On Move-In Day 2026, Oxford College welcomed some 533 talented and accomplished students from around the country and the world, selected from the largest applicant pool in the school’s history.
A New Chapter Begins.
Oxford welcomed a new class of curious, creative and community-minded students, filing campus with the sounds of rolling suitcases, excited conversations, and plenty of first-day smiles. With help from family, friends and student leaders, they settled into their new homes, met new friends, and began their Oxford journey – ready to discover new possibilities and chart their own paths.
“Move-In Weekend is one of my favorite moments of the year because it marks the beginning of a student’s Oxford experience and the many possibilities ahead,” says Darleny Cepin, Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer. “From day one, we are intentional about creating a community where students feel known, supported, connected, and positioned for success. This is where students begin to find their people, discover their purpose, develop as leaders, and build the confidence to navigate what comes next. At Oxford, we want every student to know they belong here and that their journey matters.”
A Solid Foundation
Before the semester began, first-year students had the opportunity to jump into the Oxford experience through Ignite, a five-day program focused on leadership development, community building, and service. Through volunteering, exploring Oxford and Atlanta, and connecting with faculty, staff, and second-year mentors, students began building the relationships that would shape their Oxford experience.
Oxford first-year students during Ignite.
Oxford first-year students during Ignite.
Students in the Oxford Launch: London program arrived early, giving them a chance to settle in, connect with the Oxford community, and get a preview of the campus they'll call home when they return for their second semester.
Dean Molly McGehee with the 2026 London Launch cohort.
Dean Molly McGehee with the 2026 London Launch cohort.
International Student Week (ISW) welcomed 61 students. They attended eight sessions with campus partners like ASC, Academic Integrity, Residential Life, Religious and Spiritual Life, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being, Global Oxford, F-1 Visa Support, Nutrition, and Student Leadership. Participants also visited the Coca-Cola Museum, Ponce City Market, and joined a morning service project with the Office of Student Civic and Community Engagement.
International Student cohort at the Coke Museum.
International Student cohort at the Coke Museum.
Incoming first-years participating in Ignite Escape Room event.
Incoming first-years participating in Ignite Escape Room event.
London Launch Send Off.
London Launch Send Off.
International Student cohort visiting the Coke Museum as part of pre-orientation festivities.
International Student cohort visiting the Coke Museum as part of pre-orientation festivities.
Moving In and Moving On
Student leaders welcomed the incoming class and their families to campus, bringing the “Ox-cited” spirit to life from the moment they arrived. Second-year guides introduced new students to Oxford’s history and traditions on campus tours, while the Oxford Dining Hall offered a delicious first taste of the community that now call home.
Oxford Orientation Leaders welcoming the incoming class and their families on Move-In Day 2026.
Oxford Orientation Leaders welcoming the incoming class and their families on Move-In Day 2026.
Students explored the many resources and opportunities designed to support their academic success, well-being, and life beyond the classroom. At the Oxford Resource Fair, they connected with campus departments, special interest clubs, athletic programs, and more—discovering new ways to get involved, build community, and make Oxford their own.
Incoming students at the Oxford Resource Fair.
Incoming students at the Oxford Expo Resource Fair.
Incoming Oxford students and their families moving in.
Incoming Oxford students and their families moving in.
Oxford Resource Fair.
Oxford Resource Fair.
Honoring Timeless Traditions
Coke Toast
The annual Coke Toast marked a meaningful transition for students as they said goodbye to their families and looked ahead to their Oxford journey. This year, Associate Teaching Professor of Dance, Alejandro Abarca encouraged students to embrace the uncertainty ahead by sharing a lesson that has shaped his own life: “Stay the Course”
Associate Teaching Professor of Dance Alejandro Abarca led the 2026 Coke Toast.
Associate Teaching Professor of Dance Alejandro Abarca led the 2026 Coke Toast.
Drawing on advice from Karen Stokes, former Chair of the Dance Department at the University of Houston, Abarca shared four reminders with students:
Life hardly ever goes as planned.
Trust the process, not the product.
Focus on habits, not the goals.
You made it this far, and that means you are already succeeding.
For students beginning a new chapter at Oxford, Abarca’s message was simple” So just stay the course.”
As students said goodbye to their families and prepared to settle into college life, the toast offered a reminder that they didn’t need to have everything figured out. Their Oxford journey would be shaped not only by where they were headed, but by the habits, relations, and experiences they build along the way.
Associate Teaching Professor of Dance Alejandro Abarca led the 2026 Coke Toast.
Associate Teaching Professor of Dance Alejandro Abarca led the 2026 Coke Toast.
Oxford Olympics
The annual Oxford Olympics was a hit with Oxford’s Class of 2028. Sponsored by CHL, the event helps first-year students build community, make friends, and de-stress during orientation week. Eight teams, each in a different color, hopped, ran, and competed against one another to be crowned the winners of this year's events. This year’s winners were the yellow team, followed by Blue as the runner-up, while Pink earned the most spirited!
Yellow team takes top honors at the 2026 Oxford Olympics.
Yellow team takes top honors at the 2026 Oxford Olympics.
New Beginnings
Convocation
The Oxford community gathered for one of its most cherished traditions, Convocation, marking the start of a new academic year and the beginning of Oxford’s Class of 2030’s college experience. Surrounded by families, friends, staff, faculty, and second-year students, we welcomed this group of incoming students into our community. In her opening remarks, Dean Molly McGehee shared, “The ceremony is not only a marker of the beginning but a call to community.”
This year, Oxford College welcomes 531 first-year students from over 27,000 applicants, the largest applicant pool in its history. The Class of 2030 includes diverse, accomplished individuals: a wildlife conservation founder, a composting workshop leader donating produce, a legislator collaborator, and a junior park ranger at Glacier National Park. They hail from 39 states, 2 U.S. territories, and 12 countries, enriching the college’s diverse community and creating a vibrant learning environment.
“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. They will answer your questions and inspire you to ask your own. And they will encourage you to open your hearts and minds to the joy of discovery.”
Dean Molly McGehee
To the Class of 2030, Provost Badia Ahad shared “Oxford asks you to participate and to LEAD very early. You do not have to wait until your junior or senior year to join a faculty member’s research team, become a teaching assistant or an RA, take responsibility for a student organization, or contribute meaningfully to the life of your college. Here, you are invited into the intellectual and communal life of the institution from the beginning. She recalls her own journey beginning at Oxford three years ago and all the lessons that this community offered her not just about leadership and belonging, but what happens when you take in your surroundings to truly enjoy where you are and who you are becoming.
Emory President-Elect Christopher L. Augostini delivering Convocation remarks.
Emory President-Elect Christopher L. Augostini delivering Convocation remarks.
Oxford faculty and staff at Convocation.
Oxford faculty and staff at Convocation.
She shared some words of wisdom from a lesson she has learned over time, especially for the incoming class, saying, “We can spend so much of our lives anticipating what comes next that we fail to fully inhabit where we are. There will always be another milestone, opportunity, or destination. But happiness often comes less from reaching a new place and more from recognizing the goodness in the present moment. And there is so much goodness here. But for now, enjoy the walk. Welcome to Oxford, and welcome to the new academic year.”
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Badia Ahad.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Badia Ahad.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Badia Ahad.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Badia Ahad.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Deric Shannon, Professor of Sociology at Oxford College of Emory University, reminded us of a fundamental truth: community is important in all aspects of our lives. For an institution like Oxford College, this message speaks volumes. We are a strong, interconnected community that consistently comes together to push one another toward growth, break boundaries, and reach new heights. Drawing a connection between our social bonds and our health, Shannon noted that a genuine sense of belonging is directly linked to a range of well-being measures.
“...community is of primary importance in human life. It is a source of activity. It is a source of meaning. It is a source of good health. It is a source of life-affirming moments and generalized well-being.”
Dr. Deric Shannon
This is where Oxford College truly makes its mark. Community is not just an added benefit here; it’s a major aspect of the Oxford experience. As students navigate this influential chapter in their lives, Oxford provides a nurturing environment where they are never alone, fostering a truly inclusive space where every student can build their community, deepen their connection, and find their voice, their sense of identity, and their love for this place they now call home.
Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer Darleny Cepin and Oxford SGA President Arielle Gomberg 27Ox.
Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer Darleny Cepin and Oxford SGA President Arielle Gomberg 27Ox.
As the ceremony ended, Senior Associate Dean of Campus Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer Dr. Darleny Cepin, along with Oxford SGA President Arielle Gomberg 27Ox, introduced students to the tradition of donning Emory pins to welcome them to their class officially.
She also asked students to consider the Emory shield as a symbol of the rich learning community they have joined. “The shield contains two emblems, a torch and a trumpet.” She says, “The torch gives us light, that light represents curiosity—the desire to ask questions, discover something new, and keep learning. The trumpet represents your voices; it reminds us that your ideas matter. Your path matters. And your voice matters. Use your voice to support others, celebrate your classmates, ask questions, and speak about what matters to you.”
During the program, Dean McGehee also welcomed three extraordinary new professors into the tenure and teaching track:
Mary Kelaita, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology
Jiwon Min, PhD, Assistant Professor of English
Vanessa Yee-Kwan Wong, PhD, Assistant Professor of Chinese
Four Oxford faculty members were also promoted:
Alejandro Abarca, Associate Teaching Professor of Dance
Natalia Bayona-Vasquez, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology
Zachary Binney, PhD, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Data Science
Christopher Blake, PhD, Associate Professor of Economics
In closing, College Chaplain Brent Huckaby shared a blessing: “May you go into this new year with confidence, humility, courage, and joy. May you find shelter and safety in the community that is Oxford College. May you find support from friends, faculty, and staff who enable you to be your very best, and may you be someone who offers grace and light to those around you. May you find intellectual growth, deep meaning, and holistic wellness as you journey together. Go in peace.”
College Chaplain Brent Huckaby giving closing remarks.
College Chaplain Brent Huckaby giving closing remarks.
Candlelight Procession
As the sun set over the Quad, Phi Gamma was illuminated by the shadows of first-year and second-year students getting ready for the annual candlelight procession. The atmosphere was alive with excitement, wonder, and curiosity, signifying the start of 28Ox's Oxford Experience.
Led by Chaplain Huckaby and Senior Associate Dean Cepin, with help from second-year students, this symbolic tradition marked the passing of the torch to the incoming class, offering them light and support as they begin to create their own journey and legacy here at Oxford College.
Oxford College of Emory University | August 28, 2026
Designed by Kristine Taylor. Written by Tarrell Mitchell and Natalie Wagoner. Photos by Paul Beezley, Paulina Yang 27Ox, Jessie Han 27Ox .
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