<p>I’m adding an update because I just returned from visiting my S at Whitman during Family Weekend. The campus was stunning with the autumn foliage turning amazing colors. I was impressed by all the facilities, many of the buildings are new, and all are well maintained. The old and new architecture is blended to create a beautifully integrated campus, which is enhanced by glorious landscape design. </p>
<p>Walla Walla is a great little town. It has all the things a student needs within walking distance; cool coffee shops, restaurants for every budget, a farmers market, clothing stores, grocery stores, art galleries, movies, thrift stores, etc. It’s true that Seattle and Portland are long drives, but I don’t understand why you’d need to go to either more than once a year. The campus is a hotbed of activity with concerts, improv, plays, sports, speakers, parties, etc. Walla Walla gets a bad rap. I remember visiting Colby and Vassar and Walla Walla beats Watertown and Poughkeepsie hands down.</p>
<p>We met with the faculty and president who talked of their ambitions for our kids. They said that teaching the students to communicate, verbally and in writing, at the highest level possible was one their main goals. They also expressed their commitment to teaching their students to think analytically and to use that ability to solve problems. This is liberal arts education in it’s purest form. With our kids facing the possibility that they will change careers several times in their lives, these are the skills that will help them succeed. Having now met numerous successful Whitman graduates, I do not doubt it.</p>
<p>My son loves it. I met a bunch of his friends and they are really nice, bright, involved, active people. Sigh…I wish I could go back to college!</p>