History
Whitman College was founded in 1836 as a Christian mission school for a local Native American tribe, the Cayuese, by a pair of benevolent pioneers, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. The school was established just a few miles from the city of Walla Walla, Washington, and the couple spent several years running the school and helping travelers coming along the Oregon Trail, until they were killed by Native Americans in 1847. To honor the Whitmans' work, Rev. Cushing Eells requested a full university charter. The Washington Territorial Legislature granted a charter for the Whitman Seminary in 1859, and a few years later, in 1883, the school became a four-year, degree-granting college.
Over the next century, Whitman kept its focus on fostering a small, interactive student community, and it remained independent from the control of any outside religious or political group. In 1913, Whitman became the first college to require an end-of-school comprehensive exam for students in their individual fields of study, and in 1919, it was the first Northwest college to have its own Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
Location
Walla Walla, Washington, is located only a few miles from the Oregon border, and it's about a five-hour drive from Washington's largest city, Seattle. While it doesn't have the urban appeal of that larger city, Walla Walla is the largest city in its county and hosts a vibrant residential population. It's known for its sweet onion farms, as well as its growing wine industry, and a large seasonal farmer's market is a draw for students and townies alike.
Students are only a quick walk or bus ride away from Walla Walla's commercial options, including cafes, restaurants, and retail stores. There are also plenty of outdoorsy distractions for Whitman students to take advantage of, including parks and two rivers--the Walla Walla and the Columbia.
Campus
Whitman's residential campus captures as much natural beauty from its surroundings as possible. It's built around Ankeny Field (where intramural sports competitions take place) and has streams running through it, carefully-preserved trees, several ponds (including Lakum Duckum), walking paths, and many outdoor sculptures. Campus highlights include:
Residential and Greek housing
Penrose Library, open 24 hours a day.
Hall of Science (recently remodeled)
Reid Campus Center
Arts facilities Harper Joy Theatre, Cordiner Hall, and Donald H. Sheehan Art Gallery
Several outdoor spots, including Cordiner Glen (a.k.a. Narnia), the Whitman Ampitheater, and Lakum Duckum.
Issues
Tell us about the issues at Whitman College by writing a review!
