BSU at the Whitman Undergraduate Conference

The Whitman Undergraduate Conference (WUC) celebrates students' academic excellence and creativity. Here is some background:

"The Whitman Undergraduate Conference celebrates the scholarship and creativity of the Whitman student body through a day devoted entirely to our students’ accomplishments.

The Twelfth Annual Whitman Undergraduate Conference brings together students from every academic area of Whitman College to share their research and creative projects with the campus community.

The conference is noteworthy for the variety of presentations, which take the form of talks, poster presentations, musical performances and artistic exhibitions.

The abstracts in this program attest to the original work students have produced in their courses, senior theses, summer internships and on study abroad."

--Whitman website

In keeping with tradition, all classes were closed for the WUC but the campus was by no means dead. Students woke up early to attend early sessions and hundreds of WUC booklets could be seen toted under arms as students hurried to sessions around campus.

BSUs own Sarah Deming and Robert Crenshaw both prepared presentations for the event. Unfortunately, their presentations were both during the same session, and as such, both at the same time--we couldn't be at the same place at once!

Laetitiah and I attended Robert's talk under the subtitle Identity and Self-Determination, entitled, "What's Good with Ebonics?": An exploration of Linguistic, Identity, Perceptions, and Controversy.

The room was packed as Robert's topic drew considerable interest among Whitman students and the community. Robert focused on the ignorance on the Black community, and the exploration of Ebonics as a language, and how to address the ignorance.

It was a talk to be applauded!

Great job, Robert!

Sarah prepared a no-doubt riveting exploration under Passage to Asia, titled, The Economic Importance of Indian Opium and Trade with China on Britain's Economy, 1843-1890. I'm confident that those who had the privelege of attending were entirely fascinated!

BSU was very proud to see our members taking charge academically. Great job, Robert and Sarah!

Spring Service Day

Time to give back!

Sunday April 18th, BSU joined the Walla Walla community in giving back for the Second Annual Spring Service Day. It was a bright, sunny morning and spring was in the air. After meeting on the steps of Reid with other Whitman volunteers and donned in our new BSU shirts, we hitched rides and enjoyed the cool drive on the way to Walla Walla University at College Place.

Our awesome new shirts designed by Bao-Tram and Olivia!

All three colleges of Walla Walla--Whitman, Walla Walla University, and Walla Walla Community College--participated in this event, and the day was sponsored by many local businesses. After checking in on campus, we were each given a Spring Service Day t shirt to commemorate the event. We had spent the morning ride contemplating what the shirts would look like, and we were presently surprised: they were amazing!

We are pumped for a full day of service!

Each group was assigned to a different organization to spend the day with, and our group was paired with the Blue Mountain Humane Society, a local animal shelter, strongly in need of more volunteers.

It was a comfortable and intimate setting. After seeing how much manual work needing to be done, and the little resources that were available, BSU was touched and even more eager to help out. We helped in a variety of duties: weeding the plants that irritated the dogs' skin and surpressing other weeds in a more gentle approach--in lieu of pesticides--to slow down their growing by laying concrete blocks on top.

With the harmful plants weeded, Robert, Laetitiah and I gathered them into the compost pile and helped clip them into making recycled soil. It was hard work!

Discussing the day's approach: all hands on deck!

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew worked on constructing a wall to surround the property. It was a great team effort!

Olivia, Nick, and Yonas talk through a plan

After a long morning, we enjoyed a short, animated break under the shade of a tree and a tour of the society. The dogs for soo cute!

Nick keeps hydrated

Tumi and I pose for a picture

Then it was back to work!

How's the wall coming guys?

Sarah works her legs, digging

All too soon, though, it was time for us to leave. After saying goodbye to our new furry friends, we grouped up in Sarah's truck, thumped some music, and cruised to the taco truck for some delicious Mexican food. We drove back to the Whitman campus and enjoyed the food and each other's company--what a great way to spend the day!

We'll definitely be looking forward to this next year!

Window Decorating Contest and Zumba!

Monday April 19th saw Zumba come to Whitman!

BSU pulled out all the stops in advertising for this event. Nick, Lucia, and Tish sidewalk-chalked at popular locations around campus, colorful and festive posters were made, facebook invites sent out, and the ever-popular word-of-mouth spread. We even competed in the Window Decorating Contest at the Reid Campus Center to get the word out about this.

Nick, me, and Tish listen to Caribbean music as we decorate the window for Zumba

The finished product:

Our competition!:

Amazing work by Nahali and Andrew!

We even enlisted the services of well-known Zumba instructor, Elena Enriquez from the YMCA to lead the class for the ever-growing numbers.

Elena, center, and her assitants lead Zumba

So when Monday rolled around--or stepped around, we expected quite a crowd and were not disappointed. BSU members and students from the Step Aerobics class on campus alike both showed up for the event.

President Tumi works out to some music

We swung our hips and worked out to Shakira, Lady Gaga and many other catchy mixes!

Tish rocks out to the music

Guys were not afraid to get into the groove, too.

Way to go, WhitMen!

All in all it was a great workout and everyone in attendance had nothing but good things to say.

Swing those hips!

Tish and I, center

Thanks for coming out everyone!

Throwing our hands in the air

And a special thanks to Elena. We can't wait to do this again next semester!

Zumba Fitness!

Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to get a complete cardio workout?

Is your daily workout routine repetitive and brain-numbing?

Well *drum roll*...

Club Latino and the Black Student Union are collaboratively hosting a 

Zumba Fitness Workshop, 

which is a dance inspired fitness workout, that uses the dynamic mixture of Latin and International music to give participants a complete and entertaining dance workout. If you are still unclear about this concept, click here for a more fleshed-out explanation. Here is the information as it stands:

Zumba Fitness Workshop instructed by Elena Enriquez (YMCA)

Date: April 19th
Venue: Sherwood Recreational Gym

Time: 3:50 - 5:00pm (Avoid tardiness please)

RSPV

The Zumba class is a once-off endeavor so take advantage of the opportunity! Please note that this event is open to all students including any faculty who are interested, so drag your friends and professors from Baker Ferguson or class and encourage them to enjoy an hour of fun exercise!! One more thing to remember, BYOwB

       ------------------------BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE------------------------

Baila mi gente, baila! 

Prom Night in Mississippi

Wednesday March 3rd was a big day for Whitman and BSU!

Thanks to the Intercultural Center, the Office of the President, and ASWC and WEB Events, Whitman was able to host Emmy award winning director Paul Saltzman and screen his latest documentary, Prom Night in Mississippi.

And BSU got in on all the fun! Five of our members and our advisor got the opportunity to have dinner with Paul before the film was presented, an offer we accepted graciously.

Us with Paul Saltzman, second from right, after dinner

We feasted on cranberries, salad, stuffed chicken, goat cheese, yummy pound cake and more in the new Glover-Alston Center, the delicious food provided by Bon Appetit.

It was a wonderful experience getting to know Paul personally, and his inspiration for this moving film. Tumi had a lot of questions! 

Over dinner, Paul shared with us a bit of his story and history and how by chance, this film chose him. He then enlisted the help of Morgan Freeman, and told us with three cameramen, how he managed to capture this changing of history in Charleston, Mississippi.

Afterwards it was off to Kimball Theater where the film was screened. Community members, faculty, and students alike all gathered for this memorable film. Seating was packed, leaving some eager audience members to stand against the wall or migrate up to the balcony seating.

And after a few opening words from the man himself, all were all ears as the film started. Here's a few words and background information on the film:

In 1997, Academy Award–winning actor Morgan Freeman offered to pay for the senior prom at Charleston High School in Mississippi under one condition: the prom had to be racially integrated. His offer was ignored.

In 2008, Freeman offered again. This time the school board accepted, and history was made. Charleston High School had its first-ever integrated prom. Until then, blacks and whites had had separate proms even though their classrooms have been integrated for decades.

Prom Night in Mississippi is a critically-acclaimed documentary about a small town and the struggles the students face to put on the high school's first-ever integrated prom. Read more at the official website promnightinmississippi.com

Here's a trailer!



The film was very inspirational and many felt connected with the film through the students of Charleston. Underneath all the racism they've faced, they're just normal teens trying (and succeeding) to change their world.

Undoubtedly, their first integrated prom night was not one they'd soon forget and neither will we!


Here are some stills from the film, courtesy of promnightinmississippi.com. All photos are by Catherine Farquharson:

Thank you Paul Saltzman! Charleston won't forget you and neither will we.

Love,

BSU

I Have a Dream...

Hey everyone!

Now that Black History Month is over, we would like to thank all of you for making it a success! We got a lot done this year, had a lot of new and exciting ideas, and celebrated the accomplishments of many African-Americans.

Here's a gift to you from us!



Keep the dream alive!

Love,
BSU

Souull FOOD!

Finally!

 Soul Food Night is always a very anticipated event at Whitman. Check out last year's pio coverage on the event by clicking here.

The menu was delicious, thanks to Bon Appetit, and we can honestly say it was a smashing success. In keeping with last year, we wanted to have topics that would sprout discussion. Sarah Deming ans Olivia Ware took the lead on this , printing out many quotes  and thoughts on food, and posted them in eye-catching areas all over Prentiss Dining Hall.

This of course got people talking (and eating)! about the scrumptious food they had waited so long for. And the jazz playlist put together by our own Yonas and Nick helped to liven up the mood. Even the basketball players were singing along!

Favorites on the menu included the delectable banana cream pie, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, cornbread, grits, biscuits, and the sweet potato pie, of course!

H

Mmmm, pie....

Yumm, yumm!

How could I forget the macaroni and cheese? It was by far the best I've ever tasted. 

And I'm not the only one with this opinion: hungry students were lining up with their tupperware to take food home and save for later!

Sarah knew all about this and came prepared: "I wore tight jeans so I wouldn't eat so much! Let's hope it works!" she gushed.

A

A small sample of the salad bar and everyone's favorite, deviled eggs

Courtesy of Julia Bowman for The Pio

But good food is not all people came for; everyone also enjoyed the bonding moments and good conversation!

B

Last year's BSU members at Soul Food Night

*Courtesy of The Pio and Ellie Klein

U

Us, smiling for the camera!

It was a nice chance for us BSU members to catch up with one another over good food, have good conversation,  and for once to enjoy the product of all our hard work.

T

Tish, me, and Tumi having a laugh and enjoying each other's company

Julia Bowman, The Pioneer

It's not a time we will soon forget.

And so together we cheered, laughed and wrapped up a successful Black History Month. Here's to hoping yours was as good as ours!

Love, 

BSU