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Larry Schall, president of Oglethorpe University, is today’s Around Atlanta guest on Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Schall is on hand to discuss everything Oglethorpe has to offer the community, from arts programs and athletics to night courses and its 100th anniversary on Peachtree celebration.
A residential liberal arts and sciences college, Oglethorpe University was founded in 1835 in Midway, Georgia. At the time, there were less than 100 universities in the country, making Oglethorpe one of the nation’s oldest colleges. 100 years ago, the college was moved to its current location on Peachtree Road in Brookhaven. Currently, the university has 1,100 students from more than 30 states and 30 different countries. In addition, current students can choose from 30 majors.
Perhaps one of the most known aspects of Oglethorpe University to the general public was its partnership with Georgia Shakespeare. With the theater company closing last fall to much sadness, it opened the opportunity for the school to form new arts partnerships.
This year, Oglethorpe will partner with the Alliance Theatre, which will host education programs for school-aged children this summer. Also joining forces with Oglethorpe University is the Horizon Theatre Company, which will take the place of Georgia Shakespeare. Horizon Theatre will continue Georgia Shakespeare’s tradition of opening the season with plays in the park, and it will also continue to showcase students in its performances.
Other arts opportunities offered at Oglethorpe University are its partnership with Capital City Opera, which opens with a three week run in the fall, and the Oglethorpe Museum. Celebrating its 27th year, the museum is housed on the third floor of the library, and it includes two large galleries and one small one. The museum offers exhibitions that rotate frequently, and this summer’s upcoming exhibition showcases unique prints from Audubon. The museum is open to the public, and students and classes also use the museum as a learning experience as well.
In addition to arts programs, Oglethorpe University offers a variety of options for the public. The school has a variety of Division III athletic teams, including a top-5 ranked golf team, basketball, soccer and baseball. Admission to most events is $5.
The university also has summer camps for children, and it offers conversational language courses at night. Adults can enjoy a learning program designed for nontraditional learners or those wanting to take a single course on a particular subject. Literature courses and those on the Holocaust and Civil War are just a small sample of what’s being offered. Individuals can take these courses for credit, or for pure enjoyment with a small fee.
Visitors to campus may also notice construction taking place, as the campus is growing. The university has partnered with Gables, a residential real estate company, who is constructing a new Gables Oglethorpe residential building. The new facility will house students and community members in the 375-unit first phase, which is scheduled to open in October. Designed to look like traditional Oglethorpe buildings, it will also offer a swimming pool, fitness center and six classroom spaces. Located on the edge of campus, these buildings will face Oglethorpe and overlook the beautiful baseball field. Other construction projects include a new pedestrian pathway that will soon open, connecting campus with Town Brookhaven.
In addition to on campus construction projects, Oglethorpe University is growing abroad. The university recently opened three campuses abroad in Rome, South Africa and Greece.
Finally, alumni, family, faculty, students and the local community are all celebrating the university’s 100th year on Peachtree Road. The school just hosted a large alumni weekend, and it will also host a fall anniversary celebration.
To learn more about Oglethorpe University, listen to the full podcast above with President Schall. Then, visit www.Oglethorpe.edu for more information.
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The “Around Atlanta” segment is designed to showcase the best of metro Atlanta – the communities, attractions and special events that make this city great. To submit your event, community or attraction to the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, contact 770-383-3360.
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