I volunteer at the Asheville, NC, Habitat Restore. I was working the cash register recently, and a woman checking out remarked about my wedding band. She said, “That is an unusual design!” I told her I designed this and my wife’s wedding bands in lost wax 45 years ago.

I learned lost wax jewelry design from DePauw University Art professor Bing Davis during the winter term 1972. This experience made me think about returning to DePauw this June 2025 for my 50th college reunion.

DePauw University had a significant impact on my life.

Some professors challenged my thinking, my beliefs, and my values. Anthropology professor Robert Fornaro taught me critical thinking. Psychology professor Harry Hawkins challenged me to examine my childhood and how it shaped me. Econ professor Ralph Gray taught me the economics of crime! Music professor John Sox opened my eyes and ears to opera! Religion professor Robert Eccles introduced me to my core values of compassion, justice, and humility, which I still hold myself accountable to, and one of my tattoos! I spent a week in the infirmary during my freshman year under the care of Dr. Roger Roof, who was treating me for mono! My first computer interaction was in 1974 at the Computer Center.

I recall Margaret Mead, Abby Hoffman, William F. Buckley, and Tina Turner coming to DePauw and listening to them.

DePauw is where I learned to live in a community with 60 other men who shared common space, showers, meals, and beer! Delta Upsilon fraternity brothers still call me by my nickname, “Austin,” given to me the first day I moved in after rush.

I fell in love at DePauw, and while it didn’t last, it taught me a lot more about myself so that I could be in a committed relationship.

I remember a significant conversation while walking with Bob Geising just before our graduation, who pointed out that we had been solving the world’s problems for the past four years, and we were about to graduate and start solving our problems! I am now trying to do both!

I am at the point in my life where I have become mindful that this may be the last time I experience something or someone, including returning to the DePauw campus. I look forward to returning to DePauw and thinking, “Remember when…”