The 361° Philosophy

DePauw University has a long and distinguished record of preparing students for uncommon success in every degree of life. DePauw graduates stand prominently as leaders in business, science, medicine, government, the arts, philanthropy, and many other fields. Our graduates succeed spectacularly, in part because the University developed their ability to think and act critically, innovatively, and dynamically. As innovations in technology progress, many are looking to DePauw to provide talented leadership for the digital age.

In March of 2001, the Lilly Endowment awarded DePauw a $20 million Grant of Distinction to establish a national technology center and to launch a series of initiatives that will guarantee that DePauw alumni, students, faculty members, and staff are prepared to provide the creativity and leadership required by the digital age. DePauw named these initiatives and related programs "361°", using the metaphor of "more than full circle" to represent the comprehensive preparation of students for their encounters with and use of information technology in all aspects of their professional and private lives.

The metaphor also applies to our intent to improve the use of information technology in all aspects of teaching and learning at DePauw. In making information technology ubiquitous on campus DePauw will provide the sense that it is everywhere, that it affects everyone, and that technology and technology-literate people are to be found in every direction. The over-completeness implied by 361°, more than full circle, represents the intentional preparation at DePauw to be ready for a changing world, a world that may be noticeably different for each of us each time one scans all directions and returns to the starting point. The initiatives will challenge students, alumni, faculty members, and staff members to become innovative thinkers and leaders in an electronically rich world.

The centerpiece for 361° initiatives is a new technology center in the renovated Percy L. Julian Mathematics and Science building. Julian houses pioneering facilities and serves as a locus for exploring the best techniques for integrating new digital tools in the teaching and learning process. However, 361° activities are also found in every aspect of DePauw, in every building and classroom, in every academic and administrative department, in every residence hall, and throughout the campus.

The mission and goals of 361° go well beyond its direct impact on the DePauw community. 361° programs involves faculty members and information technology staff from other campuses, serving as a location for internships, sabbaticals, workshops, conferences, and symposia. 361° has hosted national workshops and conferences on integrating instructional technology to improve teaching and learning. In partnership with the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE), DePauw engages in inter-institutional efforts to develop and implement new uses of instructional technology to enhance teaching and learning. DePauw's faculty and staff leaders also publish and speak broadly on the innovations and best practices being developed on campus.

Drawing upon a traditional DePauw strength, 361° provides a multitude of outreach opportunities with businesses and other institutions of higher education. More than 100 internships are available each year for DePauw students interested in utilizing information technology skills at leading companies and organizations in Indiana and across the nation. 361° attracts national leaders to campus from the public and private sectors, in particular by recruiting alumni advisers for the technology internship program. These leaders enrich the link between DePauw's programs for Management Fellows, Science Research Fellows, Media Fellows, and Information Technology Associates and dot-com entrepreneurial activities. 361° produces direct benefits for the workforce by providing liberal arts students the familiarity and facility to pursue information technology as a specialty or as a developed talent, and then places these students in jobs with top technology firms.

Finally, DePauw’s e-Learning Center provides outreach to local families and communities in effective and meaningful ways that will benefit Indiana for generations to come.  In 2004, DePauw created a successful K–12 Bridge Program to provide technology training and mentoring for Indiana teachers from the kindergarten to high school level.  DePauw also established the Community Technology Enhancement Program (CTEP) in 2003 to “bridge the digital divide” in our local communities.  CTEP collects computer hardware from DePauw and the Putnam County community, refurbishes the equipment, and distributes it to qualifying local individuals, families, and organizations in need.

These exciting 361° initiatives strengthen DePauw's commitment to uncommon success in an increasingly technological world. We look forward to the stimulating opportunities these programs continue to offer the DePauw community, as well as the leadership and service they provide for the national academic community.