ATLANTA - College students from Oglethorpe University are turning away from more familiar notions of spring break – partying, home cooking and sleeping late – in favor of lending a hand in the Gulf Coast region devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Lead by new President Dr. Lawrence M. Schall, 30 members of the Oglethorpe community will travel to Louisiana for an alternative spring break on Saturday, March 18, returning Sunday, March 26.

The Oglethorpe volunteers will work with a network of Catholic charities in Orleans Parrish gutting damaged homes and cleaning out lots so that houses can be rebuilt. The students, faculty and staff will stay in a tent city once used by the National Guard. Some travel scholarships were made available through the university but most of the volunteers paid to travel to Louisiana and participate in the clean up.

“I would like to help in the rebuilding effort for New Orleans not only because I want to play a small role in improving the lives of those who are suffering from the catastrophes, but also to expand my horizons. I want my college experience to consist of more than just academics. I want to leave Oglethorpe University with the knowledge that I have made an impact, however small, on the world around me, and this opportunity offers me a chance to do so,” said Oglethorpe freshman Shu-Yuan Hu.

During the month of September, various Oglethorpe students, President Schall and his wife flew with Angel Flight of Georgia pilots to Louisiana and Alabama to unload and distribute supplies to those in need. Oglethorpe University then assisted hurricane survivors from its campus in Atlanta by becoming a donation site for the neighboring community, and over 100 student volunteers continued to deliver goods to Angel Flight on a daily basis.

President Schall will be inaugurated on April 22, 2006, and one of his goals is to continue an environment and culture of service. One day of inauguration festivities will be the April 21 Day of Service where the entire Oglethorpe University community will participate in a day-long service project for Garden Hills Elementary, in the Atlanta Public School System. The theme of the three-day inauguration is “Hands On” – appropriate for this 16th president.