Oglethorpe Day

Thursday, February 13, 1997

 

 

Program

 

Despite the steady downpour of rain, Oglethorpe Day 1997 began with a bagpipe summons at the entrance to Lupton Auditorium on the campus of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. The summons was especially relevant, for bagpiper Joel McGinnis was joined on drums by fellow student Andrew Jackson of Godalming, England--James Oglethorpe's boyhood hometown.

The heavy rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm or attendance of this year's celebration, though concern for the student safety led officials to cancel the customary "Petrels of Fire" foot race around the academic quadrangle.

Dean Donald R. Moore, who is responsible for planning the annual event, welcomed the many students, faculty, and guests in attendance. President Donald S. Stanton then followed with a warm welcome. His Oglethorpe Day Message recounted the visit to England last October by a delegation of 57 Georgians headed by Governor Miller.

After his address, Dr. Stanton introduced Carrie Jacobs Henderson, granddaughter of Thornwell Jacobs, president of Oglethorpe University from 1915 to 1943. It was Jacobs who had discovered the burial site of General Oglethorpe in England and purchased most of the portraits of Georgia's founder currently on display at Oglethorpe University.

While president, Jacobs had a magnificent hand-carved historic coat of arms created to hang in office.The crest, carved of wood in Switzerland, was based on the coat of arms of the Oglethorpe family. However, Do. Jacobs replaced the Latin family motto from Nescit Cedere, "He who does not know how to give up," to Manu Dei Resurrexit, "By God's hand it is resurrected," which became an early motto of the University.

For over five decades, the wooden coat of arms has hung in the home of Jacobs' son, which Carrie Jacobs Henderson inherited. Recently, she and the surviving Jacobs family decided to return to the carving to Oglethorpe University. The unveiling was one of the highlights of this year's Oglethorpe Day. Dr. Stanton accepted the restored coat of arms on behalf of Oglethorpe University and announced that it will henceforth hang in the Weltner Library. Ms. Henderson then gave a brief address detailing the history of the carving.

Next Dr. Ed Cashin, director of the Center for the Study of Georgia History, told of a special essay contest held this year as part of the Oglethorpe Tercentenary celebration. Over 1,000 students from around the state participated in the contest, and the winners were being recognized at this year's Oglethorpe Day. On hand to give out certificates and awards were the contest's two other judges--Dorothy Olson and Cathy Hodge. Winners from elementary, middle, and high school competitions were then recognized as a group.

Next, Ken Thomas, vice president for the Georgia Historical Society's Atlanta Region, formally presented a new volume created specifically for the Oglethorpe Tercentenary. While telling the audience about the book and its subject, Mr. Thomas was interrupted by none other than James Edward Oglethorpe himself. In animated fashion, actor John Carson took on the persona of Georgia's founder told the dramatic story of Georgia's origin, the first settlement, his battles with the Spanish, and his eventual return to England.

As 1997 marked tenth year anniversary of the Oglethorpe University Alma Mater, the University Singers performed the familiar first stanza followed by the virtually unknown second stanza of the song. Then, the alma mater was repeated with the audience joining in.

 

Following the conclusion of the formal program, events shifted to the Emerson Student Center for lunch. Here, Dr. Stanton led a toast of wassail to the memory of James Edward Oglethorpe. Oglethorpe Day 1997 ended with the authors of James Edward Oglethorpe: New Perspectives on His Life and Legacy autographing copies of the new book

 

 

Acknowledgments

 

Oglethorpe Day is sponsored by Community Life. It is held annually on campus to celebrate the founding of Oglethorpe University in 1835. The objective of the program is to heighten awareness and foster appreciation by the members of the Oglethorpe community for the rich history and interesting traditions of the University.

 

Acknowledgment is made gratefully to the following University departments for support and contributions to the Oglethorpe Day festivities: Community Life staff, Office of Public Relations, University Bookstore, and ARAMARK Food Services. Thanks also to Dr. Irwin Ray and the University Singers for their performance. A special thanks is extended to Coach Bob Unger for organizing the "Petrels of Fire" race, to Berry Carter and her staff for preparing the luncheon feast, to Alex Bostow of the Physical Plant Department for the restoration of the historic coat of arms, to Alpha Phi Omega for providing ushers, to the Resident Assistants for decorating the Emerson Student Center, and to Joel McGinnis, an OU student and member of the Atlanta Pipe Band, and Andrew Jackson, a Rotary student from Godalming, England, for their participation in the Summons to the Celebration.

 

As always, a special acknowledgment is made to Paul Hudson, University registrar and lecturer in history, who serves each year as a historical consultant and provides much of the inspiration for Oglethorpe Day programs. Ed Jackson, our Oglethorpe Day speaker last year, serves as executive secretary of the JEO Tercentenary Commission and deserves much of the credit for the success of the year-long tercentenary celebrations. OU members of the JEO Tercentenary Commission included President Donald Stanton and Senior Randy Roberson. The trip to England made by members of the Commission also included Roby Hill, Paul Hudson, and Alumni Association President O.K. Sheffield, Jr. There are others, too numerous to list here, who contributed to making the past year a memorable tribute to James Edward Oglethorpe celebrating the anniversary of his 300th birthday.

 

New Book!

 

 

James Edward Oglethorpe: New Perspectives on His Life and Legacy, edited by John C. Inscoe, is published as a commemoration by the Georgia Historical Society, the James Edward Oglethorpe Tercentenary Commission, and Oglethorpe University. It contains two chapters written by Oglethorpe University registrar and OU historian, Paul Hudson. The book, released just in time to announce publication on Oglethorpe Day, is available for $12.95 from Oglethorpe University, the Georgia Historical Society, or the James Edward Oglethorpe Tercentenary Commission.

 

 

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