Each year at Oglethorpe’s commencement, families and friends gather to celebrate members of the graduating class. For one Petrel family, the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2023 was extra special as they celebrated a third generation of Oglethorpe graduates in their family.
Marie Stanford ’23 joins her parents and grandmother as a Petrel alumna, having earned her bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in psychology. She has also been enrolled in the Bridge program with Mercer University in early childhood education.
Marie’s parents Laura Stanford ’91 and Duane Stanford ’92 met at Oglethorpe and are proud alumni. Marie’s grandmother, Marcia Hartrick Cunningham ’63, graduated 60 years ago and studied education at Oglethorpe.
“It’s remarkable that my mother attended and graduated at a time when that was less common for women. Then for me and Marie to continue the legacy across three generations has created a shared experience that connects us beyond just family ties,” said Laura Stanford. “Also, I met my husband at Oglethorpe, so we are quite the Petrel family!”
Three generations of OU alumni together on the quad after the 2023 commencement: Marcia Hartrick Cunningham ’63, Marie Stanford ’23, Laura Stanford ’91 and Duane Stanford ‘92
The family values the educational experience offered at Oglethorpe, and in each generation, they found something special about the campus. “It’s validating to know that our daughter fell in love with Oglethorpe the way we did and had a positive experience,” said Laura.
For Marie, her student experience highlights Oglethorpe’s continued focus on the individual student and support for her personal and educational pursuits. She says that though Oglethorpe had always been on her radar because of her family’s ties, when she visited the campus she was immediately drawn to the beautiful campus, small class sizes, and location. She notes that her favorite thing about her experience is the connections she has made and the special connection she shares with her family and the campus.
“I love that we can talk about what has changed about the campus and what has stayed the same, and that we can always say that we share an alma mater,” said Marie.
She also values the relationships with her professors and how much they care about the students. It’s a sentiment her grandmother also shares from her experience six decades prior.
“My fondest memories are attending the classes which ultimately resulted in developing my knowledge and a broader understanding of the past, present, and the emerging future,” Cunningham says. “The relationship with the professors is also a very positive memory. They were always available and responded to our needs and goals.”
She is proud of a new generation of Petrel alumni in the family. “It is a great feeling of satisfaction knowing that one more family member will enter the adult world better prepared to meet challenges as a result of an excellent educational experience at Oglethorpe University,” said Cunningham, who enjoyed a meaningful career as a special education teacher for 35 years.
After graduating, Marie will stay in Atlanta to complete her master’s degree in early childhood education at Mercer University, and then she also plans to become a teacher.
