Spring 2013 - Oglethorpe University

alumni
alumni
Dear Friends,
On April 8, 1906, not long before
Oglethorpe University was rechristened
along Peachtree Road, the New York Times
published what many believe to be the first
printed version of the beloved book The Little
Engine That Could. In the tale, a rail yard
superintendent seeks out an engine to haul
an extremely heavy train up an unusually
steep grade to reach its destination. As
we all know, the perfect engine for the job
finally responds, “I think I can.” Generations continue to be inspired by its
message of the power of positive thinking and willingness to try.
In years gone by I have considered Oglethorpe University to be the little
engine that could. I have realized, however, that my way of thinking was
mistaken. The university is not the engine at all. The university cannot pull
itself up any grade. It is those of us who love the institution—alumni, trustees,
volunteers, friends, donors and leaders—who must serve as the engine to
help pull Oglethorpe up the grades it faces and toward its destination.
What a great journey we are on together!
Through the amazing efforts of many who believe in Oglethorpe, the new
campus center is rising toward the sky and will welcome its first visitors
into its beautiful spaces in fall 2013. We thought we could; and we did. A
new scene shop has been constructed for use by our theatre program and
Georgia Shakespeare. We thought we could; and we did. The University’s
track has been completely overhauled, the area has been lighted, and our
athletes will have a space where they can train and compete with pride. We
thought we could; and we did. Efforts on campus to nurture and educate
our students inside and outside the classroom have improved our retention
1 2
3
rates, ensuring our student’s success today and the university’s success into
the future. We thought we could; and we are.
The Alumni Board continues to provide valued leadership and support to
the university. In fall 2012, we developed and hosted a new tradition for our
sophomores called the Thornwell Jacobs Legacy Celebration. An excited
group of sophomores gathered on the academic quadrangle to hear the
story of Dr. Jacobs and the monument to his parents inscribed “May He
Make Noble Use of a Life Purchased at Such a Price” found in the front drive
of the school. Through this annual event sophomores will learn about the
university’s rich history, its mission and purpose, and begin to see themselves
as philanthropists in their own right. We see it as part of our mission to train
our future alumni about giving back and using their lives with purpose. By
leading positively and impacting the lives of today’s students, we show the
alumni of tomorrow that if they think they can, they will.
At the conclusion of the 1906 publication, it says of the little engine: “And
signing its triumph, it rushed on down toward the valley.” I like to think
that when he arrived there wasn’t much time to rest, but instead he faced
another mission to accomplish, another steep grade to climb. The same is
true for our dear Oglethorpe. We should sing of our great triumphs of the
last year, but we cannot rest. New challenges await us! Can we continue
this great momentum? Together, I know we can.
With all my best,
John Cleveland “Cleve” Hill ’01
President, Oglethorpe University Alumni Association
Member, Board of Trustees
alumni highlights
1 President Schall and Kevin Smyrl, vice president for development and
alumni relations, visited alumni and friends in four West Coast cities in late
September. Stops included San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco (pictured)
and Seattle. 2 Alumni Relations hosted a reception for New York alumni in
October at the Charles Bank Gallery. Pictured (l-r) are: Melanie Wong ‘02,
Chris Fitzpatrick and Kat Andersen ‘02. 3 Alumni in the DC area gathered
for a reception in October. Pictured (l-r) are: Former Dean of Students Artie
Travis, Jaime Wojdowski ‘03 and Kristy Stevens-Haverwoody.
4
4 The Raleigh Alumni Group came together
in November at Caffe Luna in Raleigh, N.C.
Pictured (back row): David Hardin, Bruce Crain
‘88, John Day ‘64, Chelcie Rowell ‘99, Jessica
Daniel ‘09, Cindy Larbig Rowe ‘84, (front row)
Lindsey Carroll (Alumni Relations Manager),
Nicole Crain ‘89, Maureen Whalen Hardin ‘87
and Barbara Bessmer Henry ‘85 (Director of
Alumni Relations).
By Don Henry ’83
Stormy Petrels
Soar to Cuba
“Que Bola? Que Bola?” That was
our familiar refrain each morning.
(English translation: “What’s up?”)
And with this hip Cuban greeting,
a new day’s journey began.
Fourteen Oglethorpe alumni and friends traveled
to Cuba in the fall of 2012 for a deep dive into
the history, politics, art, music and cuisine of
this geographically close but politically distant
Caribbean island.
Led by our intrepid tour guide, Hoji Silva, we
spent eight amazing days in the capital city of
Havana and the small town of Trinidad, a quaint
UNESCO World Heritage site. Hoji proved to
be a knowledgeable guide, well versed in all
things Cuban, and in American pop culture and
slang. We appreciated his political spin-free
commentary, which demonstrated an objective,
factual understanding of Cuba, its history and its
standing in the current world order.
What were the highlights? Ask our 14 travelers and
you’ll no doubt get 14 (or 140) different replies.
Perhaps it was the raw beauty of the country and
the magnificent architecture of the buildings in
Havana. Despite little new construction since the
early 1960s and crumbling facades, the buildings
have retained their charm and grandeur. It’s easy
to see why the rich and famous chose Cuba as a
favorite pre-revolution vacation destination.
Or maybe it was the people. Everywhere we
turned, we met locals who were friendly, gracious
and eager to meet us. We were impressed
with their knowledge of our country and their
willingness to share their story of life in Cuba and
their hopes of visiting relatives in the US.
Without a doubt, the community visits were among
the highlights. Prior to our departure, we collected
household items, school supplies and over-thecounter
medicines to donate to various charitable
groups. And did we ever come prepared!
Many of us lugged additional suitcases chock
full of such items. It was a privilege to visit these
organizations—a daycare center for seniors and
children, a synagogue and a rural community
center—and meet with our newfound friends.
For many travelers, a discussion led by Dr. Carlos
Alzugaray Treto, a local university professor and
diplomat, was a highlight of the trip. Dr. Treto
provided color commentary on Cuba’s history
and its notable figures, including Batista, Che
Guevara and Castro. This session, along with a
pre-trip class hosted by Oglethorpe’s own Drs.
Mario Chandler and Viviana Plotnik, served as
an informative backdrop to our visits to various
historical sites, including the Bay of Pigs and the
Che Memorial.
Other highlights worthy of mention were our
guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts; visits
to two local artists’ homes for lunch and private
conversations; retracing the steps of Ernest
Hemingway, including visits to his home, Finca
Vigia, and his favorite watering hole, the Floridita
Bar; dining at Palaldares (private restaurants run
out of restaurateurs’ homes); and nighttime musical
entertainment reminiscent of night clubs portrayed
on the old “I Love Lucy” show.
Rest assured we spent plenty of time discussing the
day’s highlights over late-night Cuban cigars and
rum. And plotting our next alumni trip to another
exotic locale!
Don Henry ’83 graduated with a degree in
psychology, and currently works in commercial
real estate investment and management. He was
inducted into Oglethorpe’s Athletic Hall of Fame
for Cross Country in 1996 and has served on the
Alumni Board.
(below) Oglethorpe alumni and friends
explored the historic and exotic sites of Cuba,
and reconnected with each other along the way.
20 CARILLON | SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 | CARILLON 21