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.

Denison Hilltoppers in the National Spotlight

This was the gig of a lifetime for the Denison Hilltoppers, singing a cappella to a crowd of 40,000 in Pennsylvania, one of the opening acts for a Punxsutawney Phil, with the mystical power to declare an early end to winter. Read more»

Career Resources

Denison's Knowlton Center for Career Exploration provides assistance and resources to students at any point of their career journey. We highlight a few resources below that you can encourage your student to utilize this Spring:

Personalized Career Coaching: Students work 1-on-1 with a career coach who can help connect them to resources and navigate the career exploration process. 

Searching for Internships: The Denison Internship Program guides students through the internship process and can also provide stipends for low-paid internships in some cases.

Career Readiness Bootcamp: Over three days, students master career basics, explore industries and career paths, network with Denison alumni and professionals, and fine tune their interviewing skills.

Journey Program: This program helps students to reflect on the kind of work that is fulfilling and determine what success means to them. Upcoming opportunities are February 23-24 and March 11-12.

Ask A Denisonian: Tapping into the power of Denison's network of 40,000+ alumni, students can ask a question, which is then answered by an alum with experience and background relevant to their ask. This often leads to in-person, Zoom, or phone conversations.

Career Communities: Seven unique communities provide industry knowledge, internship and job postings, resources, events and opportunities, connections with professionals, and more.

Learn more on the Knowlton Center's webpage. 

Check out the most recent Denison Magazine which highlights the professional success and strong networks of our alumni.

Supporting Your First-Year Student in Navigating Second Semester

As your student is settling into the new semester, it can be helpful to check in with them about how the semester is going. Here are some key questions to ask your student:

Do you have everything you need to be successful this semester? Have they developed and implemented a plan to stay organized? 

What will you do differently this semester to get the most out of your classes? Encourage your student to meet with each of their faculty and academic advisor in these first weeks of the semester. Meeting with these individuals prior to needing a letter of recommendation, assistance in class, or advice on a situation makes the second visit easier. 

How will you get involved in campus life outside of classes? It is never too late to join a club or organization on campus. This can also be a great time to evaluate if your student needs to step away from a few of the involvement opportunities from the fall. At the very least, encourage your student to invite their roommate to lunch, ask a friend to a campus event, or reach out to the neighbor across the hall to study with them outside of their residence hall room. 

What are you planning to do this summer? They have a little while before they need to know exactly what their plan is. Now is a great time for them to schedule an appointment with the Knowlton Center to work on their resume, interview skills, or expand their network. 

Remind them to engage fully at Denison. Going to each class prepared and ready to engage is important. There are also many opportunities from athletic events, arts performances, speakers, and activities happening all over campus each day. If they fail to show up, they won't experience all that their Denison degree has to offer.

Encourage them to reach out to me. If I do not have the answer to their question, I am happy to connect them with the amazing network of support available to them. 

Nathan Graves
Associate Dean for Student Support, Director of Orientation & First-Year Experience

Upcoming Opportunity: ReMix+Women

We encourage you to promote this opportunity to your student.

We're hosting ReMix+Women, a conference dedicated to celebrating the power within the Denison alumni female community. Keynotes include Lisa McKnight '90 (Mattel/Barbie) and Abigail Pringle '96 (The Wendy's Company).

Encourage your student to register today.

Looking Ahead: Spring Break 

Denison's Spring Break is March 11-15. Residence halls close March 9 at 9 a.m. and reopen March 17 at 9 a.m. Students can sign up for a Spring Break Airport Shuttle on WhattoDU.

Resource Spotlight: The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement

As Denison’s intellectual hub, the Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement supports the academic and professional growth of students through a variety of opportunities that enrich the student experience on campus and beyond. Some of the resources that the Lisska Center provides include:

Learn more about the Lisska Center here and encourage your student to visit the Center in Fellows Hall.

Upcoming Dates

Subscribe to Denison's calendars»

Denison’s Red Frame Lab consulting program is coming off a banner fall semester, when teams of students worked with corporate clients to build better businesses, from battery technology to fast-food industries.

Read more about students’ work with OnPoint Warranty Solutions, NC4K, Wendy's International, an out-of-state battery technology company, and Bailey Bug. 

Here's just a preview of Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium, our new state-of-the-art lacrosse and soccer facility, with a multi-use synthetic turf field, press box, bleachers, lighting, and scoreboard. Men's and women's lacrosse are excited to use this field this spring.

The Denison community honored the words, actions, and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with campus events and conversations.

Read more»

In this 3-day January experience, through workshops with the Knowlton Center and interactions with alumni, 69 seniors now have stronger resumes, amazing LinkedIn profiles, solid job search strategies, and the tools they need to network like a pro. Students connected with 15 alumni, 10 recruiters, and 10 Denison staff.

You may be surprised (or not) by the number of Denisonians who showed up in your inbox, on your TV, and across your social channels last year. Let’s reminisce about Denison alums’ involvement in some of last year’s top pop culture moments, including Barbie, Snoop Dogg, and Amazon’s best-selling book.

Wednesday, Feb. 7: Vero Beach, FL

Tuesday, Mar. 5: Boston, MA

Tuesday, Mar. 19: Charlotte, NC

Tuesday, Apr. 30: Chicago, IL

Monday, July 29: Jackson Hole, WY

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

Do you know a rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior interested in the performing arts? Encourage them to apply for Summer TUTTI, a Denison on-campus experience designed to help students explore the arts under the guidance of professionals in music, dance, and theater. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by March 1. Learn more»

Glimpses of The Hill: January 2024

Some photos of students in action in January 2024.

Mark your calendars for Family Weekend 2024!

For the past decade, Big Red Weekend has combined Family Weekend and Homecoming. We're excited that in 2024, we will celebrate a standalone Family Weekend: Sept. 27-29, 2024. The weekend will include programs, receptions, an athletic tailgate, and opportunities for students and their families. Please mark your calendars! 

Want to support the professional journey of students?

Over the past few months, parents and families have reached out asking how they can help contribute to the career development of other Denison students, so we wanted to share ways that we invite families to engage: 1-on-1 coffee chats, mock interviews, exploration conversations, job shadowing, internships, and entry-level positions

Get involved»

Update Your Info

Have you moved recently? Would you prefer we contact you at a different email address? Families can update their contact information using the form below.

Update your info»

Quick Links:

Athletics

Student Wellness

Arts

Denison Forward

Denison Magazine

Knowlton Center

Student Events

Academic Calendar