FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012
Indiana’s Oldest College Newspaper
Plans solidified, funded to renovate Lilly and athletic fields By BECCA STANEK news@thedepauw.com
Thanks to the support of alumni gifts, plans are underway for the expansion and renovation of the Lilly Physical Education and Recreation Center and improvements to DePauw’s athletic fields. Planning efforts for the improvements and renovations are already in the works and will continue throughout the summer. Stevie Baker-Watson, director of Athletics and Recreational Sports, and Richard Vance, associate vice president for facilities, will collaborate with well-guarded athletic architects Hastings+Chivetta to review current athletic facilities and draw up plans. “This process is a natural outgrowth of an institution that has long been committed to athletics and recreation in its fullest form,” said Baker-Watson, who oversees athletics programs for DePauw’s 500 varsity athletes. “It presents an opportunity to pair the long-standing history of Tiger athletics with a plan to build upon that foundation in the years
ahead.” Fundraising plans are underway, with several gifts already pledged by alumni, according to President Brian Casey. Details about specific gifts are to be announced in future months. “On a campus with our tradition of student athlete success, this process presents us with an opportunity to significantly enhance the spaces dedicated to fitness and recreation” Casey said. With DePauw students’ high level of activity and engagement in fitness, many students are enthusiastic about the university’s plans to improve facilities. According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, 74 percent of DePauw first-year students exercise or participate in fitness and wellness, compared to the 61 percent of first-years at other universities. Sophomore Mallory Bushee, who works at the Lilly Athletic Center, thinks the changes are much needed. “I’m glad it’s finally being done,” Bushee said. “Compared to the rest of the campus, Lilly has been somewhat of an eyesore. Students are so involved in
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athletics and fitness that it’s necessary.” “I think that it is something that they need to do in order for DePauw to stay competitive with rival schools from an admissions standpoint,” said sophomore Jacob Weiner. “Every liberal arts school is going to boast about its wonderful faculty and community feel. However, students do not recognize how true this is at DePauw until they get here. What they do understand right off the bat is that our sports complex is outdated compared to the athletic center at Kenyon or Denison and for many that is a deciding factor that could send them to one school or another.” Casey echoes student enthusiasm, and is excited upcoming work and what it will mean for the student experience on our campus. “We’re fortunate to count dedicated alumni, parents and friends among the supporters of DePauw athletics,” Casey said. “This is the beginning of a process that will, without question, leave a lasting legacy for our students, as well as faculty and staff.”
The portion of Hanna Street near the athletic fields will undergo construction to resemble this rendering. In the early stages of planning, the project’s start date has yet to be announced. PHOTO COURTESY OF KEN OWEN
To celebrate the religious spring festival of Holi, students were invited to participate by throwing colored powder outside of Reese Hall on Wednesday. The event was hosted by the International Student Association and the Office of Spiritual Life. HOANG NGUYEN / THE DEPAUW