DePauw Stories

Mary Beth Petrie, dean of admissions at Lawrence University, will return to her native Indiana to join DePauw University as its new vice president for enrollment management Aug. 1. 

Her appointment is the result of a nationwide search assisted by Chuck O’Boyle, DePauw's higher education search counsel.

Petrie grew up in LaPorte, got her bachelor’s degree at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame and earned an MBA from Butler University, where she worked as associate director of admission for eight years before heading to Lawrence in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 2012.

President Lori White said Petrie’s experience at Lawrence – like DePauw, a liberal arts institution – equips her to take on the challenges enrollment management professionals face in a time of a declining population of traditional college-age students, particularly in the Midwest.

“Beth is fully able to articulate the immense value that a liberal arts university offers young students who want to be leaders of our country and our world, based on her own life-changing college experience at a liberal arts college and her years of success in strategically positioning private Midwestern universities,” White said. “I expect that many students who are weighing their options will witness her enthusiasm for the liberal arts and science and recognize that DePauw is the place for them.”

Said Petrie: “Growing up in Indiana, I've always known DePauw through its proud and successful alumni. I am thrilled about the student-centered approach to education and commitment to integrity, diversity and inclusion. The ‘uncommon commitment to the liberal arts’ mission at DePauw is of particular interest to me because I believe that the liberal arts is the key to the future of education and solving world challenges. I am excited to join Dr. White's team and be a part of future success at DePauw.”

White expressed gratitude to Terry Cowdrey, interim vice president of enrollment management, who has served during White’s first year of her presidency and will continue to do so through the transition.

“With the largest number of applications in DePauw’s history and an outstanding incoming Class of 2025, along with an exciting new strategic plan on the horizon, DePauw has a strong foundation on which to build. We welcome Beth to the Tiger family!” White said.