June DePauw Alumni News

A message from President White, Alumni Award Recipients Announced, Alumni Reunion Weekend, Commencement, and more...

Dear Alumni and Friends,

I appreciate all who attended the virtual meeting about our capacity building plans, as well as those who shared questions, comments and concerns as we move forward strategically to implement these plans. I recognize some of the decisions made are difficult to hear, particularly those related to experiences most memorable to you. We continue to focus on our responsibility to ensure DePauw’s endowment, to which so many of you have contributed to support scholarships, professorships, and important student experiences, is an asset for generations of Old Gold to come and on advancing important strategic priorities for the university to successfully recruit outstanding students to DePauw in an even more competitive admissions market. Let me also underscore that current students and those admitted for the class of 2027 will be able to continue in the degree and scholars programs to which they have been admitted. The changes we shared will go into effect for the classes of 2028 and beyond. We have appointed new working groups related to music degree programs, Honors Scholars, and the expansion of our community-based organization student talent identification partnerships. We will share reports from these working groups once they are available.

In the midst of it all, let us all take a moment to celebrate our Class of 2023 and wish our graduates well as they step into the world as DePauw alumni. On May 21, we held the 184th commencement. During Commencement weekend we hosted numerous celebratory events including faculty, staff, student and guest speakers. Thank you for helping to welcome our newest graduates into our alumni family and for offering them opportunities, fellowship and connections whenever you are able. While we are still collecting “landing data” from the class of 2023, here is a link to what our graduates from the past five years are doing.

Turning our attention to the 2023-24 academic year, I am pleased to share the appointment of our Presidential Ambassadors, a program started originally by former president Brian Casey. Every year, a small group of students, nominated as juniors, are appointed to serve as Presidential Ambassadors during their senior year. Presidential Ambassadors help the First Gentleman and me host events and work with my office to welcome guests to campus. The 2023-24 presidential ambassadors are Annalise Grammel (Columbus, Ohio), Carlos Hillman (Florissant, Missouri), Alyvia Hogan (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Emma Huber (Greencastle, Indiana), Zaheen Rashed (Indianapolis, Indiana), Robert Sheffield (Indianapolis, Indiana), Kelsang Shrestha (Kathmandu, Nepal), Meredith Sierpina (Narragansett, Rhode Island), Joel Thompkins (Valparaiso, Indiana), Aaron Trinidad (Chicago, Illinois), Benjamin Wilkerson (Greencastle, Indiana), Cayla Williams (Chicago, Illinois), Matigan Williams (Lake Oswego, Oregon), and Yahiry Xique (Indianapolis, Indiana). These students represent a range of academic areas, student organizations, Greek chapters, athletic teams and campus programs, and they exemplify the great attributes that DePauw students hold.

And, our most recent cause for celebration is the Bold and Gold Alumni Reunion Weekend held last week, welcoming back all alumni and honoring classes that end in the years 3 or 8. What a privilege to welcome back the Class of 1973 celebrating their 50th reunion. The 50-year reunion class always holds a special place of honor during Alumni Reunion Weekend, with a special convocation to recognize them. The class of 1973 attended DePauw during some of the most tumultuous times in our country’s history. A highlight of the class of 1973 convocation was a powerful trip down memory lane video, produced by Bill Carroll ‘73 featuring headlines from The DePauw and pictures from various student events (and escapades) reminding all assembled of what it was like to be a student at DePauw during the Vietnam War, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert Kenndy in the same year, and navigating the space between youth and emerging adulthood during that time period. Congratulations and thank you to the class of 1973 for raising more than $400,000 for their class gift to DePauw. Throughout the weekend I found it refreshing to see and experience as I interacted with alumni, the strong bonds and friendships forged through the four years at DePauw and beyond. I was reminded of the same when I had the chance to meet my first year college roommate for lunch during a trip to Denver where she now lives–we have been friends since our first year in college 48 years ago. And like all of the alumni I saw this past weekend, my roommate and I picked up right where we left off as if no time had passed.

Thank you for continuing to remain engaged with DePauw and supporting our beloved DePauw as together we embrace a future of growth, change and possibilities.

Sincerely,

Lori S. White, Ph.D.

President

A Bold and Gold Alumni Reunion Weekend

More than 750 alumni returned to campus for a wonderful weekend celebrating the Class of 1973 and all classes ending in 3s and 8s, along with the recently graduated Class of 2022. A few highlight photos from this year's festivities are available in our online gallery. Class photos will be available soon.

Commencement for the Class of 2023

The Class of 2023 received their degrees on May 21 after four years of challenging work and rewarding opportunities. Poet and essayist Ross Gay delivered the Commencement address urging the class to notice all the care that had been invested in their lives by others to get to this point, urging them to continue to notice the care all around them and to add to join in the caring for others. Walker Cup recipient JD O'Keane '23 said in his speech, "Our time at DePauw is a gift for which we should all be grateful. What we received here and what we will have forever is an undeniable, rock-solid foundation. Life can be challenging, unpredictable, and ever-changing, but we can take solace in the fact that our futures are built on the best!”

Sandy Smith retires

Sandy Smith, beloved manager of programming and outreach for the McDermond Center and Management Fellows Program, retired this month. Graduating seniors and their families were happy to hear her remarks during Baccalaureate on May 20. Sandy shared her knowledge and care with DePauw students for more than 35 years since she started with DePauw in 1987 and will be deeply missed as we wish her all the best in the next phase of life.

Faculty members retire

Six distinguished faculty members also retired from their service with DePauw at the end of the academic year:

James Patrick Babington, 2005-2023, Kinesiology

Thomas E. Ball, 1999-2023, Kinesiology

Leonard Foy, 2002-2023, Music

Mark Kannowski, 1986-2023, Mathematics

Jeffrey (Jeff) T. Kenney, 1999-2023, Religious Studies

Marcia Ann McKelligan, 1976-2023, Philosophy

Philanthropy in Action

Holton Scholar celebrates DePauw experience

"The past four years I have spent at DePauw have taught me unforgettable lessons of leadership, adversity, friendship, and hard work. Each passing moment I've spent in college has provided me with deep knowledge, heartfelt laughs and unforgettable memories in and out of the classroom. I wouldn't trade my four years at DePauw University for the world."

Mei-Li Minnich '23

Indianapolis, Indiana

Holton Scholar

Economics Major

Dayton community and DePauw representatives celebrates Willis "Bing" Davis '59

A gathering in Dayton celebrated the donation of papers by internationally known artist, educator and community activist Willis “Bing” Davis ’59 to the University of Dayton. Dean of Student Academic Success and Equity Tony Tillman and Executive Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion Holbrook Hankinson were in attendance representing DePauw. The community is also anticipating the release of a 2024 documentary about the artist.

Photo credit: Alli Mullikin, Knack Video + Photo

Alumni award recipients to be celebrated during Old Gold Weekend, Oct. 5-7

The Old Gold Goblet, Young Alumni Award, Alumni Citations and Athletics Hall of Fame inductions will be presented furing Old Gold Weekend October 5-7, and the recipients were revealed to alumni during reunion weekend.

Alan Preston Hill, Class of 1981, will receive the Old Gold Goblet, the university's most prestigious award for eminence in life's work and service to DePauw. Alan’s nominator said, “Alan has a distinguished career after leaving DePauw -- in the NFL, in business and for many years in higher education as an advocate for all students. Alan embodies DePauw."

A football team member who was a three-time all-American and DePauw's first national champion in track and field, Alan Hill also earned a master's degree from the university in 1982. He worked for various offices at DePauw for a decade and then became a vice president at two other colleges before returning to DePauw in 2016 as vice president for student academic life and dean of experiential learning at DePauw. Alan received the Staff of the Year Award from the Student Government in the spring of 2022 for his significant contributions to the life and organizations of students on campus.

Anajah L. Roberts, Class of 2010, will receive the Young Alumni Award. This award is given to an individual under the age of 40 who has demonstrated leadership in career and civic associations and has shown strong loyalty to DePauw University.

Anajah’s nominator said, “Anajah Roberts, Executive Director of Teach for America Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana, is a fierce advocate for educational equity and has spent her career dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for low-income students of color through her work as a Teach For America corps member and staff member.”

Alumni Citations are given to recognize outstanding professional achievement in areas such as performing arts, entrepreneurship, science, technology, or media. The following alumni will receive this award:

Claire Cunningham Eblovi ’04, CEO, One World Surgery

Shirley Zivich Mertz ’68, retired high school administrator

Saundra Lawson Taylor ’63, retired university administrator

The Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and teams who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of our university and who have continued to demonstrate the values imparted by intercollegiate athletics. The following alumni and friends will be so honored:

The 2012-13 women’s basketball team

Dave Chalmers ’86, baseball

Mike Howland ’02, men’s basketball

Nate Moch ’03, diving

Joe Nixon ’02, men’s basketball

Meredith Rinaker ’05, women’s soccer

Dan Hanna - marching band (honorary inductee)

Mark your calendars and join us on campus for Old Gold Weekend October 5-7, 2023.

Institutional Profile Available for View or Download

Take a look at DePauw's latest Institutional Profile publication. Click here to view or download.

Celebrating the life of Trustee Jack Anderson

We are celebrating the life of Lifetime Trustee Board John T. "Jack" Anderson, Class of 1952, who died May 22, 2023, at age 92. Jack earned a degree in political science from DePauw and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School and serve in the U.S. Navy among many other pursuits. Jack served as a voting Trustee from 1982-1998, Secretary of the Board from 1986-1998, Advisory Trustee from 1998-2006 and a Life Trustee since 2006. The Joyce Foundation has a posted a tribute online.

DePauw appoints Bridget Gourley as inaugural dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The city of Greencastle and DePauw University are using a $250,000 planning grant from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc.’s College and Community Collaboration Initiative to create a plan to revitalize a corridor between the university and the city’s downtown.

Associate Vice President for Campus Wellness and the Theodore Katula Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports Stevie Baker-Watson recognized as champion of diversity and inclusion.

DePauw graduates Class of 2023.