August DePauw Alumni News

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While summer has a different campus rhythm than the school year, there is still a hub of activity. As always we had a robust summer research program in addition to students working in the newly renovated and expanded Roy O. West Library, the Justin and Darrianne Christian Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Welch Fitness Center, Office of Admission, mentoring high school students through the Lilly-funded Summer Experience Pre-College Program, helping to plan for the arrival of the incoming class and more. In collaboration with faculty, students were measuring plants in the DePauw Nature Park, investigating disordered proteins in biochemistry laboratories, using LiDAR and photogrammetry as part of archaeological excavations in Italy, working on a cross section through Mt. Crandell in Waterton National Park in Canada, using spectroscopies to understand water in confinement, highlighting just a few of summer projects.

Adding to my roles as a professor and dean of the faculty as the newly appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), in addition to research with a student and general planning for the fall, I spent time building a rapport with my new colleagues, Dean of the Creative School Marcus Hayes and Dean of the School of Business and Leadership (SBL) John Clarke, talking about collaborative initiatives that center the liberal arts and allow all students to explore what our three curricular areas have to offer. After the time we spent together planning and brainstorming we are all excited to welcome our largest and most selective first-year class in recent years -- the Class of 2027.

Opening day is just around the corner, Saturday August 19. Campus-wide staff, returning students and faculty will be going above and beyond their usual duties helping move new students into their residence halls and more generally welcoming students and their families to campus. It is a day of celebration that marks the beginning of a journey of growth and development for the Class of 2027.

I hope you had a wonderful summer and are eager to engage with DePauw this fall and throughout the year. Connections with alumni enrich the experience of current students and help them see the value of a liberal arts approach to their college experience. If it has been awhile since you have been in touch with campus and you would like to think about ways to re-engage, please feel free to reach out to me ( deanoffaculty@depauw.edu ), I'd be delighted to find ways to help you connect.

Old Gold Weekend (October 5-7) and Monon Bell (November 11) will be here before we know it!

Bridget Gourley

Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,

Dean of the Faculty,

and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

In the photo above, new students and their families got acquainted with campus and each other during Gold Enrollment Days in June.

On Campus

DePauw Summer Experience Pre-College Program

DePauw’s Summer Experience program introduced 14-18-year-old high school students to DePauw’s liberal arts experience, fostered students’ confidence in their problem-solving abilities and enhanced their college readiness skills through two-day, one-night on-campus experiences.

Students chose from a number of courses in one of six themes including:

•	Create and Innovate
•	Business and Leadership
•	Art and Performance
•	Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM)
•	Equity, Sustainability, and Social Change
•	College 101

In the photo below, three of the pre-college program participants enjoy their time in Professor Ron Dye's songwriting workshop.

Summer Research

Dozens of students remained on campus this summer to participate in collborative research with faculty members. Such opportuntities are one of the many ways DePauw sets itself apart in the realm of undergraduate, liberal arts education. Opportunties are available not only for science students, but also for computer science, humanities and other students. In the photo below, sophomore neuroscience major Catarina Zabot Pasini explores the presence of microplastics and their affects on organisms in soil in the lab of Professor Philips Akinwole.

Philanthropy in Action

DePauw Computer Science Founders Fund for Excellence Impacts Students

The DePauw Department of Computer Science will celebrate its 30th anniversary in December 2023. Professor of Computer Science Gloria Childress Townsend said, “The creation of the DePauw Computer Science Founders Fund for Excellence is not far behind the birth of computer science in importance. As chair of the department, the fund gives me a secure feeling that we can fund worthwhile events and experiences for our students. I hope our donors understand how much the fund changes the lives of computing students. I took the photo below in Washington, D.C. last fall after Emmanuel Alonge ’24 received his prize for winning the Best Research Poster award at a national-level conference. The look on his face is priceless. Emmanuel continues to excel at DePauw. There is no doubt that the conference trip – made possible by the Founders Fund – changed his life forever.”

Give Now to Support Experiences Like Emmanuel's

In Memoriam

Celebrating the life of Trustee Peter G. Ruppert '86

We are celebrating the life of Trustee Peter G. Ruppert, Class of 1986, who died unexpectedlly August 1, 2023, at age 59.

As a student at DePauw, Pete was a Management Fellow and a member of Phi Kappa Psi. A dedicated alumnus, Pete returned to campus often and hosted more than 70 Management Fellow interns. Through the years, Pete was involved in the Alumni Board, 1993-1999; Board of Visitors, 2006-2008; Robert C. McDermond Management Center Board of Advisors, 2014-2017; McDermond Center Lecture Series on Management and Entrepreneurship, 2016. In 2021, Pete was appointed as a member of the DePauw Board of Trustees. In 2023, Pete won the Robert C. McDermond Medal for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, an award given to a leader who prioritizes mentorship, entrepreneurship and innovation. Read more here .

Announcements

Give Your Time & Talent to DePauw by Helping Recruit Incoming Student

Are you interested in representing DePauw at college fairs in your hometown? The Alumni Board's Admission Committee and DePauw's Office of Admission will host two virtual info-sessions for alumni to learn about volunteering at college fairs. The events will offer details about what you can expect as a volunteer, an overview of how to be involved and DePauw updates to help you answer the questions prospective applicants might ask you. Attending this program or watching a recorded version is required for new college fair volunteers.

The sessions will be offered via Zoom on:

•	Tuesday, August 22 - 1 - 2 p.m. EDT
•	Tuesday, August 29 - 7- 8 p.m. EDT

Areas where DePauw’s Office of Admission needs the most help include:

•	Chicago, IL
•	Cincinnati, OH
•	Louisville, KY
•	St. Louis, MO
•	Denver, CO
•	New York City & Suburbs
•	Houston/Dallas/Austin, TX
•	All areas of Indiana

Please encourage any alumni friends who live in those cities to get involved also!

You can register for the training session here .

Nick Mourouzis honored posthumously by Greek American organization

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) honored outstanding current and former athletes and sports' industry leaders at its 101st Annual Supreme Convention, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 26, 2023. Former DePauw Head Football Coach Nick Mourouzis was among those honored .

DePauw Magazine Class Notes

Class Notes publishes lightly edited submitted updates about DePauw alumni’s careers, milestones, activities and whereabouts. Send your news to DePauw Magazine, P.O. Box 37, Greencastle, IN, 46135-0037. Prefer digital? Fill out a form at depauw.edu/classnotes or email classnotes@depauw.edu .