Since December 2007, Emory has been home to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker’s archives, and since April of this year much of it has been beautifully displayed in the Schatten Gallery of Woodruff Library.

The exhibition, A Keeping of the Records: the Art and Life of Alice Walker, contains 200 items, including manuscripts, letters, notebooks, photographs, and memorabilia. Saturday, September 26, I had the privilege of attending the Alice Walker presentation and guided tour as a part of Emory Homecoming Weekend.

I arrived a few minutes early, met the presenters and hosts, and soon learned that the Walker exhibit was actually coming down the next day, after having been on display for five months. I had not yet visited this exhibit, and felt very lucky to have this last opportunity to see it. The guided tour by exhibit curator Rudolph Byrd, Goodrich C. White Professor of English and founding director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute, Elizabeth Russey, manuscript archivist, Julie Delliquanti, associate curator, and Ginger Cain 77C 82G, director, library public programs, was a tremendous bonus.

Before entering the exhibition, Dr. Byrd gave the group some fascinating background on Walker, how her archives came to arrive at Emory, and what it has meant to the University. Russey told us about her experiences with Walker, packing up her archives and bringing them to Emory, as well as the process of organizing and preserving the materials. Delliquanti, director of the exhibit in the Schatten Gallery, provided some insight into the framework and creation of the exhibit.

After hearing the presentations, we made our way into the gallery. Our presenters explained the overall concept and took us around to some of the key displays. I learned so much, not only about Walker’s life, but things about art that I didn’t know before. Palimpsest (an image seen here) was one of the organizing principles for the exhibition and was beautifully done throughout the gallery to portray Walker’s work and life.

It wasn't easy to soak all of it in at once, especially in one afternoon, but even though the exhibit is coming down, guests are encouraged to visit the Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library (MARBL) at Woodruff Library to see some of the archives. I highly recommend it, and here are some tips before you go.

-- Lindsay Topping, assistant director, Emory Annual Fund

Saturday morning, September 26, I experienced a half century of Greek life for women at Emory, when I attended the “Fifty Years of Sorority Life” panel presentation during Emory Homecoming Weekend 2009. I was impressed with the open and candid panel presentation and the lively discussion on topics ranging from life for Emory’s first women students, to the impact of civil rights, campus protests, race relations on campus, and female empowerment.

Jody Usher 86G, 89PhD, co-director of the Transforming Community Project, moderated the panel, which included a wide array of alumnae, each of whom offered a distinct perspective on her time here.

Jaye Johnson Smith 59C came to Emory in 1955. Back then, clubs were being organized, largely by transfer students who were given scholarships by their national chapters of Greek organizations, to get “colonies” established at Emory. At the beginning of the school year, virtually all the women were eager to attend rush parties and join these clubs—they were among the few social outlets for women at the time. Anyone who wanted to join one of the clubs was able to do so. Four years later, in 1959, Emory would hold a mass chartering ceremony for the nine new Greek sororities. Greek life for women had officially arrived.

Julianne Daffin 60C talked about starting college at Sullins College in Virginia where the strict curfews, bed checks, and women-only environment soon stifled her and encouraged her transfer to Emory. A bit of a non-conformist, Daffin chaffed at the semi-conformity of Greek life, but after her graduation, she eventually returned to Emory as a staff member and went on to become Emory’s last Dean of Women. She retired just a few years ago.

Bonnie Rubenstein Wunsch 83B attended Emory in the 1980’s, during a time she describes as a “complacent period.” An engaged and active member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, a Jewish sorority, Wunsch talked about how far-thinking Emory had been when 50 years ago, it ensured that a Jewish sorority was among its first chartered groups. She also discussed the empowering experience Greek life provided her as she found both social and leadership development opportunities through her participation in Greek life. Wensch went on to continue her involvement with Greek life following graduation and today is the executive director of the AEPhi Sorority, nationally.

Melissa Bowman 02C was exposed to sorority life before she came to Emory, largely through the example of a church youth director who was a member of Delta Sigma Theta, one of two black sororities on campus at Emory. The first black sororities came to Emory in 1979, following the integration of the University in the wake of the 1962 case, successfully argued by Ben Johnson Jr. 36C 40L 05H, dean of the School of Law, and Henry Bowden 32C 34L 59H, chairman of the Board of Trustees, before the Georgia Supreme Court, that allowed the private schools in the State of Georgia to desegregate and still keep their state funding.

Today, the Emory campus is 29 percent Greek, and Greek students have a fairly significant impact on campus. After 50 years on campus, sorority life at Emory continues to challenge students to lead, to gain in self respect, and to set demanding personal and academic standards.

Not a bad record of achievement.

-- Martha Fagan, senior director, alumni relations, EAA

Sitting in traffic. Moving along at about 5 miles an hour. Paying more attention to the scenery than to the road. Sounds like a typical day driving in Atlanta, doesn't it?

Well ... yes, it is. But Saturday afternoon's traffic jam on campus was much more fun. I got the honor of driving the EAA float in the Emory Homecoming Parade. The "float" was just a tricked out Dodge Ram (if "tricked out" means covered in streamers and shiny stuff, which it does), but compared to some of our competition (see above), I'll take it.

Actually, our "competition" also included a Hummer, a tank (at least it looked like a tank), President Jim Wagner's Model-T (with Dooley aboard) and a school bus. Quite a collection.

The theme was "Swoopstock," which gave the students an excuse to break out their tie-dye t-shirts. When the rain poured down as we turned onto Asbury Circle, the Woodstock reference carried even more relevance. But many of the revelers, like our McTyeire Hall float above, made the best of it.

To see even more photos from the Parade, visit the EAA fan page on Facebook.

--Eric Rangus, float driver, EAA

Wow, what a great way to kick off Emory Homecoming Weekend!

I just came from the Alumni Art Exhibit and Concert, and while I do not consider myself particularly cultured, even I completely appreciated the beautiful art and music at this event.

I have had the pleasure of working with Susan Stubbs Robert 67Ox 69C on her 40-year reunion this year, and I casually mentioned that I really wanted something unique to kick off Homecoming Weekend. Before I knew it, she had arranged to exhibit some of her amazing artwork at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, and had added on a classical concert at the same time!

The exhibit (above) is installed in the Upper Lobby at the Schwartz Center, and is titled “Art History,” and focuses on us seeing classic works with a new eye. Below is a bit of the artist statement about the exhibit, which explains it better than I ever could.

Suzy will share her rediscovery of the rich and brilliant arc of the history of art, and her journey to the creation of derivative images from these classical motifs. Her unique grid display arrangements arose from the effort to see something new and fresh in images which our collective minds have long ago memorized.

Tonight, William Ransom, Emerson Professor of Piano, kicked off the evening with a performance of two time-tested masterpieces - Ballade #1 in G Minor, Op. 23 by Chopin and Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin. But tonight, much the same way we viewed the art with a fresh eye, we also heard the music with a fresh ear, remaining open minded for some new interpretation.

If the rest of Homecoming Weekend is as exciting as our debut, we'll be in for a wonderful time!

-- Gloria Grevas, director of Emory Homecoming Weekend and Reunions, EAA

Updated Saturday morning, 9:25 a.m.

Emory Homecoming Weekend continues ... Highlights follow.

Saturday, Sept. 26:
12:01 a.m. Spirit Day, Everywhere. Put on your Emory shirt and hat! Go outside as much as possible. If for some awful reason you don’t have one, pick up a free shirt at the DUC or during the Homecoming parade.

9:00 a.m. 5K Run Through Lullwater, Lullwater Park. The 5K times really dropped after we added the Lullwater Park Monster to the lake. That’s not really true, but you’re thinking about it now, aren’t you?

10:30 a.m. Celebrating 50 Years of Sorority Life, DUC, Winship Ballroom. 50 years minus that Tuesday after Rush in 1988. You know the day we mean. Not much to celebrate that day.

10:30 a.m. Blue Jean Brunch, Woodruff Library, MARBL. Annual social sponsored by GALA (Emory Gay and Lesbian Alumni). Levi’s are cool; Toughskins, not so much.

To see the entire Can't Miss List of Homecoming Highlights, visit the October 2009 issue of EmoryWire.

-- Eric Rangus, director of communications, EAA

Apparently I missed out my sophomore year. But I made up for it Wednesday night.

I attended the soon-to-be time-honored tradition of the “Sophomore Pinning Ceremony.” Co-hosted by the Emory Alumni Association and the Office of Residence Life and Housing, this even marks Emory College sophomores’ official induction into the community of Emory alumni. The pinning ceremony is a relatively new addition to Emory’s long list of distinctive rituals and traditions, having begun in March 2006. The event honors students’ successful completion of two semesters at Emory.

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni all gathered in the Cox Hall Ballroom to celebrate Emory’s newest—and youngest—alumni. The event opened with the Emory Alma Mater. We all stood as the Sophomore Singers led us in song. Three speakers followed: Andrew Remissong 11C, co-president of the Student Alumni Association; Paul McLarty 63C 66L, president of the Emory Alumni Board; and Gary Hauk 91PhD, vice president and deputy to the president. Each offered his thoughts on the significance of the pinning ceremony.

When Hauk took to the podium, he dished out a little Emory trivia, explaining the meaning behind some of the language on the pin. "Emory"—named after John Emory, an American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church (long before any of us were around). "University"—emphasis on “unity.” And then were was something in Latin, "Cor Prudentis Possidebit Scientiam"—flew right over my head at the time, to be honest—which loosely translates to, “The wise heart seeks knowledge.” A verse from a proverb, these are the words of the Emory motto.

After the addresses, the Class of 2012 neatly filed to the front of the room to receive the commemorative alumni pins from the guest alumni. The evening wrapped up with a spread of tasty treats, including a decadent chocolate fountain (Yum!) and a cake adorned with the face of the alumni pin. The guests ate, talked, and laughed. I think it’s safe to say that everyone there was proud to be Emory alumni—I know I am.

See the slide show from the event on the EAA's Facebook fan page.

-- Cory Lopez 10C, communications intern, EAA

Earlier this year, Lori Northcraft 09A 10PH (left) received an email notifying her that she'd been nominated for the Emory Alumni Board (EAB) Leadership Scholarship, and award so new she hadn't heard of it ... and hadn't applied. Until she got the email.

"As I started completing the application and thinking back to what I had been involved in at Emory," Northcraft said. "I started realizing that, you know, maybe I actually had a chance at this scholarship."

More than just a chance as it turned out.

Northcraft and Sacha Munro 11C (right) are the first recipients of the alumni-financed EAB Leadership Scholarship, and a more worthy or personable pair would be extremely difficult to find.

The EAB created the Leadership Scholarship in 2007 to recognize students whose actions, beleifs and passions have improved their community. For Northcraft (the graduate recipient) and Munro (her undergraduate counterpart) that statement couldn't be truer.

In early September, Munro and Northcraft sat down with me to discuss what the EAB Leadership Scholarhip (and Emory) means to them. Their edited conversation is below. To listen to the full podcast on iTunes U, click here. (You must have the iTunes program on your computer to access the interview.)

Eric Rangus, EAA: Tell us a little about yourselves.

Sacha Munro 11C: I am majoring in political science, and I am involved in various things around campus. One of my main commitments is the Residence Hall Association. I’m the vice president of programming. And I’m also a member of the Student Alumni Association.

Lori Northcraft 09A 10PH: I am a dual-degree physical therapy and public health student. I am a native Oregonian who chose Emory specifically for this brand-new program. One of my main accomplishments has been participating in the South Georgia Farm Worker Health Project, where physical therapy students and faculty members go to South Georgia and team up with physician’s assistants and physician assistant students to provide pro bono medical care to migrant farm workers and their families.

Read more of the abridged interview in the October 2009 issue of EmoryWire.

The full interview (which is about 10 minutes) is here.

--Eric Rangus, director of communications, EAA

Look at how brilliantly the sun shines on the new Candler School of Theology Building! Isn't it beautiful! Look at that blue sky! Look at how dry the sidewalk is!

For the more than 33,000 Emory alumni who live in Atlanta (and some 20,000 staff who work at Emory, not to mention the millions spread across the metro area) drenched by, in places, more than 20 inches of rain, a simple ray of sunshine is something to be cherished.

Even if it's just in a photo.

It's also a reminder of how truly pretty this campus, and its architecture, can be when it's not wrapped in moldy, sopping wet blanket.

It's like the Hollywood Squares of Arts at Emory! Except that there are 12 squares ... and there aren't any really bad jokes ... or goofy double entendres ... or Paul Lynde. (Actually, aren't those one in the same?)

Anyway, if you have your earphones within arm's reach, take some time to visit Arts at Emory's new video highlights page. It's a diverse collection, featuring some of Emory's top faculty and administrators in the arts, who outline a variety of upcoming programs.

Also included are links to Arts at Emory's 2009-10 brochure, as well as the Arts at Emory box office.

From creative writing to dance, film, music, theater, and Emory's innovative Creativity Conversations, which is a backbone of University-wide efforts to explore Creativity & Arts, the new site is a highly detailed, engaging window into the creative world.

And that's no joke.

-- Eric Rangus, director of communications, EAA

There is something humbling about standing underneath a six-foot manta ray as it glides overhead. It’s a cool way to view them, no doubt. You can see their huge wing span, as they fly (so to speak) gracefully through the water just inches from you. It’s impressive and one of the highlights of the Georgia Aquarium.

But it’s also an odd sensation to stand in a clear glass tunnel watching the rays and all the sea life in millions of gallons of water swirl around you. Of course, I was also mentally converting gallons to tons and thinking how glad I was that there were no cracks in the glass. I should take a queue from my fearless 7-year-old—he thought it was just “awesome.”

We had the pleasure of attending Emory Night at the Georgia Aquarium this past Friday. My three children, my husband, and our 16-year-old German exchange student headed to downtown Atlanta that night for the event. We were greeted at the door by the Emory Campus Life staff who organized the event, sitting behind a table with a huge Emory banner hung across its front. The cool Emory flip pens they handed out were a definite hit with my kids.

Courtesy of Emory, the tickets were heavily discounted, a definite incentive for bringing the whole family, but it was also a great time of day to go to the aquarium. It was not overly crowded, but I saw so many Emory staff and alumni out together—and a surprising number of students, having their Friday night pre-party at the aquarium. The jazz band was lively and the assorted beverages were a nice touch.

We started our visit at the touch pools. The kids got to feel rays, sharks, sea urchins and starfish. My son was fascinated by the giant hermit crabs. He got a laugh from the aquarium staff, when he asked if they painted the shells to make them so colorful. He couldn’t believe that the black and red paisley and polka dot patterns were natural. My 3-year-old daughter spent most of the evening trying to find Nemo. We looked in earnest for Ariel too, but apparently the aquarium doesn’t have any mermaids.

I guess I can thank Disney for helping my youngest appreciate sea life.

Second to the touch pools, my children’s favorite activity was watching the big ocean fish swim by in the Ocean Voyager section. The Aquarium has big laminated cards with pictures of the fish and their names on it, which made for a fun, live matching game for my 4-year-old. My son was fascinated by how big the fish can get and how many “Dads” long they are. FYI, the whale shark can grow as long as seven Riley’s dads.

After pausing at each remaining exhibit, just long enough to connect creatures on the displays with their living counterparts, we headed for the whale slide. Going down the slide involves hiking up two flights of stairs, then walking along three long catwalks, before finally reaching the top of the slide. The ride down takes a whopping three seconds ... but the kids each made the trek a dozen times.

They then discovered the shrimp tank beside the slide and made several failed attempts to catch them. These shrimp fortunately have no claws, but the kids were too scared to actually retrieve one, though they tried again and again. The aquarium staffer, talking about the shrimp, said, “these are same shrimp we like to eat.”

My 4-year-old was horrified, and asked if he eats these shrimp. No, the aquarium staff does not eat the shrimp that die there. “They get to live out their natural lives with plenty of food and clean water, and just the occasional chase by miniature human hands that disturb their blissful existence.”

That sums up our night at the aquarium: listening to relaxing live jazz, while watching the back drop of sealife, peacefully glide through the water all around us, and one fishy misunderstanding with the aquarium staff—how blissful.

Thanks for organizing a blissful night, Emory.

-- Sarah Cook 95C, senior director, initiatives and technology, EAA

It's official: I have a full blown case of undergraduate education envy. The origins can be traced back to my master's program in the Goizueta Business School. I may have the fastest actual degree you can get from Emory—the one-year accelerated MBA. With only three semesters on Emory’s campus, there simply was not enough time to engage in the University’s variety of opportunities.

Last Thursday, September 10, I volunteered to shadow a current Emory student—not just any student—one of my daughter's friends from high school, Luka Anic 11B. He is a junior who just started his BBA coursework at Goizueta. By reconnecting with someone I know (and have kept up with through my daughter), I thought I'd get the straight scoop about Emory. How has he been? Is he glad to be at Emory? What's Emory really like for him?

Well, let's just say I've never seen Luka so happy. His involvement with so many organizations made my head spin. (I think he studies instead of sleeping.) And to better round out his educational foundation, he took interesting classes during his first two years. He is definitely having a very different experience than I did.

Luka could not walk 10 yards without saying hello to someone he knew from a class, a club, or a friend-of-a-friend. His maturity and insight into Emory was impressive, and he has taken on quite a few leadership roles. His confidence and self-assurance was heartwarming and his happiness, infectious. Luka proved a great student to shadow, and I am grateful to glimpse Emory through his eyes—if only for a few hours.

It seems the only cure for undergraduate education envy is to make up for my missed opportunity by getting even more involved in Emory alumni activities. Thankfully, Emory Homecoming Weekend will be here next week. And in October, the EAA will host the GBS Mentor Program kickoff and the Executive Women of Goizueta's fall conference. I look forward to my next Emory event. See you on campus!

-- Lynda Smith 86MBA, marketing committee, Emory Alumni Board

Sunday night I had dinner with strangers. Monday afternoon, I had a bunch of new friends.

You may think that’s a little odd, but at Emory it’s the norm because of the growing popularity of the “Dinner with 12 Strangers” program, now in its sixth year. Each September, students, both undergraduate and professional, can sign up to attend a local dinner—either at an alumni home or with alumni at a local restaurant. This year, more than 50 alumni across the country opened up their homes, and some 460 students attended.

For a second year in a row, I had the great fortune of attending a dinner hosted by Dirk Brown 90MBA (above, far right), Tim Burns, and Tom Brodnax 65Ox 68C, which took place at Dirk and Tim’s home in Virginia-Highland. We had a great mix of undergraduate and graduate-student “strangers.”

Some students came with friends, some came on their own, and within a few minutes we were all no longer strangers. It’s amazing how the common bond of Emory really creates an instant sense of community.

Everyone arrived about 6:00 p.m. and after a little mingling, Brown said a few words and wished everyone the same long-lasting, meaningful relationship with Emory that he has. We were treated to a delicious, 5-star-restaurant-quality buffet, which included salmon, chicken salad, caprese salad, and homemade pound cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

I loved seeing the students’ faces light up when they saw the amazing and beautifully presented spread of food. They always say it’s 10 times better than what they normally eat.

My dinner table, outside on the patio, included students ranging from a freshman to a second-year MBA student. We discussed everything from the students’ plans after graduation, long-term goals, current food options on campus (and how far they’ve come!), how to apply to get into a particular program, groups and clubs at Emory, to the TV show Glee.

It was an extremely relaxed, comfortable environment to get to know some more people in the Emory community. I even met a junior who is renting out the same house near campus that my brother rented last year. It is truly a small world, and as a staff member, I am grateful to be a part of it.

Next February, anyone who has participated in “Dinner with 12 Strangers” will be invited back for a “Dessert with 12 Friends” at the Miller-Ward Alumni House. It will be great to see everyone again soon.

-- Lindsay Topping, assistant director, Emory Annual Fund

If "Aging in the 21st Century" was as graceful as Anna Guy 42N makes it look, the conversation would be pretty easy.

"If any of them keeps me here longer than I'm supposed to be, they're going to be in trouble," she said.

Judging by her spirit, that's gonna be a long time coming.

-- Eric Rangus, director of communications, EAA

September 11, 2001 began as a beautiful Tuesday morning in north Georgia. It ended as one of the most tragic days in our nation's history.

The terrorist attacks of September 11 shocked the Emory campus (and, of course, the world) in a way few could remember and many would never forget. As the day wore on and the horrific images of the attacks were burned into people's minds, Emory's leadership--students and administrators--took immediate action. Classes were canceled and all academic operations suspended. Even as emotions--shock, anger, helplessness, vengeance--mutated by the minute, the healing began.

The night following the attacks, more than 2,000 students, staff, and faculty gathered on the Quadrangle for a candlelight vigil (captured above for Emory Report by Ann Borden, executive director for University Photography).

Anna Manasco Dionne 02C, then-president of Student Government Association (SGA), led the ceremony: "We gather to think about the unthinkable, to attempt to explain the inexplicable, and to mourn what seems like the unbearable," she said, mere days after stepping into the Emory's most prominent student office.

"Strengthened by each other, refreshed by our togetherness, we gather here tonight to do our little to expunge intolerance, divisiveness, and hatred from the human race and the world. We gather here tonight to reflect on the lives of the innocent, the efforts of the rescuers, the pain of the affected, and the shock to the country," she said.

The terrorist attacks of September 11 provoked many reactions in the Emory community. One was that it brought this remarkably diverse collection of people together in a way rarely seen before or since. On September 12, 2001, from Candler Library to the Admin Building, the Quadrangle was packed, shoulder-to-shoulder, with people who just needed comfort. For that one night, at least, they found it.

To read more about reactions of the Emory community in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, please read the September 17, 2001 issue of Emory Report. The September 24 issue covered President Jimmy Carter annual town hall, which took place just two days after the attacks, as well as a September 19 forum that aimed to put the attacks into some sort of perspective.

-- Eric Rangus, director of communications, EAA

Hello everyone,

I'm Lindsey Bomnin, the new work study assistant for EAA communications, here at the Miller-Ward Alumni House. I'm a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, and a journalism and political science major.
That's me to the right. You are actually looking at the picture on my Emory ID. That also means you are looking at pre-freshman-year Lindsey. Much has changed since then. Obviously, one of those things is not my face.


I'm also a staff writer for The Emory Wheel. Tuesday's issue features one of my more entertaining articles (I hope) about the free Britney Spears concert tickets given out at the DUC last week.


...and perhaps some more blogging.

-- Lindsey Bomnin 12C, communications assistant, EAA

I graduated from the Emory College of Arts and Sciences in 2007 and moved to Washington, DC last summer. My work schedule there didn't allow me to buy a plane ticket back to Atlanta until this past weekend, but I will tell you right now that it was well worth the very long wait.

As soon as I landed, my lovely host and longtime friend Cassandra Young 07C of the EAA took me down the winding roads of the Druid Hills neighborhood straight to Emory. It was only appropriate that my first stop back in Atlanta be Emory's campus—after all, it was my home for four amazing years. I told Cassie that I wanted to explore Emory again, this time, my first, as an alumna. So we headed down Clifton Road and turned onto Asbury Circle, filled with curiosity and excitement.

Stepping onto campus brought back so many memories—I felt right back at home. I also felt like a student all over again, especially since I was hauling around my laptop and old book bag while walking past my freshman and sophomore dorms (McTyeire Hall and Woodruff Residential Center, respectively).

Classes were in session and campus was alive. Students were mingling at the poster sale at the DUC, walking in and out of Cox Hall ... a few were busy endorsing Emory Crew on the sidewalks with colorful chalk, and others were taking advantage of a beautiful day by studying on the Quad.

I took my little tour of campus into the Robert W. Woodruff Library, bought myself an iced coffee from Jazzman's Cafe, and headed straight to the little desk I studied at during finals. I noticed improvements all over the library: newer computers, expanded seating area, interactive walls where students could write notes, and so much more.

I left the library to go explore some more. While walking around, the only thing that came to my mind was how gorgeous our campus is. The new infrastructure was just breathtaking—the brand new Psychology Building at the bottom of the hill at the corner of Dowman and Dickey Drives all the way up to the new freshman dorms adjacent to Eagle Row. Emory students are lucky: they get to experience the beauty of our campus while taking advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities.

I'm proud to be an Emory alumna and was so thrilled to be back on the campus that provided me with an excellent education and memories that I will cherish for life.

--Monica Samanta 07C, Arlington, VA

It's Labor Day weekend on campus ... soon all this green will turn gold. Glenn Memorial Auditorium (also known as Glenn Church and Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church) is one of the largest (with seating for more than 1,000 people), busiest, and most recognizable buildings at Emory. This angle, though, focuses on Glenn's pastoral side.

In recent years, Glenn has hosted speakers ranging from Salman Rushdie to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, concerts by John Legend and Ben Folds, and comedians of every stripe. It's the home of the annual University Convocation to welcome first-year Emory College students and the diploma ceremonies to say goodbye to graduates of the School of Medicine and the Candler School of Theology. And every Sunday morning, it's the home of Glenn Memorial UMC.

That ringing noise you heard yesterday at 4:00 p.m.? Blame Goizueta Business School.

Goizueta remotely rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, September 2. It was the first time that the bell had ever been rung on a university campus--or in the state of Georgia. And as you can tell by the number of people packed into the Jenkins Courtyard (and on the McIntyre Veranda, just beyond), the ringing made quite a racket.

The event was a big deal around the world. In addition to being streamed live on several news websites, the ringing led the 11:00 p.m. BBC News report in Europe. Closer to home, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution covered the bell-ringing as well as the panel discussion that preceded it.

An elite panel of experts, including Duncan Niederauer 85MBA, CEO of NYSE Euronext, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), and Goizueta Dean Larry Benveniste, explored "Where Do We Go From Here?: Leaders Discuss Lessons of the Global Financial Crisis and the Road Ahead."

At times yesterday, Goizueta's corner of campus resembled a big, albeit well-dressed, street party. And with the groundbreaking activities going on, the celebration was appropriate.

Nothing wrong with tooting your own horn ... or ringing your own bell ...

Whatever.

-- Eric Rangus, director of communications, EAA

The Olympic Spirit is alive at Oxford College.

Last week saw the arrival of a new class of students at Oxford, all of whom surely felt they were the best of the best. The Oxford Olympics, which helped welcome them to campus, determined once and for all who among those students was right.

A total of 23 teams, broken down by residence hall floor and wing, spent part of their first weekend as Emory students battling in good-natured competitions like a water balloon toss, relay races, an obstacle course, tug-of-war and even a trivia challenge. Some, like the students of first floor Dowman and first floor Stone, pictured above, drew their inspiration, if not their athletic prowess, from impressive places.

Once all the points were added up, the winner was third floor, Beta Hall, wing 2. (Beta Hall is part of Oxford's new East Village complex.)

Following the competition, students adjourned to Williams Hall (decorated by banners and flags designed by each team) for the medal ceremony. A few teams even earned some extra points for their floor chants. The Olympics closed with a singing of the alma mater. No more points were tallied.

The 2009 edition of the Oxford Olympics renewed a tradition that dates back to the early 20th century, when ROTC was part of the campus experience. Back then, student "companies" competed in a variety of sports to win the title of best team.

After World War II, Oxford went co-ed and a new tradition emerged, "Field Day," which pitted the first- and second-year classes against each other. The team with the most points at the end of the day won the prize. The current Oxford Olympics includes many of the features of the company competition and of Field Day.

The full award list is below.

First Place: Beta Hall, third floor, wing 2
Second Place: Haygood Hall, bottom north and bottom south
Third Place: Bonnell Hall, top floor
Best Team Spirit: Alpha Hall, second floor, wing 2
Best Team Unity: Bonnell Hall, top floor
Best Banner: Stone Hall, bottom and second floor
MVPs: Landon Jones 11Ox, Alpha Hall, first floor; Samer Abraham 11Ox, East Hall

-- Eric Rangus, director of communications, EAA

What could be better than doing a little shopping at Bloomingdale’s on a Wednesday night? What about shopping and champagne with 75 incredible women and a two or three pretty great men?

The Executive Women of Goizueta and Goizueta Business School hosted their 3rd annual women’s donors event, Wednesday, August 26, at Bloomingdale’s where the women were thanked for their support of the business school and treated to an intimate conversation with Stephanie Blank (left, photo by Allison Shirreffs), the chair of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation Board of Trustees and a trustee of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

The evening began with hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and networking in a private space in the women’s department at Bloomingdale’s and continued with presentations from the Laura Balser 94B 01MBA, president of the Executive Women of Goizueta; the general manager of Bloomingdale’s; and Goizueta Dean Larry Benveniste, who introduced Blank as the keynote speaker for the evening.

After spending time talking about the importance of giving time and money to causes that women are passionate about, Blank took questions from the group. In response to a question about how she stays so down to earth, Blank said, "I never want to embarrass my mother and I want to make sure I don’t raise bratty kids. If you keep those two things in the back of your mind, you’ll be okay."

As if we needed any additional encouragement to shop, Bloomingdale’s donated 10% of the evening’s purchases back to the business school, this is exactly what I told my husband when I returned home with multiple “big brown bags.”

--Emily Takieddine 02C, senior associate director of development, Goizueta Business School