Despite being gone for almost a semester, this Thanksgiving should shake up to be very routine – characterized by the interrogation of “how are your classes?” and “are you happy to be home?” by my relatives, the typical playful mockery of my brothers and the unavoidable overconsumption of pumpkin pie. However, when everyone settles in and we get to the real meat and bones of Thanksgiving, sharing what we’re all thankful for, this year will be a little different. While I usually stick to the basics of “food,” “family,” and “friends,” this Thanksgiving I have a much clearer idea of what I’m truly thankful for: DePauw University.
I am thankful for the fact that DePauw is as tiny as it is. I’m thankful that once I meet someone, it’s inevitable that I’ll see them again – whether in passing, in Hoover or even in a future class. I’m thankful that my W-center tutor also is in my Bible study, and the star of the football team was once my speech partner – that every student is connected and we all overlap in some way. I’m grateful that it’s possible to get from one end of campus to the other in a mere couple of minutes (this especially comes in handy when you wake up at 9 a.m. for your 9:10 a.m. class).
I am thankful for the education I am receiving at DePauw – one that can and should be considered unmatched by other national institutions. I am thankful for professors who know me by name, who reach out to me when I am struggling and offer unrelenting support both within and outside the walls of the classroom. I’m grateful for professors who I can have genuine, unprecedented conversations with and run into by chance at the dining hall. I am thankful for DePauw’s miniscule class sizes, and the positive rapport that builds among classmates because of this. I am thankful for peers who push themselves and one another to achieve academically – spending hours on end in the library or in professors’ office hours. I’m grateful for the liberal arts education, which I’m confident is transforming me into a well-rounded, prepared student (even though I don’t currently appreciate having to take two science and math courses).
I am thankful for the DePauw community, for a home away from home. I am thankful for DePauw alumni who, even before making my acquaintance, regard me as family. I am thankful for a body of students who treat one another like brothers and sisters – regardless of Greek affiliation. I’m thankful that DePauw is so comfortable and inviting that my dorm in Longden feels just as much like home as my bedroom in Carmel.
I am thankful for DePauw’s energy. Whether it’s the Monon Bell tailgate or a game of jeopardy in class, my peers and professors at DePauw never fail to bring an unparalleled liveliness and enthusiasm to everything they do. I’m thankful that it’s commonplace at DePauw to receive animated greetings from everyone you pass on the street, whether it’s on the way to an 8 a.m. on Monday or mid-afternoon on Friday. I’m thankful that even after a stressful day of studies, students still find a way to bring an insane amount of passion to sports, clubs and extracurriculars.
I am thankful for the endless opportunities that DePauw offers. With experiences ranging from studying abroad in France for a semester to working for Teach for America after graduation, DePauw truly makes it a priority to provide for students. I am thankful that I have the chance to start and lead my own club, but if that doesn’t suit me, I have hundreds of other activities to choose from. I’m thankful that I have the chance to freely voice my opinion, while also receiving the perspectives of others as well.
I am thankful for the little town of Greencastle (even though I have to drive 40 minutes for a Chipotle burrito bowl). I’m thankful that I can retreat to Starbucks after a long day and enjoy a hot coffee in a quaint, warm setting. I’m eternally indebted to Almost Home’s dessert menu – not to mention Don Julio’s enchiladas. I’m grateful that the Greencastle community has accepted and welcomed DePauw students as a part of their town.
So rather than feeling panicked and overwhelmed when my family’s tradition of sharing what we’re thankful for begins, this Thanksgiving I’ll be pleased to contribute my token to the conversation. I’ll be confident in sharing that not only my college experiences thus far, but the amazing things that I know lie ahead of me prove DePauw University as one of the biggest blessings in my life. This year, it’s going to be a very DePauw Thanksgiving.