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Fred Robey graduated from
Oglethorpe's University College evening program with a B.A. in 1997,
and has since turned his attention towards helping others achieve
their dreams of education. Fred taught English as a Second Language
("ESL") to international students in Atlanta through his involvement
with the Sandy Springs International Learning Center. He found this
volunteer activity so rewarding that he took a course offered
through Cambridge University and earned a CELTA certificate. This
certificate is recognized around the world as the credential of
someone qualified as an ESL instructor.
 One
of the volunteers at the Sandy Springs International Learning Center
was a native of Romania and was collecting books for her alma mater,
the University of Transylvania. Fred became involved in this
activity and helped collect a shipment of books. Oglethorpe
University played a big role in this project when they donated books
from the library. Additionally, others convinced Fred that he
could make a more meaningful contribution if he would travel to
Romania and hold ESL classes. Last year, Fred spent two months
there and he says it was one of the most rewarding experiences of
his life.
Fred
found the Romanian students to be depressed about their future in
Romania but eager to learn about everything, including the United
States. He taught ESL by talking about U.S. history, politics,
and social life. Of the over 400 students with whom he had
contact, only four had ever met an American.
 Fred says that the students take as many as eight
classes and that both the high school and the universities operate
in shifts. Learning is complicated by the fact that the
schools do not have adequate books, especially textbooks, written in
English.
To help solve this problem, Fred returned to
Romania this year and met with professors and students to determine
ways he might offer support. With the assistance of the Greater
Atlanta Community Foundation and the Sabre Foundation in Boston, he
is making a monetary donation that will provide 10,000 new textbooks
and the shipping to get them to Romania. Harvard University
has donated these unused textbooks for the project. Fred’s
future plans include aiding the Carpathian Foundation and the
Psychology/Teacher Training Department of the University of
Transylvania in getting the equipment and tools they need to become
certified by the Romanian Educational System. He also hopes to
establish an American library on the university campus.
Finally, he hopes to create an ESL school. Fred has met with
friends from the university and from various foundations and has
laid the groundwork for this continued effort.
 Fred says that he is undertaking this project because Romania has
such a critical need for current literature and textbooks. He also
has learned to respect the Romanian people. They are very hard
working people who have suffered tremendously during the past fifty
years. The people are warm and friendly and the country is
beautiful. The hope is there but the resources are lacking. One of
Fred’s students asked him if he thought one person could make a
difference. Fred’s answer was yes. Fred’s response ensured that he
would follow through on his interest in helping Romanian students.
For
his efforts, the University of Transylvania named Fred Robey an
honorary professor. He plans to return to Romania this fall and has
made a long term commitment to doing whatever he can to help his
Romanian friends.
Fred Robey is retired from United Parcel Service. In the
Fall 2001 issue of The Flying Petrel, Fred was recognized for his
contribution towards an endowed scholarship here at Oglethorpe.
Profile courtesy of Sue Brandt
Posted September 2002.
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