Weekly Update 05/06/2016

From Bob Schwartz, City Manager


Water Service – On Thursday our water repair crew replaced a service line along Wesley that had deteriorated beyond repair.

→ From the Oxford College website:

It's Commencement Week at Oxford
May 2, 2016

Oxford College will observe its 171st Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 7. The ceremony honors approximately 350 Oxford students, who will receive their associate degrees before they move on to Emory University’s Atlanta campus. Following their two years at Oxford, students enter Emory College of Arts Sciences, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing or the Goizueta Business School for the completion of their undergraduate degrees.

Dignitaries
Emory University President James W. Wagner, Emory University Provost Claire Sterk and Dean of Emory College Robin Forman will join Oxford College Dean Stephen Bowen in presiding over the ceremony, which will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the Oxford quad.* Students and the others in attendance will hear the keynote address delivered by Henry Anthony 71Ox 73C 88MBA. Anthony is the vice president of human resources for Rollins, Inc.

Anthony has more than 35 years of corporate human resources (HR) experience, including 20 years as a senior HR executive. As an HR practitioner and consultant, he has worked with several large organizations in developing strategy, measurements and leadership of the HR function.

Prior to his current position, Anthony was the HR practice leader at Veritas Consulting Group, LLC. Before Veritas, he was a Senior Vice President of HR for a staffing and outsourcing firm. Anthony has served as Vice President of HR for National Linen Service and as head of HR for the North American operations of a British equipment company. Before these roles, he served in field HR roles with Pizza Hut and GTE.

Golden Robes
Marching in procession with the Oxford graduates and faculty will be members of the Oxford College class of 1966, the newest members of the Golden Robes, alumni whose graduation year was 50 or more years ago. 

Awards
A highlight of the day will be the awarding of the Emory Williams Teaching Award, presented to a faculty member, and the Virgil Y.C. Eady Sophomore Award, presented to a student in recognition of outstanding service to Oxford College.

Baccalaureate
On Friday evening, May 6, an interfaith baccalaureate service will be held in historic Old Church, just north of the Oxford campus. Following the event, graduates and their families are invited to join a dinner on the grounds of Haygood residence hall. At 7:00 p.m. in the Rathskeller room of the student center, the Post-Baccalaureate Dinner Toast will be held, an event to honor the first-generation members of the Class of 2016.

Sustainability Emphasis
Commencement exercises are planned with an emphasis on Oxford’s commitment to sustainability. At both Oxford College and Emory College, all undergraduate gowns and some professional doctoral gowns will be made completely from recycled bottles. The "GreenWeaver" gowns are made of fabric sourced from plastic bottles diverted from landfills. The fabric is described as being softer to the touch than traditional polyester. These gowns are the official gowns for Emory commencement exercises, so Oxford students can re-use the gowns for the completion of their undergraduate degrees at the Atlanta campus.

Oxford will also emphasize “Target Zero Waste” during Commencement. Dining events, receptions, and distribution of drinking water during the weekend will use materials that are either recyclable or compostable. Oxford supports Emory University’s goals for waste diversion.

Further Information
For complete details on the week’s events, visit the Oxford Commencement pages.

* An inclement weather advisory will be implemented, should weather present a problem on May 7.