Alum Family Nurtures a Sustainable Forest
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Golden light streams through Oregon white oaks robed in moss and lichen, illuminating patches of sword fern and hazel in the rich soil below. The knobbly trees mingle with Douglas-fir, Bigleaf maple and a host of other species, spreading into the Zena Forest, a diverse habitat that climbs hills, snakes along creeks and dips into canyons, covering 1,300 acres in northwestern Oregon.
Ben Deumling ’05 has called the Zena Forest home since he was 5 years old. Now, as President of Zena Forest Products, he and his mother, Sarah (Snyder) Deumling ’68, have made it their mission to steward the forest in a way that emphasizes restoration and regeneration.
“I’ve been here almost all my life, and I continue to learn new things about this forest and this ecosystem every day,” says Ben.
The story of the Zena Forest is a complex ecosystem in itself, weaving together deep family roots, shared care for the land and the environment, and a commitment to thinking creatively about managing a forest and a business for the future—grounded in two generations of Whitman College experiences.
Read the full story in the Winter 2025 issue of Whitman Magazine.
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Religion Professor Awarded Research Fellowship
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Lauren Osborne, Associate Professor of Religion and Director of the First Year Seminar Program, has been awarded a prestigious fellowship for research and study in Morocco through the Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA). This will be Osborne's second time participating in Fulbright-Hays–funded CASA program—one of the United States’ top programs in intensive Arabic language study. The tier for faculty, CASA III, provides a combination of “brush-up” Arabic, instruction in Moroccan dialect (darija) and research support. Osborne will spend Summer 2025 in Meknes, Morocco, participating in the program and researching her book-in-progress, “The Qur’anic Sensorium: Affective and Textual Epistemologies.”
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President Bolton Holds Open Office Hours for Students Today
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President Bolton will hold open office hours on Thursday, March 13, from 4–5 p.m. in Reid Campus Center (look for signage by the fish ladder sculpture). Throughout the semester, students can drop by these sessions to share their thoughts or just to chat.
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Junior-Senior Housing Options
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Will you be a junior or senior next year? Are you still looking for housing? The housing lottery has ended, but there are still some three- and four-bedroom options available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residence Life and Housing is also able to help match folks with roommates. For more information, email studenthousing@whitman.edu or visit Memorial 130.
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Check Your Mailbox Before Break
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Every student at Whitman has a mailbox in the Reid Campus Center Post Office. Please check your mailbox regularly to avoid missing any important mail. We also sometimes receive packages that do not have any names, but do have a tracking number. If you are expecting a package that you have not received, present your tracking number to post office staff so they can check. Unclaimed mail will either be returned to the sender or disposed of.
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Nutrition Webinar for Employees on Tuesday
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Whitman College employees are invited to attend a National Nutrition Month webinar on Tuesday, March 18, at 11 a.m. Hosted by Active&Fit Direct, this session is designed to raise awareness about the importance of balanced nutrition and its impact on overall health. Participants will gain practical tips and insights to make healthier food choices and develop sustainable eating habits for long-term wellness. Advance registration is required.
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Last week, Human Resources celebrated Employee Appreciation Day by distributing treats across campus throughout the day. If you were unable to participate for any reason, please know that you are appreciated!
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Memorial Building, Room 331
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Reid Campus Center, Coffeehouse
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Reid Campus Center, Queer Resource Center
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Reid Campus Center, Lower Level
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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Whitman Today is emailed to Whitman College staff, faculty and students each weekday during the academic year and twice a week during breaks. An archive of previous issues is available online.
All submissions are welcome! If you have accomplishments to celebrate, an event to publicize or other Whitman content to share, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions of 125 words or less are due by noon on the business day prior to publication. Submissions may be edited and/or held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. Your submission also authorizes use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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