Bree Mahoney-Sutherland | Alumni

An Affinity for Black and Gold

I come from a long line of black and gold. With our lineage coming directly from an original board of trustee member, it seems only destiny that my history and DePauw’s history would be so intertwined. My grandmother worked at the university for more than 20 years, allowing my mother to pursue a degree in sociology from DePauw. She graduated in 1986 and my sister graduated in 2015. My mother returned to DePauw to help students – like me – find their place in the world. With our mother working here, it’s no surprise that my sister and I had such a magnetism toward campus. Growing up we went to many staff and faculty picnics, Monon Bell football games and walks in the Nature Park.

During summer 2022, I had the opportunity to work in the admission office. I learned so much about the histories and traditions of the university. I had the opportunity to talk to alumni who had graduated 20, 30 and even 50 years ago, and learning how they lived these very traditions was my favorite part of my summer on campus. Hearing how to DePauw had influenced their lives and the love that they have for this place cemented for me that I am in the right place. I'm home.

Major: Biology
Involvement: admission ambassador; first-year mentor; member of pre-medical professionals club and pre-law club;  Student Advisory Board; DePauw Track and Field team; and Kappa Kappa Gamma
Class: 2025