Author Archive
Consumer Expert Clark Howard Broadcasts College Finance Show Live from Oglethorpe
Posted by: | September 19, 2011 | Comments
On September 13, Oglethorpe was thrilled to welcome The Clark Howard Show, which broadcasted their primetime show live from Oglethorpe’s Weltner Library.
The show stars Clark Howard, a favorite consumer advocate, TV personality and author, who incidentally was an Oglethorpe student at one point during his academic career.
The studio audience included President Schall and more than 50 OU students who had the chance to hear tips about saving for college, paying off college debt, and other life-long financial words of wisdom.
Several students even had the chance to ask their own questions—some live on-air, like OU freshman Kai Owens, who asked about ways to pay off college debt before graduating. View the entire live show online.
Part 3: OU Men’s Basketball Rounds Out Costa Rica Trip
Posted by: | May 18, 2011 | Comments
OU rising senior Andrew Steioff finishes his three-part blog about the Oglethorpe Men’s Basketball team’s trip to Costa Rica. [Read Part 1, Part 2]
“It is currently 5:30 in the morning and we are waiting at our terminal to head back home to Atlanta. After a week full of non-stop sightseeing and traveling, it seems we are all sleepwalking through the airport and even the wonderful coffee of the country can’t help wake us up. The last few days have been filled with a couple days at the beach, zip lining, and a game against the Costa Rican national team.
The beach resort we stayed in was one of the most serene and relaxing scenes we could have hoped for, with the rainforest stretching all the way up to palm trees and the stunning beach. The surrounding landscape was mountainous so it felt as though we were enclosed in our own beach paradise separated from the rest of the world. While swimming in the pool the first afternoon we experienced a tremble and most of us really thought nothing of it, moments later we were ordered to evacuate the pool because just 40 miles away a 6.0 earthquake had taken place. Living in California in my young life, I had experienced earthquakes before but it was a first time experience for most of my teammates to add to the list of firsts already accumulated during the trip.
The next morning we embarked on our zip lining expedition through the rainforest canopy. We glided through the trees on 14 different zip lines traveling at speeds of 35 mph on some. The most uneasy part of the whole experience though was standing on wooden platforms built around trees suspended hundreds and even thousands of feet above the ground. After the zip lining we had the rest of the day off at the beach to relax and enjoy our last days of Costa Rica and its beautiful scenery.
The last day we had our final friendly game against the Costa Rican national team, only it wasn’t as friendly as advertised. Read More→
Part 2: OU Men’s Basketball Scores in Costa Rica with Competition, Volunteering
Posted by: | May 17, 2011 | Comments
Oglethorpe rising senior Andrew Steioff checked back in to share more about the Oglethorpe Men’s Basketball team’s travels in Costa Rica.
“Halfway through our excursion through Costa Rica has our team feeling cultured and a bit tired. The past couple days have been filled with a game against the five-time defending champs of the top professional league in Costa Rica, a community outreach activity, sightseeing at an active volcano, a relaxing night indulging in natural hot springs, and a whitewater rafting trip.
Our game against Barva was highly anticipated by my teammates and me—we wanted to see how we stacked up against top flight international competition. We would not be disappointed as the Barva team was one of the biggest and most athletic teams I have personally ever played against on the collegiate level. Undersized and considerably younger (most of Barva’s players were around 28 or 29 years old), we struggled to compete early as Barva jumped out to an early double digit lead. Our team once again showed tremendous heart and defensive effort as we clawed back to take the lead halfway through the third quarter, only to eventually fall to the Barva squad. Barva’s best player, a wing 
from Panama, was one of the most athletic and best physical specimens I have ever shared the hardwood with. Once again, Alec Pitts was named the MVP followed closely by Sam Purdy who was once again lights out from 3-point range. Two other players rounded out the night with double figures: freshman Tyler Courson and me.
The next morning we embarked on a community outreach activity at a local children’s center in San Jose. We came bearing gifts of candy, coloring books, clothes, and of course some stuffed “Peteys” to share with the children. Unanimously, the most rewarding part of the trip thus far was when we spent a few hours with the kids playing on the playground. Their most favorite activity was being carried on our shoulders through the playground. Not to be outdone, Coach Ponder had a record crowd as he shared with the children some of his famed magic tricks. When the time to depart came it was hard to tell who was more upset we were leaving: the children or the players. Read More→
Oglethorpe to Award Three Honorary Degrees at May 7 Commencement
Posted by: | April 15, 2011 | Comments
Researcher and author Dr. Richard Wrangham is a trustee of the Jane Goodall Institute and a former trustee of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed
The Oglethorpe University 2011 commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., on the academic quadrangle of the OU campus. President Larry Schall will preside over the ceremony that will honor more than 250 graduating students.
This year, Oglethorpe will present honorary degrees to three distinguished members of the civic and academic worlds:
Award-winning poet Linda Bierds
- Award-winning poet and University of Washington Professor of English Linda Bierds will receive a Doctor of Letters honorary degree.
- The Honorable Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta, will receive a Doctor of Laws honorary degree.
- Dr. Richard Wrangham, the Ruth Moore Professor of Anthropology and Chair of Biological Anthropology at Harvard University, will receive a Doctor of Sciences honorary degree.
Additional commencement ceremony details may be found at www.oglethorpe.edu/commencement. Read More→
OU Student’s Internship Offers Real World Experience
Posted by: | December 07, 2010 | Comments
OU Nicole Kang '12 curated and organized the art exhibit "Push It" at Chastain Arts Center and Gallery.
More than half of college students nationwide complete internships, making the experience an essential credential for competition in the current job market. Oglethorpe places a high priority on providing opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships and other experiential learning.
Here, studio art major Nicole Kang ’12 shared her internship experience with us back in 2010:
I am the head intern at Atlanta’s oldest gallery, Chastain Arts Center and Gallery. The gallery director, my supervisor, asked me to curate and organize a college student show inbetween major exhibits at our gallery. In this exhibit, the student work was pinned on the gallery walls by the students themselves—hence the title of the exhibit, “Push It.”
As students expressed interest in participating, I was in charge of jurying the pieces that could be part of the exhibit. I wanted the show to feel dynamic and exciting, so I selected works that varied in media, size, colors, and concepts. After denying and approving images of works for the show, I kept the participants in close contact to provide them with information and procedures. To market the event, I created fliers and posted them across the Oglethorpe campus and throughout the arts center. Through Facebook, I was able to announce the event and invite everyone and anyone I knew.
Everything came together on the day of the opening reception on November 12. Right after classes, I spent the day at the Center setting up food, drinks, and waiting for participants to arrive one by one with their works. I directed the participants with the arrangement of their works in the gallery space, and made sure that all of their works were properly catalogued. In all, the show included between two and eight works of art from 20 different student artists, including photography, drawing, painting, prints, and mixed media. Several students ended up selling some of their works. I played the role as the intermediary between the artist and the buyer.
The show attracted 130 people. I made sure to greet and introduce myself to all of the groups that came to the reception. I took time to speak with family and friends of each artist, and encouraged them to further their 
exploration in art. The event was a great success and a wonderful experience.
OUr Atlanta Trips: ‘the world in a completely different light’
Posted by: | December 03, 2010 | Comments
Students in the Fresh Focus Class "Diseases in Our Time and Place," taught by Dr. Karen Schmeichel and Dr. Daniel Schadler, toured the CDC Global Information Center in October 2010 as part of an Our Atlanta trip, arranged by the Center for Civic Engagement.
The Center for Civic Engagement works with faculty and staff to coordinate OUr Atlanta Trips for Oglethorpe students to explore all our city has offer throughout the academic year. In the fall of 2010 the Center organized 24 trips in Atlanta for Fresh Focus classes, First Year Seminar classes, student organizations, as well as an anatomy class and an athletic team. One popular destination was the Dialogue in the Dark exhibit at Atlantic Station, which allow visitors to experience the world as if they could not see.
Ali Hadd’13 shared her experience at the Dialogue in the Dark exhibit:
Once upon a time, I was grocery shopping. Deep, I know. I was walking down the aisle of a super market; I picked up an apple, and it smelled like autumn. I opened the fridge: cheese, milk, eggs, cold air. I found pumpkins placed delicately in a basket hanging on the end of a shelf.
OUr Atlanta trip: A Freshman Focus class for international students, taught by Dr. Stephen Herschler and Philip Peroune, visited the Atlanta History Center.
Oh yeah—I was blind… but only for an hour. And what an hour.
You see, I knew that coming to Oglethorpe would open up many doors to new experiences. What college doesn’t? But what I didn’t know is that most of my doors had been more like walls—that eventually came down with the help of Oglethorpe. I had never seen an opera—but Oglethorpe let me. I’d never volunteered at the Atlanta Food Bank—but my school said, “Why not?” And, I’d never experienced a day in the life of the blind—but OU sent me to Dialogue in the Dark.
OUr Atlanta trip: Dr. Bradford Smith and his First Year Seminar class visited the Etowah Mounds.
Being a First Year Seminar mentor, I get to experience what its like to be a freshman again. It’s wonderful to be a part of Oglethorpe’s commitment to finding innovative ways to blend different academic disciplines and to provide out-of-class experiences to complement in-class learning. My First Year Seminar, led by Ms. Henry-Miller, was focused on positive psychology, communication, and culture. It seemed perfectly appropriate to attend an exhibit that enhanced my understanding about a group of individuals who use creativity and communication to overcome the obstacles of everyday life.
I thought it would be terrifying. I’m not a total wimp (ahem), but the dark is something I’d rather face with the light on. Read More→
OU at the 3-Day for a Cure
Posted by: | October 29, 2010 | Comments
One weekend in Ocotber 2010, Oglethorpe University served as a Pit Stop along the way during Atlanta’s 60-mile Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a Cure walk that ended at Turner Field.
Among the thousands walking for a cure were at least two OU alums…
“I’m not sure who set up for OU to host a Pit Stop for the Komen Atlanta 3-Day Walk, but I couldn’t have been more thrilled! I walked this year, for the third time, and I was so pleasantly surprised to walk down Peachtree and find that my alma mater was hosting almost 3,000 walkers! It was even more special to have one of my old OU roommates walking with me and sharing our memories of college. Thanks so much for reaching out to the community and such a great cause!”
– Stephanie Ervin Szalkowski ’89
Kick Off a New Season with OU Theatre
Posted by: | August 23, 2010 | Comments
Oglethorpe’s Theatre Department is starting the year off right by welcoming new Theatre Director/Visiting Assistant Professor Matt Huff and by offering ways for both Theatre and non-theatre majors to get involved.
The 2010 Season kicks off this week with Georgia Shakespeare’s “Welcome Back” Mixer for OU Students on Wednesday, August 25 at 6 pm in the Conant Performing Arts Center. (Georgia Shakespeare is Oglethorpe’s professional theatre in residence.) Come schmooze and eat pizza with the GA Shakes staff, OU Theatre faculty and students and learn about the exciting theatrical opportunities available to you this year.
Immediately following the mixer, auditions for Stop Kiss by Diana Son and Women Beware Women by Thomas Middleton will be held from 7:30-10 pm in Rehearsal Room A (third floor of Conant). All actors are welcome! Auditions will consist of cold readings of scenes from the scripts that will be provided. Not familiar with the plays? Check out copies in the Theatre Office (2nd Floor, Conant)–but please return them quickly as there are only a few copies of each.
Callbacks for Stop Kiss will be held the following night, Thursday, August 26 from 6:30-9:30pm. Rehearsals will begin the weekend of August 28. Callbacks for Women Beware Women will be scheduled in a few weeks.
In Stop Kiss, hardened New Yorker Callie befriends an optimistic newcomer to the city, Sarah, and the two unexpectedly fall for each other. Their first kiss, however, is violently interrupted forcing both women on a journey to discover who they are and what they are willing to commit to. Stop Kiss will run September 23-25.
Women Beware Women, Thomas Middleton’s salacious examination of sex, power and politics, is as shockingly depraved today as it was in the 17th century. This rarely performed Jacobean thriller spins a tale of lust and betrayal so destructive, the play easily lives up to its title. Women Beware Women will run November 18-20.
Make plans to take part in these productions–either on stage or in the audience–and be reminded why Princeton Review ranked OU’s Theatre among the top twenty theatre programs in the country.
U.S. News & World Report Features “Road Trip: Oglethorpe University”
Posted by: | August 17, 2010 | Comments
Oglethorpe was spotlighted by U.S. News & World Report in “Road Trip: Oglethorpe University”, an article that profiles the University’s “stories of community spirit.” OU also is featured in an accompanying online photo gallery.
The article was carried nationwide in the magazine’s September 2010 issue and in the 2011 Best Colleges Guide.
In more good news, U.S. News’ America’s Best Colleges also ranked Oglethorpe among the nation’s top 250 Best Liberal Arts Colleges (#166), as a college “Seeking Diversity” and among “A-plus Schools for B Students.” View all rankings.
“To be named among the top liberal arts colleges in the country is a nod to the quality of our faculty and the education Oglethorpe provides,” said OU President Larry Schall. “The ‘Road Trip’ profile captures the spirit of Oglethorpe University—both our commitment to community service and the overall sense of community on our campus.”
Forbes Ranks Oglethorpe Among America’s Best Colleges
Posted by: | August 12, 2010 | Comments
Oglethorpe was ranked by Forbes as one of America’s Best Colleges 2010 (#353 of only 610 schools included.) Colleges’ rankings are based on “quality of the education they provide, the experiences of the students and how much they achieve.” View more information about Oglethorpe’s ranking. View full article and all rankings.
This recognition came on the heels of Princeton Review ranking Oglethorpe as a Best Southeastern College and on four national Top 20 lists.