Mahmoud Abouelkheir | Alum

Embracing Community

I felt hesitant about coming to DePauw because of its location in a rural part of Indiana. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I was used to being surrounded by and interacting with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Everyone kept busy and there was always a sense of community around every block. In my first year at DePauw, I had difficulty transitioning to life in Greencastle, which followed a completely different pace than New York City. After having countless conversations with students, professors and staff, I came to appreciate my decision to attend DePauw. I especially felt a sense of community with the student organization Students of Color in STEM.

From the late-night study sessions in Julian to endlessly critiquing Hoover's spice station with my friends, I discovered how important having community was to forming positive memories, wherever you are in the world. At DePauw, I made meaningful relationships with people who changed my life and expanded my community far past rural Indiana.

Major: Biochemistry
Involvement: Students of Color in STEM social chair and president; Posse scholar; science research fellow; American Museum of Natural History education research fellow