This fall, a group of first-year students at Oglethorpe was invited to join the President’s Leadership Fellows, an initiative designed to introduce new students to the core of Oglethorpe’s mission. Facilitated personally by President McClymond and Dr. Meredith Raimondo, vice president of student affairs, the program centers on intimate conversations with distinguished alumni who share their stories about their journeys from Oglethorpe to meaningful careers.

This fall, students heard from four alumni whose experiences spanned industries and career paths: Chad Smith ’13, Misty Fernandez ’04, Chandler Rierson ’13, and Drew Findling ’81. For many students, these conversations were transformational.

“Hearing directly from the Oglethorpe alumni had a strong impact on my feeling of belonging. Listening to graduates who were in my position made me feel connected to the present university community and the past through their legacy,” said Abby Scott ’29, a student in the course.  “Recognizing that the people who have made successful careers started as OU students like me made my admission feel important to me, and at the same time, it gave me more belief that I’m in the right place.”

This kind of connection is important for many first-year students because it gives them examples of how alumni have succeeded through various paths.

“The most meaningful part of this program is watching first-year students recognize their own leadership potential. When our alumni share their stories, our students start to see a path forward for themselves,” said Dr. McClymond. “That sense of belonging has the power to shape an entire college experience.”

For Scott and many of her peers, belonging wasn’t just about finding a place on campus, it was about seeing themselves reflected in the stories of those who came before them.

Brigith Gonzalez ’29 felt especially connected to alumna Misty Fernandez, whose story as a Latina leader who grew up advocating for her siblings echoed many of the students’ own experiences. The conversation helped her view her background not as a challenge to overcome, but as a strength to embrace.

“Being able to build relationships with leaders who once stood in the same place I am now has broadened my perspective and helped me feel more connected to the larger Oglethorpe network,” said Gonzalez. “These conversations have provided mentorship, guidance, and genuine encouragement. They have also allowed me to contribute my own insights as a student, helping me grow both professionally and personally within the community.”

The program offered concrete growth in leadership skills and professional confidence. The students also participated in opportunities to meet campus leaders, engage with alumni, and even practice professional etiquette at a formal dinner.

“I have become more certain about my leadership potential, my ability to present myself favorably, and to engage in unfamiliar activities with the right attitude,” said Scott. “And on a lighter note, post our formal dinner, I can now, without a doubt, differentiate between the salad and the dinner forks!”

As the semester draws to a close, the President’s Leadership Fellows emerge with strengthened confidence, new connections, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of the Oglethorpe community. Their experiences reflect the university’s commitment to preparing students not just for academic success, but for meaningful lives of leadership.