From more than 22,000 applicants, Oxford welcomes 436 first-year students from
33 states and 15 countries.
Students Move In,
Make New Friends
Amid happy chaos and conversation, renewed friendships and introductions, and anticipation for the academic year ahead, new students embraced the tradition of Orientation Week on Oxford’s campus.
“Welcoming this class is particularly special for me because it is also my first year at Oxford, and we will embrace learning and growing together,” said Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life. “Our staff put together an incredible orientation program that helped students connect and begin to form bonds that will last a lifetime. I look forward to seeing all the great things they do at Oxford and beyond.”
New Beginnings
Prior to the official start of the week, many incoming first-years participated in Ignite, an immersive and interactive five-day experience designed to foster community. With interest-based tracks focusing on leadership, sustainability, innovation, and STEM, among other topics, new students gained insight into peer-to-peer mentorship, student organizations, and engagement opportunities across campus and in Atlanta.
Oxford first-year students during Ignite.
Oxford first-year students during Ignite.
On move-in days, student leaders took charge to share friendly greetings and banners of welcome for newcomers and returning students. While groups toured campus, the dorms bustled, roommates met in person, and enthusiastic reunions took place, Oxford students embraced the opportunities of the coming academic year
The Oxford Expo Resource Fair introduced students to representatives from campus offices and student groups. Participants were invited to explore and get involved with the wealth of special interest clubs and athletic programs on campus.
The Oxford Expo Resource Fair.
The Oxford Expo Resource Fair.
Orientation Week also paid homage to the time-honored and beloved tradition of a shared Coke toast, presented this year by Sarah Fankhauser, associate professor of Biology. Gathered on the quad to take part in making a new memory, the Oxford community ushered in the 2024-25 academic year in classic Emory style.
Orientation student leaders welcoming first-year students and their families.
Orientation student leaders welcoming first-year students and their families.
Associate Professor of Biology Sarah Fankhauser presided over the annual Coke Toast.
Associate Professor of Biology Sarah Fankhauser presided over the annual Coke Toast.
Move-In
Coke Toast
Time-Honored Traditions
Oxford Olympics
The first-year class joined forces to compete in the annual Oxford Olympics. Six teams of orientation groups sported unifying colors to partake in friendly contests, such as Hippity Hop Relay, Three-Legged Race, Basketball, and rousing games of Hungry Hungry Hippo. Healthy Eagles and Oxford staff facilitated each of the team challenges. Congratulations to the Red Team, which took first place, and to the “most spirited” Orange Team!
OxCited to Be Here
Convocation
On Wednesday evening after the first day of class, the Oxford community gathered to celebrate the Convocation ceremony and welcome Emory leaders, Oxford faculty and staff, faculty emeriti, new and returning students, and alumni.
Dean Badia Ahad offered insight into the Oxford Class of 2028. Noting that two-thirds of the class spoke more than one language, she shared, “You are truly citizens of the world, and tonight, you follow in the spirit of thousands of young scholars who have come before you, living and learning on this historic campus where Emory University was born.”
New beginnings, she acknowledged, will offer exciting opportunities for growth. “Here at Oxford, you will be guided by faculty whose highest priority is to feed your curiosity and provide you with opportunities to explore your values and interests both inside and outside the classroom.”
Citing Chaplain Lyn Pace’s benediction, Emory President Gregory L. Fenves referred to the phrase “All that lies ahead of us.” These words, he said, “capture the extraordinary anticipation of this moment. A fresh page. A new semester. The adventure of another academic year. And for many of you, the launch of a life-changing new experience here at Oxford College.”
Fenves challenged students to “Bring it! This is your time to engage and explore. Take a deep dive into a new class. Check out a club or interest group, or lean into a campus leadership role,” he said. “It’s all part of your Oxford education, and it will help you define your path at Emory and shape your future.”
“It's been said that the beginning is always today, full of things that have never been. I urge you to embrace the possibilities of this beginning, and all that lies ahead. It will be the experience of a lifetime.”
Emory University President Gregory L. Fenves
Gregory L. Fenves, Emory University president.
Gregory L. Fenves, Emory University president.
To new members of the Class of 2028, Emory Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Ravi V. Bellamkonda shared, “You’ve joined a magical place of scholarship, wisdom, and knowledge. As a liberal arts college within a major research university, we have the talent and resources to make research discoveries, to produce creative works, and perform acts of service that do good in the world.” He went on to say, “Doing good is deep in our DNA at Emory.”
Ravi V. Bellamkonda, Emory provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs.
Ravi V. Bellamkonda, Emory provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs.
Student Government Association (SGA) president Kenan Bajraktarevic also addressed the gathering, stating that “As the student government president, my goal this year is to keep the feeling that this is your home.”
Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English, delivered the keynote address titled “The Memory of Old Emory” as a call to continue strengthening the Oxford community. She said, “We can write Oxford’s next chapter; we can contribute to the story and collective memory of a new Oxford, to the memory of a new Emory.”
Oxford College faculty attended Convocation.
Oxford College faculty attended Convocation.
“It is on all of us to be part of making the memory of a new Emory. We are the place-makers, we make community, and to do so, we must step off our respective porches with open hearts and free minds,” McGehee encouraged. “Let us go forth bravely, ready to listen and to hear, ready to greet one another on the quad, ready to learn.”
Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life Darleny Cepin, in her first Convocation since joining Oxford this summer, introduced students to a new tradition of donning Emory pins to officially welcome them to their class. She also asked students to consider the Emory shield as a symbol of the rich learning community they have joined.
First-year students during the traditional pinning ceremony.
First-year students during the traditional pinning ceremony.
“Each of you brings amazing talents, interests, and your own lived-in experiences and ideas to Oxford. As part of the Emory University community, you are joining us in pursuit of knowledge that is intertwined with the cultivation of character.”
Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life Darleny Cepin
During the program, Dean Ahad also welcomed four extraordinary new professors into the tenure and teaching track: Joseph Cheatle, assistant professor of English and director of the Writing and Communication Center; Tülay Dixon, assistant teaching professor of QTM and Linguistics; Mary Johnson, assistant professor of Art; and Kelly Murray-Stoker, assistant professor of Biology.
Eight Oxford faculty were also promotions were also announced:
Tanya Davis, Teaching Professor of Spanish
Nicholas Fesette, Associate Professor of Theater
Devon Goss, Associate Professor of Sociology
Alix Olson, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Deric Shannon, Professor of Sociology
Salmon Shomade, Professor of Political Science
Erin Tarver, Professor of Philosophy
Daniel Walter, Associate Professor of German and Linguistics
In closing, Chaplain Pace shared, “We are on this journey together as we begin this new academic year. We are part of one another, dependent on one another, and may we truly treat each other as if this is true, because it is.”
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Keynote Speaker Molly McGehee, senior associate dean for teaching, scholarship, strategic initiatives and professor of English.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Darleny Cepin, senior associate dean of Campus Life.
Candlelight Procession
Following the Candlelight Procession Ceremony, incoming students carried candles across the historic Oxford campus grounds, led by Chaplain Lyn Pace. The procession continued to the steps of Phi Gamma, where sophomore students symbolically “passed the torch” by lighting the candles of freshmen.
To candles raised, Pace reflected on the importance of new beginnings—and encouraged students to open their minds and hearts to the opportunities the upcoming year will bring.
Oxford Alumnus Lance Marriott welcomed the audience in song during Convocation when he performed his rendition of "Bridge over Troubled Water.
Oxford Alumnus Lance Marriott welcomed the audience in song during Convocation when he performed his rendition of "Bridge over Troubled Water.
Oxford College of Emory University | August 30, 2024
Designed by Kristine Gonsalez and written by Michelle Valigursky. Photos by Paul Beezley, Jenni Girtman, and Kayleena Nguyen.
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