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 end of the semester, we want to share opportunities you can encourage your student to take advantage of over Winter Break. Given that our break is four weeks long, it is an excellent time for students to dive deeper into career exploration through Denison's on-campus Winter Break programs through the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration and Red Frame Lab.

We have found that while students appreciate those first few weeks to rest up, travel, and spend time with family and friends, many also appreciate the opportunity to channel their energies into something enriching, especially as they explore possible paths for their post-Denison future. 

Winter Break Opportunities

Seniors are invited to return to campus early to dive in on their career preparation: strengthen resume and cover letters, search for jobs with side-by-side career coach support, and complete many applications, all while having fun.

Application Deadline: Dec. 7
Return to Campus: Jan. 9
Program Dates: Jan. 10-12

Sophomores and juniors engage in an immersive career exploration experience to identify their personal career thesis, develop a career planning roadmap, and complete an updated resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.

Application Deadline: Dec. 7
Return to Campus: Jan. 10
Program Dates: Jan. 11-12

User experience (UX) design is about creating a better experience and is a fun and a great way to build professional skills. Students work in teams on a real UX challenge and then present recommendations to a client.

Registration Deadline: Dec. 8
Program Dates: Jan. 11-13

Through Ask a Denisonian, students have access to the power of the Denison network. Students ask their own questions on topics like careers, grad school, or choosing a path, and then AI-powered technology matches them with Denison alums well-suited to answer their question.

Encourage your student to use Ask a Denisonian over break to connect with alums in their area to set up informational interviews, in person or virtually. 

Airport Shuttles: Winter Break 

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.

Students can sign up on WhattoDU.

Upcoming Dates & Breaks

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

Subscribe to Denison's calendars

Conversation Starters with Your Student

Use the long break to check in with your student about the semester. If you are searching for some conversation starters, here are some possibilities as suggested by our faculty:

Dr. Joe Reczek, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Do you have any stories about what your professors get really excited about in class? Which of your professors are really interesting or funny? Tell me about it!  

Which of your friends do you feel truly “get” you?  

Do you feel like your professors know you? Have you gotten to know any of them yet? What are they like? Do you feel like they understand what you’re trying to say in class and in your papers?

Dr. Sarah Rundell, Advising

As you think about your entire semester, where did you feel excitement and passion in your classes?  Hint: This can often be a signal to students about where their interests lie and what they might like to major in.

How do you feel about your academic performance this semester? And what are you excited about for Spring Semester?

Upcoming Opportunities

Summer Research: The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement runs a robust Summer Scholars Program, where students pursue full-time independent research or collaborative work under the close mentorship of a faculty member. This provides students with a unique venue to experiment with ideas and artistic expression, pursue an intellectual passion, and/or focus intently on a question over a sustained period of time. All Summer Scholars receive stipends. Applications are due Jan. 29.

Spring Break Service Trip: Denison is offering two Spring Break Service Trips, March 10-16, to Atlanta (juvenile legal system) and South Carolina (Habitat for Humanity). Encourage your student to sign up.

Three of our fall sports teams were NCAC Tournament Champions! Congratulations to our men's soccer, women's soccer, and field hockey teams.

Denison has been recognized as the top university for student-teacher interaction as part of the 2023 Global Student Satisfaction Awards. The program, which highlights global and regional trends in what students value, surveys more than 120,000 students worldwide. Denison earned the top prize in the category that asked: “How helpful, engaged, and interested were your teachers with you?” 

Read more»

Jan. 31 at 6 p.m.

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. Join us in a city near you!

Tuesday, Jan. 23: Miami, FL       

Monday, Feb. 5: Bonita Springs, FL

Tuesday, Feb. 6: St. Petersburg, FL

Wednesday, Feb. 7: Vero Beach, 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 Weinberg at these receptions, where you will learn more about what’s in store for Denison. 

Commencement 2024

Mark your calendars for May 11, 2024, for commencement. We encourage you to book your hotel now. Check out the 2024 Commencement webpage for more information.

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, events, and opportunities for students and their families. Please mark your calendars!

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