Born in the second half of the 20th century in the heartland of America, our interdisciplinary program focusing on Asia reflects fondly on each wobbling step that led to our firm stance today. We are grateful for the administration's support and former colleagues' efforts. One course and one student at a time, you laid the foundation for us to widen the vision for our students and community. We look back and stride to the future! Thank you for coming to celebrate this important moment with us. A toast to the Old DePauw!
President Emeritus Robert G.Bottoms,
Introduced by VPAA Dave Berque
"Reconnecting DePauw and Asian Studies"
President Emeritus Robert G.Bottoms served DePauw for 32 years, including 22 years as the university's 18th president, 1986 to 2008. His championing efforts to strengthen diversity, science education, and moral and ethical reflections show most evidently in The Janet Prindle Institute of Ethicsnd and Robert G. Bottoms Alumni and Development Center.
Dr.Paul Watt
"Many Hands Make Light Work"
Paul B. Watt received his Ph.D. from Columbia University ad has taught at Grinnell College, Columbia University, DePauw University, and Waseda University in Tokyo. During his years at DePauw (1989-2013), he was Director of Asian Studies for a number of years. With the help of university administrators, faculty colleagues, and alums and with the support of outside foundations, Asian Studies expanded its offerings beyond history, political science, and Chinese language into Japanese language and culture, Chinese language and literature, South and East Asian religions, philosophy, anthropology, and art. After his retirement from DePauw in 2013, he become a professor at the Center for International Education at Waseda and Director of its Global Leadership Program. His teaching and publications have focused on Japanese religious history.