Walla Walla's Whitman College To Change Newspaper Name

Whitman College, in my hometown of Walla Walla, is igniting controversy nationally by changing the name of it's on campus newspaper.  The paper, known as "The Pioneer", has been publishing since 1896.  The college, known for being much more liberal than it's surrounding town, claims that the paper's name honors "white invaders".   Many though say, that even though the area's pioneers were far from perfect, they made sacrifices to make better lives for later generations.  The paper is hoping that the name change will encourage such discussion.  No new name for the paper has been announced.

Dr George Ball, Distinguished Whitman Professor Dies

I met Dr. George Ball when he attended High Holiday services at the Shul in Walla Walla, he was not Jewish, but was Professor Of Religious Studies at Whitman College and wanted to get a first hand look at the services. He would attend often in years to come, sitting in the back, barely noticed.   Dr Ball was a familiar sight to townspeople, a balding figure on a bike, not the hippest or coolest of bikes, but something seemingly out of the early 60s, before Sting Rays and 10 speeds would hit the streets.  He was often  seen looking through dumpsters for things to recycle.  According to the Seattle Times, his academic career was rather nomadic, before finding a school that was tolerant of what was seen at the time as radical views.  He landed at Whitman College in 1960 where he established the Religious Studies Department, he would stay for 20 years and after his retirement taught Introductory Religion classes and counseled students.  He can be seen in this video the TLC reality series, A Wedding Story conducting the wedding of Trading Spaces Host Paige Davis and her husband. 
Dr Ball was featured in this Seattle Times feature 10 years ago.   The Times reported that Dr. Ball passed away last Sunday.