After our 2008 summer project our four students and one tutor are back safe and inspired. Our trip was a success! In this newsletter we will tell you who we are, give you a taste of our trip, plans for the future.

The Organization for Liberal Education in Georgia (OLEG) was formed in order to promote traditional liberal arts education in the nation of Georgia. Georgia, considered by many to be the birthplace of liberal arts education, is struggling to rebuild its higher education system after decades of oppression under Soviet rule.

Through a relationship between individuals at St. John’s College, with campuses in Annapolis, MD and Santa Fe, NM, and Grigol Robakidze University, in Tbilisi, Georgia, OLEG is working to reestablish a classical liberal arts program in Georgia. The New Gelati Academy at Grigol Robakidze University will model its curriculum on that of St. John’s College - a “Great Books” program based on the reading, study, and discussion of the most important books of the Western tradition.

In the summer of 2008 OLEG sent 4 students and 1 tutor from St. John’s College to the country of Georgia for 3 weeks to demonstrate classes with potential students and tutors at New Gelati Academy in Tbilisi and to inquire into the Georgian culture.This summer, OLEG sent a group of four students and one professor from St. John’s to Georgia for three and a half weeks to demonstrate the classical liberal arts program with potential professors and students at New Gelati Academy. For three and a half weeks, this delegation held seminars and classes on the core classes of the St. John’s program that included a general discussion about the need for liberal education in Georgia.
OLEG has a current budget of $12,000 raised from over 120 donors, including the President of St. John’s College. In one month, the OLEG website, liberaleducationgeorgia.org, had over 570 visitors who donated $3,090.  OLEG is currently pursuing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

The New Gelati Academy and OLEG are working to bring a former St. John’s professor who has experience with setting up liberal arts based institutions to Tbilisi on a full time basis. OLEG also intends to facilitate another summer program in Tbilisi in 2009. In order to accomplish this, OLEG needs to raise $65,000. OLEG is also working to put together an engaged and knowledgeable Board of Directors that will guide OLEG’s work to ensure that the country of Georgia becomes a bulwark of liberal arts education in the world.

With the recent Russian invasion thrusting Georgia into the international spotlight, we know the country will attract more attention as its struggles are more closely documented. OLEG will work to ensure that the liberal arts education returns to the place of its birth. Please read more about what we are doing right now and our plans for the future on Page 9-10.