Pivotal Moments
“It changed my life,” says Ha Chu ’26, recalling an interaction early in her time at DePauw with Larry Abed, director of television operations at the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media. “He’s the one who encouraged me to start doing photography. I didn’t do photography before that, but he’s the one who told me I have an eye for it.”
That pivotal display of confidence ignited a spark that soon became a passionate pursuit. Ha wasted little time exploring her newfound skill. She embraced individual creative projects and collaborated with the theatre department to help promote upcoming performances. There was no shortage of opportunity for her to shine.
“When I first came to DePauw, I wondered how I would develop my creative practices. But after a lot of figuring it out, I’ve built a structure of learning. I’m constantly exploring new things and new skills. I’ve developed a creative approach and an ability to solve problems, and I think that is thanks to DePauw's liberal arts education.”
The Next Frame
But as much as Ha enjoyed the positive feedback her work was receiving, she knew she needed to put herself to the test. “For the first two years at school, I did a lot of projects and only got compliments on those projects,” she recalls. “But I didn't know if I was really good or not. That's why I decided to go to New York. It was like a reality check. I knew that only the best can survive there in that industry.”
The summer before her junior year, Ha landed an internship at Viewfinders, a production company in New York City. She quickly fell in love with the energy around her. “I'm that kind of person that just vibes with New York. The city pushes me to keep moving forward. I love the pace there. A week passed by in a blink of an eye, and I immediately knew I belonged in this city.”
The Pursuit
In an effort to extend her stay beyond the summer, Ha secured a semester-long internship at V Magazine, allowing her to remain in the city and enjoy a front-row seat to endless inspiration and creativity. Her seven months in New York not only fueled her passion to pursue a creative career in production, but also gave her valuable insights about her own capabilities.
“One thing I learned about myself is that I'm a very hard worker. I am very quick to learn, and I'm resilient until I learn that thing or master the craft.”
Back on campus, Ha continues to put that work ethic into practice. Even as a student, she is steadily building an impressive portfolio of work. And just as importantly, she is taking full advantage of the support and mentorship that started her artistic journey in the first place.
“Everyone around me is very supportive,” she says. “On my first day back on campus after New York, I came to talk to six or seven professors and work study supervisors, just to tell them about how great it was. They were all so happy to see me. That's what I love the most about DePauw. I love that we have that kind of connection with staff and faculty.
Major: Communications & Business Analytics
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
Campus Involvement: Green Center of Performing Arts, Alumni Engagement
Class: 2026
