March 2025 Alumni eNewsletter
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March 11, 2025
FEATURED NEWS
It’s time for Alumni Weekend!
March 15 is the registration deadline for Alumni Weekend! Join us on March 28-29 for this special event filled with fun. Alumni Weekend is a memorable time to reconnect and reminisce with former classmates, friends and faculty while celebrating your Oglethorpe experience. We have several engaging activities planned to make this year memorable and enjoyable!
Branding survey
Oglethorpe University will soon be launching a branding campaign designed to raise its profile among the general public. To help with refining this campaign, we invite you to participate in a very brief survey.
Presidential Tour Continues
The president will conclude her spring tour in Washington, D.C., on April 10. This is both an opportunity to hear about the university’s future as well as a chance to reconnect with fellow alumni, share your experiences and be a part of shaping the next chapter of Oglethorpe’s history.
Kaiser-Deepak Leadership Scholarship announced
For Glenn Kaiser-Deepak ’20, establishing a scholarship to support students who are in the Student Government Association (SGA) felt like a meaningful way to give back to Oglethorpe University. The scholarship will support an Oglethorpe student of second-year standing or above who serves on the Student Government Association and demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities.
Community celebrates Oglethorpe Day and OU Giving Day 2025
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.
Upcoming Alumni Events
Alumni Weekend, Friday and Saturday, March 28-29
We are looking forward to welcoming all alumni back to campus for our annual celebration, Alumni Weekend, taking place March 28-29.
Petrel Love Birds: An Oglethorpe alumni dating mixer
Thursday, May 15
If you’re single and from the classes of 2015-2025, join us for this fun happy hour event at Dr. Scofflaw’s at The Works.
Class Notes
News and updates submitted by your classmates.
Bruce Greenfield ’76 and Amy Schuman Greenfield ’76 met at Oglethorpe in 1973. They have been married for 45 years and have three daughters and six grandchildren. Bruce is retired as Professor Emeritus at Emory University.
Merrill “Merri” Griffis Gibson ’90 renewed her Board Certification as an Orthopedic Specialist in Physical Therapy. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, from Utica University, in 2016 and is celebrating her 29th year as a PT. The Gibsons also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary as well as their daughter’s graduation from the University of Georgia. Merrill is a clinic director and clinical instructor in the metro Atlanta area.
JoAnn Tippett ’04 recently accepted a position as Judicial Clerk for the 21st Judicial District of Colorado.
Shanice Chesney Taylor ’17 recently married Wayne P. Taylor, Jr. on August 8, 2024, in Decatur, Georgia. Fellow Petrels Aadithya Prem ’17, Caleb Logan ’18, Gabrielle Williams ’16, and LaBreshia Taylor ’18 were in attendance. The couple now lives in Washington, D.C. with their cockapoo, Garbanzo, where Shanice works in philanthropy for the Trust for the National Mall. She’s also deeply involved in her community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Ecological Landscape Alliance, as Vice Chair for SlowFood D.C., and as an active graduate member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Marc Collins ’23 appeared in a Super Bowl commercial this year. The clip is available here.
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:
Harry James “Jim” Peagler, III ’61, 2/3/25
Miriam Greszes Saul ’70, 1/27/25
Michael “David” Gordon ’72, 1/22/25
Janis Jacobs Mendelson ’78, 2/20/25
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!
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY NEWS
Alumni Award winners announced
Kaiser Chair and CEO Greg Adams ’79 to deliver spring 2025 Rikard Lecture
The Carillon Magazine returns this spring
Oglethorpe launches new Entrepreneurship Empowerment Zone to support local startups
Oglethorpe senior Keenyn Bradley shines on national stage for cancer research
Want more University News? Read more online or subscribe to The Source.
CAMPUS & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Oglethorpe Out Loud
Thursday, March 20
Aline Mello ’12 will join us for Oglethorpe Out Loud this spring. She is sharing her debut poetry collection, More Salt Than Diamond, and other works.
“Alumni Art Exhibition”
March 28 – June 29
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Engagement will stage the inaugural Oglethorpe University Alumni Art Exhibition.
Xanadu
April 4 – 6
Oglethorpe University Theatre presents the musical Xanadu. Xanadu is hilarity on wheels for adults, children and anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired.
Skylight Concert Series: Skylight Strings
Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Skylight Gallery, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art
$20 per ticket. Free to OUMA members.
The Skylight Concert Series presents alumnus and Grammy-nominated artist John Burke ’11. The program, Skylight Strings, will feature original works for string quintet. Since graduation, John has released six albums: four solo piano albums, a collaborative work featuring piano, flute and spoken word; and, a soundtrack to accompany a production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Sip, Brookhaven at Oglethorpe
Saturday, April 12, 3-6 p.m.
Join Explore Brookhaven on the Quad at Oglethorpe University for Sip Brookhaven at Oglethorpe, an all-inclusive tasting experience featuring craft beer, fine wine, expertly paired bites, and live music! Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or just looking for a great time, this event is the perfect way to indulge and unwind. Use code OUAlumni for 10% off your ticket purchase.
Spring sports teams are making news! Click the link below to view their full schedules.
Go Petrels!
Stay Connected
Networking on LinkedIn? Be sure to join the OU Alumni group and follow the Oglethorpe University LinkedIn page.