Freshmen got a taste of post-DePauw life at a dinner with Graduates of the Last Decade alumni (GOLD)during orientation.
The alumni speakers looked to inspire the first-years to take control of their time at DePauw and make the most of it, which comes in accordance with changes to the student engagement programming.
In addition, within the first two months, Raj Bellani, dean of experiential learning and career planning, will meet with all freshmen in the next two months to provide more information about career and internship opportunities.
“Our goal at the center is to really help students develop their life direction, a sense of purpose and goals of accomplishment for them,” Bellani said.
He used three words to sum up their goals: discover, prepare and connect. These goals formed the basis of this year’s Sophomore Institute.
The first institute was held last fall but has had several changes to it thanks to a donation from Ken and Carrie Coquillette, ’82.
“We feel very strongly that the university is an incubator for leadership,” Ken Coquillette said. “We feel equally strongly that early on students should take ownership of the possibilities for their career direction after DePauw.”
Sophomore Kate Porfilio, who went to the institute this year, had a positive experience and found the information helpful.
“I think it provided a really commenced workshop for those of us who are really invested in preparing for our future,” Porfilio said. “It also gave a lot of really great information about entering the workforce and preparing for the next three years.”
The Coquilettes felt the need to put money into the programing in order to give students “content and perspective at an early age,” Ken Coquillette said.
The Coquillettes said they find it easier to help students achieve their dreams when they’re sophomores rather than seniors. They believe students should utilize DePauw’s alumni network as a first step.
Carrie Coquillette said she also believes that helping students discover their innate strengths is an important part of the institute and student engagement programming as a whole.
“In the past it seemed like kids think that once they take a bunch of classes, then they’re going to get good at something,” Carrie Coquillette said. “Like their only strengths are going to be based on the material they learn in the classroom.”
Ken Coquillette believes that if DePauw does not link students to the outside world, they are not only doing a disservice to the students but also not fulfilling the university’s mission.
“We want everybody, when they graduate, to have had at least one paid internship, to have traveled abroad and to have some choices of what they’re going to do with their lives,” Carrie said.
Bellani said that the institute received generally positive feedback.
“A lot of people were overwhelmed with the information because it was a lot offered, and it was long,” Bellani said. “But a lot of students were really excited to know that it’s okay to have big life questions.”
Next year, Bellani said that they are thinking about shortening the length of the institute as well as adding individual advising time for each student.
The Coquillettes also want to see more peer counseling and faculty. They would like to bring back alumni when applicable too.
“We would love to see the faculty embrace and really become part of this,” Ken Coquillette said.
They both noted that they have no regrets their donation.
“There’s no hesitation,” Ken said. “This is one of our happier days.”