Fifty Years Later… The Boulder Got Moved and So Did I!

Returned to my Alma Mater, DePauw University, for my 50th class reunion. As I walked past the infamous boulder at East College, I noticed it had been moved since my previous visit in 2015! This was a foreshadowing of other changes I would discover!

The Lows…

Remembering over 70 classmates who have died.

Meeting international students at my Delta Upsilon fraternity and learning about their concerns about ICE and deportations.

At the Saturday morning Convocation of Alumni, an opinion was shared that the one word that best described our class was apathy. Here we were, sitting in the beautiful Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts, specifically in Kresge Auditorium. The lead benefactor of this $29 million facility was Joyce Green, a member of our class, and her late husband, Judson, Class of ’74. Their gift was one of empathy and compassion, stemming from their experience at DePauw and their desire for future DePauw students to have an incredible learning experience. In surveying some members of our class after the convocation, I heard better one-word summaries of our class: concern, uncertainty, change, and gratitude. A lot happened in 1975, including the end of the Vietnam War, the release of Jaws in theaters, the signing of the Helsinki Accords, the United Nations’ declaration of 1975 as International Women’s Year, the premiere of Saturday Night Live, and the first email being sent.

The highs…

It was great to connect with classmates and learn about their life journeys over the past 50 years. Lots of connections leading to a lot of smiles, “me, too,” and “WOW!”

One special highlight was sipping Old Pogue bourbon from Old Pogue Distillery.  Classmate Paul Pogue’s family revived its family’s distilling tradition, which had been shut down during Prohibition, dating back to 1876. The 5th and 6th generation Pogues created easy-sipping bourbon. Thank you, Paul Pogue! (The check is in the mail!)

Our class broke bread, sipped adult beverages, and connected at Bridges – Craft Pizza & Wine Bar rooftop on Friday evening, located off Greencastle Square. (Five stars!) It was there that I met classmate Holbrook Hankinson, PhD, Executive Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at DePauw. As a white, heterosexual, privileged facilitator of diversity, equity, and inclusion, it was great to connect with Holbrook and visit the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. He gave me a tour! One of the many highlights of the tour was discovering a second-floor library filled with “banned” books.

When I graduated from DePauw University in 1975, it was primarily a white institution run by white males. While I do credit DePauw with challenging my critical thinking, it is a bold initiative today.

“We will be an institution where all students—regardless of background, identity, or ideology—who desire to learn with us are welcomed, supported, and have access to DePauw’s rich academic and social opportunities.”– DePauw Bold and Gold 2027 Strategic Plan.

The core values of DePauw University are:

• Student Focus
• Collaboration
• Curiosity
• Diversity
• Inclusion

Today, DePauw University is led by President Dr. Lori S. White. She is a strong, bold, visionary! She shared during her breakfast remarks about a key question she was asked during her interview process. Could she learn to love DePauw? Her answer resonates not just in her one word, “YES!” but in her actions! Her leadership team is diverse, as are the faculty, staff, and students

I am prouder of DePauw University today than I was 50 years ago! If I had an upcoming high school graduate or knew of one, I would encourage them to put DePauw University at the top of their college list.

To my ’75 DePauw classmates, if you are coming to Asheville, NC, please reach out and let’s connect! We love sharing our guest bedroom!