The Spirit of '76 Returns to DePauw University

June 2, 2001

June 2, 2001, Greencastle, Ind. - "Welcome back, Class of 1976," Nancy Gibson Prowitt told her silver anniversary class reunion today. [DOWNLOAD VIDEO: "Prowitt '76" 218KB] [DOWNLOAD AUDIO: "Prowitt '76" 122KB] "Despite inevitable disappointments we all acquire on the road to adulthood, DePauw gave us the foundation to use that sense of hope and optimism to embrace and welcome every new turn in life," she told the Alumni Reunion Convocation this morning in Kresge Auditorium.

"In retrospect, we were a pretty zippy crew," Prowitt recalled. "Our children probably wouldn't believe that Saturday Night Live started while we were at DePauw, and it was so cutting edge and we were so hip, we not only got the jokes, we stayed up for the whole show," Prowitt said to laughter. [DOWNLOAD VIDEO: "Saturday Night Live" 202KB] [DOWNLOAD AUDIO: "Saturday Night Live" 123KB] 

Prowitt called on her classmates to spend the weekend catching up with each other and rejoicing in the common bonds that make DePauw bonds so strong. "Thanks to all of you who have come back to keep in touch with this special period in our lives," she said. [DOWNLOAD AUDIO: "Special" 162KB]

The convocation audience also heard an update on DePauw from President Robert G. Bottoms. He apprised returning graduates of renovations planned for the Julian Science and Math Center and Roy O. West Library and the new art center that will be built. He also talked of the initiative to create a new eLearning center at DePauw, and of how the University's growing national reputation has produced another record year for admissions.

"It's with a great deal of pride and pleasure that I can tell say to you that no matter what class you represent, DePauw University is a stronger institution now than it was when you were here," Bottoms said. [DOWNLOAD AUDIO: "Message from the President" 231KB] "Our resources have grown (and) we have more students now who want to attend DePauw than at any time in our history."

An estimated 1,600 DePauw alumni returned to Greencastle for Alumni Reunion Weekend 2001.

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