Senior Matt Ehinger Receives Walker Cup at Academic Awards Convocation

May 1, 2006

May 1, 2006, Greencastle, Ind. - [Download Video: "2006 Walker Cup Awarded" - 1322kb] Matthew J. Ehinger, a DePauw University senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, was presented with the Walker Cup at DePauw's academic awards convocation tonight. The Walker Cup recognizes the senior student judged to have contributed the most to the University during his or her four-year college career.

A double major in political science and conflict studies, Ehinger has interned with U.S. Senator Richard Lugar and at the international headquarters of Kiwanis.

[Download Audio: "The Presentation" - 214kb] "Anyone who knows him realizes how active he's been in student government," said DePauw University President Robert G. Bottoms, and "how wet he was this weekend as co-chair of Relay For Life."

A Bonner Scholar, Matt Ehinger has also coordinated the Indiana Reading Corps, chaired Student Congress, and led a Winter Term in Service team of 25 students last year to Costa Rica, where they refurbished a dilipidated high school and built a community center. Ehinger will attend law school next year and will focus on non-profit law.

Students, faculty and parents who filled Meharry Hall of historic East College tonight also heard from the two winners of this year's Exemplary Teaching Award -- given jointly by DePauw University and the General Board of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church through the support of the George and Virginia Crane Distinguished Teaching Award Fund.

John Schlotterbeck, professor of history, told the graduates-to-be who comprised much of the crowd that packed the hall, [Download Audio: "Prof. John Schlotterbeck" - 162kb] "To your academic achievements I offer one more challenge. Have you discovered your life's work during your four years at DePauw? What are you so excited about that you will dedicate the rest of your life pursuing?" The professor recounted his journey, and that he had no intention of teaching as a young adult. However, a class on the history of the south opened his mind and changed his goals.

[Download Video: "The Professor's Question" - 1225kb] "What is your passion?," Dr. Schlotterbeck asked the students. "I'm not suggesting that you become a historian or choose an academic career but only that you discover your life's work, and where and how to carry out your mission in the company of mentors and friends. I wish you well on your future endeavors, and I promise you an exciting voyage."

In her remarks, Anne Harris, associate professor of art, discussed the "in between states" that we all face throughout our lives. Many in her audience are in the space between student and graduate, and have spent the past four years exploring what's between art and life as well as reality and representation. [Download Video: "Prof. Anne Harris" - 1517kb] "As I look out at you tonight, I see each and every one of you engaged especially intensely and rewardingly -- indeed, awardingly -- in this work of clearing the ground for new ideas," she said. "And I thank you for your hard work, and I thank you for your new ideas, and I thank you for the hope that you give all of us."

A PDF of the program with a complete listing of tonight's award winners can be accessed by clicking here.

Citing the University's five year strategic plan, Neal B. Abraham, executive vice president, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, talked of the talents of the award winners and how they have strengthened living and learning within the DePauw community and will continue to do so. "Many of the recipients also have achieved things that make it clear that they are preparing to make a positive difference in the world, and as we know from reports of their experiences many of them have already made a positive difference in this country and in others. We know that they will achieve more as alumni, and we look forward to hearing of their accomplishments; drawing them back, as we have many other graduates, to share their experiences with current students. And we celebrate also the contributions of many of our alumni who endowed the awards that are being given out this evening." Dr. Abraham concluded, [Download Video: "Dr. Neal Abraham" - 460kb] "So this is a time to celebrate the strengths of DePauw, our academic mission, and the contributions of so many to its success."

Thursday, May 11 is the last day of classes for the 2005-06 academic year at DePauw University. Final exams begin May 13. United States Senator Evan Bayh will deliver the address to one of DePauw's biggest-ever graduating classes (approximately 587) at DePauw's 167th annual Commencement, Sunday, May 21, 2005, at 1 p.m. on East College lawn. Learn more by clicking here.

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