Grateful to Be Gold Stories
Do you have a DePauw story that makes you Grateful to be Gold?
As a student, were you inspired by a professor who challenged you to think differently? Did a winter term experience or summer research program open up a new world for you? Did your DePauw friendships create memories that will last a lifetime?
Your Grateful to be Gold stories will be part of an oral history project that connects DePauw alumni across generations, across professions, and across the world through the shared DePauw experience.
There is no cost to participate in the oral history project, but you will be given an opportunity to purchase the publication and exclusive DePauw gear. A purchase is not required.
Frequently Asked Questions by Alumni
1. I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about DePauw University. Is this really from DePauw or is it a scam?
It’s legit! We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to collect your Grateful to be Gold stories for a DePauw University alumni publication. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX, that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for almost 100 years. Their experienced, trained staff will listen to your stories, collect the information for our Grateful to be Gold book and verify the information we have on file about you.
When you call 1-800-488-9334, be ready to share your stories of DePauw! A member of the PCI team will first verify the information we have on file for you and make any updates.
Next, a PCI associate will ask you a few questions to inspire you to share your story. DePauw University’s 184 year history of providing an excellent liberal arts education to students is something we all celebrate!
To date, we have recorded more than 1,700 individual stories from DePauw alumni!
There is no cost to share your story or update your information. You will have the opportunity to purchase the book and special DePauw University gear to show your Tiger Pride. Package pricing and photos are available below. Pricing does not include a gift to DePauw.
Tiger Package, Old Gold Package, Value Package, Apparel Package, Hardbound Book, Digital Book
The phone line at 1-800-488-9334 is open the following hours and will allow you to leave a voicemail if the team is busy when you call:
Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (CT)
Saturday: 8 AM - 4:45 PM (CT)
Closed Sunday
2. Does DePauw University benefit from my participation?
Yes, in a few different ways:
- Updated information allows DePauw to continue to effectively communicate with and engage our alumni
- By sharing your Grateful to be Gold stories, you are helping to preserve DePauw’s legacy for generations
- The collection and publication of your stories builds pride among alumni and reinforces the strong bonds of our shared experiences.
3. How do I know my information will only be used for the Grateful to be Gold publication?
DePauw University is committed to protecting your private information. The names, addresses and personal information provided for the publication of the Grateful to be Gold project will be held confidential by PCI and shared only with DePauw. Your story will become part of our archive and will be accessible for generations of DePauw scholars. DePauw University has not sold your personal information and it will not be used for outside marketing or any other purpose.
4. I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?
If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with an experienced PCI team member. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, then ask you to share your story about your time at DePauw University. This "interview" will sound very much like a casual conversation but is recorded for the audio archive and publication. You will have the opportunity to approve your written story later.
If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
5. Can I choose what information is included in the Grateful to be Gold publication?
When you call to update your information, you can tell the representative if you prefer any of your information be excluded. You can also communicate your preferences to PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.
6. Do I have to talk on the phone to participate?
No. While DePauw would like to collect as many recordings of alumni voice as possible, we understand that not not everyone is comfortable with the conversational part of the interview process.
If you would like to share your story in writing but have not received an email with an embedded link, please contact PCI at customerservice@publishingconcepts.com to request a secure custom link where you can do so.
If you don't mind being recorded but would like more time to prepare your story, then call a PCI representative at 1-800-982-1590 to "read it into the record" rather than doing a conversational interview.
7. I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.
You can call back at any time to share your story. PCI will be collecting your Grateful to be Gold stories through the end of 2021.
The phone line at 1-800-488-9334 is open the following hours and will allow you to leave a voicemail if the team is busy when you call:
Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (CT)
Saturday: 8 AM - 4:45 PM (CT)
Closed Sunday
8. I shared a story and the representative said I could send some photos. How do I do this?
You will receive an email with a link to upload up to two photos (black and white or color) plus captions.
If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send physical photos to be printed (note: photos will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).
If you have any questions, contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.
9. I’d like to add / remove info from my story.
You will receive an email prior to publication with a link to review your transcribed story and make any edits. You may also contact PCI customer service at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com to request changes or a new interview.
10. Can anyone purchase a book?
The DePauw University Grateful to be Gold publication is available for sale only to DePauw University alumni through the end of 2021. It will not be offered for sale again.
11. I ordered a book / package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?
Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.
More than 1,000 alumni have already shared their stories with our partners at PCI and the feedback about their experience has been overwhelmingly positive. However, we understand this may not be the case for everyone. If you feel your concerns have not been addressed by PCI's customer service associates, please contact alumnioffice@depauw.edu with details of your experience. We will get back with you promptly by email or phone and will work to resolve your concerns and improve the experience for other DePauw alumni.