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,

We hope you had a wonderful, restful holiday season and have been able to spend some time with your students if they were able to travel home for Winter Break.

As we near the beginning of spring semester, we share opportunities you can encourage your student to consider participating in. We also highlight ways that parents and families can help us support the professional success of our students.

We're excited to welcome your student back to campus this weekend and for the arrival of another fantastic semester!

Julie Tucker '09

Director of Family Engagement & the Denison Professional Network 

Your Engagement in Students' Career Development

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:

1:1 coffee chats with students — Provide students information about your field of work or provide feedback on resumes/cover letters, in-person or virtually.

Mock interviews — Conduct a virtual, phone, or in-person mock interview with a student who is preparing for an interview in your industry and/or graduate school program. The Knowlton Center also hosts mock interview days where alumni/families visit campus and conduct mock interviews.

Professional development & exploration conversations — Students engage in various organizations across majors, interests, and topics. Connect with affinity groups by offering talks on topics related to a group’s goal. For example, provide a talk on strategies for equity investing for the Investment Club, or talk to the Black Student Union about careers in healthcare. 

Job shadowing opportunities — Allow students to shadow you to help them gain a better understanding of the company culture and the “day in the life” of an employee. The Knowlton Center can partner to develop and promote a job shadowing opportunity, whether for a one-on-one visit or to bring a larger group of students to your location.

Offer internships — Post opportunities for Denison students or help champion recruitment of Denison student interns to your colleagues in HR.

Offer entry-level positions — Post opportunities to Denison students or young alums or help champion the recruitment of Denison students to your colleagues in HR.

Looking Ahead: Spring Opportunities

We encourage you to promote these opportunities to your student.

First-years and sophomores interested in careers in Finance are invited to apply for the Knowlton Center's Spring Break Trip to New York City focused on finance. 

Application Deadline: Jan. 19
Dates: March 10-13

There are still a few spots remaining on the Spring Break service trips to Atlanta (juvenile legal system) and Berkeley, South Carolina (Habitat for Humanity). Encourage your student to sign up.

Application Deadline: Jan. 16

Spring Semester is when we recruit students for leadership roles for 2024-2025 including Orientation Leaders, First-Year Fellows, Pre-Orientation Leaders, RED Corps Fellows, and Student Wellness Ambassadors.

Encourage your student to consider applying for one or more of these roles.

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement runs a robust, paid 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.

Application Deadline: Jan. 29

Denison Edge's spring lineup offers an array of accelerators, credentials, and workshops on many topics including Intro to Excel, Financial Management, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Marketing & Brand Strategy, Marketing Communications, Building Graphs in Excel, and Storytelling with Data.

Spring 2024 programs are now open for registration. 

Airport Shuttles: Winter Break 

On Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, we offer airport shuttles to campus at: 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 11 p.m.

Students can sign up on WhattoDU.

Is Your Student Considering Fraternity & Sorority Life?

Our Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life shares information about fraternities and sororities, especially for first-year families whose students might be considering going through the recruitment process.

For interested first-year students, the membership process for Greek-lettered organizations begins in early spring. In support of our student’s academic success, Denison delays the membership process to allow for positive adjustment to the academic rigor and general life of the college. Students are eligible to join recognized Greek-lettered organizations after they have completed 12 credit hours, earned a minimum 2.5 GPA, and completed the Collin’s Law Anti-Hazing training required under Ohio law. In partnership with the Provost’s office, students with an academic conduct record are not allowed to join fraternities and sororities at Denison. 

Currently, 19 values-based fraternities and sororities are recognized at Denison. Each of these organizations is formed around goals, aspirations, and the core values of academic excellence, career readiness, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, service, civic engagement, and social responsibility. Fraternities and sororities have specific member requirements, including membership fees, outlined throughout the recruitment processes. 

Read more»

Semester at a Glance

Note: Please don't book your student's May travel home until your student has confirmed their final exam schedule.

Subscribe to Denison's calendars»

Check out the latest issue of the Denison Magazine!

In our newest issue of the magazine, we demonstrate "Success 100 Ways" by featuring 100 Denisonians and celebrating the wildly diverse achievements of our alumni.

Read more»

The impressive work of Son Tran ’24 shows what can be achieved through faculty mentorship.

Read more»

Students packed an Olin Science Hall classroom to hear teams make persuasive arguments for favorite minerals. Who knew rocks could be this much fun?

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 webpage2024 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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