Whitman College

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The 1986 American Philosophical Association's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education in Philosophy gained Whitman national recognition for having received an honor that had been awarded only twice before. When it was discovered that the award had beenfabricated by a disgruntled ex-student,Whitman received national recognition and ridicule.

From the guide to the Whitman College Philosophy Department Records, 1987-1989, (Whitman College and Northwest Archives)

Whitman College was founded as a seminary (private academy) in 1859 by Reverend Cushing Eells, in memory of missionary Marcus Whitman. The institution began operating on October 13, 1866 but suffered from the little interest shown in education by the students, discipline problems, discontinuous administration, and lack of leadership. It wasn't until the 1882-3 academic year that the institution was chartered as college, and Alexander Jay Anderson accepted its presidency. The support and generosity of the people in Walla Walla were crucial for the survival and development of the college. With the help of many local and regional contributions and gifts, new buildings were erected: administration buildings, new dormitories, a gymnasium and an endowment fund created. Regular meeting of the faculty as an administrative body also began in 1882. It was Anderson who, after succeeding into hiring stable and competent faculty, installed weekly and special meetings: faculty meetings.

From the description of Whitman College Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1882-2006. (Whitman College). WorldCat record id: 664566532

{Text of biographical or historical note, in paragraphs; separate each with paragraph tags} In 1883, the Washington Territorial Legislature authorized the purchase of land to build a penitentiary and selected Walla Walla as the site in 1885. Construction began in 1886 and the first inmate arrived in 1887

In 1901, the facility was designated as Washington’s maximum-security facility. Violence, including the “Lincoln Day Riot” in 1934 that cost the lives of one guard and nine inmates, eventually led to reforms in the 1960’s during the tenure of B.J. Rhay, warden from 1954-1974. Inmates were allowed greater freedoms and a form of self-government. Increased crime in the institution eventually led to the liberal policies being abandoned in the early 1980’s

From the guide to the Washington State Penitentiary Collection, {Collection title; required}, 1886-2008 (bulk 1930's-1970's), (Whitman College and Northwest Archives)

{Text of biographical or historical note, in paragraphs; separate each with paragraph tags} The Whitman College sophomore class produced the first student-run play, “She Stoops to Conquer,” on June 13, 1904, under the direction of Edith Merrell Davis. Ten years later, in October 1914, the Whitman Dramatic Club formed. The sophomore class performed the annual plays until 1948, when the Whitman Dramatic Club opened participation to the entire student body.

The Dramatic Club presented its first play, “Milestones,” on March 5, 1915. Edith Merrell Davis worked as director for the club from 1922 until her retirement in 1946. She also taught Whitman’s first drama class, titled “Dramatic Interpretation and Play Production,” beginning in 1925 and oversaw various one-act plays for special events.

Frederick J. Hunter took over Davis’ position in 1946 for two years. He was succeeded by Rodney Alexander in 1948. The college established the “Dramatic Arts” major in 1950. Alexander ran the theatre program in barracks buildings moved from the former army McCaw Hospital until a fire destroyed the buildings in 1958. Alexander designed the new Harper Joy Theatre and continued the program from this building. Until his retirement in 1967, Alexander’s efforts brought renown to the Whitman theatre program. The program was carried on by John Freimann from 1962 through 1992 and Nancy Simon, who joined the program in 1967. They maintained a diverse program of one-act plays, plays for children, traditional theatre, and spring musicals

From the guide to the {Collection title; required}, Whitman College Theatre Records, 1902-2009, (Whitman College and Northwest Archives)

Whitman College was founded as a seminary (private academy) in 1859 by Reverend Cushing Eells, in memory of missionary Marcus Whitman. The institution began operating on October 13, 1866 but suffered from the little interest shown in education by the students, discipline problems, discontinuous administration, and lack of leadership. It wasn’t until the 1882-3 academic year that the institution was chartered as college, and Alexander Jay Anderson accepted its presidency. The support and generosity of the people in Walla Walla were crucial for the survival and development of the college. With the help of many local and regional contributions and gifts, new buildings were erected: administration buildings, new dormitories, a gymnasium and an endowment fund created.

Regular meeting of the faculty as an administrative body also began in 1882. It was Anderson who, after succeeding into hiring stable and competent faculty, installed weekly and special meetings: faculty meetings.

From the guide to the Whitman College Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1882-2006, (Whitman College and Northwest Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Lewis and Clark Centennial Collection Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Thomas E. Cronin Papers, 1999-2005 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Berger, Raoul. Raoul Berger Papers. 1921-2000. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Anderson Family Collection, 1835-1980 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Allen Room Challenge Autograph Book, 2003-2011 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Baker Family. The Baker Family Collection, 1850-1970 (bulk 1850-1948). Whitman College, Penrose Library
creatorOf Brodeck Photograph Collection, 1885-1909 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Walter Brattain Family Papers, 1860-1990, 1901-1990 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Agora Literary Society Records, 1915-1921 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Otto Harbach Papers, 1870-1990, 1895-1963 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn The Delta Delta Delta -- Theta Omicron Chapter Records, 1923-2005 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Frankie Ladley Wakefield and Gerald Ladley Scrapbook, circa 1923-1928 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Stephen B. L. Penrose, Jr. Papers, 1908-1990, 1919-1955 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Politics Department Records, 1961-1994 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Stafford, Charles F., 1918-1984. Charles F. Stafford, Jr.'s collection of certificates of election, 1956-1982. Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State
creatorOf Whitman College Asian Studies Department Records, 1988-1998 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Independent Men Records, 1936-1954 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Brattain, Walter H. (Walter Houser), 1902-1987. Reminiscences of Professor Benjamin Harrison Brown, plus impromptu speeches given shortly after the announcement of the Nobel Prize to Walter Brattain and others [sound recording] / 1965 and 1956. American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library
referencedIn Lee, Walter C.,. Walter C. Lee photograph album [graphic], 1913-1917. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn David Lovett Papers, 1920-2006, 1930-1950 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Whitman College Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1882-2006 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Flower Fund Records, 1948-1977 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Physics Department Records, 1985-1986 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Additional papers of Mary Steichen Calderone, (inclusive), (bulk), 1914-1989, 1960-1989 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Harbach, Otto, 1873-1963. Otto Harbach papers, 1870-1990, (bulk 1895-1963). New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Whitman College Photograph Collection, 1886-2011 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Ruth Fluno Collection, 1927-1980 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Elaine Frank Davison Germans from Russia Collection, 1900-2000, 1970-2000 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Lloyd R. Hawley Autograph Skin, 1905-1915 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Spurs and Arrows Collection, 1944-1968 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Printed Ephemera Collection, 1882-2007 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Fortin, F. F. Fortin Walla Walla, Washington photograph collection [graphic], circa 1892. University of Washington. Libraries
referencedIn New Freedom Singers Sound Recordings, Circa 1966-1985 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Cox, Manning. Unfinished "autobiography" of Manning Cox, circa 1960-1969. Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State
creatorOf Joel Barnett Papers, 1859 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Ruth McBirney Papers, 1897-1991 Boise State University Library, Special Collections and Archives
referencedIn Robert R. Thomsen Photographs and Clippings, 1951-1985 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Hartman, John P. John P. Hartman speech [manuscript], 1936 June 14. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Sager, Elizabeth, 1837-1925. Elizabeth Sager letter and clippings, 1913, 1931. Cornell University Library
referencedIn The Baker Family Collection, 1850-1970, 1850-1948 Whitman College and Northwest Archives Penrose Memorial Library, Whitman College
referencedIn F. Fortin Walla Walla, Washington photograph collection, circa 1892 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
creatorOf Whitman College Outdoor Program Collection, 1977-2003 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Philosophy Department Records, 1987-1989 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Cushing Eells Collection, 1821-1979, 1838-1894 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Lyman, William Dennison, 1852-1920. Investigators and writers and origin of Indian mythology [manuscript], n.d. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
creatorOf Whitman College Math Department Records, 1967-1994 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Walter Crosby Eells Papers, 1890-1963, 1929-1951 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Ellis Fuller Lawrence papers, 1909-1929 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Whitman College. Whitman College Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1882-2006. Whitman College, Penrose Library
creatorOf Penrose, Stephen Beasley Linnard, 1864-1947. Letter from Stephen B.L. Penrose, circa 1934. Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State
referencedIn Whitman College and Marcus Whitman. Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing
referencedIn Collegiate Conference Basketball League. Minuits [sic] of basket ball meeting at Walla Walla, Washington : typescript, Oct. 28, 1909. University of Idaho Library
referencedIn Robert Fluno Papers, 1952-1990 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn {Collection title; required}, Thomas D. Howells Papers, 1934-1991 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Lindon F. Barnett Papers, 1877 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Stanley Reeves Plummer Collection, 1943-2000 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1882-2006 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Associated Women of Whitman College Records, 1944-1970, 1952-1966 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Ormond Bean photograph album on Oregon State University, 1906-1910 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
creatorOf Whitman College Diploma Collection, 1896-1927 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Washington State Penitentiary Collection, {Collection title; required}, 1886-2008 (bulk 1930's-1970's) Whitman College and Northwest Archives
referencedIn Parsons, Reginald H., 1873-1955. Reginald H. Parsons papers, 1898-1950. University of Oregon Libraries
creatorOf {Collection title; required}, Whitman College Theatre Records, 1902-2009 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Randlett, Mary, 1924-. Mary Randlett's letter to Jeanne Engerman and other correspondence with the Washington State Library, 1991 March 11 bulk 1967-1969. Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State
referencedIn Whitman College and Marcus Whitman. Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing
creatorOf Whitman College Convocation Records, 1904-2007 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
creatorOf Whitman College Guild Records, 1942-1974 Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Anderson, Alexander Jay, 1832-1903 person
associatedWith Anderson, Florence Bennett, 1883-1968 person
associatedWith Anderson, Louis Francis, 1859-1950 person
associatedWith Anderson, Mabel Ida Baker, 1868-1915 person
associatedWith Baker family family
associatedWith Baker Family. corporateBody
associatedWith Bean, Ormond R., 1885-1975 person
associatedWith Berger, Raoul, 1901- person
associatedWith Brattain, Walter H. (Walter Houser), 1902-1987 person
associatedWith Calderone, Mary Steichen, 1904-1998 person
associatedWith Collegiate Conference Basketball League. corporateBody
associatedWith Cox, Manning. person
associatedWith Cronin, Thomas E. person
associatedWith Davison, Elaine Frank, 1929-2001 person
associatedWith Delta Delta Delta. Theta Omicron Chapter (Walla Walla, Wash.) corporateBody
associatedWith Eells, Cushing, 1810-1893 person
associatedWith Eells, Walter Crosby, 1886-1962 person
associatedWith Fluno, Robert Younger person
associatedWith Fluno, Ruth, 1923-1974 person
associatedWith Fortin, F. person
associatedWith Harbach, Otto, 1873-1963. person
associatedWith Hartman, John P. person
associatedWith Hawley, Lloyd R. person
associatedWith Ladley, Gerald DeRoss, 1903- person
associatedWith Lawrence, Ellis F. (Ellis Fuller), 1879-1946 person
associatedWith Lee, Walter C., person
associatedWith Lovett, David, 1907- person
associatedWith Lyman, William Dennison, 1852-1920. person
associatedWith McBirney, Ruth, 1918-1991. person
associatedWith New Freedom Singers corporateBody
associatedWith Parsons, Reginald H., 1873-1955. person
correspondedWith Penrose, Stephen Beasley Linnard, 1864-1947. person
associatedWith Penrose, Stephen B. L. (Stephen Beasley Linnard), 1908-1954 person
associatedWith Plummer, Stanley person
associatedWith Randlett, Mary, 1924- person
associatedWith Sager, Elizabeth, 1837-1925. person
associatedWith Stafford, Charles F., 1918-1984. person
associatedWith Thomsen, Robert R. person
associatedWith Wakefield, Frankie Ladley, 1903(?)-2004 person
associatedWith Whitman College--Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Whitman College. Associated Women of Whitman College corporateBody
associatedWith Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
{Place name ** Source = lcnaf or Rules = aacr2}--Washington (state)
Subject
Agriculture
Universities and colleges
Education, Higher
Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United States
Performing arts
Photographs
Pioneers
Prisons
Territorial Government
Washington State Penitentiary
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

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Ark ID: w6bp5697

SNAC ID: 57346235