May 2024 Alumni eNewsletter
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May 14, 2024
FEATURED NEWS
A Spring Update from President McClymond
As the spring semester nears its end on campus, President McClymond shares several university updates with alumni.
Alumni Weekend Highlights
Alumni Weekend at Oglethorpe University drew more than 400 alumni to campus eager to reignite old connections and create new memories. In the link below, view photos from the fun-filled weekend!
Alumni establish endowed scholarship to support leaders in LGBTQ advocacy
Oglethorpe alumni Ruth Ritch Winecker ’87 and John Winecker ’85 have recently endowed a scholarship to aid a student who shows leadership in advocacy of LGBTQ issues on campus. This new endowed fund builds upon their previous support of an annual scholarship and affirms their commitment ensuring that LGBTQ students have the resources they need to succeed.
Golden Petrels raise funds to support current students
The Golden Petrels—a cohort of Oglethorpe University alumni who graduated fifty or more years ago—annually raise funds to support a special scholarship endowment for current students. This year’s effort raised a record breaking $15,000.
Oglethorpe Alumnus Champions Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Science
Alumnus Robin Lohfert ’03 recently pledged a multi-year donation to support the Division of Mathematics and Computer Science. The funds will supplement the Ronald L. Carlisle Prize in Mathematics and Computer Science, an award given to an outstanding student studying one of these disciplines.
Upcoming Alumni Events
Virtual Book Club, May 15
The Oglethorpe Alumni Virtual Book Club, hosted by Richard Bakare ’03, will meet on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. ET to discuss Erasure by Percival Everett.
Register to join the discussion >
Volunteer Opportunity: Petrel Post, June 20
Alumni are invited to gather on campus in the TLCC on Thursday, June 20, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to write letters to incoming students, welcoming them to the Oglethorpe community. Appetizers and drinks will be provided.
Alumni Summer Social, July 17
Join us at Flight Club Social Darts on Wednesday, July 17, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for an evening filled with friendly games and opportunities to connect with fellow alumni.
Class Notes
News and updates submitted by your classmates.
Ryan Queen ’97 has been recognized as the 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP).
Miah Jeffra ’99 is the author of the novel American Gospel, which has been longlisted for the 2024 PEN/Hemingway Award.
Vince Pisani ’00 garnered a speaking role in the recent movie “Civil War.”
Caitlin Douglas ’10 recently represented Oglethorpe at the annual meeting of the Georgia Independent Colleges Association’s affinity group for institutional research and institutional effectiveness professionals.
Debbie Aiken ’12 has started a new role at CBRE (Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis), the world’s largest commercial real estate and investment firm. In her role as Corporate Communications Manager, she’ll focus on internal HR communications serving CBRE’s global workforce.
View more Class Notes online >
In Memory
Oglethorpe mourns the loss of members of our alumni family and former faculty. We’ve recently learned of the passing of these alumni:
John Alan Moore ’58
Glen Rose ‘65
Anna Baugh Valerius ‘86
Robert Michael Smith ’93
Claudia DeLoach ’09
A full list of those who have passed away are remembered here.
We want to hear from you! Tell us about a new job, promotion, award, wedding, birth or adoption, or other noteworthy milestone. We want to keep your classmates up to date on your latest news and celebrate your accomplishments!
ALUMNI IN THE NEWS
Theresa Spralling ’91: Authentic leadership by navigating diversity and transformation
Irasema Gonzalez Vargas ’08: The opportunity to study and speak another language has equipped me with the tools to climb the ladder and extend a helping hand to others
Cindy Gamassa ’19: Cindy Gamassa wins Congo’s award for female-founded startup
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Oglethorpe hosts first-ever ‘State of Athletics’ event
Dr. Gabriel Barreneche named Oglethorpe Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
2024 Liberal Arts & Sciences Symposium honors research, creativity, activism and service
Oglethorpe celebrates diversity in senior class with identity graduations
“Destination Day” celebrates graduating seniors’ future plans
Oglethorpe celebrates Earth Day with a week of sustainability efforts
HHMI grant sponsors initiative to highlight first-gen student experience
OUMA Nights highlights Oglethorpe student creativity
Want more University News? Read more online or subscribe to The Source.
Upcoming Campus and Community Events
OUMA Exhibition: “Contrapunto: Works by a Contemporary Latin American Artist Collective”, Feb. 16 – May 19
The Oglethorpe University Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Contrapunto: Works by a Contemporary Latin American Artist Collective,” is an eclectic exhibition featuring the varied contemporary styles of six artists presenting a comprehensive depiction of Latin American culture, folklore and collective history.
Stormy Petrels
Keep up with the latest news about our Stormy Petrels sports teams! View their schedules >
See more events happening on the Oglethorpe campus >
Stay Connected
Networking on LinkedIn? Be sure to join the OU Alumni group and follow the Oglethorpe University LinkedIn page.