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CCE and Atlanta Day Trips
Matthew was attending a college fair at his high school alma mater, Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, when he learned about Oglethorpe’s service activities in the City of Atlanta and across the country. He was already volunteering in his local community, from cleaning up highways to tutoring and restoring plantation houses, and wanted this aspect of his life to continue while at college. Oglethorpe’s blend of service and learning was particularly attractive. The deal was sealed when he visited as a prospective JEO scholar and the group’s first activity was an OU day of service with Trees Atlanta. There he was, working side by side with Oglethorpe’s president and the director of the Center for Civic Engagement and by the end of the day, “The president really did know my name and still does,” says Matthew.
Since coming to Oglethorpe, Matthew has been able to stay involved through the Center and the many Atlanta day trips that are offered. Says Matthew, “Atlanta is your habitat, here. Through the center we mix the campus with greater Atlanta, partnering with other nonprofit organizations.” Asked about why he continues to do this, Matthew points to the great networks he’s been exposed to but, more so, the opportunity to work with people who have a passion for what they do. “Leaving campus, I get to see other people’s perspectives; how other people live. I really do get to bring classroom learning to the real world.”
A Communications and Rhetoric Studies major, Matthew advises, “At OU, it’s easy to get involved. It’s been great to see the transition students go through where they really want to serve, to make a difference.” Music is Matthew’s other passion, which is clear when he exclaims, “It’s great to be able to harmonize the theoretical with reality.”
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