DePauw University

Not to be confused withDePaul University.

DePauw University

Latin:Universitatis Depavensis
Former name	Indiana Asbury College (1837–1884)
Motto	Latin:Decus lumenque reipublicae collegium
Motto in English	The college is the splendor and light of the common good
Type	Privateliberal arts college
Established	1837(1837)
Religious affiliation	Methodist Episcopal Church(historical)
Academic affiliations	NAICU CIC Annapolis Group Oberlin Group CLAC GLCA IAMSCU
Endowment	$730 million (2022)
President	Lori S. White
Academic staff	254
Undergraduates	1,754 (2022)
Location	Greencastle , Indiana , U.S. 39°38′27″N86°51′47″W
Campus	Small town, 655 acres (265 ha)
Colors	Black & gold
Nickname	Tigers
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division III–NCAC
Mascot	Tyler the Tiger
Website	depauw.edu

DePauw University(/dəˈpɔː/də-PAW) is aprivateliberal arts collegeinGreencastle, Indiana.It was founded in 1837 asIndiana Asbury Collegeand changed its name to DePauw University in 1884. The college has aMethodistheritage and was founded to be an ecumenical institution of national stature, "conducted on the most liberal principles, accessible to all religious denominations and designed for the benefit of our citizens in general".

In 2022, DePauw had an enrollment of 1754 students from 39 states and 39 countries.Its residential campus is located 45 miles west of Indianapolis and is spread across 175 acres and 36 buildings, with an additional 520-acre DePauw Nature Park.

The college is a member of both theGreat Lakes Colleges Associationand theNorth Coast Athletic Conference.It also has a strong alumni network anda notable list of alumniincluding pioneering chemistPercy Lavon Julian,Angi Inc. founderAngie Hicks,astronautJoseph P. Allen,Nobel laureateFerid Murad,newspaper publisherEugene C. Pulliam,directorChinonye Chukwu,best-selling authorBarbara Kingsolver,Pulitzer recipientJames B. Stewart,ESPN founderBill Rasmussen,U.S. Vice PresidentDan Quayle,and 9/11 Commission Vice ChairmanLee Hamilton.TheSociety of Professional Journalistswas founded at DePauw.

History

History at a glance

Indiana Asbury University	Incorporated	1837
	Opened	1838
	Type	All Male
	Type changed	1867
	Type	Co-ed
DePauw University	Renamed	1884

Indiana Asbury University was founded in 1837 in Greencastle, Indiana, and was named afterFrancis Asbury,the first American bishop of theMethodist Episcopal Church.The people of Greencastle raised $25,000 to entice the Methodists to establish the college in Greencastle, which was little more than a village at the time. It was originally established as an all-men's school but began admitting women in 1867.

In 1884 Indiana Asbury University changed its name to DePauw University in honor ofWashington C. DePauw,who made a sequence of substantial donations throughout the 1870s, which culminated in his largest single donation that established theSchool of Musicduring 1884.Before his death in 1887, DePauw donated over $600,000 to Indiana Asbury, equal to around $17 million in 2021. In 2002, the school received the largest-ever gift to a liberal arts college, $128 million by the Holton family. Subsequently, in 2024, DePauw received a $200 million gift that combined a $150 million anonymous donation with an additional $50 million in matching funds from other donors.

Sigma Delta Chi, known today as theSociety of Professional Journalists,was founded at the college in 1909 by a group of student journalists, includingEugene C. Pulliam.The world's first Greek-letter sorority,Kappa Alpha Theta,was also founded at DePauw in 1870. DePauw is home to the two longest continually running fraternity chapters in the world: the Delta chapter ofBeta Theta Piand the Lambda chapter ofPhi Gamma Delta.

DuringWorld War II,DePauw University was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in theV-12 Navy College Training Programwhich offered students a path to a Navy commission.

As of July 2020,Lori White,previously vice chancellor for student affairs atWashington University in St. Louis,is the 21st president of DePauw University.White is the first woman and African American to serve as President of DePauw University.

Academics

DePauw's liberal arts education gives students a chance to gain general knowledge outside their direct area of study by taking classes outside their degrees and engaging in Winter Term classes and trips. Its most popular majors, by 2021 graduates, were:

Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (83)

Speech Communication and Rhetoric (63)

Computer Science (35)

Biochemistry (31)

Psychology (27)

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness (23)

Admissions

DePauw’s admissions are considered “more selective” byU.S. News & World Report.As of 2023, the average newly enrolled student had a 3.97GPA,anSATscore between 1160 and 1420, and anACTscore between 24 and 31. Besides standardized test scores, the university considers an applicant’s GPA very important, and high school class rank, when available, and letters of recommendation important.

Rankings

Academic rankings
Liberal arts
U.S. News & World Report	45
Washington Monthly	64
National
Forbes	170
WSJ/College Pulse	116

In 2023, DePauw was ranked 45th among liberal arts colleges in the United States byU.S. News & World Report.DePauw is ranked #170 onForbesmagazine's 2024 rankings, which include all colleges and universities in the United States.

Academic calendar and winter term

DePauw University's schedule is divided into a 4–1–4-1 calendar: besides the 15-week Autumn and Spring Semesters, there is also a 4-week Winter Term as well as a May Term. Students take one course during these terms, which are either used as a period for students to explore a subject of interest on campus or participate in off-campus domestic or internationalinternshipprograms, service trips, or international trips and field studies. One survey of DePauw students found that over 80% of DePauw graduates studied abroad.

Faculty

DePauw University has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1 and has no classes with more than 35 students.

Notable faculty members include:

• Sunil Sahu,Leonard E. and Mary B. Howell Professor of Political Science and author ofTechnology Transfer, Dependence, and Self-Reliant Development in the Third World: The Pharmaceutical and Machine Tool Industries in India
• Erik Wielenberg,professor of philosophy and author ofValue and Virtue in a Godless UniverseandGod and the Reach of Reason: C. S. Lewis, David Hume, and Bertrand Russell
• Ellen Maycock,professor emerita of mathematics, Johnson Family University Professor (2003–2007), author ofLaboratory Experiences in Group Theoryand Associate Executive Director of theAmerican Mathematical Society(2005–2015)

Institute of Music

DePauw University has one of the oldest private institutions for post-secondary music instruction in the country. Founded in 1884, the school has about 100 students. The student-to-teacher ratio is 5:1 with an average class size of 13 students.The Institute of Music is housed inside the Green Center for Performing Arts (GCPA), constructed in 2007, which integrated and replaced parts of the former structure. The Institute of Music grants Bachelor of Arts as well as Bachelor of Musical Arts degrees. The latter allows students to add an emphasis on the music business. Effective 2024, School of Music was renamed the "Institute of Music" under the newly launched "Creative School".The name change does not impact accreditation.

Media outlets on campus

The Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media houses the school's media facilities. This includes a television station, radio station, newspaper, and 2 magazines - all student-run.First published in 1852 asAsbury Notes,The DePauw is Indiana's oldest college newspaper.WGREwas ranked the #1 college radio station byPrinceton Review's "America's Best Colleges" in 2010.

When school is in session, the Pulliam Center is open to students and faculty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Campus

The DePauw quadrangle: "Roy O" library (C) andhumanitiescourses buildings (L and R)

DePauw University consists of 36 major buildings spread out over a 695-acre (281 ha) campus that includes a 520-acre (210 ha) nature park, and is located approximately 45 mi (72 km) to the west ofIndianapolis, Indiana.There are 11residence halls,4 theme houses, and 31 college-owned houses and apartments spread throughout the campus. The oldest building on campus,East College,was built in 1877 and is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.DePauw also ownsMcKim Observatory.

East College

East College of DePauw University
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
East College tower
Location	300 Simpson St.,Greencastle, Indiana
Area	4 acres (1.6 ha)
Built	1869(1869)
NRHP referenceNo.	75000047
Added to NRHP	September 25, 1975

A historic structure located at the center of campus,East College is known to many as the architectural symbol of the college.The cornerstone for the building was laid on October 20, 1871. The building hosted commencement exercises in June 1874, and in September 1875 all college classes were moved to the building, according to the book,DePauw Through the Years.But work on East College continued until 1882 when the building's basement was completed.East College was placed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1975.

Libraries

DePauw has two libraries: Roy O. West Library (main library) and the Music Library (located in the Green Center for Performing Arts). Library holdings include approximately 350,000 books; 22,000 videos; 1,000 print periodical titles; access to over 20,000 electronic titles; 450,000 government documents; newspapers; and onlinedatabases.

Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts

Green Center for the Performing Arts

The Institute of Music is housed in the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts; the Communication and Theater Department is also located here.

Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics

Since 2007, the Prindle Institute has served as a place for reflection, discussion, and education. Prindle sponsors events related to ethics and provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage in discussions.The institute also publishes ethics related content throughThe Prindle Postand theExamining Ethicspodcast.

Campus life

DePauw Universitysignage

There are more than 100 organizations on the DePauw campus that students can be involved in. DePauw students also participate in on-campus intramurals, college and student-sponsored musical and theatrical productions, and create local chapters of national organizations such asCircle K.

Many students engage incommunity serviceand other volunteer activities. Putnam CountyRelay For Lifeis organized by students and brings together the college and community.

On August 2, 2010,Princeton Reviewranked DePauw as the #10party schoolin the US for the 2010–2011 school year, which includes all colleges and universities.

Greek life

Main article:DePauw University Greek organizations

DePauw's Greek system began just eight years after the founding of Indiana Asbury College in 1837. Several chapters were founded in the 19th century. Women were first admitted to Indiana Asbury in 1867, and the first Greek-letter fraternity for women soon followed. Just under 70% of students at DePauw are affiliated with a Greek-letter organization.The Greek community consists of more than a dozen national social fraternities and approximately ten sororities. Some Greek-letter organizations were founded at DePauw.

In 2014, DePauw University was again ranked #1 in Greek Life by thePrinceton Review.U.S. News & World Reportranked DePauw #3 in the nation for the highest percentage of male students belonging to fraternities and #4 in the nation for the highest percentage of female students in sororities.

Controversy

Main article:DePauw University Delta Zeta controversy

In 2006, the national organization of theDelta Zetasorority reorganized the DePauw chapter, reducing twenty-three of its thirty-five current members (including the chapter president) to alumna status and giving them six weeks to vacate thesorority house.Of the twelve remaining members, six chose to take alumna status. The Delta Zeta national organization explained that its decisions were based on member commitment, but the evicted members said that they were forced to take alumna status because the chapter members were perceived as physically unattractive and "brainy".Subsequently, on Monday, March 12, 2007, DePauw President Robert G. Bottoms announced that the college would sever its ties with Delta Zeta's national organization, effective at the end of the 2006–2007 academic year.

Athletics

Official Athletics logo

Main article:DePauw Tigers

The DePauw Tigers compete in theNCAA Division IIINorth Coast Athletic Conference(NCAC). Every year since 1890, DePauw University has competed inAmerican footballagainst its rivalWabash Collegein what has become theMonon BellClassic. The traveling trophy, a 300-pound train bell from theMonon Railroad,made its debut in the rivalry in 1932. The DePauw-Wabash series is one of the nation's oldestcollege footballrivalries.

In 1933, head coachRay "Gaumey" Nealled the DePauw Tigers football team to an unbeaten, untied, and unscored opening season. The Tigers compiled a 7–0–0 record and outscored their opponents 136–0. Neal nearly duplicated this feat in 1943, but DePauw, 5–0–1, finished the season with one scoreless tie and six points allowed in a different game. The only points surrendered that season was in a 39–6 victory overIndiana Stateand the only non-win was a 0–0 tie against Oberlin. The Tigers outscored their opponents, 206–6.

DePauw had been a member of theSouthern Collegiate Athletic Conferencefrom 1997 to 2011 and won numerous conference championships, most notably in women's basketball, where the school is a Division III power. DePauw's program had also won the conference's overall "President's Trophy" seven times in that span, including six consecutive President's Trophies from 2005 to 2006 to 2010–11.In 2007, the Tigers defeatedWashington University in St. Louisto win the Division III title in women's basketball. The women's softball team won the regional title, advancing to the Division III College World Series for the first time in school history. Most notably in 2021, the DePauw softball team finished third at the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

Traditions

Music

The DePauw University Institute of Music presents regular recitals by students and faculty and concerts by visiting artists, most of which are free and open to the public.

DePauw students also organize concerts for the campus community. Performers in recent years have includedDave Matthews,Train,The Black Eyed Peas,Ben Folds,Rufus Wainwright,andGuster.Past guests have includedBilly Joel,Smokey Robinson and the Miracles,The Carpenters,America,Yo-Yo Ma,andHarry Chapin.

Society of Professional Journalists

On May 6, 1909, Sigma Delta Chi was founded by a group of DePauw University student journalists. The organization officially changed its name to theSociety of Professional Journalistsin 1988. Today it is the nation's most broad-based journalism organization, encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protectsFirst Amendmentguarantees offreedom of speechand press. In 2012, SPJ returned to the DePauw campus with the assistance of Eugene S. Pulliam Distinguished Visiting Professor of JournalismMark Tatge"

Rector Scholarships

Since 1919, the Rector Scholar Program has recognized DePauw students of exceptional scholarship and character. To be named a Rector Scholar is to join a prestigious tradition of more than 4,000 graduates strong. Rector Scholarships are offered to the top academic applicants offered admission to DePauw. A limited number of full-tuition Presidential Rector Scholarships are available.

Ubben Lecture series

Begun in 1986 and presented free of charge and open to all, Ubben Lecturers have includedMalala Yousafzai,Bill Clinton,Benazir Bhutto,Margaret Thatcher,Jane Goodall,Tony Blair,TV'sJimmy Kimmel,Elie Wiesel,Colin Powell,Indianapolis ColtsquarterbackAndrew Luck,Spike Lee,Mikhail Gorbachev,Brad Stevens,andCondoleezza Ricehave spoken. The Ubben Series has hosted 114 events in its 33-year history.

Monon Bell Classic

See also:Monon Bell Classic

Voted "Indiana's BestCollege SportsRivalry "by viewers ofESPNin 2005, DePauw University andWabash Collegeplay each November—in the last regular season football game of the year for both teams—for the right to keep or reclaim theMonon Bell.The two teams first met in 1890. The game routinely sells out (up to 11,000 seats, depending upon the venue.

Boulder Run

Boulder next to East College

The Boulder Run has become a tradition at DePauw University. Students,streakingfrom their respective residences, run to and from the Columbia Boulder, located in the center of the campus near the East College building.

Campus Golf

Campus Golfrequires agolf cluband atennis ball.Players attempt to hit theirtennis ballagainst various targets on campus within a number of strokes.

Notable alumni

Main article:List of DePauw University alumni

External links

• Media related toDePauw Universityat Wikimedia Commons
• Official website
• DePauw University Athletics website