Reporter
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t the beginning of this semester, the sociology department faced a dilemma: With three professors on reduced workloads and one on sabbatical, how could they continue to provide the full slate of courses their students required? The solution involves a section taught by President Bridges. “I was bound and determined that we were not going to take a loss in our course offerings,” said Department Chair Keith Farrington. “No one in the department was more determined. I was the chair, so it fell on my shoulders
President Bridges teaches ‘Crime, Law and Punishment’ at his home. Photo by Jocobson
to make sure that we were able to offer our full range of courses.” Assistant Professor of Sociology Helen Kim, who is currently teaching two courses, was relieved of two for maternity and one as compensation for teaching a first-year Encounters section. Professor of Sociology Bill Bogard left this year to take a pre-scheduled sabbatical, and Michelle Janning, who took up the post of assistant dean of faculty last year, is on her second year of administrative leave. Assistant Professor of Sociology Gilbert Mireles, who currently teaches or coordinates four courses, also requested a onecourse reduction to prepare for the
impending birth of his first child. “Whitman College has a family leave policy which is fairly generous and helpful to young professors who are having families. I’ll be able to take a one-course reduction for one year,” said Mireles, who plans to return to a full courseload next semester. “In my experience, the policy impacts the attractiveness of the school for young faculty who routinely take advantage of family leave.” The four requests for reduced loads arrived on Farrington’s desk last year. As he described, the department chair does not have absolute power to assign leaves. see SOCIOLOGY, page 3
Ultimate starts coed fall season with fun play, high first-year interest by MATT TESMOND Staff Reporter
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s happens every fall, a flurry of color, yelling and fun has enveloped Ankeny Field. It can mean only one thing: Ultimate Frisbee is back. The men and women’s teams return to action, preparing for an extremely important fall season. The team must address the issue of keeping practice focused to develop a large group of new players, while keeping the atmosphere light and fun. Not an easy task. Composed mostly of relaxed co-ed tournaments, the fall is a time for the teams to try new strategies and focus on fun. “In the fall season, the social part [of the team] is primary, and in the spring, the social part is secondary,” explains junior Beth Davies. As is true with every year, fun will be a recurring and important theme with the appropriately named Whitman College Sweets, as they continue throughout the season. The men’s team had a magical 2010 campaign, capped off by their first ever trip to the USA Ultimate D-I National Cham-
Sports
pionships in Boulder, Colorado. The amount of success achieved surprised even the team. “We had no idea we’d be aiming at D-I nationals,” remembered sophomore Ben Harris. The Sweets proved they deserved to be there, breaking seed and finishing as the 15th best team in all of collegiate ultimate. The women’s team had a successful season as well, winning their conference tournament and the Pacific Lutheran University BBQ Tournament. Unfortunately, their trip to the D-I Regional Tournament—the qualifier for Nationals—wasn’t quite as successful as they would have hoped. “We made a cocky decision [deciding to compete at the D-I level], but we hadn’t had the opportunity to play a higher level team,” remembers Davies. A small army of new players has presented a new challenge for the Sweets. The team must attempt to give each player the attention they need to develop, which is not easy when it seems all of Jewett Hall wants to play.
Varsity XC runner Oliver Wood ’13 talks skis, Harry Potter and coffee SPORTS, PAGE 6
see ULTIMATE, page 6
Ultimate Frisbee captain Stephen Stradley ‘12 throws a disk around an opponent during last weekend’s season-starting Hat Tournament. Bright colors and outrageous hats characterized the event, held on Ankeny Field. Photo by Bergman
Campus voices
Ten years after the event, students discuss the significance of 9/11 OPINION, PAGE 7
Web Exclusive For a glimpse into the lives of Whitties studying abroad, check out the Off Campus Blogs section at www.whitmanpioneer.com