On Jan. 10, 1837, the Indiana General Assembly approved the charter for Indiana Asbury University, later renamed DePauw University.
The university began as a tiny school with only one professor and five students, but it quickly grew. In 1867, when many men left school to fight in the Civil War, the university admitted its first group of female students. In the 1870's, the university was hit by economic hardship. Washington C. DePauw and his family donated over $600,000 to the university and the Board of Trustees authorized a change in the name from Indiana Asbury University to DePauw University.
And on Jan. 10, 2012, DePauw University will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the original 1837 founding.
The anniversary will be commemorated with an 18-month celebration of the university's past, present and future that will begin Jan. 10, 2012, and end May 4, 2013. Vice President of Advancement Marcia Latta said the schedule of events is still tentative — particularly the later events — but more information will be available next semester.
DePauw's alumni webpage lists lectures by distinguished alumni, special music and theatre performances, departmental events, a student planned ceremony and a renewal of vows for "Met and Marrieds," married couples who met on campus.
DePauw wants current students to be involved in every aspect of the 175th anniversary celebration. Last year, the student government appointed a committee chaired by Greek Life Coordinator Eric Wolfe that, according to student body president senior Charles Pierre, "Explores how students would like to celebrate this momentous occasion in our history."
"[The] 175th Anniversary Committee is comprised of students and administrators. This committee has been meeting since last year and has regularly convened," Pierre said. "The students on this committee are diverse, engaging and honest."
Some students are aware of the anniversary and the celebrations while others only know that this academic year's graduating class will be the 175th.
"I'm very aware of the 175th anniversary. I think it's a really monumental occasion for the university and to be a student during this time makes it even more special," said sophomore Brian Alkire. "I'm hoping the university and President Casey have some special events up their sleeve to unveil during the celebration as well."
Many students, including freshmen Kathleen Raymond-Judy and Morgan Sears, were aware of the anniversary but did not know about the celebration.
"I vaguely remember hearing about the celebration," said freshman Jessica Schilling. "I'm a little excited to see what DePauw's going to do."
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Events celebrating the 175th milestone: • Feb. 19, 2012 - Vernon E. Jordan Jr. '57 will launch the 175th Anniversary Alumni Lecture Series. The programs, which will continue over the course of the 18-month-long celebration, will bring 6,407 distinguished graduates to campus to discuss their life's work and recall the impact their undergraduate experience at DePauw had on their lives. • June 6-10, 2012 - Alumni Reunion Weekend will coincide with the 175th anniversary of Indiana Asbury University opening its doors to its first students. • Oct. 1 – 5, 2012 - Student Life 175th Anniversary Festival, which will include a student-produced play on DePauw's early history. • Oct. 5 – 6, 2012 - Old Gold Weekend: DePauw's traditional homecoming, celebrated since 1907, will focus on the university's 175 years of history and traditions. • May 4, 2013 - A special program will feature the recognition of the 175 exceptional alumni who have most impacted their communities and the world, covering the entire spectrum of the university's long history.
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