Letter from the President: Gaining Momentum

Wherever I go, the first question I’m asked is, “How is it going at Oglethorpe?”

Since last fall, I have visited with many of you during my Presidential Tour in New York City, Coastal Georgia, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. I’ve also seen many of you at the Evening of Holiday Enchantment and Boar’s Head concert, as well as the recent record-setting Alumni Weekend.

At every opportunity I say without hesitation that Oglethorpe is gaining momentum and achieving our mission.

Alumni, faculty, staff and even Trustees can attest that I like to start gatherings by revisiting our mission. It states, “Atlanta’s Oglethorpe University is committed to teaching excellence in an inclusive learning environment. We prepare students for success in professional endeavors as responsible and productive contributors to a global society.”

Here are a few ways that our transformative education has been on display this academic year:

• Biology major Keenyn Bradley earned second place in
  the undergraduate category at the 24th annual Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee Cancer Partnership Conference.
• Penelope Bertrand put her museum studies minor to work, earning a scholarship to attend the Georgia Association of Museums Conference.
• Ten Oglethorpe Theatre students were cast in “Marie Antoinette,” a co-production of Atlanta theatre company Actor’s Express and Oglethorpe. Tatum McBride earned a supporting role as Theresa de Lambelle and was magnificent.
• Business students Sanyia Ross and Charity Cloud took home the top prize in The Achievement Pitch entrepreneurship competition sponsored by the Delta Mu Mu graduate chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

And in addition to these individual accomplishments, recent data compiled by Oglethorpe’s Office of Career Development revealed that 92% of the Class of ’24 are working in their preferred professional field, continuing their education in graduate school, serving in the military or participating in volunteer service. Known in higher education as the “outcomes rate,” Oglethorpe’s is well above the national average.

Oglethorpe faces challenges, as all colleges and universities do, but there are so many more indicators of a bright future. For example, you helped us set a new record for OU Giving Day with more than $213,000 in gifts on a single day. Student recruitment has thus far in the cycle attracted an all-time high of more than 2,000 applicants. Even with the volatility of the stock market, Oglethorpe’s endowment continues to grow and is over $50 million for the first time in our history.

As you read this newly relaunched Carillon magazine, I hope you will be touched by these Oglethorpe stories and reflect on your time here. We are building on a strong foundation, and I am grateful for your engagement and support as together we equip the next generation to make a life, make a living, and make a difference.

Nescit Cedere!
Kathryn McClymond, Ph.D., (she, her, hers)
President, Oglethorpe University