DePauw University

DePauw University is a private liberal arts university located in Greencastle, Indiana, about 40 miles west of Indianapolis. Founded by the Methodist Church, it is a residential undergraduate institution offering programs in the liberal arts and sciences, music, and business. DePauw is known for its strong emphasis on broad-based liberal arts education, experiential learning, and close interaction between students and faculty. The university also houses one of the nation’s longstanding schools of music. With a campus-centered student life that includes academic organizations, athletics, and long-standing traditions, DePauw attracts students seeking a small, academically focused community in a Midwestern setting.

DePauw University was founded in 1837 in Greencastle, Indiana, when the Indiana General Assembly granted a charter to establish Indiana Asbury University under the sponsorship of the Methodist Church. The institution was envisioned as an ecumenical college accessible to students of various denominations. Matthew Simpson was inaugurated as the first president, guiding the early development of the university. Women were first admitted in 1867, reflecting broader changes in American higher education. In 1884, after a major gift from Washington C. DePauw, the university was renamed DePauw University and expanded its academic offerings, including the establishment of its School of Music. Over the twentieth century, DePauw University strengthened its liberal arts curriculum and campus facilities. In recent decades, the university has added new academic initiatives and strategic plans, including expanded programs in business and creative disciplines, shaping its modern identity as a residential liberal arts institution.