Oglethorpe University Alumni Association

Join us in celebrating Oglethorpe’s next chapter at the Presidential Inauguration for Dr. Kathryn McClymond on September 19 and 20. There are many events surrounding the ceremony and opportunities to reconnect with your alma mater through a campus service project, an insightful faculty lecture, and more. RSVP by August 20 here: https://oglethor.pe/4ez6qjY

The Alumni Association annually presents four Alumni Awards honoring the significant accomplishments and contributions of alumni to the university, community and professional fields. Applications are now open for these four awards. Read more about the award criteria, and nominate outstanding alumni by October 1! https://oglethor.pe/3M99OoO

Exciting times ahead, Petrels! Check out our lineup of upcoming alumni events—there’s something for everyone. Whether you're reconnecting at a game or joining us for a beloved tradition, we can't wait to see you there! 💛🖤 Click here to learn more: https://oglethor.pe/3W7M213

Throwback to an unforgettable Alumni Night at last year's Atlanta United game! ⚽️ We had a blast cheering on our home team and creating amazing memories. Now, we're ready to do it again!

Join us on September 29 to cheer on the Atlanta Braves and reconnect with your fellow Petrels. 🏟️⚾️ Don't miss out—RSVP at the link below before tickets run out!
https://oglethor.pe/3LXk1oo

To further enhance student success and enrich campus life, the Office of Advancement is expanding its range of giving opportunities. Whether it's funding a student's on-campus living or supporting a student-athlete both on and off the field, your gift helps us elevate the Oglethorpe experience year after year.

Oglethorpe announces updated annual giving priorities - The Source The Oglethorpe Office of Advancement is introducing a wider range of directed giving opportunities that are impacted by annual philanthropy.

Our recent alumni class notes are in, and we couldn't be prouder of our accomplished Petrels! Share your news with us here: https://oglethor.pe/classnotes

Get ready for a fun-filled Alumni Trivia Night! 🧠 Join us for an evening of friendly competition, reconnect with fellow Stormy Petrels, and enjoy a free first drink on us! RSVP here: https://oglethor.pe/4calKkG

Earlier this summer, recent OU alum Ella Newbern '24 joined OUMA Museum Director Elizabeth Peterson Jennings to lead a discussion on art and accessibility at the annual Association of Academic Museums and Galleries virtual conference. Their collaboration is part of the museum's ongoing commitment to creating a space where everyone can enjoy art, as reflected in the current exhibition, "The Gaze," which highlights themes of ableism, inclusivity, and acceptance. Visit the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art to explore it now through December 1.

OU alum and museum director discuss accessibility at national academic museums conference - The Source Ella Newbern '24 and Museum Director Elizabeth Peterson Jennings presented on accessibility at an event for museum leaders nationwide.

As we welcome the to Oglethorpe today for the final Making A Petrel Orientation Day, we can’t help but throw it back 20 years and reminisce about 2008! Do you spot any familiar faces?

Exciting updates from our incredible alumni! Check out the latest class notes to see what your fellow graduates have been up to. From career milestones to personal achievements, we're proud to celebrate your journeys 🥳 Share your news and life updates with us here: https://oglethor.pe/classnotes

(4th slide) 📸 Casey Gardner Ford & Actor's Express

In case you missed it… the Alumni eNewsletter landed in inboxes on Tuesday! We announced our next alumni event at the Braves' final regular-season game ⚾️, welcomed Alyssa Merletti '23 back to Oglethorpe as she joins the alumni team, and spotlighted Oglethorpe University Museum of Art's newest exhibit, "The Gaze." Don't miss out—click the link below to catch up on alumni news and register for Alumni Day at the Braves! https://oglethor.pe/3LkIy6o

As we reflect on the 2023-2024 fiscal year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the donors who supported Oglethorpe this past fiscal year. Every contribution will make a difference for Oglethorpe students and will help to ensure that OU can continue to offer incredible opportunities for all to follow their passions and to become leaders. Thank you for investing in the next generation of Petrels!

Our incoming class of new Petrels will be joining the Oglethorpe community in just 53 days! To welcome them to OU, alumni recently gathered to write letters wishing them good luck and offering words of encouragement. Click here if looking for volunteer opportunities: https://oglethor.pe/3XcEI6v

This has been a monumental year for Oglethorpe! Join our incredible community of alums, faculty, staff, and friends in support of the transformative power of an Oglethorpe education. Your gift helps shape the future of our students. Please make your gift before 11:59pm EST today and be part of something extraordinary! https://support.oglethorpe.edu/giving/

With only six days left of the fiscal year, we need less than 150 Petrels to support undergraduate scholarships, academics, hands-on research, athletics, and so many areas that make the Oglethorpe experience unique and exceptional. Make your gift to Oglethorpe before midnight on June 30 to help us continue to provide a rigorous and powerful education for all our students. Every gift makes a difference! https://support.oglethorpe.edu/giving/

Meet Oglethorpe alum Kelley Napier ’04 (She/Her). Kelley was a sociology major at Oglethorpe and went on to study law. She is now a partner at Georgia Estate & Elder Law in Atlanta.

In this LGBTQ+ Pride Month Alumni Identity Spotlight, Kelley shares how she embraces her identity and encourages fellow Petrels to embrace their own identity.

“The support I received as a student when I came out at Oglethorpe has given me the courage to continue to come out every day as I meet new people. You only have to answer to yourself regarding your gender and sexuality. If you are comfortable, then other people will either align with your knowledge of yourself or move to the periphery of your life.”

In case you missed it… the Alumni eNewsletter hit inboxes last Thursday, and we announced the dates for President Kathryn McClymond's inauguration, honored Dr. Manning Pattillo and highlighted his legacy at OU, and officially welcomed the class of 2024 as Oglethorpe alums.

Click here to catch up on alumni news and register for upcoming events: https://linktr.ee/oglethorpealumni

To celebrate , Oglethorpe alum Mark DeLong '03 reflects on his identity and what he hopes for the LGBTQ+ community.

"The world has changed so much since I was a child growing up in Alabama who knew he was different than most around him. I can only imagine how society will continue to evolve in the decades to come, and I hope that leads to more acceptance and inclusion of the wonderful diversity of beings that we are.

I didn't come out until after college, but the Oglethorpe community has always provided a welcoming space for me - and now for me and my husband.

To Petrels exploring their identity, know that there is a community who supports you and accepts you for who you are today and who you will become."

Support from alumni and friends made it possible for Oglethorpe to graduate over 300 students on May 18. Among them are future doctors, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and many more who will use their degrees to serve their communities and the world. Make a gift to Oglethorpe before midnight on June 30 to invest in these future leaders today. Your support transforms lives and shapes futures. https://support.oglethorpe.edu/giving/

Every gift matters because every student matters at Oglethorpe. Your support helps OU continue to provide an exceptional liberal arts education for all! Donate before June 30 to make a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we can shape the future. https://support.oglethorpe.edu/giving/

Each year, donations help to provide Oglethorpe students with the resources they need to excel in the classroom, on the field, and in the community around them. Make a 2023-2024 annual gift before June 30 to help future generations of students experience the life-changing power of an Oglethorpe education! https://support.oglethorpe.edu/give/

Former OU president Dr. Manning Pattillo passes away at 104 years of age - The Source Dr. Manning Pattillo, Oglethorpe University’s 13th president, passed away on June 2, 2024, in Atlanta. He was 104 years old.

Congratulations to these alums who are celebrating professional achievements and life changes! If you have news, share it with us and submit a class note here: https://linktr.ee/oglethorpealumni

Share helpful advice to incoming OU students while reconnecting with alumni at our next event! Alumni are invited to gather on campus Thursday, June 20, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to write letters welcoming new students to the Oglethorpe community. Register here:

Petrel Post - Support June 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Congratulations to our newest alumni who truly do not know how to give up! This past Saturday, the Oglethorpe not only celebrated their graduation but also celebrated breaking the university record for the Seniors for Students Senior Gift Campaign with 162 donors!

The is ready to ring in a new chapter! 🔔 Yesterday, graduates participated in the beloved OU tradition, the Carillon Ceremony. We can't wait to welcome this new group of alumni! 💛🖤

Graduates will receive their individual photos of the Carillon Ceremony and commencement next week in their Oglethorpe email.

In case you missed it… the Alumni eNewsletter hit inboxes on Tuesday, and we highlighted Robin Lohfert '03 for his generous gift to the division of mathematics and computer science, the record-breaking amount raised for the Golden Petrels Endowed Scholarship Fund, and the newly endowed scholarship funded by Ruth Ritch Winecker '87 and John Winecker '85.

Click the link here to catch up on alumni news and register for upcoming events: https://linktr.ee/oglethorpealumni

Dorough Fieldhouse was recently filled with excitement as alumni and friends reconnected for the first-ever State of Athletics event. Attendees learned about the growth in Oglethorpe’s athletics program and ways they can support the new direction led by President Kathryn McClymond and Athletics Director Todd Brooks. View more photos and learn about the event here: https://oglethor.pe/3yb3BoJ.

Time spent on campus is short, but memories last forever. Alumni Weekend 2024 was one for the books! We hope everyone enjoyed reminiscing with old friends and making new ones. Over 400 of you participated in our series of events. THANK YOU! We can't wait to see you back on campus again soon. 💛

Click here for more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oglethorpe-university/albums/