ALUMNI NEWS
OU ALUMNI STAY CONNECTED
SPRING 2019
CARILLON A L U M N I N E W S
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ANNOUNCEMENT OU announcement from the Board of Trustees Chairman
EDITOR: Mary Rinaldi Winn
SPRING 2019
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PETREL PROFILES OU sports in the last 10 years
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CLASS NOTES News and notes from classmates
CONTRIBUTORS: Mark DeLong ‘03, Deborah Love ‘08, Kristen Obaranec, Katherine Peavy ‘92, Chelcie Juliet Rowell ‘09, Mary Rinaldi Winn, Clara St. Urbain ’14, Tim Tassopoulos ‘81, Benn Wineka PHOTOGRAPHY: Henry Bradley, Mary Rinaldi Winn PROJECT MANAGER: Kristen Obaranec DESIGN: Niki Walker Design PRINTING: Standard Press Carillon Alumni News is published twice a year for alumni of Oglethorpe University. Founded in 1835, Oglethorpe is a private liberal arts college.
ON THE COVER: Alumni celebrate the 25th anniversary of OU men’s golf with an invitational (tournament) at The Georgia Club in Statham, Georgia. THIS PAGE: Members of the Golden Petrels (50th reunion class and earlier years) gather with OU President Larry Schall at the Golden Petrels Luncheon following Commencement on May 18, 2019.
LETTER FROM ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT
CELEBRATING INDIVIDUALS By Mark DeLong ’03 President, Oglethorpe University Alumni Board
University life is cyclical—we welcome students to campus in the fall semester; Boar’s Head starts the holiday season for many Stormy Petrels; spring brings Alumni Weekend and commencement; summer means the end of each year’s annual fund and a chance to start all over again. No year is the same, but two Ogle-highlights for me are always the Alumni Awards ceremony during Alumni Weekend and commencement. Both celebrate the amazing individuals who make Oglethorpe such a special place and who help to make each year different than the last. For our graduating seniors (now alumni!) commencement is the culmination of their years studying and preparing for graduate schools and careers. It’s a chance to celebrate the entrepreneurs who’ve started businesses while in school, those
We can’t all fund a mega-gift to support a new school, to issue a challenge to alumni donors, or to name a building, but we can each make a difference on a personal level. ”
who’ve found their passion and discovered a way to bring it to life, those who’ve engaged the on-campus community and will hopefully continue to connect with fellow alumni in the years to come. Likewise, the Alumni Awards are a chance to check in on alumni to see how they’ve continued to pursue their passions and engage the community around them. If you weren’t able to make it to campus for this year’s awards, the winners are profiled in this issue. Read their stories and think of Petrels you know who have great accomplishments. Nominations will open again in the fall! To help us focus on individuals, this year the Alumni Association repurposed the Admissions committee into a Student Engagement committee. This group will still assist with Scholarship Weekend, but they will also help with the annual student traditions sponsored by the Alumni
Office. It’s just another way that we, as alumni, can better connect with current students to support their growth and to learn their stories. My cycle as president of the Alumni Association comes to an end this summer, but my quest to celebrate individuals will continue. We can’t all fund a mega-gift to support a new school, to issue a challenge to alumni donors, or to name a building, but we can each make a difference on a personal level. Reach out to a classmate you haven’t connected with recently. Talk to someone new at an alumni event. Volunteer to help students craft their resumes or practice for job interviews. You might make someone’s day—and that’s something to celebrate. Have a story idea? Want to write an article? We want to hear from you! Contact Mary Rinaldi Winn, mrinaldiwinn@oglethorpe.edu, 404-364-8412. OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
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ON CAMPUS
LETTER TO ALUMNI AND FRIENDS Dear Oglethorpe University Alumni, It is with heartfelt appreciation that I share with you that Larry Schall has chosen to end his term as President of Oglethorpe University, effective June 30, 2020. Larry has had an incredible tenure at Oglethorpe over the past 14 years, ushering our institution into an era of unprecedented innovation and growth. Under Larry’s leadership, Oglethorpe is stronger than ever—academically, philanthropically, and financially—positioning us to continue developing the next generation of global citizens and leaders for years to come. As an expression of gratitude to Larry, I want to share with you some of his most noteworthy accomplishments. Under Larry’s leadership since 2005, enrollment is up nearly 50 percent and endowment has more than doubled. Donations to Oglethorpe have reached historic levels and Oglethorpe has cut its debt in half while increasing revenue and assets dramatically. One of Larry’s most significant achievements occurred in 2017, when Oglethorpe secured a $50 million gift to establish the Q. William Hammack, Jr. School of Business—the largest gift in Oglethorpe’s history and the largest to a liberal arts school to establish a school of business. During Larry’s tenure we have seen the addition of new residence halls; the award-winning Turner Lynch Campus Center; a new residential apartment complex with state-of-the-art classrooms; expanded arts and athletics facilities; and the new I.W. “Ike” Cousins Center for Science and Innovation. The University also established five global campuses and founded an experiential learning incubator, the Atlanta Laboratory for Learning (A_LAB). I am excited for Oglethorpe’s future as we build on the strong foundation Larry has established for us and I am thankful for the Trustees, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and the rest of the Oglethorpe community who have partnered with Larry to achieve such success over the last 14 years. A presidential search committee is being established with the goal of having a successor selected before Larry’s departure in 2020. This committee will be led by Cameron Bready ‘94, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Tammy Pearson ‘86, Secretary of the Board of Trustees. They will work together to establish a group of fellow trustees, faculty, and students, to form a recommendation for a new visionary leader which will be presented to the full Board. We are truly grateful for Larry’s leadership and wish him our very best as he prepares the University for this transition and as he and Betty begin an exciting new chapter in their lives.
Sincerely, Tim Tassopoulos ‘81, Chair, Board of Trustees
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CARILLON Alumni News | Spring 2019
PETREL PROFILES
MEET THE 2019 ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS By Chelcie Juliet Rowell ’09
TALMAGE AWARD The Talmage Award recipient contributes time, talent or financial resources to one or more programs of the university and/or is distinguished in the business or professional world. Dean DuBose Smith ’70 is the recipient of the Talmage Award in recognition of her philanthropy toward the university and other Atlanta-area cultural institutions. Dean led the 2018 alumni giving challenge, matching every alumni gift dollar for dollar up to $1 million for the new I.W. “Ike” Cousins Center for Science and Innovation. In addition to serving on the Oglethorpe Board of Trustees since 2010, Dean has served on the Boards of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Forward Arts Foundation and the Center of Puppetry Arts.
CARILLON AWARD The Carillon Award recognizes alumni, or past or present faculty members, who have made lasting contributions in education, civic engagement, or innovation. Angela Satterfield ’97 is the recipient of the Carillon Award for her contributions to secondary education in Georgia. Teaching is her family business: her father was her high school principal, and both her mother and sister teach high school English. During the 2018–2019 school year, she helped to open Denmark High School in Forsyth County, where she serves as chair of the English department. In his nomination letter,
Left to Right: Dean DuBose Smith ‘70, Angela Satterfield ‘97, Jody Stephenson ‘03, and Awet Woldegebriel ‘14 Randy Roberson ’97 wrote, “Like our professors at Oglethorpe, Angela expects much from her students and helps them develop a better understanding of language and communication.”
SPIRIT OF OGLETHORPE AWARD The Spirit of Oglethorpe Award is presented to an alum who lives by the Oglethorpe motto, Make a life. Make a living. Make a difference., demonstrating the attributes of a liberal arts education by exhibiting creativity, purposefulness, and a commitment to improving the quality of their community. Jody Stephenson ’03 is the recipient of the Spirit of Oglethorpe Award. As executive director of The Rockdale Foundation, Jody guides the foundation’s partnerships with local leaders in Sierra Leone’s education sector to provide training for teachers in rural communities. In her role she ensures the voices of local leaders are heard at the global level. “I’m honored and humbled to receive this award, which represents the ethos of the university and the culmination of how Oglethorpe shaped me,” says Jody.
O.K. SHEFFIELD ’53 YOUNG ALUMNI OF THE YEAR AWARD The O.K. Sheffield ’53 Young Alumna/us of the Year Award recognizes a graduate of the last 10 years who has shown leadership and inspired other young alumni through participation in career, public service, volunteer, or continuing education activities. Awet Woldegebriel ’14 is the recipient of the O.K. Sheffield ’53 Young Alumna/us of the Year Award. Awet came to the United States as a refugee. While at Oglethorpe, he started the Knowledge Aid Foundation, which aims to advance the education of 200 first-generation refugee college students by the year 2020. Since graduation, he has served as a member of New York University’s annual fund team, as well as a major gift officer for the Hillary for America Fund, where he was the youngest fundraiser to reach the multi-milliondollar level. Currently, Awet works at the United Nations Children’s Fund, overseeing major gift prospects for the New York and New Jersey region.
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
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ON CAMPUS
ON CAMPUS
STORMY PETRELS BOOSTER CLUB LAUNCHES Club Will Enhance Student-Athlete Experience By Benn Wineka
This program honors the institution’s proud athletic tradition of the past while helping us build for the future.” — Athletics Director Todd Brooks
Todd Brooks became OU’s director of athletics in August 2018.
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ore than 300 student-athletes are members of at least one of Oglethorpe’s 16 varsity athletic teams. No matter how much success a team experiences, sports have as much impact off the field as on. The Southern Athletic Association academic honor rolls counted 137 Oglethorpe student-athletes among its honorees last year, and 16 students earned scholar all-America or other national academic awards.
department launched the Stormy Petrels Booster Club in January 2019. “The newly-formed Stormy Petrels Booster Club is important because it provides alumni, friends, and other individuals or groups the opportunity to support Oglethorpe Athletics,” Todd Brooks, director of athletics, said. “The generosity of those who choose to contribute will go a long way in affording our outstanding young student-athletes a rewarding and enjoyable athletic experience.” The Booster Club will provide the opportunity for international team travel, to fund athletic initiatives and make program improvements. Contributors can donate directly to specific athletics programs through the Booster Club. To date, more than 100 supporters have given more than $23,000 to the Booster Club.
Legendary Oglethorpe Basketball Coach Garland Pinholster said, “All of us are proud of our OU sports history and especially of the men and women who participated. I believe we have exactly the right 16-sport NCAA D-3 athletic program. The athletic staff is working hard to maintain or achieve excellence, which will bring a periphery dividend to every single facet of our college. I urge all who love Oglethorpe to join me in boosting our current athletic program which has excellent athletic director leadership and a cadre of fine coaches who emphasize the ‘student’ part of student-athlete.”
To continue to enrich the lives of our student-athletes, the athletics Make a difference today— become a founding member of the Oglethorpe University Stormy Petrels Booster Club, make an annual gift and show your Petrel Pride! Visit gopetrels.com/give4petrels.
ATHLETIC ACCOLADES By Kristen Obaranec
OU
has a successful Stormy Petrel athletics tradition, and the last decade is no exception. With 16 varsity sports in the Southern Athletic Association and six reserve and club teams, the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels have won 17 conference championships and two national championships in the past 10 years. Oglethorpe’s studentathletes make up one-fourth of the university’s enrollment. They excel on and off the field, with more than 700 academic honor roll accolades in the past decade. A sampling of accomplishments: Men’s golf is celebrating 25 years in 2019. The golf team won national championships in 2009 and 2012. The men’s soccer program has captured four consecutive conference championships. The Oglethorpe men’s tennis team earned their first conference crown in 2015.
Ten years ago, the women’s basketball team competed in the NCAA Final Four semifinals tournament. A 10th Anniversary Reunion was held on campus in February 2018 attended by most of the team. Two of those players, Anna Findley Roberts ‘09 and Katie Kulavic Fox ‘09 were inducted into the OU Hall of Fame during Alumni Weekend in April. Coach Alex Richey ‘11, reflected on this accomplishment: “When I was named head coach, I knew this basketball program was capable of achieving greatness because of the blueprint established by Coach Sattele and his teams, including the incredible 2009 Final Four team. I am fortunate to call these same young women and Coach Ron friends since I was competing with the men during this unbelievable stretch in the history of Oglethorpe athletics. “Watching them and seeing their interactions and care for one another has been a great source of motivation to me, and it reflects the culture we have worked to develop within our program today. I am confident our current performance on the court, in the classroom, and throughout our campus community makes these Final Four teammates and friends proud, as I truly believe Oglethorpe Women’s Basketball is back.” Also inducted into the Oglethorpe Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019 were Josh Rosendahl ‘07 (soccer), Taylor Urbanski ‘08 (golf ), and the 1963 men’s tennis team.
See all of OU’s Athletic Hall of Fame inductees at gopetrels.com/information/Athletic_Hall_of_Fame
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CARILLON Alumni News | Spring 2019
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
PETREL PROFILES
WHAT FACULTY ARE READING THIS SUMMER
Oglethorpe Day grew this year with additional outreach into three cities. Attendance more than doubled at the February events. Thank you to the Oglethorpe Day Host Committee members!
By Katherine Peavy ’92
W
hat’s on your summer reading list? Two faculty members share what they are reading to bring new perspectives to students and for pleasure.
Oglethorpe Day Host Committee
Connecting Curricula One selection for Dr. Jay Lutz, professor of French, will help him to prepare for a course on early 19th century France. This class will be taught in conjunction with an OUMA exhibition in spring 2021: The National Habitus: Ways of Feeling French, 1789-1870 by Marie-Pierre Le Hir (De Gruyter). Dr. Lutz recommends Le Ventre de l’Atlantique (“The Belly of the Atlantic”), a novel by Senegalese writer Fatou Diome. Dr. Lutz and Dr. Mario Chandler, professor of Spanish, will team teach a class in the fall on French and Spanish Crossroads in Africa. Diome’s book will be featured in the course. He also plans to read The Vain Conversation (University of South Carolina Press), the recent book by Anthony Grooms, writing professor at Kennesaw State University, who also wrote “Selah,” a story based in Atlanta’s Inman Park which was recently published in Atlanta Noir (Akashic Books).
Building Leaders Dr. Kendra King Momon, Professor of Politics and Director
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OGLETHORPE DAY 2019 EXPANDS
of the Rich Foundation Urban Leadership Program, will weave courage and vulnerability in leadership into her Introduction to Leadership course, which is part of the Urban Leadership Program curriculum. She just finished reading Brene Brown’s book Dare to Lead. Dr. King Momon says she found three concepts in Brown’s book particularly important to future leaders: • Studying leadership is much easier than leading; • A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and has the courage to develop that potential;
CARILLON Alumni News | Spring 2019
• In today’s culture, we need leaders who are brave and courageous. For her summer reading, Dr. King Momon plans to kick back with Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving by Angela Santomero. She says she finds this book interesting from personal and professional perspectives, because it will challenge her awareness and velocity to engage in even more radical kindness as a spiritual discipline and lifestyle legacy.
Asia Ashley ‘13 David Cooper ‘71 Mark DeLong ‘03 Clifford Foster ‘11 Erin Fowler ‘11 Francesca Funderburk ‘08 Tony Golden ‘13 Jim Hagelow ‘69 Chris Harvin ‘08 Thomas Hood ‘78 Shahzaib Jiwani ‘12 Taymah Jones ‘10 Chris Lenz ‘91 Ray Lucas, MD ‘86 Bri Mongerson ‘13 Marla Moore ‘91 Drew Murrell ‘00 LaChe Pool ‘09 Pam Richbourg Pruitt ‘78 Ruwa Romman ‘15 Chelcie Rowell ‘09 Randy Roberson ‘97 Jeremy Spake ‘99 Charice Talbert ‘05 Kathryn Winland ‘99 Kevin Woolf ‘00 Connie W. Yip ‘06
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
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CLASS NOTES 1960s
Marian was nominated for her charitable work with the United States Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.
1990s
Alicia Curtis Cole ’01
Dan Brown ‘99 is in
The Boy Scouts of America recently published a book written by Ken Davis ‘64 titled A History of Wood Badge in the United States.
1980s
The Kinder Institute of Life Planning announced that Donna Cron Rasile ’82, senior wealth manager at GreerWalker Wealth Management, earned the prestigious Registered Life Planner® designation. Earning this designation requires a strong commitment to the financial planning profession.
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practice in Asheville, North Carolina, and is the medical director for the Interventional Radiology department of Carolina Vascular/Asheville Radiology Associates. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Miami in 2007 and post graduate training at Wake Forest and the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute in Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
2000s
Scott Casey ‘07 and Danielle Diamond Casey ‘09 welcomed daughter
Clara Lillian on August 7, 2018. Born in Hawaii, she is a smiley island baby who looks like her daddy and has her mom’s attitude. Kiera Robbins ‘08 is a professional puppeteer focusing on film and television and is a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, IATSE 479, doing special effects and props.
CARILLON Alumni News | Spring 2019
On November 15, 2018,
Emily Treuman Heend ‘07
& Doug Heend welcomed Eli Benjamin Heend into the world. He weighed 5 lb., 14 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. Emily & Doug are loving life in Brookhaven with their new family member.
published her first novel, The Foragers: Electric Sheep, for students in middle grades. The book is part of the Super Science Showcase franchise, a production of Wonder Mill Cosmos, and combines science fiction with real science facts to educate young readers. It’s available on Kindle and in paperback. Sarah Opp Carter ’06
and her husband Josh Carter welcomed their second child to their family. Jonathan Finch Carter was born June 20, 2018. Big brother Charlie loves to make Jonathan laugh and teach him new skills.
their son Joshua, welcomed Solomon into their family. Solomon brings tremendous joy into their world.
Gabriel Jason Dean’s ‘03
play Terminus premiered Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop and was hailed as “...heartbreaking, brilliant” by The New York Times and “feisty as hell... theatrical magic” by The New Yorker.
Marian Elizabeth James ‘09 has been T-Mobile USA’s
manager of PAC and political programs since August 2016. Previously, Marian was a senior analyst supporting T-Mobile’s government affairs team. T-Mobile honored Marian as Idealist of the Year at City Year’s Idealism in Action Gala in 2017.
Jessie Gregerson Hanna ’16 and Will Hanna ’14
were married March 23, 2019, at Heritage Sandy Springs. Jessie is an environmental analyst at Adrian Collaborative. Will is the regional manager at D-BAT Atlanta. They live in Duluth with their dogs Henley and Pickett.
Olivia Reingold ‘17
Aaron Walker ’12 is captain of the Greenville Triumph soccer team. This South Carolina team is in their inaugural season in the USL.
Lexi Vassell Poer ‘12
Jordan Weaver Barkas ‘13 and husband Thomas
recently accepted a fellowship with Report for America. She will be the Tribal Issues Correspondent on Native American reservations in Montana.
and Jordan Poer are excited to welcome their second daughter, Adeline Sinclair Poer, born December 4, 2018. Big sister, Kennedy, enjoys helping with the new baby.
On July 16, 2018, Heather Goddard Clark ‘03 and Brian Clark ‘03, along with
Deborah Chandler Lubbe ’08 and husband Keith
Lubbe welcomed their second child Margaret Edith Jane Lubbe in March 2018. Deborah is the interim executive director of the IDEX Accelerator, which was birthed out of a unique collaboration between Oglethorpe University and Gray Matters Capital in 2009.
2010s
Emily Silva Schmutz ’16
Jody Stephenson ’03
and her company SitterTree were named to Atlanta Inno’s 50 on Fire. This is a distinguished list of people and companies with new funding, recent product launches, hot hires, and innovative approaches to solving problems.
Barkas welcomed Peyton, their beautiful baby girl, July 23, 2018. Her favorite activity is taking swimming lessons. They live in Duluth with their two sweet dogs.
and TJ Schmutz ’14 were married September 22, 2018, at Primrose Cottage in Roswell. Emily is a senior financial analyst at MarketSource and TJ is a data and analytics senior analyst at Ernst and Young.
Submit your class note via ePetrel:
alumni.oglethorpe.edu OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
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CLASS NOTES
ALUMNI ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED by Deborah Love ’08
IN MEMORIAM
Earlier this year, OU Alumni Board members voted on amendments to the standing committees and their duties. Although these changes do not take effect until next year, we are excited to share highlights of them.
A member of the OU Athletics Hall of Fame for tennis, W. Woodside “Woody” Hoblitzell IV ‘72 passed away in January. Longtime OU Tennis Coach Peter Howell and alumni friends attended Woody’s memorial service. Pictured left to right are Coach Peter Howell, Bruce Feuer ’70, Tom Cioffi ’71, OU Hall of Famer Joe Dennis ’69, and Kevin Mende ’73.
Margaret G. Morrison ’54 October 27, 2018 Evelyn Baker Allen ’55 April 26, 2019 Ellen K. Bayley ’57 October 25, 2018 Bill Powell Camp ’57 December 18, 2018 Sandra Carter Hauck ’60 December 26, 2018 James Jay Millard ’62 March 2019 George E. Morris ’63 August 11, 2018 Belinda Pritchard Haddock ’63 January 26, 2019 Martha Kay Crawford ’63 February 1, 2019
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William “Buddy” Harrison ’64 (Former Faculty) October 28, 2018
ALUMNI ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED There are many ways to get more involved in OU 27 MEMBERS SERVE ON THE ALUMNI BOARD
To better focus on fundraising efforts, the Advancement committee will take on board member recruitment and nominations. These duties were previously done by the Awards and Recognition committee. This change paves the way for the Awards and Recognition committee to focus their efforts on the Alumni awards nomination process.
OGLETHORPE DAY 2019
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The Alumni Weekend & Events committee will refocus their efforts and assist the Alumni Office in developing a theme and program for Alumni Weekend. In addition, they will help to encourage and support registration and attendance for Alumni Weekend and other alumni events throughout the year. The Student Engagement committee will replace the Admissions committee. Student Engagement will concentrate on new student recruitment (including Scholarship Weekend), new student orientation and campus life. Committee members will assist with the annual student traditions managed by the Alumni office and will serve as mentors for Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow, STAT, and the Young Alumni Club, YAC. Alumni Board Members also serve on the Awards and Recognition, Career Services, and Communications committees. We are grateful to OU alumni and volunteers who serve on committees and in other behind-the-scenes roles.
Robert “Bobby” Sexton ’64 March 14, 2019
alumni co-hosts
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CLASS HOST VOLUNTEERS FOR ALUMNI WEEKEND
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alumni participated as interviewers in two JEO Scholarship Weekends
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131
Participants
celebrations in different cities
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CLASS HOSTS FOR 50TH REUNION
50+
alumni were speakers on panels, in classrooms and in mentorship programs
Alumni can be involved on or off campus. Let us suggest ways that fit within your schedule and are meaningful to you. Contact Mary Rinaldi Winn, Director of Alumni Relations, mrinaldiwinn@oglethorpe.edu or 404-364-8412. If you wish to make a gift to the Annual Fund, contact Kristy Henry, Director of the Annual Fund, 404-364-8338, or visit oglethorpe.edu/give2ou.
Jon Wordell ’66 February 13, 2019
ANNUAL FUND 2019
Dr. Geneva L. Rowe ’68 March 14, 2019
William “Les” Tompkins ’71 March 1, 2019
10% OF ALUMNI CONTRIBUTED GIFTS TO THE OU ANNUAL FUND IN 2018
W. Woodside Hoblitzell IV ’72 January 6, 2019
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Gerald “Jerry” Bailey ’76 April 2, 2019
MONTHLY DONORS
Beverly Star Jenkins Edmonds ’76 April 22, 2019
(credit card and payroll deduction)
Robert Wyatt Moore ’78 April 26, 2019
CARILLON Alumni News | Spring 2019
Alumni Board Committee VPs and Alumni Relations staff at their annual retreat in the Cousins Center
$23,089
DONATED TO STORMY PETRELS BOOSTER CLUB
$166,888
RESTRICTED ACADEMIC PROGRAM SUPPORT
$599,327 UNRESTRICTED SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
STATISTICS ARE FISCAL YEAR TO DATE AS OF 5/31/19
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
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PETREL PROFILES
FROM ONE ALUM TO ANOTHER
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019 ALUMNI WEEKEND
Clara St. Urbain ’14 Joins Alumni Relations Office by Kristen Obaranec
Stephen in Barcelona
“T
he leadership skills I developed as a student were one of the most valuable aspects of my time at OU,” said Clara St. Urbain. She will put those skills to good use as the new OU Associate Director of Alumni Relations. Clara returned to campus as a staff member in March 2019. In just that short time, she says she now appreciates even more the work of Alumni Relations with Scholarship Weekend, Oglethorpe Day, Alumni Weekend, and other campus events. She looks forward to contributing to the planning of these different experiences for alumni. “Everyone has a different place in their heart for OU,” Clara says. “For some,
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contributing time to mentor a current student or helping students plan their majors and career paths could be a great way to be involved. For others, it’s attending events, giving back through a monetary donation, or some other opportunity, depending on an alum’s passion and skill set.” Clara wants to create connections for alumni. “I want to begin a journey for alums to get involved on campus or wherever they live,” she says. She also will help Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow or STAT, grow by working with the group to set goals, add organizational structure and demonstrate how to run a business meeting. Clara will be involved in other Alumni Relations events and programs and will support the Alumni Board, also.
CARILLON Alumni News | Spring 2019
As a student, Clara played four years of soccer and was team captain her junior and senior years. She was a Resident Assistant for three years and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and Student Government Association. Besides the leadership opportunities, she most appreciates the close bonds and friendships she developed through the soccer team and her sorority. Currently, she is planning her fall wedding to Ben Roberston ’13, a physics major and fellow OU soccer player. A Communications and Rhetoric Studies major, Clara worked after graduation for a software company and in operations and marketing with a small family business.
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
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Non-Profit Organization US. POSTAGE PAID Atlanta, GA 30319 PERMIT No. 523
4484 Peachtree Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30319 www.oglethorpe.edu
SAVE THE DATE EVENING OF HOLIDAY ENCHANTMENT Friday, December 6, 2019 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., on campus Watch for details on the alumni website:
alumni.oglethorpe.edu