Spring has transformed The Hill, and with the blooming trees and flowers comes the energy of the final stretch of the academic year. April is a pivotal month; students are balancing the intensity of final projects with the excitement of warmer weather and a campus that just celebrated two NCAA National Titles in a single day! There is a palpable sense of momentum in the air.
April is also a month of big moves and making plans. It’s when students finalize their housing for next year and lock in their fall course schedules. For our first-year students especially, this can be a daunting process to navigate for the first time. In this month’s guide, we’ve included helpful information on key registration dates, special support events, summer internship programs, and opportunities through the Knowlton Center, and much more. Our goal is to provide you with the tools to support your student as they finish the semester.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Go Big Red!
Bryce Benton
Associate Director, Family Engagement & Lifelong Learning
Now that the weather is nicer, what’s your favorite way to spend time outdoors on campus?
How are your final projects or exams shaping up? Is there a specific goal you’re pushing toward this month?
What’s one thing you’re really looking forward to before the semester ends?
Highlights from The Hill
Eboo Patel, interfaith leader, to keynote Denison Commencement
Patel, a prominent civic leader and author, who has been recognized as "one of America's best leaders" by U.S. News & World Report, will speak at the college's 185th Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16. Read more about Patel's career.
One big day, two Big Red national titles
In a matter of hours on Saturday, March 21, Denison women's basketball and men's swimming and diving proved they were tops in DIII athletics by delivering two NCAA titles! Read more about this exciting achievement.
Want to commemorate these historic wins? Official National Championship apparel is now available for purchase!
Visual Arts Majors Senior Exhibition, “It Was Never Just Then”
April 24
The Visual Arts majors of the Class of 2026 proudly present this year’s senior exhibition at the Denison Museum on April 24. “It Was Never Just Then” serves as a culmination of their artistic practices developed during their time at Denison.
A wide range of work will be presented in the exhibition, including painting, fiber and textile work, installation, printmaking, and digital media. Together, the exhibition highlights the diverse approaches and conceptual inquiries emerging from Denison’s graduating visual artists.
The Department of Music Theatre at Denison presents “Spring Awakening”
April 30 - May 3
Winner of eight Tony Awards, “Spring Awakening” is a powerful, rock-driven coming-of-age musical that explores the restless yearning and suffocating alienation of adolescence. Set in 1891 Germany, the story follows a group of young classmates as they navigate desire and self-discovery in a rigid, unforgiving society.
This event is free but tickets are required. Reserve your tickets at artsatdenison.ludus.com.
Big Red Athletics
Golf, lacrosse, tennis, track and field, baseball, and softball will be in full swing in April! Check here to see if Denison athletics will be in your neck of the woods and show your Big Red pride! You can always watch our teams in action on the Denison Sports Network.
Course Registration and Housing Selection
Fall course registration and housing selection will take place this month!
Rising seniors registered for classes on Tuesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 2, and selected housing on Thursday, April 2.
Rising juniors will register for classes on Tuesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 9, and select housing on Thursday, April 9.
Rising sophomores will register for classes on Tuesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 16, and select housing on Thursday, April 16. Encourage your first-year student to attend the following programs if they have questions or concerns, as they will be navigating this process on their own for the first time:
Friday, April 10: Ready, Set, Learn to Select! 3-5 p.m., Bandersnatch (our student-run cafe in the basement of Huffman Hall). Walk through the process of housing selection with RCH staff, while enjoying free food, activities, and therapy dogs.
Sunday, April 12: Advising Open Drop-In Hours, 7-9 p.m., Bandersnatch. Bring your laptop and get assistance from First-Year Fellows and advising staff with your course registration plans (NOTE: Students should have already had an appointment with their academic advisor before attending this drop-in session).
Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14: Evening tours of residence halls are still available for rising sophomore housing selection. Start time and location to be determined by what is available. Students should check their email and @denisonfye on Instagram for updates.
Working with Faculty Advisor/Course Registration
When it comes to course registration, the faculty advisor relationship is key. The faculty advisor ensures the student meets graduation requirements, but the student is ultimately responsible for managing their progress toward degree completion. Before your student sits down with their advisor, encourage them to prepare. An advisor is much more likely to go the extra mile for a student who arrives organized. Encourage your student to use the Degree Evaluation tool in MyDenison to identify the courses they have completed and what requirements remain.
Students should review the course catalog and identify class descriptions that sound interesting. Have them make the list and then review that list with their faculty advisor. Students should draft a preliminary list of classes they are interested in and develop a mock schedule. Suggest they create a "Plan A" and a "Plan B" (in case classes are full). Students should avoid asking "What should I take?" Instead, they should ask, "I’m interested in X career; which elective classes and opportunities would best prepare me for that?" These four years go quickly and careful course registration and work with a faculty advisor are key to getting the most out of the curriculum.
Move-out Shuttles
Denison coordinates group shuttle services to John Glenn International Airport for our students leaving campus for the summer. Shuttles cost $20. Students are sent an email with information on signing up directly on WhatToDU approximately one month before the first shuttle. Please note that students must log in with their Denison credentials to sign up for a shuttle. Questions can be directed to clic@denison.edu.
Commencement Day, Saturday, May 16: 4 p.m., 6 p.m.
Knowlton Updates
If your student hasn't secured summer plans, there's still time! The Knowlton Center can help connect them with internships, jobs, research positions, and volunteer opportunities that are still accepting applications.
Denison Internship Program highlights
Internships at Denison aren't just summer jobs, they're intentional learning experiences. Through the Denison Internship Program, students receive support before, during, and after their internship, complete a structured Canvas course, and earn a transcript notation that validates their experience. Whether your student participates in a Knowlton-curated opportunity (like Signature Internships or Impact On-Campus Internships) or secures their own position, the program ensures they prepare strategically, reflect meaningfully, and clearly communicate what they've learned. It's how Denison helps students turn summer work into career readiness.
Denison Edge Programs
Denison Edge programs are available at no cost to current students and alumni for up to 10 years after graduation. This summer, students can take advantage of a wide range of fully online programs designed to fit their schedule, wherever they are. Explore and register for programs in AI, marketing, finance, analytics, business, logistics, and more — all taught by experienced industry professionals. Programs are also available for families and friends! This lineup can also be found on Knowlton Connect and Handshake.
Journey - Retreat for your Career
As your student wraps up their first year, it's worth knowing about Journey — a signature sophomore retreat at Salt Fork Lodge where students reflect, clarify their direction, and build confidence through meaningful conversations with classmates. Your student will receive registration details soon and can choose from three sessions: Summer, Fall Break, or Winter Break.
Summer Micro-Interships
Denison is excited to offer families a unique way to engage with current students—by hosting a Summer 2026 Micro-Internship! These short-term (40 hour), remote, paid (by Denison through generous donor support) professional projects allow students to showcase their skills, explore career paths, and expand their networks. Plus, they provide immediate support and a potential pipeline of future talent at no cost to your organization.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with talented Denisonians! Learn more and post a project. If you have any questions please reach out to Jessica Hall, Director Industry Partnerships - halljm@denison.edu.
Help kick off — and amplify — Denison's Day of Giving!
This spring, Denison celebrates our annual Day of Giving, making a real difference for students! You can give now and have your gift counted for the April 22 event, and you can sign up to be a Day of Giving advocate. It's an easy, fun, and flexible way to spread the word about supporting Denison.
At Denison, we are constantly looking for ways to improve the campus experience, both in and out of the classroom. To help us keep advancing, encourage your student to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) by April 20.
The NSSE is a national survey that asks students about their experiences at their college or university. Student feedback provides us with vital data on:
How students spend their time and what they gain from their classes.
The quality of their interactions with faculty and peers.
How we can better support their academic and personal growth.
On March 23, seniors received an invitation to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The survey invitation was sent directly to your student’s Denison email account.
Stay connected
Keep up with everything at Denison via the links below and by following us on our social platforms.
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