The Whitman Wire Podcast

In the dreary weeks before Thanksgiving Break, it’s easy to let burnout trample your sense of self worth. This week, podcast reporter Nissa Schlossberg helped facilitate the art of self affirmation, asking passing students both introspective and complimentary questions about themselves.

Love is in the air. Whitman Marriage Pact has made it’s annual return to campus. On this weeks podcast, reporter Nissa Schlossberg, talks to students about their experiences with this matchmaking site, working to uncover if the algorithm really works. In spirit of love-stories, she also talks to student who have found romance outside of a computer system.

The most-well attended event at Whitman College is kicking into gears. Rocky Horror picture show, an annual student-run performance reenacting the cult film classic, has been one of the longest queer traditions on campus. This sexy and absurd tradition does not stop this halloweekend. This week, reporter Nissa Schlossberg sat down with the Director and one of the actors of this years’ Rocky. Listen to hear why the show is important to them and how they are working intentionally to ensure consent and inclusivity in the space. 

This week reporter Monyati Alsabbagh talked to two Palestinian international students to explore how the Arab student body has cultivated community at Whitman. One of them was Feras Natsheh, the President of the Arab Student Society and the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) who discussed his work in organizing political activism and affinity spaces for all Arab students on campus. The other was Freshman student, Dia Dana, who grappled with what it means to transition to both living in the United States and to being a college student.

For this Episode, reporter Nissa Schlossberg asked the Whitman College student body what they wanted advise on. The responses were vast, ranging from questions of crush interactions to the value of undergraduate education. To answer these queries we turned to two types of seniors, the ones in college and the ones over 65.

Big Joe, Whitman's only student bluegrass band, is making waves in the local musical community. On this week's episode of the Whitman Wire Podcast, editor Tali Hastings sat down with the band to talk about their performance at Richland's Tumbleweed Music Festival and changing community conventions. Former Tumbleweed director David Carson is also interviewed on the continually evolving world of bluegrass.

196 international students call Whitman home, and their experiences are as diverse and variable as they are. In this special edition of the "Whitman Wire Podcast," releasing alongside The Circuit, podcast reporter Audrey Marthin looks to understand the college experience for international students who find themselves literally on their own in the United States, as one of a few or the only representative from their home country.  Audrey speaks to four international students hailing from underrepresented countries, as well as Quin Nelson, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Antiracism (DEIA) Program Coordinator to discuss locating community, diversity on campus, and future directions.

The Sweet Onion Crank, hosted annually by Whitman’s climbing team, coincided with last weekend’s Renaissance Faire. The two events happened in close proximity, and as podcast reporter Leo Cohen notes, they together made Boyer Ave a lively place to be. This week on the “Whitman Wire Podcast”, Leo spoke to several climbers to understand what makes the Sweet Onion Crank the place to be.

Contrary to its title, the Whitman Musical Theatre Project’s production of Disaster! is slated to be just the opposite. This week, the “Whitman Wire Podcast” sat down with Kellen Flynn and Paige Yanny, the show’s director and choreographer, to discuss invisible labor, student engagement, and the importance of keeping musical theatre alive on campus.

Taste of Africa is hosted annually each spring by the Whitman African Students Association. A tradition in the Whitman community, it is returning to full strength after several years of less than ideal conditions. Reporter Audrey Marthin spoke with event coordinators to unpack this year’s theme, Beyond Borders, and the role that Taste of Africa plays for domestic and international students alike.

What role might AI play in our educations moving forward? How are institutions making adjustments to academic honesty policies? These are just a couple of the questions podcast reporter Leo Cohen sought to answer in this week's episode through conversation with Janet Davis, Associate Professor and Microsoft Chair of Computer Science. They find that future is equal parts bright and untested.

If you’ve attended a home basketball game recently, chances are you’ve seen Whit City, Whitman's branded student section, cheering from the stands. This week on the “Whitman Wire Podcast”, Audrey Cohen caught up with the group’s organizers to understand why they thought now was the time to bring back the student section. In addition, student athletes discuss how support from the sidelines creates a positive competitive culture and serves to unify participants across activities.

This week, the “Whitman Wire Podcast” finishes up coverage on the 2023 Power & Privilege Symposium by getting to its roots – how did P&P get started? Podcast Editor Kasey Moulton works to answer that question and understand how much the student body knows today. In addition, Podcast Reporter Leo Cohen investigates the intersection between scripted activism and P&P.

This year’s Power & Privilege Symposium is taking advice from past years, but also setting its own precedents. On this week’s episode of the “Whitman Wire Podcast”, reporter Leo Cohen sits down with this year’s executive director to discuss legacy, institutional barriers and what power and privilege means today.

Just over 60 Whitman students opt to live in the Interest House Community each semester, but most Whitman students have participated in the IHC's community-wide events. On this week’s episode of the “Whitman Wire Podcast,” reporter Audrey Marthin sought to demystify life in the interest house community. She spoke to several resident assistants and IHC residents on events they’ve already held this semester, how their house fits into a broader community and some of their plans for the rest of the year.

Between Feb. 1 and the end of the semester, students, staff, faculty and alumni have the opportunity to participate in 18 different Outdoor Program trips. These OP trips range from cross country skiing to canoeing to climbing.This week, podcast reporter Leo Cohen speaks with several members of the Outdoor Program to discuss their hopes for the future of the program and immediate projects that are intended to make the outdoors more accessible to all.

Prior to the pandemic, 45 percent of Whitman students participated in an Off-Campus Studies program. After a few semesters close to home, Whitties are getting back out into the rest of the world. This week on the "Whitman Wire Podcast," reporter Audrey Marthin checks in with a few students who are at different points in their off-campus studies experience. Marthin also speaks with Assistant Director of Off-Campus Studies Nadir Ovcina to learn more about institutional support for studying beyond Walla Walla.

Library Director Dalia Corkrum has been at the college since 2005, and is retiring at the end of 2022 after a 45 year career in libraries. This week on the Whitman Wire Podcast, editor Kasey Moulton speaks with Corkrum on her time at Penrose, the depth of Whitman’s collections, and why some pieces of children’s literature remain on the shelves.

Whitman’s Swim Team opened their season on November 4 with wins over University of Puget Sound, a trajectory the team hopes to maintain as the season progresses. Although racking up wins is a much-beloved part of the athletic experience, sometimes the most valuable moments happen on the sidelines.

This week on the Whitman Wire Podcast, reporter Audrey Marthin investigates what keeps a team together, even after graduation.

All of campus knows them by their Instagram handles: whitman.memes.for.class23teens, whittiebluesclues, whit_yak. But what kind of person would run these, and what exactly does it take to become a prolific Whitman Instagram account? Reporter Carsten Wallace-Bailey gets to the bottom of this mystery with anonymous interviews from three of Whitman's biggest social media influencers.

In addition, the 2022 Elections Coverage Team provides updates on several key races.

What attracts students to on-campus jobs? That’s a question that podcast reporter Audrey Marthin works to answer on this week’s episode of the Whitman Wire podcast. Through conversations with several working Whitties and Nikki Brueggeman from the CCEC, Audrey uncovers what keeps people working, and discusses some of the restrictions facing student workers.

From October 21-23, the campus community welcomed Whitman families for Family Weekend 2022. On this week’s episode of the Whitman Wire Podcast, Carsten Wallace-Bailey chats with Whittie parents about their weekend on campus. Coordinators of various Family Weekend events are interviewed. President Bolton is also featured in this week’s Headlines.

Over four day, first years and transfer students took part in Whitman Outdoor Orientation Trips (WOOT). As podcast reporter Melody Li finds, these programs fit into a longer history of outdoor orientation activities at Whitman. Through conversations with Outdoor Program staff and students, it becomes clear that time spent in the outdoors is a valuable way to get to know your peers, gain valuable skills, and get comfortable with vulnerability.

In this episode of the Whitman Wire Podcast, Editor Kasey Moulton covers the current state of campus security post-release of the 2021 Annual Security Report. She discusses the forum held on September 30 and some of the differences between this report and others. In the second half of the episode, reporter Audrey Marthin speaks to staff at the Career and Community Engagement Center about a Whitties helping Whitties event held over Reunion Weekend.

For a couple of weeks in early September, the Walla Walla Valley was full of wildfire smoke, which moved activities indoors, canceled events, and sparked conversation on how bad the air can be before it’s too bad to breathe. On this week’s episode of the Whitman Wire Podcast, Carsten Wallace-Bailey discusses the nuances of forest fires, climate change, and air quality.

The first few weeks at college are a transition period for most students -- new routines, new spaces, new people -- but for some Whitman students, that adjustment also includes a new country. This week, podcast reporter Audrey Marthin speaks to international students from all class years about adaptation, cultural differences, and finding food that tastes like home.

Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, state-level bans on abortion in several states were triggered, eliminating safe access to abortion. On this week’s episode of the Whitman Wire podcast, reporter Melody Li explores student reactions the Supreme Court's decision. She speaks to international and domestic students to both gauge immediate responses and discuss the future.

After four unpredictable years, the question remains: what comes next? That's what podcast reporter Shara Carranza-Ornelas works to find out in this special edition of the Whitman Wire Podcast, releasing alongside The Circuit.  Through conversations with three soon-to-be grads, Shara finds that although what comes next might be up in the air, lessons learned and memories made at Whitman won't be quickly forgotten. This week's guests also provide advice for current and prospective students. 

Since the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Whitman’s COVID-19 protocols have made it clear that “on-campus housing is available to students regardless of whether their regular residence is on-campus or off-campus.” During mid-April, more isolation spaces were occupied than at any other point in the school year.  In this week's episode of the Whitman Wire Podcast, editor Kasey Moulton interviews upperclassmen who made the decision to return to campus to isolate after receiving a positive COVID-19 test

On this week’s episode of the Whitman Wire Podcast, reporter Apichaya Jiracharoenying reflects on the Long Tent events held between April 12-24. She speaks with Lonnie and Stella Sammaripa and IPECC President Cheysen Cabuyadao-Sipe to understand how the week’s events fit into actions taken by the College in the past and describe what the campus can do moving forward.

On this week's episode of the Whitman Wire Podcast, editor Kasey Moulton learns more about the senior art majors' thesis projects. Through conversations with Professor Amanda Evans and graduating senior art major Fi Black, Kasey's assumptions about what goes into an installation are challenged -- art is a little broader than she initially gave it credit for.  

The Senior Thesis Art Exhibition opens at 5:30pm on April 22 in the Sheehan Gallery, where the projects will remain on display until May 22. 

In episode three of the Whitties in the Workforce series, podcast reporter Apichaya Jiracharoenying interviews Kaitie Dong ‘18 about her work with OneAmerica, an immigrant and refugee advocacy organization. They discuss advocacy, legislation, and the importance of grassroots organizing.

This week, the Whitman Wire Podcast takes a look into the Associated Students of Whitman College’s budgeting process. Reporter Shara Carranza-Ornelas shares emails from ASWC President Salma Anguiano and finance committee member Buddy Moench. In addition, podcast editor Kasey Moulton speaks with several ASWC senators about their thoughts on the preliminary budget shared at a town hall held on April 4.

In episode two of the Whitties in the Workforce series, podcast reporter Apichaya Jiracharoenying interviews Ellie Klein ‘10, interim officer of Strategy, Planning, and Management at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They discuss the role of a Whitman education and the sometimes uncertain trajectories that can come after graduation.

What exactly do Whitman students do after graduation?  That’s the question that podcast reporter Apichaya Jiracharoenying works to answer in the first part of a three part series focused on life after Whitman.  In this first episode, Apichaya is joined by Noah Leavitt and Kim Rolfe from the Career and Community Engagement Center to walk through some of the career resources available to current students and recent grads. Sara Gilk-Baumer is also featured, explaining her work as a fisheries geneticist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Resident Directors were at one point residents themselves, and this week podcast reporter Shara Carranza-Ornelas catches up with Ananda Gupta, an RD supervising students in Stanton where he once lived. Shara also dives into the future of residence life as a whole with a statement from Peter Harvey, Whitman’s Chief Financial Officer.

This week, podcast editor Kasey Moulton sits down with Wire opinion writer Hailey Livingston to discuss her opinion piece titled "Let's Talk About Sex".  Kasey and Hailey break down the argument, get to the importance of communication, and talk about some of the basics of writing for opinion.  

The first floor of Penrose Library holds the Northwest Archives, a collection of materials documenting both the history of the College and the broader Walla Walla Valley.  This week, podcast reporter Apichaya Jiracharoenying speaks with Ben Murphy, archivist, and Dana Bronson, associate archivist, to learn more about a space that seems a little mysterious from the outside.  Student archivist Genevieve Vogel also discusses the work that student employees do in that space.

Whitman’s women’s basketball team is in the middle of an excellent season with a shot at the NCAA playoffs, an event that coaches and players are looking forward to after two years of COVID-19 related cancellations. This week, podcast reporter Shara Carranza speaks to several members of the team to reflect on their time on the court. Head coach Michelle Ferenz also shares her thoughts on the season thus far.

This week, podcast reporter Jack Dorsey investigates how off-campus studies have been impacted by COVID-19. Jack Interviews the Off-Campus Studies Director Susan Holme to get a sense of what it’s like to travel as a college student amidst a pandemic.

Whitman College ranked no. 9 on the Least Religious Students list in the 2019 Princeton Review publication. This week, podcast reporter John Dorsey sets out to investigate whether this ranking is representative of the Whitman student body. Interviews with Interfaith Chaplain Adam Kirtley, Religious Life Intern Merry Cockroft, and member of the Interfaith Council Myan Sudharsanan challenge the assumption that Whitman’s student body is “fiercely secular.” 

For the first time in several years, North Hall is open again full-time.  Is it really a spooky place to live, or is the building just steeped in history?  This week, podcast editor Kasey Moulton and reporter Coden Stark attempt to answer that question.  Interviews with current residents and an RA reveal that the answer to that question isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

With spring 2022 registration right around the corner, questions about credits, particularly those that weren’t taken on campus, are once again at the forefront of many students’ minds. This week, podcast reporter Coden Stark attempts to answer some of those questions through a conversation with Pam Fowler, Whitman’s Transfer Credit Evaluator, correspondence with a department chair, and research into the intricacies of each program’s requirements.

Our time on campus might be limited to just four years, but opportunities to engage with the campus community don’t end with a diploma.  This week, podcast editor Kasey Moulton investigates the many ways that alumni remain involved. Dennis McNair, PhD, current Alumni Association board president and Nancy Mitchell, director of alumni relations, share how each of their organizations work to keep graduates engaged, and the ways they contribute to the experience of current students. 

Frat parties are back after a quiet semester in the spring, and with open doors come questions about COVID policies and procedures. This week, podcast reporter Coden Stark investigates how fraternities are handling the return to campus. Beta GAP representative Lucien Rochelois explains some of the safety procedures they put in place as they work to make their parties a safe place.

This fall, campus is crawling with freshmen and a half, juniors and a half, class of 23.5ers or students who have no clue when they will graduate. Reporter Ayla Hanafi and podcast editor Mia Graham interview students who took time off school to work, travel, or spend time with family. While the choice wasn't always an easy one, their breaks were full of personal growth and learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

This week, podcast editor Kasey Moulton and reporter Coden Stark take a deep dive into Whitman's financial aid landscape through interviews with Adam Miller and Susan Holme to uncover how some of the Financial Sustainability Review's ramifications are being seen in student financial aid packages.  They also welcome news writer Naia Willemsen to the podcast to unpack a piece she’s working on for next week’s edition of the newspaper that’s centered on the school’s finances.