DePauw Stories

When Cooper Macy ’25 signed up for his first Italian course, his plan was simply to get his two required language credits out of the way so he could focus on other disciplines. It didn’t take long, however, for that plan to fall apart. Before he knew it, Macy found himself double-majoring in Italian and global health, and his life had been changed by three transformative trips to Italy: an immersive summer language course, a trip with the DePauw football team and a semester-long study abroad experience.

“The overarching thing I’ve learned is to push yourself out of your comfort zone,” says Macy. “Sometimes the thing you didn’t expect to happen or didn’t want to happen is the best thing that could have happened for you.”

Macy’s unexpected trajectory was shaped by several important influences, few of which were more significant than Francesca Seaman, associate professor of Italian Cultural Studies at DePauw. “After my first semester in class with Professor Seaman, I found myself enjoying learning Italian,” recalls Macy. “I’m so thankful for all she has done for me during my time here.”

Seaman’s impact on Macy – and many others just like him – is anything but accidental. As an educator who recognizes the value of mentorship and understands the unique position she is in to offer support, Seaman takes an intentional approach to every class and every student.

“I teach language,” she says, “But my students will tell you that more than language, I teach them how to live a happy life.”

For Seaman, this means getting to know her students and connecting with them on a personal level. She takes the time to ask them questions that others might not ask, and she looks for opportunities to connect the dots not only between their intellectual pursuits and the skills they gain by studying Italian, but also between what they’re doing in the classroom and what they’re going through in their lives. The result is a holistic relationship that pushes each student to recognize their own potential and find that path that leads to their own flourishing.

“I care about their success, and I think that's obvious to them,” she says. “My final goal is to lead them where they want to go, to make them aware of what they are capable of achieving and to give them confidence that they can reach their goals. I’m not trying to give them the answer.”

Baked into this philosophy is an apologetically high standard of rigor. As Macy points out, “She constantly challenges her students to improve, and if you don’t come to class prepared, you’ll pay the price.”

But along with those lofty expectations comes a readiness to help her students succeed. During office hours, you’ll likely find her sitting with her students and enjoying a chat over coffee. “You quickly discover how much she genuinely cares,” says Macy.

The hospitality, however, doesn’t stop in her office. Over the years, Seaman has repeatedly welcomed students into her home and shared time with them outside structured academic environments. Whether she’s cooking a meal together with her students or simply hanging out with them in her front yard, Seaman views these moments as crucial points of connection.

“I let the students see me as a human being. I'm vulnerable. In fact, if something happens in my life, my students are the first to notice. Sometimes they will send me a card, or bring me an unexpected flower. In turn, they know my door is always open to them, both in my office and at my home.”

Seaman’s point is illustrated by a bowl of cards resting on a table in her office. “These were all written by my students. They write to me to send me an update on their lives, to talk about dilemmas they face, or just to tell me about books they are reading. I love the fact that they take the time to send a hand-written note. Through the years, the greatest gift of being a teacher is to have my students still in my life.” The bowl is nearly overflowing, a physical symbol of the tremendous impact Seaman has had over the years.

“Sometimes they are looking for an easy route, or they have no faith in themselves, or they are tempted to give up. Sometimes they just need someone who believes in them, who gives them faith and courage to move into a new direction. I try to tell them that, yes, you can attempt whatever you want. You are free, and you can try. And if you fail, you can change directions or rethink your plans. Through all of that, they’re always learning. This is what I do when I mentor them.”