2008 Woodie Awards
Tradition beyond the Bell
By: Steven Horrighs
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Opinion
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When I was a senior in high school, I got a letter from DePauw that claimed it was one of the top-tier liberal arts institutions in the country.
After a couple weeks, I was in touch with coaches who were recruiting for the football program. Whenever my recruiting coach mentioned the Monon Bell, I almost laughed. Even coming from the Midwest, I had never heard of the rivalry and tradition surrounding the Monon Bell. With some research, I easily found out that the game is one of the most storied rivalries in all of college sports, going back to the first game in 1890. Coming to DePauw as a freshman, I knew all of the historic facts about the Monon Bell game, but little did I know that tradition extends far beyond one football game for DePauw.
The most broad-reaching tradition at DePauw is one of excellence. When I first visited DePauw, whether I was talking to a person within the administration, a professor, an athletic coach or maintenance staff, I immediately understood that every person affiliated with the University is proud of what they do here. The biggest reason for this is that DePauw has the financial resources to commit the entire University to being the best. When I have friends visit the campus, their first impressions are always that "DePauw people are so friendly," and that the buildings are awesome.
The tradition of student-led organizations and groups is also strikingly visible around the University. Community service has been a long-standing tradition, and these efforts are entirely led by students. During events like Relay for Life, Little Five and Winter Term In-Service trips, students organize together to fight for a common cause to help anyone who needs assistance. Students also organize through greek houses and the University and sponsor their own specific philanthropies and civic opportunities each year.
And the Boulder Run tradition cannot go unmentioned. It sets DePauw apart from any other university in the world.
After a couple weeks, I was in touch with coaches who were recruiting for the football program. Whenever my recruiting coach mentioned the Monon Bell, I almost laughed. Even coming from the Midwest, I had never heard of the rivalry and tradition surrounding the Monon Bell. With some research, I easily found out that the game is one of the most storied rivalries in all of college sports, going back to the first game in 1890. Coming to DePauw as a freshman, I knew all of the historic facts about the Monon Bell game, but little did I know that tradition extends far beyond one football game for DePauw.
The most broad-reaching tradition at DePauw is one of excellence. When I first visited DePauw, whether I was talking to a person within the administration, a professor, an athletic coach or maintenance staff, I immediately understood that every person affiliated with the University is proud of what they do here. The biggest reason for this is that DePauw has the financial resources to commit the entire University to being the best. When I have friends visit the campus, their first impressions are always that "DePauw people are so friendly," and that the buildings are awesome.
The tradition of student-led organizations and groups is also strikingly visible around the University. Community service has been a long-standing tradition, and these efforts are entirely led by students. During events like Relay for Life, Little Five and Winter Term In-Service trips, students organize together to fight for a common cause to help anyone who needs assistance. Students also organize through greek houses and the University and sponsor their own specific philanthropies and civic opportunities each year.
And the Boulder Run tradition cannot go unmentioned. It sets DePauw apart from any other university in the world.
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