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October 22, 2008

In Concert with Rock Tour Kicks Off in Illinois
OWU alumni bring hopes and dreams to the table

Top: President Rock Jones welcomed OWU alumni and friends to an evening of good discussion about OWU.

Bottom: More than 35 OWU alumni gathered in Chicago on October 15 for the first event of the In Concert with Rock 30-city tour.

Photos by Darrel Gibson ’87

It was an evening of redolent OWU reminiscences made even more special by President Rock Jones’ recent appearance at the Indian Hill Club in Winnetka, Illinois, for the first of his 30-city alumni tours—the “In Concert with Rock” series—on October 15. Make no mistake, though—this dinner gathering and the 29 to come, have been designed by Jones and members of Ohio Wesleyan’s university relations staff, to be much more than the casual and customary “Meet the President” events of past years. The 35 OWU alumni and friends who gathered last week, dined, reminisced, and spent that evening envisioning and discussing together such complex issues as the place and importance of liberal arts universities like Ohio Wesleyan in the 21st century.

“I am eager to meet OWU alumni, parents, and friends across the country and to hear their hopes and dreams for the future of their alma mater,” says Jones. “It is important for our vision to reflect the best of our past as well as our highest aspirations for the future. Our alumni and friends offer important perspectives that will help shape our planning.”

The program began with a social time, followed by dinner and University Trustee Lloyd Ferguson’s ’62 introduction of President Jones, who then explained the goals for the evening.

“Our alumni and friends were seated at round tables that facilitated good conversation,” says Brenda DeWitt, director of alumni relations. “Three main ideas—pillars—were presented by the President, including student opportunities for theoretical and practical learning at OWU, international experiences, as well as the need to think about the kind of residential community that would be best for Ohio Wesleyan.” Note cards were available at each of the tables for documentation of ideas, and were compiled and brought back to campus for serious review and discussions. In addition, a blog is being created for further information and communication purposes, and as a way to strengthen connections between the University and alumni.

“This event had an excellent and very productive format,” says (alumna attendee) Susie Atkinson ’85. “I felt far more connected to OWU than I would at the usual club events and mini-reunions. By going from city to city, I think a wealth of valuable alumni input will be ready for analysis at the end of this unique tour!”

With alumni at this gathering spanning six decades—including Mary Milligan, OWU Honorary Alumna ’02, and wife of the late Robert Milligan ’22—as well as parents of current students, both good ideas and energy flowed well into the evening. Completing the evening discussions were two recently created videos designed not only to evoke fond Ohio Wesleyan memories, but also to reaffirm for alumni, the continuing strength and value of liberal arts learning opportunities at OWU today.

“President Jones’ first tour stop in Chicago was a great success,” says Michelle Nicholson ’03. “I heard so many positive contributions at this event and I am excited to hear the ideas voiced during the 29 remaining stops.”

The “In Concert with Rock” tour continues next week in San Diego.

“I was especially energized by the initial session in Chicago last week,” says Jones. “Our alumni and friends expressed their deep appreciation for Ohio Wesleyan and offered terrific ideas for us to consider as we shape our vision for the future.”

– Pam Besel