March 21, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "The Venoy Overton Ploy -- [the University of Washington player's] attempt to counter North Carolina's up-three, intentional foul by attempting a shot from halfcourt -- warrants further discussion," writes Sports Illustrated's Luke Winn. "This is of particular interest to me because of a story I did on up-three, under-seven strategy in September; Overton's shot reminded me of part of a conversation with Butler coach Brad Stevens that didn’t make it into the article. Stevens, despite the prodding of his former coach at DePauw, Bill Fenlon, who's a huge proponent of the up-three fouling odds, was hesitant to commit to fouling every time in that situation." (top photo:Rob Goebel/Indianapolis Star)

Winn continues, "Stevens made the point to me that if a coach became too predictable in those scenarios -- if everyone knew he was going to foul -- then opponents' reactions to those situations would inevitably evolve, with players anticipating contact and attempting threes from anywhere on the court to draw three free throws, rather than two."

Read the full analysis at SI.com.

Brad Stevens, a 1999 graduate of DePauw, led his Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament's "Sweet 16" with a breathtaking victory over Pittsburgh Saturday. 

In June, a half-hour program on FOX Sports Midwest focused on Stevens' success at Butler University and included comments from Fenlon, his coach at DePauw.

Fenlon's paper, 'Up Three: To Foul Or Not To Foul,' included contributions from Mark  Kannowski,professor of mathematics; Tom Chiarella, visiting professor of creative writing; and Underwood "Woody" Dudley, professor emeritus of mathematics at DePauw.

March 21, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Mary Meeker is "a longtime Morgan Stanley tech-stock analyst who recently joined legendary venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers," notes a Christian Science Monitor editorial today.  Pointing to a recent presentation on the nation's financial condition by Meeker, a 1981 graduate of DePauw University, Josh Burek writes, "By treating the country as a corporation (and citizens as shareholders) she has brought fresh thinking and new urgency to the nation's fiscal straits. If you have lots of time on your hands, you can leaf through her 460-page PowerPoint presentation here."

In her analysis of "USA Inc.," Meeker offers, "Cash flow and net worth are negative, profits are rare, and off-balance-sheet liabilities are enormous. The 'company' has underinvested in productive capital, education, and technology -- the very tools needed to compete in the global marketplace. Lenders have been patient so far, but the sky-high rates on the sovereign debt of Greece, Ireland, and Portugal suggest what might lie ahead for USA Inc. shareholders and our children. By our rough estimate, USA Inc. has a net worth of negative $44 trillion. That comes to $143,000 per capita. Negative. To be fair, the net worth calculation leaves out some assets, including, most importantly, the power to tax. Which simply means that the government can improve its own finances by worsening those of its citizen-shareholders."

Burek adds, "Don't head to the hills just yet. As Meeker points out, 'USA Inc. has serious financial challenges' but 'its problems are fixable.' The key? 'If the American people embrace the need for bold action, their political leaders should find the courage to do what's right.' Perhaps the brightest news of all: USA Inc., Meeker says, is in better shape than Apple was in 1997. Ready to invest?"

Access the column at the newspaper's website.

A recent San Francisco Chronicle headline called attention to "Mary Meeker's Brilliant, Tech-Centered Turnaround Plan For USA Inc." Read more here.

A psychology major at DePauw, Mary G. Meeker was a technology analyst and managing director at Morgan Stanley before joining Kleiner Perkins in November 2010.

March 22, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "At the upcoming annual general meeting on May 2, 2011, the nominating committee of Swedish Match AB (STO: SWMA) will propose the election of Robert F. Sharpe Jr. to the Swedish Match board of directors," notes Business Wire. Sharpe, senior advisor to the chief executive at ConAgra Foods, Inc., is a 1975 graduate of DePauw University.

The announcement notes that Sharpe previously served as president, commercial foods, and executive vice president and chief administrative officer at ConAgra, and was a partner at Brunswick Group, and senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary at PepsiCo, Inc.  His career has also included posts at RJR Nabisco and Tyco International.

Read more by clicking here or in this recent article.

March 22, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Mark McCoy, a noted educator, composer and conductor, has been appointed dean of the DePauw University School of Music. Dr. McCoy is currently chair of music at Shepherd University in  West Virginia. Today's announcement culminates a nearly year-long international search for the next leader of DePauw's School of Music, founded in 1884, one of the nation's oldest private institutions for post-secondary music instruction and the longest-running in Indiana.

"We are extremely happy with the outcome of this search," says DePauw President Brian W. Casey. "The DePauw School of Music has always been central to the University's history of creative expression, and I know that Mark McCoy will build upon the School of Music's proud  traditions in leading it to new levels of achievement."

"I am very excited about this opportunity, and the strengths and remarkable potential of DePauw’s School of Music," states Dr. McCoy.  "I am very much looking forward to working with the faculty and students."

McCoy joined the faculty of Shepherd University, a liberal arts college in the easternmost tip of West Virginia, in 1995, and was appointed chair of the music program a year later. In his sixteen years at Shepherd, the number of music majors and faculty members has more than tripled, multimillion dollar renovations and additions have revitalized the music facilities, and a community based "Friends" group has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and vast community support for department initiatives. In addition to his duties as chair, McCoy is the director of instrumental studies at Shepherd, touring nationally and internationally with his instrumental groups.

Prior to Shepherd, McCoy taught theory and jazz at Texas Tech University. Earlier in his career he taught elementary, middle and high school bands and orchestras in West Virginia and Maryland.

Active as a conductor and guest conductor, McCoy leads the Shepherd Wind Ensemble and Orchestra as well as the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, one of three professional orchestras in West Virginia. He has presented concerts at the invitations of heads of state in Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, France, England, Spain, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic and has led performances at the 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival and the 2005 season at Carnegie Hall.

The professor has composed operettas, musicals, an opera, many works for winds and several soundscores. They include a soundscore for The Secret Garden, a musical, Ann of Green Gables, and a symphonic work, A Symphony for Salem, 1692. McCoy also authored a novel, Curtain Music, examining the relationship of Brahms and the Schumanns.

Mark McCoy holds a B.A. degree in music education from Shepherd, an M.M. degree in music education with an emphasis in wind conducting from the Peabody Conservatory and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts with a concentration in music composition from Texas Tech University.

The search committee, which was chaired by President Casey, also included: Jason Asbury '95, music director at Prospect Presbyterian Church in Maplewood, New Jersey; Katie Blakey '11, a current music major; Nicole Brockmann, asisstant professor of music; Wayne Glausser, professor of English; Andrew Hayes, associate professor of communication and theatre; Craig Paré, professor of music; Zak Phillips '11, a current philosophy and music performance major; Caroline Smith, Cassell Grubb University Professor of Music; and Scott Spiegelberg, associate professor of music.

The DePauw University School of Music has an established tradition of educating leaders in virtually every facet of music, including performers, educators, composers and administrators. Learn more here.

March 22, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Ken Owen, executive director of media relations at DePauw and 1982 graduate of the University, is a member of the board of directors of the Indianapolis Public Relations Society, notes the Indianapolis Star. Formed in 1949, IPRS is a limited membership organization comprised of senior level public relations personnel.

Owen was elected to the board in 2008 and is serving a four year term.

Access the item at IndyStar.com.

Ken Owen returned to DePauw in 2001 after two decades in TV news. Along his responsibilities to raise the University's external visibility, he coordinates the Timothy and Sharon Ubben Lecture Series and the annual Monon Bell telecast and has created "Monon Memories" of every battle between DePauw and Wabash College for the Monon Bell since 1893. The video vignettes were the subject of features in the Chronicle of Higher Education and during HDNet's telecast of the 115th Monon Bell Classic in November 2008. A communication major and Rector Scholar at DePauw, Owen has also taught journalism at Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis.

March 23, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — John Dittmer, award-winning civil rights historian and professor emeritus of history at DePauw University, will be a featured speaker today at Mississippi State University at the annual John F. and Jean A. Marszalek Lecture Series. Dr. Dittmer will present a speech entitled, "Sick and Tired: Race and Health Care in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Years." The program begins at 2 p.m. in Mitchell Memorial Library's John Grisham Room.

"Dittmer led DePauw University's history department 1985-2003," notes an announcement. "Among his honors are the 2006 Indiana Humanities Award and 2005-07 Ford Foundation Fellowships. He is the author of The Good Doctors: The Medical Committee for Human Rights and the Struggle for Social Justice in Health Care (Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2009) and Local People: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi (University of Illinois Press, 1995), among others."

Mississippi State doctoral candidate Alyssa Warrick will also speak at today's program.

Read more here.

Professor Dittmer received the Bancroft Prize, generally considered the most prestigious award in the field of American history writing, for Local People.

The professor delivered the principal address to DePauw's Class of 2009 at the University's 170th commencement and received an honorary doctoral degree. A summary of his remarks and an MP3 file of the complete speech can be accessed in this report.

In December 2010, he was a guest on NPR's Tell Me More.

March 23, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — John Broughton, athletic director at Indiana's Pendleton Heights High School, "has known [Butler University head men's basketball coach Brad] Stevens since he was a freshman at DePauw University in 1995," reports today's Anderson Herald Bulletin. "Among Stevens' teammates with the Tigers was Broughton's son, Matt, and they remain best friends today. The elder Broughton's world further entwined with Stevens' last summer when the Bulldogs' coach aggressively stepped up his recruitment of Pendleton Heights star Kellen Dunham. When Dunham verbally committed to Butler in July, he joined a long list of recent Arabians connections to the university."

George Bremer's story recalls how Stevens, a Management Fellow and economics major at DePauw, took a job at Eli Lilly following his 1999 graduation, only to quit for a volunteer coaching position.  Now in his fourth season as Butler's head coach, Stevens has led the Bulldogs to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA tournament a year after his team lost a heartbreaker in the national championship game versus Duke. His 114 victories are the most ever compiled by a Division I coach in his first four seasons.

Bremer writes, "Broughton remembers long talks on the deck with Stevens while he was still a Butler assistant. The AD considers himself an Indiana University fan first and foremost, and he loved to pick Stevens’ brain about possible Hoosiers recruits. But the questions went both ways.
'I remember him asking me how Matt Howard was at Connersville because we played them,' Broughton said. 'I gave him my opinion, and what a great player he turned out to be.' Howard has become the face of the Bulldogs’ most recent run with a game-winning tip-in against Old Dominion and a clinching free-throw at the end of a wild final 2.2 seconds against Pittsburgh."

John Broughton's son, Matt, is a 1997 DePauw graduate.

You'll find the complete article at the newspaper's website.

Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated again noted the relationship between Brad Stevens and his head coach at DePauw, Bill Fenlon, and the latter's paper, 'Up Three: To Foul Or Not To Foul.' In June, a half-hour program on FOX Sports Midwest focused on Stevens' success at Butler University and included comments from Fenlon.

On April 13, 2010, Stevens returned to his alma mater to deliver the Robert C. McDermond Lecture.

Also available is an online profile of Brad Stevens.

March 23, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — DePauw University junior Macie Mull was among more than 50 students and speakers from North America and Europe who gathered for a three-day conference in Strasbourg, France, to discuss differences in U.S. and European environmental policy. Mull, who is currently studying in Barcelona, Spain, was awarded a fellowship to attend the 8th annual BCA Student Conference, "Differing Perspectives on Environmental Issues," March 11-14.

Mull joined students from Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey, and other American students from 20 U.S. colleges and universities studying abroad in England, France, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Spain at the conference. 

The event was  co-sponsored by the Foundation for International Education, the University of Strasbourg and AEGEE - the European Students' Forum. Speakers, who came from several European countries including England, France, Germany, Ireland, and the U.S., provided students with the current state of environmental policy in the initial part of the conference. In the second half, students from Beyond Europe, the flagship project of AEGEE, facilitated and helped to organize student sessions so that they could further explore their own perspectives and questions about these issues.

The opening plenary lecture in the Palais Universitaire of the University of Strasbourg was given by career U.S. diplomat Vincent Carter, the United States Consul General in Strasbourg, on the topic "The U.S. and the EU: Indispensable Partners." Among other sessions, the students were also treated to an audio and visual presentation of the Hard Rain Project by renowned British photographer, Mark Edwards, whose photographs -- enhanced by the music of Bob Dylan’s famous song, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, challenged students to "reinvent the world so that it's compatible with nature and human nature."

BCA is one of the nation's oldest independent organizations committed to promoting international understanding and academic excellence through college study abroad programs for U.S. students. Since 2004, BCA has sponsored the annual conference so that students can explore the character and future of U.S.-European relations, as well as the fundamental differences between the European Union and the United States both structurally, and on important international issues. 

March 24, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "A cheerleading clinic for all Putnam County girls and boys in kindergarten through fifth grade will be conducted Friday, April 29," reports Greencastle's Banner Graphic. "Sponsored by the DePauw University cheerleaders, the cheer clinic is scheduled 4 to 8 p.m. in the DePauw Lilly Center gym."

Kerstin Walker, a DePauw junior and member of the cheerleading squad, tells the newspaper, "We had as much fun as the kids last year."

Read more at the newspaper's website.

March 24, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "Like many Hoosiers, Tim and Eleanor Ramseier were impressed by the calm character shown by Butler University men’s basketball coach Brad Stevens as his Bulldogs came within inches of last year's NCAA championship," begins a story in today's Terre Haute Tribune-Star.  The article reports that Stevens, a 1999 graduate of DePauw University, has agreed to speak at a May 3 fundraiser for Wabash Valley Youth for Christ, an organization led by Tim Ramseier, which  "involves more than 900 middle and high school students," reports Lisa Trigg. (photo: Stevens speaking at DePauw; April 13, 2010)

"Just 34 years old, Stevens has compiled a 114-24 record in four seasons as a college head coach, all at Butler," notes the newspaper. "His 2009-10 Bulldogs rolled up a 33-5 record, losing a 61-59 David-and-Goliath duel with heralded Duke in the NCAA Final on April 5, 2010. A potential game-winning halfcourt shot by Butler standout Gordon Hayward rattled off the rim at the buzzer. Three days later, Stevens, a Zionsville native and DePauw University graduate, signed a long-term contract with Butler ... This season, Stevens has the Bulldogs back in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen with a 25-9 record. Ten Butler players hail from the Hoosier state. They’ll face Wisconsin (25-8) at 9:57 p.m. today at New Orleans in the Southeast Regional semifinals."

“We are really excited that [Stevens] is willing to come and spend time with us,” Ramseier says.

You'll the find the full text -- "Much-talked-about Butler coach to speak in Terre Haute" -- at the Tribune-Star's website.

Learn more about Coach Stevens, who was an economics major, Management Fellow and basketball player at DePauw, in this story from yesterday.

March 24, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Mark McCoy, who will become the new dean of the DePauw University School of Music after 16 years at Shepherd University in  West Virginia, "leaves a legacy of bringing musical excellence to the Eastern Panhandle," declares an article in the Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Maryland. The text notes, "A native West Virginian, McCoy is an alumnus of Shepherd University, earning his bachelor's degree from the university before moving on to the Peabody Conservatory and Texas Tech for his graduate degrees. He returned to Shepherd in 1995 to lead the instrumental music program and became chair shortly thereafter."

"We're incredibly proud of all that Mark has accomplished," states Shepherd President Suzanne Shipley. "He has given so much back to students, indicative of the quality he came to expect in the Shepherd experience. Mark educates the whole person."

Richard Helldobler, vice president for academic affairs at Shepherd, adds, "We are appreciative of all that Dr. McCoy has accomplished on Shepherd's behalf. Under his leadership, the Department of Music became recognized by the state of West Virginia as a Program of Distinction and earned national accreditation with NASM (National Association of Schools of Music). Shepherd is committed to building upon that legacy in the years to come. We wish Dr. McCoy success in his new role and know that he will continue to represent us well as he makes his new mark in the midwest."

Dr. McCoy is conductor of the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra at Shepherd as well as the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, he is the artistic director for the Friends of Music Concert Series, and the founder and CEO of MusicFirst Festivals. The Herald-Mail points out, "McCoy was instrumental in bringing world renowned performances to the region including 2010 concerts by the Vienna Boys Choir and the Canadian Brass Quintet. He also led the successful Year of the Piano in 2004 that brought both Marvin Hamlisch and a Fazioli concert grand piano to Shepherd."

"This community will sorely miss Dr. McCoy," states Neal Barkus, president of the Friends of Music. "His vision and dedication to making music accessible to all people has transformed the quality of life that we enjoy in this region."

Access the article at the newspaper's website.

Founded in 1884, the DePauw University School of Music is one of the nation's oldest private institutions for post-secondary music instruction and the longest-running in Indiana. Read DePauw's announcement of Mark McCoy's appointment here.

March 24, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Grant Jenkins, a 2000 graduate of DePauw University, has joined J.P. Morgan as a vice president and private banker. He comes to his new post from Merrill Lynch, Payne & Mencias Group, where he was a financial adviser.

"Jenkins previously was a business development officer at Lehman Brothers," reports the Indianapolis Star's "On the Move" column. "Prior to that, he worked in sales and leasing at Colliers Turley Martin Tucker ... He is a board member for Indiana Living Green, Humane Society of Indianapolis and DePauw Old Gold Alumni Council."

Access the item at IndyStar.com.

March 24, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. —Sarah Ryan, director of civic opportunities at DePauw University, will be among the guests on tonight's edition of IN Focus.  The public affairs program, produced by Bloomington PBS affiliate WTIU-TV, airs live at 8 p.m. tonight. Ryan and other panelists will discuss volunteerism and community service.

A member of the DePauw staff for eight years, Ryan works with the Bonner Scholars Program, DePauw Community Service and Winter Term in Service and teaches a Winter Term course, "Civic Education: Connecting Classroom and Community."  She previously worked with DePauw's Compton Center for Peace and Justice and completed a year of service as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer.

Learn more about the program by clicking here.

March 25, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Alex Walsh, a 2003 graduate of DePauw University, has been appointed chief executive officer of Lithium Exploration Group (OTCBB: LEXG). "A seasoned professional with extensive experience in raising capital and forming strategic partnerships for young operating companies, Walsh has helped clients in a variety of industries expand their reach regionally, nationally and internationally," notes an announcement at Business Wire. "Walsh brings Lithium Exploration Group connections to some of the largest manufacturers of lithium-based battery products in China, India and North America."

"We are in an excellent position to capitalize on what is a very fragmented market," says Walsh, who majored in economics and management at DePauw. "With the right strategy and implementation there is nothing stopping Lithium Exploration Group from becoming an industry leader. Our properties in North and South America show great potential, and we will assemble the team required to develop/explore/realize that potential."

Read more by clicking here.

March 26, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — The DePauw University School of Music will host a unique collection of young musicians, the Indiana University Violin Virtuosi, for a master class and recital on Saturday, April 2, in the Judson and Joyce Green Center for Performing Arts. The master class will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the performance at 7:30; both take place in Thompson Recital Hall. The events are free and the public is invited to attend.

Members of the ensemble, which has performed around the world, are between the ages of 11 and 18. These gifted students study at the String Academy at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music; some live in Bloomington, while others commute from as far away as 250 miles.

The evening program will feature a broad range of works, showcasing the ensemble’s talents: Praeludium and Allegro by Kreisler; Mendelssohn's On Wings of Song, Op. 24, No. 2; Romanian Folk Dances by Bartok; Aus der Heimat (Andantino-Allegro vivo) by Smetana; Nigun by Bloch; Introducing Galia (2011) by Atar Arad; Slavonic Dance No. 3, by Dvorak; Paganini's Sonata No. 12 in E minor; Hoe Down from Rodeo (1942) by Copland; Brahms' Sonata in E minor, Op. 38 (Allegro non troppo); Sibelius' Concerto in D minor (Allegro, ma non troppo); and will conclude with Haydn's Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Hob.VIIb:2. 

The Virtuosi have performed throughout the world and recently concluded a three-week tour of Argentina. Concerts have included a Carnegie Recital Hall debut concert, five successful tours of France, and performances in Japan, Sweden, Spain and Italy.  NPR programs From the Top and Prairie Home Companion have featured the Virtuosi on their nationwide broadcasts.

Founded in 1884, the DePauw University School of Music is one of the nation's oldest private institutions for post-secondary music instruction and the longest-running in Indiana. Learn more here.

March 26, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "Removing prison inmates from population counts, making districts more compact and simple in shape and reducing the number of state legislators in each district were among public suggestions on how the Indiana General Assembly should redraw legislative and congressional maps in Indiana," according to the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. The newspaper reports on a hearing yesterday held by Republican lawmakers seeking public input on how redistricting will be done.

"Kelsey Kauffman, adjunct professor of university studies at DePauw University, recommended legislators not count state or federal prison inmates in population counts when establishing voting districts," notes the article.

"That means the boundaries of a district would have to expand out to take a like number of residents' in a district, according to Kauffman (pictured below).

Howard Greninger writes, "DePauw University student Shreeya Neupane said House District 9, in LaPorte County, has 8 percent of its district’s population from inmates, the most in the state. House District 46 in Vigo County has 5 percent of its district population from inmates, while House District 45 in Sullivan County has 3 percent of its population counted with inmates, and Senate District 39, in Sullivan County, has 4 percent."

The story adds, "DePauw student Stephen Shapiro said not counting inmates is politically neutral and constitutionally sound because inmates are 'disenfranchised, their residency is non-voluntary, are not participants in the local economy and are not beneficiaries of local government decisions.'"

Access the full summary at the Tribune-Star's website.

Another story detailing the activism of DePauw students can be found here.

March 26, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "Brad Stevens, the baby-faced Butler coach, and his team stayed poised in overcoming a double-digit deficit," notes the New York Times tonight of the 1999 DePauw University graduate who led his team to a 74-71 overtime win over Florida tonight, sending the Bulldogs to the NCAA's Final Four for the second consecutive year. "Despite trailing by 11 points with less than 10 minutes remaining against No. 2 Florida in Southeast Regional final, Butler looked unfazed. The Bulldogs engaged in a furious comeback, forced overtime on a free throw by Matt Howard and hung on," writes Pete Thamel. (photo: H. Darr Beiser/USA Today)

"We played resiliently," Stevens said after the game. "I'm incredibly proud."

Butler will play the winner of the Kansas-Virgina Commonwealth game in next weekend's Final Four.

Learn more about Coach Stevens, who was an economics major, Management Fellow and basketball player at DePauw, in this recent story.

Stevens and his coach at DePauw, Bill Fenlon, were cited in a Sports Illustrated column this week. (at right: Stevens in action as an undergraduate at DePauw)

On April 13, 2010, Stevens returned to his alma mater to deliver the Robert C. McDermond Lecture.

Also available is an online profile of Brad Stevens.

Another DePauw alumnus, Brad Brownell '91, led his Clemson Tigers to an NCAA tourney berth this year, defeating UAB in the opening round before losing to West Virginia.

March 27, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — An essay published in today's Chicago Tribune recounts the Winter Term 2010 experience of three DePauw University then-seniors -- Keith Chapman, Wicks Barkhausen and Ted Jacobi -- who spent the month of January traveling across the United States by train.  Chapman (pictured at left), who authored the piece, writes, "The three of us, all seniors at DePauw University, in Greencastle, Ind., had January off from school, so we decided that this was our chance to circumnavigate the country -- well, sort of. We would pass through 26 states of it. Many people spend a lifetime visiting that many states; we would do it in 25 days."

Chapman adds, "Friends and family claimed that even if the stars did align and Amtrak managed to run on time, the three of us would still be returning to Chicago on the first flight out of Seattle, cursing the slow and outdated mode of rail travel. High-speed rail it is not ... While many of our friends would use this month off to tour Europe, we were paying tribute to our great nation. It was as if we were connecting with our own history, heading west by using the same method of travel as so many generations before us." (at right: Jacobi, Barkhausen and Chapman on Wall Street in New York, one of the stops on their January 2010 journey)

At the end of the trip, Chapman recalls, "It was an odd feeling, to have viewed the territory so tediously and thoroughly and yet not be able to fathom and appreciate what we had just done. As we stood at the platform, having run out of things to say, Wicks broke the silence: 'I guess the maps don't lie. It is all out there.' If anything, this trip had confirmed that. It was an even stranger feeling, though, to have another unexpected thought crawl into my mind: I had a strong hunch that, after this, my next trip would be by train."

You'll find the complete essay -- "Around the nation in 25 days" -- at the Tribune's website.

March 27, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "Ever wondered about the animators, set designers and actors working on your favorite movies or TV shows? Well, some of them actually grew up right here in Indiana," writes Joe Shearer in today's Indianapolis Star. The piece, headlined "Hoosiers live the Hollywood dream," includes a profile of actor Drew Powell.

"A native of Lebanon and a graduate of DePauw University, Powell's love of acting grew out of the Avon movie theater ('featured in the movie Hoosiers, by the way,' he notes). Taken by the magic of cinema, Powell made the decision to head west while a senior at DePauw University, when he was offered a job as the youth director at a Northern California church. 'I packed up my car and headed west two weeks after graduation,' he said. Powell was noticed by a talent agent while doing a staged reading of Our Town at the church, and soon found himself in front of cameras shooting a role on the television show Malcolm in the Middle. That role (Cadet Drew) went over so well, it became a recurring one on the hit TV show."

The article continues, "Since then, Powell has appeared in numerous television shows, including The Office, ER, CSI, Cold Case, Without a Trace and Monk. His film credits include 1408 (opposite John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson), The Marine, Starship Troopers 2 and the upcoming remake of Straw Dogs." (at right: Powell with Steve Carell in an episode of The Office)

The piece notes that Powell recently performed in The Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway, which premiered on HBO this month, and has just finished shooting an episode of Memphis Beat.

The 1998 DePauw University graduate, who was an English (literature) major and Media Fellow, says acting gives him the "feeling of marrying the thrill of the performance with the almost mystic power of the cinema," and points to his role as Hoss Cartwright on the PAX series The Ponderosa as a life-changing opportunity.

"I got to play an iconic cowboy while living in the beautiful hill country outside of Melbourne, Australia, and I met my wife, all in nine months," Powell tells the Star. "That was a job that will not likely be topped."

You'll find more at IndyStar.com.

March 28, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — "Nancy McConnell, a 23-year real estate veteran, has joined William Raveis Real Estate's Greenwich-Old Greenwich offices," reports the reports the Post of Bridgeport, Connecticut. A 1961 graduate of DePauw University, McConnell was  formerly associated with Sotheby's International Realty's Old Greenwich office and "holds the professional designations of GRI, Graduate, Realtors Institute, and ABR, Accredited Buyer's Representative."

The article adds that Nancy (Hackler) McConnell "has been a tutor with Literacy Volunteers of Stamford and Greenwich, is a volunteer at the Rummage Room in Old Greenwich and sings with the choir at First Congregational Church."

Access the item at the newspaper's website.