First-Year Students

On behalf of the campus community, let me start by saying WELCOME TO DEPAUW!  This is a very exciting time for the University. On Saturday, August 22, 2009, we will welcome one of the largest classes in DePauw’s history to campus. We are thrilled that you and so many other students have chosen to come to DePauw, and we hope that you’ll join in our excitement. You are an incredibly diverse, talented group of students, and we hope you will take full advantage of this opportunity to meet and learn from each other. 

We want you to be challenged to grow, both academically and personally. There will be many students, staff and faculty here to assist you in this process. To help you make this next transition in your life, we have designed a First-Year Experience program, which focuses on your needs as a new student. It will provide support and encouragement from your first day of orientation to the final day of your first year. And, in fact, its benefits will surface many times throughout your four years.

We hope that participating in the First-Year Experience program will enable you to make a smooth and positive transition to the campus and community. Through the program you will be introduced to the liberal arts tradition and the rigors of academic engagement. You will meet a variety of new people and create a support network through these new relationships. You will learn what it means to live independently and within our campus community. You will have the chance to be involved with campus organizations, the Greencastle community and beyond. Finally, you will have opportunities to experience potential career paths, learn from people with different backgrounds and cultures, and explore your own interests as well as develop new ones.

Safe travels and we look forward to your arrival in August!

Myrna Y. Hernandez
Director of First-Year Programs