This summer, Oglethorpe faculty members are once again taking their work beyond the classroom walls. Whether walking the ancient streets of Rome with Dr. Jeffrey Collins or exploring archaeological sites in Greece and museums in Lisbon with Dr. Amanda Whooley, students from around the country are engaging with art, philosophy, leadership and history in ways that impact their academic and personal perspectives.

Dr. Collins, senior lecturer in interdisciplinary studies, has been teaching “Italian Renaissance Art” for more than 30 years, both at Oglethorpe University and at St. John’s University in Rome, bringing history into real-world exploration.

“We see much of what we discuss standing in front of the paintings, sculptures, or architecture,” Collins shared. “There is just no city in the world like Rome. It is my second home.”

While the course is part of Oglethorpe’s curriculum every other year, the summer session in Rome brings together students from universities nationwide. Launched in 2012 as a collaboration with LeadAbroad, the program is designed to welcome students from across the nation of all majors.

“Many students come to Rome and often do not know its history or the significance of the Roman ruins—they know the Colosseum, yes, but only through hyped-up movies,” Collins explained. “Well, once they finish this course, they see it all differently. They know the ruins and how they influenced the architects of the Renaissance.”

Meanwhile, in Greece and Portugal, Dr. Whooley, associate professor of philosophy, is helping students connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences, whether through philosophy, art or service work.

“In Greece, I teach two courses: ‘Leadership Theory’ and ‘Civic Engagement/Global Citizenship,’” she explained. “The two courses are designed to teach students theoretical concepts in leadership, culture, civic engagement and global citizenship by tying the concepts learned specifically to the history of Greece, and through service work with different organizations in Greece that serve vulnerable populations.”

Whooley is also spending part of this summer in Lisbon, Portugal, where she’s teaching courses in philosophy, exploring everything from ethics to aesthetics against the backdrop of the city’s historic cathedrals, museums and vibrant street art scene.

Both programs attract students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, many of whom are new to the subjects being explored. Yet what surprises students most isn’t just the beauty of Rome or the ancient history of Greece—it’s the close-knit, personalized learning experience that often feels unlike what they’ve encountered on their home campuses.

“The students are always surprised, even shocked, that I know all of their names, that I care about their opinions, and that I require them to be engaged and to think reflectively,” Whooley shared. “It makes me feel so lucky to be at OU, and it reminds me of how lucky our OU students are.”

The ultimate goal for both faculty members is to help students grow, not just academically, but personally.

“I hope they take away from this experience a different perspective on the flow of history, the importance of learning art, the realization that the present moment is not all there is,” said Collins.

“To truly understand something is to be able to live according to and with it,” Whooley explained. “I want students to reflect on their own beliefs and values, to use the insights and knowledge that they have gained to nuance and enrich their own ways of seeing and living.”