Tanner Austin | Student

From Guernsey to Greencastle

“I came out here on a limb,” says Tanner Austin ’28. “It's just unbelievably lucky how it all worked out. I really can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Growing up in Guernsey, a small island between France and England, Austin knew the traditional paths available to him would keep him much closer to home. But when his father proposed an alternative possibility of playing golf at the collegiate level in America, an unlikely journey to DePauw began to take shape – a journey that has surpassed Austin’s expectations and opened up doors he never could have imagined.

“Coming here was amazing,” he says. “It blew me away completely.”

One of the most unexpected developments since arriving in Greencastle has been the discovery of a new academic passion: writing. “I had never written anything creative in my life,” says Austin. “But I took a creative writing class my first semester, and after I wrote one poem, I was like: oh my goodness, I love this. It's so cool.”

Although he is still exploring his future career opportunities, he knows his affinity for writing will serve him well in the long run. “The ability to write well can give me a few different options. I feel like those skills are completely transferable. That’s what’s so cool about the liberal arts.”

Outside the classroom, Austin has quickly made friends and found his place in a country and culture that is very different from his own. As a first-year student, he pledged Phi Kappa Psi, a decision that was influenced by the sense of community he found there.

“I love sitting down and having a conversation with someone,” he explains. “I learned that the guys at the house all eat at the same time every day, and they allow no hats, no phones and no swearing at the dinner table. That's a tiny little thing, but it showed me that it's more than just a bunch of lads partying or working hard at academics and sport. It’s about being there for your mates.”

Along with his academic and social life, Austin has enjoyed the experience of being on the men’s golf team and developing as a well-rounded athlete. “We practice six times a week, and during that time, it's completely about golf,” he says. “But the biggest priority is always on academics and your overall health.”

This balanced approach allows Austin to thrive both on and off the golf course.

“You have a great network of guys around you. You have a coach you can message anytime in the day and get a session with. And then on the weekend you have the pleasure of playing a great golf course with some of your best friends. It’s just an amazing experience. This is a perfect environment for getting better.”