INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana state senators officially celebrated the 175th birthday of DePauw University on Thursday despite the "Nay" votes of several senators who graduated from Wabash College.
Sen. Richard Bray, who represents the state senate district in which DePauw is located, and Sen. Connie Lawson sponsored the resolution. They were joined at the lectern by President Brian Casey and members of the university board of trustees.
"DePauw University is without a doubt, the heartbeat of our community," Sen. Lawson said. "While I am in awe at how DePauw has had international influence with its scholars and programs, I am also very grateful for what this school has meant to our little corner of the world."
Sen. Jim Meritt, who's son Will is a freshman at DePauw, stood up to congratulate the university, saying, "We have a lot to be proud of."
Sen. Jean Breaux and Sen. Bray also recognized the efforts of the DePauw Environmental Policy Project, a student-run environmental policy research group based at DePauw.
DePauw students and university professor Kelsey Kauffman, who advises the group, travel to Indianapolis several times a week each spring semester to testify before legislative committees on energy and environmental affairs.
Sen. Breaux specifically mentioned the testimony by members of the group at Senate Health and Provider Services Committee hearing on Wednesday.
State representative Jim Baird, whose district includes DePauw, will sponsor the resolution in the House of Representatives.
The resolution also recognized the School of Music, which was established in 1884 and is one of the oldest in the nation.
The Indiana Methodist Episcopal Conference established DePauw University as Indiana Asbury University in 1837.
Celebrations for DePauw's 175th anniversary will continue through 2012.