David F. Schmitz, the Robert Allen Skotheim Chair of History at Whitman College, will present on his book The Transformation of Whitman College: From a Regional to a National Liberal Arts College, 1975-2015. His talk will focus on the challenges of researching and writing the book, the problems the College faced in the the mid-1970s, the key decisions made to address these problems, the main transformations that took place, and the highlights from the forty year period of the College's history. Situated in the rich and complex landscape and history of the Walla Walla Valley, Whitman College provides a rigorous liberal arts education of the highest quality to passionate and engaged students from diverse backgrounds.

Professor Schmitz began teaching at Whitman College in 1985.  He is the author of twelve books and an award winning teacher who has taught courses on subjects such as American Foreign Policy, Twentieth Century U.S. History, the Vietnam War, and the History of Rock 'n' Roll.

Museum After Hours are free to attend, and this talk will take place on-site in the Grand Hall.