This fall, Kathryn McClymond was inaugurated as Oglethorpe University’s first female president, a natural next step from her role as the university’s interim president and former provost. In fact, the board of directors was so sure of McClymond as the next university leader that they forwent a national search.
McClymond is on campus five days a week, unless she’s traveling, meeting with students formally and informally.
“I wander the campus a lot,” she said. “People are used to seeing me around campus. I’ll stop and talk to students, and they’ll stop and talk to me. I try hard to make sure I’ve got a follow up appointment on my calendar with a student because they see and tell me things that I wouldn’t get from other sources.”
When McClymond is on the road, she connects with alumni, donors, and foundations about ways to support the university’s mission. “Alumni really like to be connected with our students; it’s really important to them,” she said.
Now that she’s settled into office, McClymond’s first goal is to get the word out about Oglethorpe’s robust liberal arts experience.
Chartered in 1835 near Milledgeville, the state capital at the time, Oglethorpe has a history of revival – and not just in the Brookhaven campus’ Gothic revival architecture. It closed twice before reopening in 1915 in its current location.
Oglethorpe has 1,401 students. The university has a racially and socio-economically diverse student body made up of 58% people of color, 36% first generation college students, and about 40% PELL grant eligible. Students hail from 10 countries, 35 states, and 86% of the class of 2028 is from the state of Georgia.
McClymond’s long term goal is to make Oglethorpe’s independent, liberal arts experience more affordable. As a private school, HOPE scholars are offered a financial match to compete with state public universities.
With 40% of students commuting to campus, the university has opened a commuter lounge with couches, study areas, and a kitchenette. Students living within a 25-mile radius of the university can be exempted from the on-campus housing requirement.
“Our students come to Oglethorpe with different personal experiences in higher education. Some are balancing family demands and work demands. We offer a customized college experience,” said McClymond.
McClymond described Oglethorpe students as arriving to campus expecting internships and opportunities to work in their field of interest.
“Students are talking about careers their first year. They don’t always understand that many majors can lead to many careers,” she said. “We explain that they’ll probably change jobs or career two or more times in their lifetime.”
Some of those students have found internships and careers right down the street in the city of Brookhaven.
McClymond continued: “Nationally, it’s common to talk about college as a stepping stone to a job and career. I think of it more broadly: College is the best direct path to a self-determined life.”
Her vision of “the new Liberal Arts” includes building digital fluency, climate and sustainability awareness, intercultural competencies, and high-conflict navigation skills.
“I would argue that all of those skills apply no matter your major,” she said. “It includes your career, sure, but it also includes how you’re going to be engaged civically, how you’re going to use your personal time and resources, your values, yourself as a citizen. It is an intentional way to plan for your future that includes a career but isn’t limited to it.”
Recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the top 20 women in business, McClymond is welcoming all to campus.
“We want people to come inside the gates,” she said. “Attend a summer camp, see a performance or game. Feel at home here and be part of the campus.”
