This past academic year has been a busy one for DePauw. From millions of dollars in donations to addressing housing issues, the university has announced several plans to revitalize DePauw and Greencastle. If you’re new to campus or just want to stay up to date, here are the top five stories to follow this academic year.
DePauw’s $200 million donation
On February 7, DePauw announced that it $200 million in donationsincluding an anonymous donation of $150 million. At a campus event in the Green Center for Performing Arts, DePauw President Lori White announced the news as administrators and trustees threw gold confetti into the air.
Two months laterAndrea Young, vice president of finance and administration, explained how this donation will be distributed, pointing out that 85% of the donation will benefit the foundation. $64 million of the donation is specifically earmarked for DePauw’s new Creative School, while $10 million is earmarked for creating the Creative School’s “footprint.”
Although President White has stated that current DePauw students are unlikely to “feel all the immediate effects” As part of the gift, Marcus Hayes, dean of the Creative School, co-organized a group to evaluate creative spaces on campus to develop strategies for distributing the $10 million gift. Students and teachers have the opportunity to provide suggestions during the planning process.
Opening of the creative school
After the introduction of the new School of Business and Leadership last fallDePauw’s Creative School launch this semester will complete the university Three-school model. The new school will include eight areas of study, including music, design studies, film and media arts, creative writing, art history, studio art, museum studies and theater. The official opening of the Creative School will take place on September 25 at 6 p.m. in the Kresge Auditorium, followed by a reception.
Housing Renewal Task Force
Following the Board of Trustees meeting on February 8, President White said shared via email that DePauw would take steps to improve student housing. She explained that DePauw wants students to “live in a facility with a residential experience that meets our exemplary goals for a student experience.” Later, in May, President White and Board of Trustees Chair Doug Smith joint updates regarding the newly formed Housing Renewal Task Force, which is working to develop a strategic plan to address student concerns about housing conditions. Led by Vice President for Student Affairs John Mark Day and Vice President Young, the task force is taking a three-pronged approach, with committees focusing on short-term improvements, long-term improvements and funding strategies. In the upcoming academic year, students could see changes to housing, according to a campus-wide survey released May 3.
“Growing Green and Gold Together” – $32 million grant
A joint project between DePauw and the City of Greencastle, the Growing Green and Gold Together project aims to create new housing and commercial space while building a swimming pool at the new Greencastle YMCA. The initiative is led by White and Greencastle Mayor Lynda Dunbar and funded by the Lilly Endowment, which grants 32 million US dollars towards the project.
DePauw receives $50,000 grant to develop humanities and business curricula
Following the establishment of the School of Business and Leadership, DePauw has continued to focus on bridging business and the humanities. This initiative was advanced in April when DePauw received a scholarship of $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In an official announcement, DePauw explained that this grant will go toward the development of a combined business and humanities curriculum. Led by Jeffrey Dunn, associate professor of philosophy and director of the Prindle Institute for Ethics, the project will further expand DePauw’s ideas about business education.
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