Casey to speak at United Way event

Brian W. Casey, who will become president of DePauw University on July 1, will be the keynote speaker at this year's United Way of Putnam County's Kick-Off Breakfast and Day of Caring event, United Way executive director David English has announced.

The breakfast is slated to begin at 8 a.m. on Sept. 5. Although the location has not been finalized, English said it will most likely be held at the Walden Inn Convention Center.

"This will be Dr. Casey's first public engagement outside the DePauw community," English said. "A very large crowd is expected."

Casey, 44, came to DePauw from Harvard University, where he was associate dean for academic affairs in the faculty of arts and sciences. He will be the university's 19th president. Casey's appointment to the post was announced in February after an intensive nine-month search was conducted.

His predecessor, Robert G. Bottoms, was the longest-serving president in DePauw history, having been in office since 1986.

Casey's career also includes a stint as assistant provost at Brown University. He was a professor at both Brown and Harvard.

Before becoming an educator, Casey worked as an attorney with Wall Street law firm Davis, Polk & Wardwell.

More than 200 candidates stepped forward to vie for the president's position at DePauw.

Casey was born and raised in New Jersey and is a gradaute of the University of Notre Dame, where he earmed bachelor's degress in philosophy and economics. He was captain of ND's varsity swim team.

He earned a degree from Stanford University Law School in 1988, graduating with honors. He was a member of and article editor for the Stanford Law Review.

Casey earned his Ph.D in the history of American civilization from Harvard.