Press Release

Oglethorpe Freshmen Give Back This Weekend

ATLANTA – From day one Oglethorpe University creates a service learning environment. As part of new student orientation the freshman class will learn how to give back by volunteering at the Historic Oakland Cemetery. On Saturday, August 25, from 9:30 a.m. until noon Oglethorpe’s class of 2011 will work together in groups to clean, preserve and restore the grounds.

Oglethorpe University President Lawrence M. Schall, faculty, staff and nearly 200 first-year students will pitch-in by raking leaves, hauling and spreading mulch and cleaning up sidewalks. The 48-acre cemetery, founded in 1850, is owned by the City of Atlanta and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Notables in the cemetery include golf legend Bobby Jones, Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell and former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.

This project is sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement and signifies the freshmen’s first OUr Atlanta experience. OUr Atlanta is a program designed to engage Oglethorpe students with up-close-and-personal opportunities in the city’s cultural, athletic, business, research, service and government communities. The goal of the program is to reinforce and enrich the academic experience, to inspire students to become contributing citizens and to solidify their connection to the city.

Students return to Oglethorpe University today for new student orientation and classes start Tuesday, August 28.