DePauw University: A Legacy of Liberal Arts Education in Greencastle, Indiana

DePauw University, situated in Greencastle, Indiana, stands as a testament to the enduring value of a private liberal arts education. Founded in 1837, the university has a rich history marked by significant milestones, transformative donations, and a commitment to fostering intellectual challenge and social engagement. This article delves into the history, campus, academics, student life, and traditions that define DePauw University.

Historical Overview

Originally established as Indiana Asbury College in 1837, the institution was named in honor of Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church historically held religious affiliation with the college. The founding of Indiana Asbury University in Greencastle was incentivized by the local community, which raised $25,000 to attract the Methodists. This substantial sum, especially for a small village at the time, underscores the community's commitment to establishing a center of higher learning in their town.

In 1884, the university underwent a significant transformation and was renamed DePauw University. This change was in recognition of Washington C. DePauw, whose substantial donations throughout the 1870s culminated in the establishment of the School of Music in 1884. Before his death in 1887, DePauw's contributions to Indiana Asbury exceeded $600,000, equivalent to approximately $17 million in 2021.

Key Milestones and Developments

Several key milestones have shaped DePauw University's trajectory:

2002: The university received a landmark gift of $128 million from the Holton family, the largest-ever donation to a liberal arts college at the time.
1909: Sigma Delta Chi, now known as the Society of Professional Journalists, was founded at DePauw by a group of student journalists, including Eugene C. Pulliam.
1870: Kappa Alpha Theta, the world's first Greek-letter sorority, was established at DePauw.
2020: Lori White assumed the presidency of DePauw University, marking a historic moment as the first woman and African American to hold the position.

Campus and Facilities

DePauw University's campus is located approximately 45 miles (72 km) west of Indianapolis. The campus encompasses 36 major buildings spread across a 695-acre (281 ha) area, including a 520-acre (210 ha) nature park. The university also features 11 residence halls, 4 theme houses, and 31 college-owned houses and apartments.

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Notable Campus Features

East College: Constructed in 1877, East College is the oldest building on campus and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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.
Roy O. West Library: The main library on campus, providing extensive resources for students and faculty.
Music Library: Located in the Green Center for Performing Arts, catering to the needs of music students and faculty.
Green Center for Performing Arts (GCPA): Housing the Institute of Music, the GCPA was constructed in 2007, integrating and replacing parts of the former structure.
DePauw University Nature Park: A 520-acre natural area featuring trails, a canoe launch, a campground, and outdoor classrooms. The park also houses the Manning Environmental Field Station and the Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics.
Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media: Houses the school's media facilities, including The DePauw newspaper, WGRE radio station, and D3TV.
Hoover Hall: The science building on campus.

Anderson Street serves as the east entry to campus from US highway 231. This threshold is marked by the Hoover Gates, a architectural feature added in 2012. Brick-lined Anderson Street terminates at The Arch, which connects Anderson Street to a formal pedestrian entryway that opens onto the East College lawn. The ornamental arch features the letters “DPU” at its peak. It was a gift of the class of 1890 and was erected in 1910.

Academics and Curriculum

DePauw University is committed to providing a rigorous liberal arts education. The university's curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, interpretation, and experiential learning.

Academic Calendar

DePauw University follows a 4-1-4-1 calendar, which includes:

15-week Autumn and Spring Semesters
4-week Winter Term
May Term

The Winter Term allows students to explore subjects of interest on campus or participate in off-campus domestic or international internship programs, service trips, or field studies.

Rankings and Recognition

DePauw University consistently receives recognition for its academic excellence:

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report ranked DePauw University as No. 58 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and No. 9 in Most Innovative Schools.
As of 2023, the average newly enrolled student had a 3.97 GPA, an SAT score between 1160 and 1420, and an ACT score between 24 and 31.
DePauw is ranked #170 on Forbes magazine's 2024 rankings, which include all colleges and universities in the United States.

School of Music

Founded in 1884, DePauw University has one of the oldest private institutions for post-secondary music instruction in the country. The school has about 100 students, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1 and an average class size of 13 students. 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. The School of Music’s performance calendar offers over 200 events annually, featuring students in solo recitals, chamber music and ensemble concerts, opera and musical theatre productions.

Rector Scholar Program

Since 1919, the Rector Scholar Program has recognized DePauw students of exceptional scholarship and character. Rector Scholarships are offered to the top academic applicants offered admission to DePauw.

Student Life and Traditions

DePauw University fosters a vibrant campus community with a rich array of student activities and traditions.

Greek Life

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.

Traditions

Boulder Run: Students streak from their respective residences to and from the Columbia Boulder, located in the center of the campus near the East College building.
Campus Golf: A game using a golf club and a tennis ball played around the campus.
Little 5 Bike Race: A campus tradition since 1956, featuring men, women, and alumni competing in a weeklong celebration.
Monon Bell Classic: An annual American football game against Wabash College, a rivalry that began in 1890.
Old Gold Day: Created in 1907 as a way to stop the increasingly violent freshman-sophomore class scraps over possession of the opponent’s flag and claims of ownership of the Boulder.

Ubben Lecture Series

Established in 1986, the Ubben Lecture Series brings prominent speakers to campus to discuss a wide range of topics. Past Ubben Lecturers have included Malala Yousafzai, Bill Clinton, Benazir Bhutto, Margaret Thatcher, Jane Goodall, Tony Blair, Jimmy Kimmel, Elie Wiesel, Colin Powell, Andrew Luck, Spike Lee, Mikhail Gorbachev, Brad Stevens, and Condoleezza Rice.

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Student Media

DePauw students have access to a variety of media outlets, including:

The DePauw: Indiana’s oldest college newspaper.
WGRE: The first 10-watt educational radio station licensed by the FCC.
D3TV: An internet-distributed campus television station.

Community Engagement

Many students engage in community service and other volunteer activities. DePauw After Dark provides late night programs on Saturday nights.

Athletics

The DePauw Tigers compete in the NCAA Division III North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The university's most intense athletic rivalry is the Monon Bell football game against the Wabash College Little Giants. The Monon Bell trophy, a 300-pound locomotive bell from the Monon Railroad, was introduced in 1932. The game’s victor holds the bell on its campus until the next game.

DePauw University offers a range of athletic facilities, including:

Blackstock Stadium and Nick Mourouzis Field
Hollensteiner Indoor Tennis and Track Center
Lilly Physical Education and Recreation Center
Neal Fieldhouse
Welch Fitness Center
Reavis Stadium
Boswell Field
Walker Field
Women's softball field

Notable Alumni

DePauw University has produced a distinguished group of alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields:

Angie Hicks (founder of Angie's List)
Joseph P. Allen (astronaut)
Ferid Murad (Nobel laureate)
Eugene C. Pulliam (newspaper publisher)
Chinonye Chukwu (director)
Barbara Kingsolver (best-selling author)
James B. Stewart (Pulitzer recipient)
Dan Quayle (former U.S. Vice President)
William Wirt (educator)
Charles A. Beard (historian)

A Renewed Liberal Arts University for the 21st Century

DePauw, under the leadership of its 21st president, launched “Bold & Gold 2027,” a five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening the university’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a commitment to the new School of Business and Leadership as well as a Creative School. The plan will help DePauw create a model of a renewed liberal arts university for the 21st Century focusing on its distinguished faculty and an academically talented student body.

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