DePauw University’s mission statement is to “develop leaders the world needs through an uncommon commitment to the liberal arts” - you can feel the sense of pride in ownership to achieve that mission the moment you step foot on campus. Having recently finished my first year as a member of DePauw’s admission team, I am new enough to remember my first visit to campus and have enough insider information to share what makes this small, liberal art college in Indiana such a special place.
When we make visits to colleges, we use a simple acronym H-O-M-E to help sift through all of the information that gets thrown at you during a college visit. Before I dive into how DePauw might feel like HOME to you, I thought a few basic stats might be helpful.
Location: Greencastle, IN (35 minute drive from Indianapolis airport)
Student population: 1,820 students hailing from 39 states and 39 countries
Academics: Three school model: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Leadership and Creative School offering over 75 majors and minors
Athletics: NCAA Division 3, offering 23 varsity sports
Helpful
Visitors to DePauw are greeted at Emison Hall, a beautiful limestone building that houses admissions, financial aid, and the Emison galleries, a nod to the art museum that once occupied Emison Hall. You’ll find ample parking with visitor spots designated for Future Tigers (DePauw’s mascot). Upon entering the building, there is a grand staircase leading you to the lobby where you’ll be greeted by a member of the visit experience team who will go over your schedule for the day, invite you to enjoy a beverage and snacks, and give you a DePauw t-shirt. As you take your seat for the information session, you can’t help but notice the large banners hanging all around you featuring the Ubben Lecture Series speakers who have come to campus over the years including Condoleeza Rice, Ken Jennings, Malala Yousafzai, Brad Stevens, and many more! After the information session, you’ll head out on a student-led campus tour.
Open & Welcoming
My first tour of campus was led by Kendra and I was struck by her enthusiasm and also her pride in being a DePauw student, something that has been repeated many times over in my interactions with students. I specifically remember being impressed with how she greeted a first-year student while we were on tour, asking how her recent exam had gone. She later explained to me that this student was one of her mentees in the First-Year Mentor Program. In addition to the students being very open and friendly, I got similarly good vibes from faculty and staff, as well as the employees at the many wonderful shops in downtown Greencastle, a quick 5 minute walk from campus. A few student and staff downtown favorites are Eli’s (DePauw’s bookstore), Starbucks, Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, Meyer’s Meat Market featuring Boar’s Head cold cuts, and Taco Wapo Burrito Factory.
Maintained
As a long-time visits and events specialist, I have a keen (and picky, to be honest) eye for physical spaces and how they can impact the student experience. I was immediately blown away by the quality and quantity of the facilities. The academic spaces range from the traditional look of the iconic East College to the newly renovated Roy O. West Library, one of the most impressive small college libraries I’ve ever seen, boasting a reading room with floor to ceiling windows and a huge fireplace, the Tenzer Technology Center and Cafe Roy, featuring a full espresso bar, sandwiches and snacks. The Green Center for the Performing Arts is one of several spaces dedicated to supporting the Creative School which officially launches this fall. With 100% of students living on campus, there are a vast range of housing options including traditional residence halls, townhouses, duplexes, and several Greek houses and they are grouped in ways that more easily create community. The athletics facilities really stood out as superior among D3 schools of this size. On the main campus is the Lilly Physical Education and Recreation Center, home to the natatorium and Neal Fieldhouse where the volleyball and basketball teams compete. All students are welcomed and encouraged to use these state-of-the-art facilities. Across the street is an impressive complex including the football stadium, a stadium for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, an indoor track and softball and baseball fields.
DePauw’s facilities are exceptional and speak to the care and understanding the institution has for the impact physical spaces have on students' ability to learn, create, live and thrive at a residential, liberal arts college. The most recent example is a $32 million dollar grant awarded by the Lilly Endowment Corp for mixed use space to benefit the campus and the Greencastle community.
Engaging
DePauw has an impressive array of programs supporting the mission to develop the leaders the world needs, many of which are housed in the Centers whose purpose is to support students to and through their DePauw journeys by creating safe, professional, well resourced places to learn and grow. They include, but are not limited to, the Hubbard Center focusing on career development and off-campus programs (90% of DePauw students study off campus), the Justin and Darrianne Christian Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), the Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics located in DePauw’s 520 acre nature park, the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media (tv, radio, podcasting and newspaper) and the McDermond Center for Management and Entrepreneurship. The staff and faculty running these centers also partner with DePauw graduates for a variety of networking opportunities. Notable DePauw alumni include Bill Rasmussen, founder of ESPN, Jon Fortt, co-anchor of CNBC’s “Tech Check”, Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, Elisa Villanueva Beard, CEO of Teach for America, and Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics.
In addition to the many wonderful things happening on campus, I was also struck by the positive and intentional relationship between the university and the town of Greencastle. Several restaurants in town accept the student meal plan or offer discounts, students volunteer with various non-profit organizations in the area, and Music on the Square is a great collaboration using space downtown to bring music to the area.
If you’re looking for a small, nationally-ranked college where the students have incredible pride in their college and where alumni generously donate their time, talent, and resources to help students thrive, DePauw is worth a look. Go Tigers!
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