For more than 50 years, Earth Day has served as an annual call to action in support of the planet and its natural resources. This year at Oglethorpe, students, faculty and staff heeded that call, rolled up their sleeves and got to work, participating in a week of cleanups and beautification throughout campus.
The week commenced on April 18 with students, guided by Biology Lecturer Dr. Graham Wyatt, trimming out invasive plant species from forested areas on campus. This effort, focused on preserving biodiversity and native plant life, laid the groundwork for the week’s activities.
On April 19, another group of students, under the leadership of Professor of Biology Dr. Roarke Donnelly, participated in a cleanup operation targeting litter in the forest behind Greek Row.
The pinnacle of the Earth Day celebrations occurred on April 22, with more than 100 students joining Oglethorpe University President Dr. Kathryn McClymond in planting over 1,000 new flowers across campus.
OU President Kathryn McClymond plants flowers with a student
In addition to campus cleanup, students from the group Environmentally Conscious Students of Oglethorpe, led by Sahara Moore ’24, took proactive steps to promote sustainability. They distributed eco-friendly items such as laundry detergent, toothpaste tablets and plantable pens in the Turner Lynch Campus Center, fostering awareness and encouraging sustainable practices among fellow Petrels.
The commitment to environmental preservation extended beyond campus borders as well. On April 23, Part-Time Lecturer in Biology Dr. Maura Dudley and the OU Stream Team, led by student Mackenzie Roberson ’24, undertook a cleanup operation in the streams throughout the university. Their efforts resulted in the removal of multiple bags of trash, contributing to the ecological health of these streams that help bring a sense of calm—and, occasionally, new wildlife—to Oglethorpe’s campus.
“We often take for granted the beautiful plants and animals that surround and support our well-being,” says Roberson. “We hope to make students feel like they are a part of the campus ecosystem, because they already are. Increased awareness and sustainable practices allow Oglethorpe to continue to be the beautiful campus that we love.”
Oglethorpe University’s Earth Day activities underscored its ongoing commitment to maintaining a sustainable campus environment. By engaging students, faculty and staff in hands-on initiatives, the institution continues to cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility and stewardship.
Dr. Maura Dudley (right), Mackenzie Roberson (second from right) and the OU Stream Team with the trash collected from campus’s streams
