Our Community Stories
Freedom to Explore
Erik Wielenberg
Since 1999, Erik Wielenberg has been a fixture of the philosophy department at DePauw University. Not…
Meet Erik Wielenberg
Getting Exposure
Ben Schroeder
Ben Schroeder came to DePauw on the recommendation of a family member who graduated in the 1980s. Having…
Meet Ben Schroeder
An Appetite for Adventure
Sheraya Smith
Growing up near Crawfordsville, Ind., Sheraya Smith ’20 had always been familiar with DePauw University…
Meet Sheraya Smith
Almost a Local
Cooper Macy
When Cooper Macy ’25 arrived in Italy for an accelerated language program the summer before his sophomore…
Meet Cooper Macy
Honoring Heritage
Moises Rivera
My heritage impacts my daily life in almost every way, from the way I interact with people and how I…
Meet Moises Rivera
Branching Out
Sydney West
I’ve always been fascinated by the ability to turn a string of seemingly meaningless words into a master-crafted…
Meet Sydney West
Embracing Community
Mahmoud Abouelkheir
I felt hesitant about coming to DePauw because of its location in a rural part of Indiana. Growing up…
Meet Mahmoud Abouelkheir
Making Connections
Sydney Schloemer
No matter what activity Sydney Schloemer ’26 has found herself doing at DePauw, her ultimate goal has…
Meet Sydney Schloemer
Embracing Unpredictable Moments
Deepa Prakash
What excites me about teaching is the opportunity to discuss and learn about the pressing issues that…
Meet Deepa Prakash
Formed by Faith
Tanaa Jones
Growing up in Nashville, Tenn., Tanaa Jones ’26 was taught from an early age how to see the world through…
Meet Tanaa Jones
The Freedom of Learning
Priscilla Smith
Since she was four years old, Priscilla Smith ’29 has spent much of her time in the pool. Like any athlete…
Meet Priscilla Smith
Hope Is the Solution
Bella Zollner
Bella Zollner ’27 isn’t the type to sit on the sidelines. She prefers to be in the heart of the action…
Meet Bella Zollner
Building Connections
Naima Shifa
The biggest part of my teaching is building connections with my students and creating a community in…
Meet Naima Shifa
Where Opportunity Meets Hustle
Daniel Villa
Daniel Villa ’26 never envisioned himself spending a winter term in another country. It’s not that the…
Meet Daniel Villa
Fostering Personal Connections
Sarah Rowley
What excites me about teaching? Everything! The magic that happens in the classroom is completely dependent…
Meet Sarah Rowley
The Perfect Place for Filmmaking
Jordan Sjol
Jordan Sjol may be relatively new to the DePauw University faculty, but as assistant professor of film…
Meet Jordan Sjol
Giving Back
Troy Tien Nguyen
For domestic students, going to college is a new and exciting thing. But for international students,…
Meet Troy Tien Nguyen
Pivotal Moments
Ha Chu
“It changed my life,” says Ha Chu ’26, recalling an interaction early in her time at DePauw with Larry…
Meet Ha Chu
Joy at the Intersection of Music and Service
Rafael Toro-Quiñones
“I’m kicking myself for dropping a leadership class with Dr. McKelligan,” laughs Rafael Toro-Quiñones…
Meet Rafael Toro-Quiñones
A Full Plate
Jacob Zerull
When Jacob Zerull ’29 arrived at DePauw from his hometown of Lake Forest Ill., he wasted no time making…
Meet Jacob Zerull
Global Strategist
Phyllis Ferrell
DePauw pride has remained an important part of Phyllis Ferrell's life, even after graduation in 1994…
Meet Phyllis Ferrell
Global Impact
Sharon Crary
Professor Sharon Crary has studied the devastating effects of the Ebola virus for 15 years. Since the…
Meet Sharon Crary
Applied learning. Real solutions.
Scott Wilkerson
Out of graduate school, I worked for 3.5 years gaining invaluable experience with Exxon Production Research…
Meet Scott Wilkerson
In the Swim of Things
John Marshall
When I started my college search, I wasn’t 100 percent settled on a path. I had enjoyed economics in…
Meet John Marshall
Working Together
Greg Schwipps
I am a DePauw professor but also a 1995 DePauw alumnus. I started my first-year at DePauw a would-be…
Meet Greg Schwipps
An Envelope and an Opportunity
Thom Jackson
Over the course of his lifetime, Thom Jackson ’82 has been no stranger to professional success. He’s…
Meet Thom Jackson
Innovative Artistry
John Berry
Success and accomplishment flow from the challenging work done in the classroom and studio at DePauw…
Meet John Berry
Business Executive
Elisa Villanueva Beard
Elisa has been an integral part of Teach for America for 25 years. It all started in 1998 as a TFA Phoenix…
Meet Elisa Villanueva Beard
The Difference is in the Details
Andrea Sununu
For over 30 years I’ve taught literature at DePauw and welcomed the chance to serve not only as teacher…
Meet Andrea Sununu
A Life-Changing Invitation
Hanna Coffel
When DePauw’s softball coach invited Hanna Coffel ’26 to campus as a high school sophomore, it was the…
Meet Hanna Coffel