DePauw UniversityLocal Atmosphere Summary

Written by Lynn Demos

Lynn Demos

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The city of Greencastle does not consist of more than about 15 stoplights. There is no mall, and after a month you have eaten at every option in town, maybe twice, and there are multiple times when your commute will be held up because you are caught behind farm equipment. Yet 2,000+ great, young minds trek out here each semester for their long awaited college experience. Greencastle is definitely not a cosmopolitan hub of the Midwest, or for that matter a place you could find unless you were really looking, but perhaps that is part of its charm. Although the local atmosphere is what many students consider one of DePauw's largest drawbacks, the town definitely allows full focus to be placed on college life. Not that the students here don't enjoy nightlife, they are just a bit more focused on schoolwork. This lends itself to the type of atmosphere they are surrounded by and does not pose a huge problem for them. DePauw students tend to be so involved with University events that times when they can actually get off campus are rare (which is good considering it's about a half hour drive to anything bigger and better).

Although there are times one may want shopping options greater than Wal-mart, the town offers a fabulously quaint setting for your four years of intellectual growth. The local people are friendly as long as students treat them well, and most are willing to participate in University events. If you can handle life without traffic or a wealth of nightclubs, you can find the simpler pleasures in Greencastle's great nature trails, covered bridges, elk farms, and mom-and-pop shops that surround campus.