In a cold, steady rain on Feb. 12, the Oglethorpe University community, both on campus and around the world, demonstrated the persistence of a Stormy Petrel and the commitment to the humanitarian ideals of namesake James Edward Oglethorpe.

Not only did the campus community carry on the Oglethorpe Day traditions, but alumni and friends showed a record-setting outpouring of support for the university by donating $213,732 on OU Giving Day, which coincided with Oglethorpe Day.

Despite the cancellation of the beloved tradition of the Petrels of Fire footrace on the quad and bagpiper-led procession to the Conant Performing Arts Center by class years, a crowd of students, faculty and staff filled Lupton Auditorium for lunch, the annual lecture and Coke floats.

Sarah Opp Carter ’06 and her husband, Josh, delivered this year’s keynote address in which they drew upon their grandparents’, former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, commitment to public service. They shared life lessons as well as their experience in founding a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting families with children diagnosed with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VEO-IBD). Even though they were served inside, Coke floats remained the traditional follow-up to the lecture.

“We built our foundation from the lessons we learned from my grandparents,” said Josh. “They believed that someone from a small community could change the world—and they proved it.”

Sarah graduated summa cum laude from Oglethorpe with an honors degree in history in 2006. She went on to earn a master’s degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University. She now works as chief operations officer at the nonprofit she and Josh founded, the VEO-IBD Foundation. Josh serves as the chief executive officer of the VEO-IBD Foundation. Their youngest son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with the condition when he was an infant.

Josh is the former president’s and first lady’s fourth grandchild and the oldest son of Jeff and Annette Carter. He is a small business owner and the writer, producer and host of the Unchanging Principles Podcast, in which he talks about his life in a Presidential family and the American values taught to him by his grandparents. The Carters live in Atlanta with their two boys, Charlie and Jonathan.

“When I was studying history at Oglethorpe, I had no idea where my career path would go. I couldn’t imagine that I would start a non-profit, or volunteer as an election observer, or sit on a stage like this and talk to students sitting in the seats where I once sat,” said Sarah.

“It’s OK if you don’t know what you want to do, but I firmly believe we can all do something to make the world a better place,” she said.

Oglethorpe Day recognizes the legacy of the university’s namesake, General James Edward Oglethorpe. A philanthropist, military leader, and member of Parliament, Oglethorpe was regarded as one of Britain’s most active 18th century humanitarians. This day marks the anniversary of the arrival of Oglethorpe in Georgia in 1733.

OU Giving Day was scheduled for Oglethorpe Day and held an ambitious goal. Giving exceeded $213,000, eclipsing last year’s total of more than $65,000 and this year’s goal of $100,000.

Gifts went to 12 funds from 265 donors and a record 176 alumni, representing classes from 1958 to 2024. An additional 24 graduating seniors also made gifts, and the combined giving unlocked all eight of the challenge matches, including challenges from President Kathryn McClymond, the Alumni Board, the President’s Advisory Council, Harsinie Panditaratne ’01, Jason Solomon ’01, and Board members Dave Pass ’98 and Lauren Warner ’01.

“It was a historic day on campus, and our students benefited from Sarah and Josh sharing their story of making a difference,” McClymond said. “We are grateful for the generosity our alumni, friends, faculty, staff and graduating seniors displayed in giving to Oglethorpe. These gifts help us continue to build momentum and allow us to do so much to achieve our mission. Thank you to all who continue to give and stay engaged in the life of the university.”

Watch the full recording of Sarah and Josh Carter’s Oglethorpe Day lecture below: