Dear DePauw Faculty, Staff and Students,
In 2014 the DePauw Student Government requested that faculty authorize a Day of Dialogue, now known as DePauw Dialogue, when formal classes would be canceled so the entire community could hold conversations to build a more inclusive community.
During Fall Term I sent a message to our community to announce that the program would expand in 2021 from a one-day event to a series of activities and programs interwoven throughout the term. This coming Wednesday is our virtual kickoff for the seventh DePauw Dialogue and the theme, “Breaking Down Biases and Building Community,” is especially relevant, given the divisiveness and unrest our nation experienced in 2020. It presents an opportunity for us to explore the biases that sow division and prevent us from powerful and uplifting connections, even though most of us desire to build up our communities and the individuals within them.
On our campus, we are striving to be a place where all members of our community feel valued and affirmed. As a place that celebrates teaching and learning and prepares our students for successful, meaningful lives and careers beyond college, we seek to embrace difference; empathize and understand varied perspectives; and facilitate conversations in a complex global society, recognizing that these are the most valuable skills any graduate can possess. DePauw Dialogue demonstrates our institutional commitment to inclusion, equity and diversity in all its many forms, including diversity of identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We come together to discuss ways in which we can strengthen our focus on our aspirational goals to be a more inclusive, equitable and socially just community.
As students requested in their original proposal, and underscoring the importance of dedicated time for us to explore these important issues, regular classes are suspended and offices are closed for the day so that ALL faculty, staff and students are able to participate, support and engage one another. I invite you to join me throughout the day in the spirit of two of my “transcendent priorities,” which are the foundation of our aspirations for DePauw:
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A campus culture in which every student, regardless of identity, background or financial circumstances, thrives and has full opportunity to participate in all aspects of a DePauw education.
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A resolute commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion made explicit to those whom we invite to join our community and a willingness to publicly state that these are aspirational values—that part of our learning environment is to figure out together what it means to study, work and live in a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
I am excited to launch the day beginning at 10 a.m. and urge everyone to participate Wednesday and during additional events and activities throughout the term.
In the best spirit of our liberal arts tradition, I hope you will join me in approaching DePauw Dialogue with an openness to discovery, inquiry, understanding and action. Now more than ever we need to find a way to affirm one another’s humanity. We are the community we seek.
Sincerely,
President White