Denison's Family Guide is both a source of campus news (there are really cool things happening here) and a resource to help your student flourish. Ultimately, we want to help your student take control and build their own unique experience — and we know your partnership is essential to making that happen.

Dear Denison Families,

As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, we want to express gratitude to our parents and families. It's been a wonderful semester, and we are grateful to our Denison families for all you have done to support your student. Each of your students makes our campus and our community stronger, more vibrant, and a better place, and we are so grateful that they, and you, chose us! 

And your students are grateful to you as well. Here are just a few of their thanks for all you do:

Dear Mom and Dad, thank you so much for helping me achieve a college education and providing me with support, reinforcement, and love throughout my time at Denison! I have loved every second! -Colleen Boyle '24

I show gratitude to my parents for making sacrifices, whether it be sending me to a certain school or allowing me to play for a certain sports team. They were always allowing me to follow my dreams and I greatly appreciate my parents for allowing me to choose what was best for me. -Danny McKay '26

From seasonal airport dropoffs to weekly check-in phone calls, my parents have been champions of my Denison education from our home in New York. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine my college experience being possible without their support. -Alex Pan '24

I am so grateful to my parents for giving me the gift of being educated at Denison. Nothing is more valuable than the intellectual, social, and personal growth I have experienced on this campus. And I thank my parents daily for guiding me while I pursue my degree at this incredible institution.  -Delaney Servick '26

My dad and grandma were my inspiration to go to college because they always pushed me to be the best I can be. For that, I’m grateful for them. -Caden Hazelton '27

'If you want me to get that gift, you have to get me something in return. Learn hard and gift me very good grades!' That was my dad's go-to response whenever I wanted the newest toy or game, and I remember always being annoyed. Looking back, I am extremely grateful for the discipline that my parents instilled in me to work hard to achieve all that I want out of this life." -Chief Ofosu-Siaw '24

In this issue:

Course Registration for Spring 2024

Students are currently selecting and registering for Spring 2024 courses. Encourage your student to connect with their faculty advisor. These advising conversations are crucial for helping your student to take full advantage of their Denison education and journey.

During these conversations, your student's advisor will:

Course Registration Schedule

Upcoming Dates & Breaks

Note: We previously published a Dec. 20 date for residence hall closing; therefore, if families already booked a flight adhering to that date, please reach out to housing@denison.edu to confirm a Dec. 20 departure.

Subscribe to Denison's calendars.

Airport Shuttles: Thanksgiving Break

Denison offers shuttles for students to and from the airport for Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks for $10 one way. Your student can login to WhattoDU to book their shuttle.

Shuttle times to the Columbus Airport (CMH) are as follows: (times reflect departure time from campus)

After break, shuttle returns from the Columbus Airport to campus are as follows: (times reflect departure time from CMH) 

Sunday, Nov. 26: 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m.

Looking Ahead: Winter Break Airport Shuttles

Shuttles to the Columbus Airport will run daily beginning on Friday, Dec. 15 through Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, Dec. 20, there will be a 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. shuttle.

After break, on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, we will offer these airport shuttles to campus: 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m.

Thanksgiving Break: Conversations with your Student (FY)

For some first-year students, Thanksgiving Break might be the first time they are home or back with family since Move-In Day. It can be a good time to check in with your student about the semester. If you are searching for some conversation starters, here are some possibilities:

From Our Faculty

We asked some of our faculty what questions they would recommend you pose to your student. Here are some fantastic suggestions:

Scholarships & Fellowships

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement helps students identify and apply for competitive fellowships and awards. Some upcoming opportunities include:

Critical Language Scholarship

Gaither Junior Fellows Program

DAAD RISE Internship

Projects for Peace

Each summer, Denison also runs a robust Summer Scholars Program, where students pursue full-time independent research or collaborative work under the close supervision of a faculty member. Encourage your student to learn more about it during an info session on Nov. 13.

Crews have been hard at work upgrading the softball field to turf. With the completion of this project, Denison’s softball facilities are now among the best in NCAA Division III athletics, giving our student-athletes a competitive advantage and a safer playing surface.

It’s never too early to get excited for opening day next March!

We recently launched a new and simple tool to help students leverage the power of the Denison network like never before. In Ask a Denisonian, students get to ask their own questions, whether about career, grad school, choosing a path, or something else and then AI-powered technology matches them with Denison alums well-suited to answer their question. 

6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14
Columbus, OH | Register now»

Tuesday, Jan. 23: Miami, FL

Monday, Feb. 5: Ft. Myers, FL

Tuesday, Feb. 6: St. Petersburg, FL

Tuesday, Mar. 5: Boston, MA

Tuesday, Mar. 19: Charlotte, NC

Tuesday, Apr. 30: Chicago, IL

We’re bringing our “fair college on The Hill” to you! Connect with area Denisonians, members of the Board of Trustees, and President Adam Weinberg at these receptions, where you will learn more about what’s in store for Denison. 

6 p.m., Nov. 8 | Register now»

Denison has been recognized as a leader in promoting the value of open expression and working together across differences.

Join us at the Washington offices of Optoro for a night of intellectual engagement and inquiry. Employing a debate format, we will discuss the topic voted on by the community: artificial intelligence. 

6 p.m., Nov. 11 | Register now»

Join us for a fun afternoon in Chicago. Meet and socialize with other Denison alums and families while bowling and then cheer on women's basketball as they compete against Wisconsin-Superior Yellow Jackets in Chicago.

6 p.m., Jan. 31 

For one night in each year, alums, families, and friends of Denison gather to celebrate their connection to the college and each other in cities around the world.

Save the Date: Family Weekend 2024

For the past decade, Big Red Weekend has combined Family Weekend and Homecoming (traditionally an alumni-focused weekend). We're excited to announce that in 2024, we will celebrate a standalone Family Weekend: Sept. 27-29. The weekend will include dedicated programming, events, and opportunities for students and their families. Please mark your calendars!

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