Distinguished Guests on Campus for Turner Lynch Campus Center Opening Celebration

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Christie Pearce '15

There was no shortage of distinguished guests on campus for the weekend of festivities celebrating the official opening of the new Turner Lynch Campus Center.

Dialogue & Deliberation, a three-part lecture series on Thursday, October 24, featured national leaders in higher education, philanthropy, and business.

Atlanta CEOs discuss “Closing the Gap,” addressing the economy and the implications of the market for achieving the “American Dream.” Featuring: Jack Guynn, Moderator (Retired President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta); John Wieland, Chairman and CEO, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods; Robert Balentine, Chairman and CEO, Balentine; Richard Smith, Chairman and CEO, Equifax; and, Thomas Fanning, Chairman, President and CEO, Southern Company.

Atlanta area philanthropists discuss “Philanthropy and Change” and how agents of change can impact their communities locally and around the globe. Featuring:
John Stephenson, moderator and executive director, J. Bulow Campbell Foundation; Lillian Giornelli, president, CF Foundation; Penelope McPhee, president, The Arthur M. Blank Foundation; and, Kathleen Pattillo, co-founder and trustee, The Rockdale Foundation.

University presidents from around the country discuss “What Are We Doing Right in Higher Education?” addressing the state of higher education. Featuring: Kevin Riley, moderator and editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Dr. Mark Becker, president, Georgia State University; Dr. John McCardell, vice chancellor, Sewanee: The University of the South; Dr. John Sexton, president, New York University; Dr. James Wagner, president, Emory University; and, Dr. Lawrence Schall, president, Oglethorpe University.

Kinko’s founding partners John and Annie Odell with their daughter Katie Odell, a 2012 Oglethorpe graduate.

On Friday, October 25, the Oglethorpe Women’s Network hosted “Why OWNership Matters: Duplicating Kinko’s Success,” as part of the Rikard Lecture Series, which introduces students to current issues in business as presented by successful business and civic leaders.

Guest speakers were Annie and John Odell, parents of OU alumna Katie Odell ’12 and the founding partners of Kinko’s. They shared their inspiring personal and professional success story of growing and expanding Kinko’s. The Kinko’s business model of ownership set a standard for its founding partners and customers to live, work and play in their communities. Annie also spoke about the balance between motherhood and her career, telling anecdotes about her eldest son running around in a playpen at the back of her store, and Katie scanning her face with the copy machines. Her family became a part of the Kinko’s family, and vice versa. She says that the love she and her colleagues had for their work and their customers was the key to their success.

The weekend’s Fall Festival also drew a crowd to experience the new Turner Lynch Campus Center and to celebrate the season:

2020 Vision: Oglethorpe’s Future in Focus

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Allyson Terry '14

Have you read the latest issue of Oglethorpe’s Carillon magazine? The spring 2013 issue takes focus on our plans for a successful future through the lens of a strategic plan that will lead Oglethorpe into the year 2020. The campus center construction progress is only one of the latest and most visible milestones—and the entire issue is filled with engaging stories about campus life and about alumni and students who are making a life, making a living, and making a difference.

Read a spotlight on the Atlanta Laboratory for Learning (A-Lab), which will be located within the new campus center. It’s hailed as a “new experiential enterprise” that will provide students with a one-stop shop for exceptional experiential learning opportunities—in service, internships, study abroad and more.

Learn more about Pegasus Creative, Oglethorpe’s new on-campus student communications agency, and about the strengthening of Oglethorpe’s international ties through partnerships with Education First (EF) and Global LEAD.

Read about what happened at the Liberal Arts and Sciences Symposium as students presented and shared their own research with the entire campus community.

Check out fascinating alumni spotlights: Linda Sanders Scarborough ’65 and Chris Rylands ’01 discuss the importance of giving back; Joe Sutton ’09 has quickly worked his way up at CNN; Lorna Burrows Gordon ’04 hit the road for seven months, traveling in a retro-fitted bus; and, Charles Allen Stillman, Class of 1841, founded his namesake college!

Find out about the challenges that current students are taking on: the Tiny Homes project, working with Heifer International, and exploring the value of service learning courses.

Read the Carillon magazine here or enjoy the pages of your hard copy at home!

Josh Harris ’10: Making a Living by Making Laughs

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Allyson Terry '14

Josh Harris ’10

After being featured in the Carillon magazine last winter, Josh Harris ’10 has made major strides in his career as a comedian. He launched his own website and shares his love of comedy by teaching stand-up comedy classes at yourACT Acting Studios in Decatur, Ga.

While continuing to do live stand-up, Josh has shifted from being on stage to being on screen. This transition came after Josh realized that writing and producing are equally important components of comedy as performing. As a result, he’s created a series of comedy videos to test his new interests.

One video was taped on the Oglethorpe campus in the Dorough gym. The video is based on “The Brand Expanders,” one of Josh’s regular sketch comedy routines that centers around a pair of marketing men who pitch crazy ideas to famous figures. In the video shot on campus, Darth Vader is promoting his own sports drink called Vaderade. Check out the video to see what happens!

Josh attributes the success of the video shoot to the numerous students and alumni who came out to volunteer as extras and to support his endeavor. This connection with students (along with a sweet alumni deal offered by OU’s special events department to use the space!) made for a rewarding and progressive experience in Josh’s career. His comedy videos are now showcased at Sketchworks in Decatur where they’re some of the most requested sketches at the theater.

The OU community can support Josh Harris by attending one of his many stand-up performances or by taking his stand-up comedy class at yourACT. Even if you aren’t a comedian, Josh says that the experience of being on stage also improves public speaking skills and boosts confidence. Now who wouldn’t want that?

“I really love not only performing stand-up, but there’s something about having your own vision and putting it on paper. Just having a crazy concept and then seeing it, bringing it to life…now that’s really something I enjoy doing.”

OU Alumni Make a Difference in the Lives of Homeless Youth

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Allyson Terry '14

Several Oglethorpe alumni have put their passion into action in an effort to positively influence the lives of middle and high school youth in metro Atlanta.

ChopArt, a nonprofit organization founded by Malika Whitley ’11, provides homeless youth with a means of expression via art exploration. The organization strives to encourage positive values and enhance participants’ abilities by discovering therapy and release in poetry, photography and painting.

Five other Oglethorpe alumni also support ChopArt. Serving on the Board of Directors are Jewel Thompson ’10 (Chair), Kyle Parker ’09 (Secretary), Christopher Harvin ’08 (Treasurer) and Ashlee Brown ’10. Many of these alumni were actively involved in campus service projects, including alternative breaks planned by the Center for Civic Engagement.

Malika believes that “Oglethorpe breeds a certain type of person” and finding other students that share a passion for service are not hard to find on campus. Her Oglethorpe experience, she says, provided her with the tools and opportunities to absorb other cultures and learn from those interactions.

Malika Whitley '11

Malika’s passion for art and helping others was evident while she was attending OU. She interned with the National Black Arts Festival during her senior year summer and traveled to Cape Town, South Africa where she completed an internship with the city’s Special Events Department. While in Cape Town, Malika observed the theory and practice of art exploration—and the impact it was having on the children in South Africa.

After realizing its effectiveness, she used this technique in India where she served as an IDEX Fellow for Social Enterprise ’11-’12. There, Malika introduced art as a confidant for children who were afraid to speak about their daily struggles, providing them with coping and life skills for better handling those struggles. She encountered young girls who were taught to be afraid to speak out, and empathizing with their insecurity, provided them a voice through art.

Malika learned something else on that trip—she wanted to dedicate her life to serving others. “I cannot do anything else with my life but serve other people, because otherwise, I would be doing a disservice to my parents and to the people who believe in me.” said Malika. As a result, the idea for ChopArt was born, and then became reality in 2012.

Current students and alumni are encouraged to volunteer with ChopArt! Opportunities include mentoring and helping to prepare students for an upcoming “professional” art show, “Dual Concepts,” on August 1, 2013. Even if you lack those creative juices, your time and support would be appreciated. For more information about ChopArt and ways to get involved, visit the ChopArt website.

The Lale Özgörkey Bell Tower Dedicated at Oglethorpe’s Lupton Hall

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Renee Vary

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Cemal Özgörkey, Armagan Özgörkey, Coca-Cola's Chairman & CEO Muhtar Kent and President Schall

On April 8, Oglethorpe University officially dedicated the iconic bell tower of Lupton Hall as The Lale Özgörkey Bell Tower. A dedication ceremony held in front of Lupton Hall included special guest speakers Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.

The naming is in recognition of a generous gift from the Özgörkey family, many of whom were in attendance. Cemal Özgörkey, chairman of Özgörkey Holding, is a member of the Oglethorpe’s Board of Trustees. Both he and his brother, Armagan Özgörkey, vice chairman of Özgörkey Holding, are Oglethorpe alumni. The bell tower’s new name honors their mother, Lale Özgörkey. The family’s gift benefits Oglethorpe’s new campus center, opening in August 2013.

“Oglethorpe’s relationship with the Özgörkey family began more than 30 years ago and we could not be more proud of Cemal and Armagan and what they accomplished,” said Oglethorpe President Larry Schall. “It’s a tremendous privilege for our entire community to name the bell tower that overlooks our campus in honor of their mother, Lale Özgörkey.”

Lupton Hall is named after John Thomas Lupton, the owner of the Southern franchise of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Lupton Hall was completed in three phases, with groundbreaking ceremonies in 1922, 1924 and 1927. The bell tower, a part of the original section of the hall, was built as a memorial to Lupton’s mother. Lupton Hall was the second building erected on the university’s campus.

Oglethorpe University Stories

News, events and stories from Oglethorpe University

Tag Archives: Alumni

Distinguished Guests on Campus for Turner Lynch Campus Center Opening Celebration

2020 Vision: Oglethorpe’s Future in Focus

Josh Harris ’10: Making a Living by Making Laughs

OU Alumni Make a Difference in the Lives of Homeless Youth

The Lale Özgörkey Bell Tower Dedicated at Oglethorpe’s Lupton Hall