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Fresh Faces: Class of 2015 Issued PASSPORT to College Life
Posted by: | June 13, 2011 | Comments
During the "Amazing Race" event, new students participated in a scavenger hunt to become acclimated to their new campus.
At Oglethorpe’s annual PASSPORT event last week, more than 150 incoming freshmen got their first taste of college life during the day-long orientation program. The newbies and their parents swarmed campus as they met up with their professors, coaches, and classmates for their first official welcome to Oglethorpe. A second PASSPORT will be held in July for the remaining freshmen class.
Their activities included a campus-wide scavenger hunt, a barbeque lunch, and spending some time with their new advisors. Scroll down to check out pics from the event!
At the Parents' Panel discussion, parents of incoming freshman got advice from parents of current and former students. That's my mom on the left 
Petey made some new friends.
- “Cheeeese!” A student sits for her Petrel Pass portrait.
Refreshment for the freshmen!
The Pop Shop came to the quad with several different popsicle flavors.
Parents and Petey.
Students worked together for the scavenger hunt, and made a few friends in the process.
Gates Millennium Scholar to Attend OU
Posted by: | May 20, 2011 | Comments
Edmund Smith and his high school counselors during Senior Awards Night at Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Ga.
Edmund Smith, entering freshman in the Oglethorpe University class of 2015, definitely has reason to celebrate.
A future biopsychology major who plans to become a neurologist, Edmund was awarded an Oglethorpe University Center for Civic Engagement full-tuition scholarship for his demonstrated commitment to service and leadership in his community and the promise of continued exemplary service as an OU student. Just weeks later, Edmund received notification that he had also been named a 2011 Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient.
There are only 1,000 Gates Millennium Scholarship winners chosen each year from a pool of approximately 20,000 highly-qualified applicants. The scholarship pays all unmet costs after other scholarships and financial aid are applied and can also cover costs of graduate work in specific fields. The Gates Millennium Scholarship is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and all minorities exhibiting financial need are eligible to apply.
The Gates Millennium Scholarship was created with the following in mind: “The increasing diversity of our society reminds us that all of America’s citizens must have access to higher education if our nation is to sustain and advance itself as a global, competitive democracy in the new millennium. The future of our economy and quality of life depend upon the preparation of a diverse cadre of leaders who can help build a stronger society.”
Although the Gates Millennium Scholarship can be used at any university that the student has been accepted to in the U.S., Edmund said he didn’t think twice about going anywhere other than OU. He maintains that he was a “full-blown Stormy Petrel” right from his very first visit to campus. After interacting with Oglethorpe’s faculty, staff, and students and also learning about the Center for Civic Engagement’s community involvement, Edmund said the positive things about OU just kept on adding up.
On his scholarship success, Edmund simply stated, “I know it’s cliche to say this, but to all of the high school or college students who feel overwhelmed: work hard and everything will pay off in the end! My winning these scholarships is proof of that. All one needs is ambition, patience, humility, and faith.”
OU’s Masters of Arts In Teaching Program To Host Open House
Posted by: | May 18, 2011 | Comments
It’s that time of the year again, and Oglethorpe’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is opening its doors on Thursday, May 19 to budding education professionals looking to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K to 5th grades). The open house starts at 5:00 p.m. in the Earl Dolive Theater, on the second floor of Weltner Library.
Dr. Beth Roberts, Chair of the Division of Education at Oglethorpe and the Vera A. Milner Professor of Education, will be on hand, along with admission counselors and financial aid staff, to discuss the program.
Oglethorpe’s only graduate degree, the Masters of Arts in Teaching program offers an initial Georgia teaching certification in addition to the degree. Classes are offered during a convenenient evening schedule.
This year, MAT boasted its largest graduating class ever, with 40 graduate students earning their master’s at the 2011 commencement ceremony. Many Oglethorpe MAT graduates have gone on to successful careers as Pre-K to 5th grade teachers, including City Schools of Decatur’s Teacher of the Year Wanda Nesbitt, who graduated from the program in 2009.
The deadline to apply to Oglethorpe’s MAT program is July 1. Learn more online.
Scholarship Weekend 2011
Posted by: | February 01, 2011 | Comments
President Schall and VP for Enrollment and Financial Aid Lucy Leusch along with competitors from South Forsyth High School.
More than 250 talented students from 22 states and two countries joined us on campus January 21-22 for Oglethorpe University’s annual Scholarship Weekend.
Competing students participated in seminars on various topics, wrote essays centered on their readings and discussions and were interviewed by members of the Oglethorpe community. These components will collectively determine which of the participants will be awarded our prestigious scholarships.
Every student who attended is guaranteed a merit scholarship, and notifications will go out by February 14. In addition, each candidate from the weekend will be able to register for an exploratory Honors seminar as a freshman and later be eligible to receive a stipend for thesis research.
Five students will be awarded the James Edward Oglethorpe (JEO) Scholarship, which covers full tuition for four years and a short term study abroad excursion of their choice.
Of the participants, more than 60 students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership or service to their communities competed for three Civic Engagement Scholarships. This scholarship provides full tuition and a non-profit internship stipend.
In addition, nearly 30 students will compete for two Georgia Shakespeare Scholarships. This full tuition award is made in partnership with members of the Georgia Shakespeare staff and offers an internship and a short term Shakespearean focused study abroad excursion.
Scholarship Weekend competitors and their guests also had the opportunity to learn more about the OU community and distinctive features of the university by sitting in on various panels on academic and student life and interacting with current students, faculty, staff and alumni. Further, our guests were able to get a feel for our campus and city firsthand by taking a campus tour and visiting sites such as the King Center, Carter Center and Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
By the end of the weekend, many students of the class of 2015 walked away with not only a scholarship prospect but also new friends and what could be the first of many great memories as a Stormy Petrel.
To view and purchase photographs from Scholarship Weekend taken by One Moment More Photography, please click here.
Oglethorpe Named Among Colleges of Distinction
Posted by: | December 13, 2010 | Comments
After making the Forbes and U.S. News’ Best Colleges Lists, Oglethorpe has once again caught the eye of the nation.
Student Horizons, Inc has released its 2010–2011 list of Colleges of Distinction. The list, found at CollegesofDistinction.com, is a free, non-subscription online guide that recognizes colleges and universities that appeal to students’ unique and varied interests. This year’s list includes 170 schools in 39 states.
For the past eight years, Colleges of Distinction has honored colleges excelling in four areas of distinction: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes.
Founded by concerned parents and admissions professionals, Student Horizons, Inc.’s mission is to enable students to find colleges and universities that appeal to and complement their unique personalities and aspirations while helping to educate and produce well-rounded and varied individuals.
“Schools selected as Colleges of Distinction create well-rounded graduates and are among the very best in the country,” reports Tyson Schritter, the Executive Editor of CollegesofDistinction.com. “While each school is one of a kind, they all share a common theme: they are all a great place to get an education.”
…We agree.
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.”
“Spirit of Will” at Oglethorpe
Posted by: | June 17, 2010 | Comments
Georgia Shakespeare's Producing Artistic Director Richard Garner (far left) and Board Chair Lauren Kiefer (far right) presented OU with the 2010 Spirit of Will Award. Accepting on behalf of Oglethorpe were (left to right) President Larry Schall and former OU Presidents Larry D. Large, Donald S. Stanton, and Manning M. Pattillo, Jr.
Georgia Shakespeare–the professional theatre-in-residence at Oglethorpe marked its 25th anniversary in 2010. To celebrate, GA Shakes hosted its annual Bard’s Bash, where revelers “put on the ritz” at the roaring 20′s-themed gala.
At the Bash, Georgia Shakespeare presented its annual Spirit of Will Award to Oglethorpe. The award honors those who exemplify the passion for the human condition that Shakespeare displayed through his writing, and who courageously advocate for the value of the arts as the ultimate expression of our shared humanity.
Over the past 25 years, GA Shakes and Oglethorpe have forged a model partnership that has both enriched students’ liberal arts experience and enhanced our community’s cultural offerings.
In 2008, OU initiated a Georgia Shakespeare Scholarship for incoming first-year students, based on a competition conducted jointly by OU English professors and GA Shakes associate artists and directors. More and more prospective students are drawn to the unique opportunity for an onsite acting internship.
OU also introduced a minor in Shakespeare and Renaissance Studies, as well as theatre-focused study abroad trips to England. Theatre classes are often taught by Georgia Shakespeare associate artists–and two of OU’s theatre productions were directed by the artists. Students can work directly with the professional actors and staff, both onstage and behind the scenes. In fact, more than 100 students were involved during the 2009-10 academic year.
While still undergraduates, OU students have the opportunity to earn Equity credits and to work closely with acting professionals. Oglethorpe offers an education and experience in theatre that is rivaled by few–if any–other liberal arts colleges.
Scholarship Weekend 2010
Posted by: | February 05, 2010 | Comments
Prospective students gather during Scholarship Weekend 2010
Loads of eager high school seniors crowded into the Conant Performing Arts Center on the Oglethorpe University campus in January 2010 for our annual Scholarship Weekend. The event is an important and unique opportunity for prospective students—including theater majors—to compete for one of many full-ride scholarships. I can personally attest to the anxiety, exhilaration, and enthusiasm that is included in this event, as I competed not too long ago, but now that I am on the other side, I have a slightly different perspective. Read More→