A Message From Stevie Baker-Watson

I 💛 DePauw. Have I told you that lately? My love affair with DePauw is approaching 13 years and over time, I’ve had a front-row seat to passion, brilliance, determination and one failed Monon Bell heist. Every day, I have the privilege to wear the black and gold, engaging with a vibrant community that continues to shape our leaders of today and tomorrow. Tiger Pride is the way I roll.

My Tiger Pride is running especially high this week!

• On November 3, our women’s cross country team won the North Coast Athletics Conference team championship. Lily Monnett (‘25, Cloverdale, IN), is the NCAC individual champion and Coaches Kori Stoffregen and Mackenzie Anders are named “Coaching Staff of the Year”.
• On November 6, I had the privilege of attending the Honor Scholar Senior Thesis Poster Session. Twenty-nine students, 13 of them student-athletes, shared their insights on their ongoing research.
• On November 9, women’s soccer won the North Coast Athletics Conference tournament championship trophy after beating Witt 2-1 at home to secure their place in the NCAA championships.
• On November 10, men’s soccer beat Denison (4-1 penalty kick advantage after being tied in overtime) to win the North Coast Athletics Conference tournament championship and secure their place in the NCAA championships.

What could possibly make this week better than the last you ask? In athletics, we will have four teams participating in the NCAA championships (men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s soccer) and two teams vying for a North Coast Athletics Conference championship (football and volleyball). On Saturday, November 16, we will host the 130th Monon Bell Classic and our football program will make a run for our 4th consecutive NCAC championship, 3rd consecutive Monon Bell win and two consecutive undefeated regular seasons. It’s a great week to be a Tiger! 

While you may not have been a student-athlete or an Honor Scholar during your time at DePauw, the support of one another, even when passions don’t align, fosters an amazing environment that is supportive, inclusive and filled with Tiger pride. This culture of shared encouragement isn’t new and continues today, whether it’s through attending poster presentations, cheering at games or simply engaging in dialogue that broadens our understanding and appreciation of diverse interests. We are #OneTeamDePauw.

Please, stay connected, mentor students, contribute to the programs that mean the most to you, and keep that Tiger pride alive. Consider a gift to our #OneTeamDePauw campaign (now through November 16) to support The Fund for DePauw, your favorite athletics team or upgrades to Erdmann Natatorium. Whether it’s athletics competition, an academic presentation, your engagement, encouragement and financial support helps foster a legacy that makes DePauw truly special.

#DingDing! Tiger Pride!