President of the Oxford Alumni Board

January 2008

Dear Fellow Oxford Alumni:

I am extremely happy to report to you that in the 2007 fiscal year we had a 39.4% increase in participation and a 71.9% increase in donations.  Thanks to all who have been so loyal and supportive of Oxford.

What an exciting time to be an Oxford College Alumni. Oxford has embarked on an ambitious journey to extensively upgrade the facilities and to vastly increase the scholarship endowment.  The new 350 student dormitory will be completed in the Fall of 2008.  Planning for the new science center and library is well underway and we expect them to be open within five years.  Present enrollment is 714 and will remain below 725 for at least the next two years.  A larger scholarship endowment allows Oxford to create a future for deserving students where none may have existed.  Emory has committed to make large investments in our facilities; however, the ultimate success of these goals must be supported through the generosity and involvement of you, our Alumni.  Keep up with the progress via our webcam.

Even though many of us were not "A" students, I believe we all benefited from our Oxford Experience.  Just imagine, what our lives could have been if Oxford had not been affordable to us?  The investment we made at Oxford have paid dividends a hundred times over for us, not to mention our lasting friendships and memories, which I am certain are among our greatest treasures.   

Oxford offers the cornerstone of an unsurpassed liberal arts education with the emphasis on leadership and the highest level of personal integrity.  It is no wonder that President Wagner continues to speak positively about the success, both in leadership and academics, of Oxford students at Emory.  The uniqueness is so compelling that the Ford Foundation has commissioned a grant to evaluate Oxford's approach to the development of its students.

The last five years on the Oxford Alumni Board have provided me with the chance to build a working relationship with the administration, faculty, students and other board members.  I can honestly state that "that the more things change the more they stay the same".  The Oxford Experience is still alive and well.

As an alum you are represented by the Alumni Board.  It is composed of 68 class agents.  The board meets in the Spring and Fall.  We are divided into four working committees:  Fund Raising, Communications, Events/Activities, and Recruitment.  The board has funds of $7300.00 which will be used in part for scholarship and an on campus project.  Presently, we need class agents for the years 1961, 1974, 1976 and 1983.  If you would be interested in being a part of the Alumni Board contact Tammy Camfield, Director of Alumni at 770-784-8414 or tcamfie@emory.edu.

I know most of you live a great distance from Oxford, but in addition to your financial support you can provide other valuable services for your alma mater.  Recommend Oxford College to prospective students, tell us how the University can better communicate to alumni, recommend events or activities which you would be a willing participant, and help us locate missing classmates.

The 2008 Oxford Annual Fund began September 1^st.  Don't wait!!!  Write the check or make your gift online at www.alumni.emory.edu/supportemory .

I believe we all know now what we should have known then:  Oxford is The Place Our Dreams Began!

Sincerely,

Joe Bartenfeld 64Ox; 66C

President Oxford Alumni Board