Miami University Connection
Knolls of Oxford/Miami University Renew Affiliation
Partners Celebrate Three Years of Mutual Benefits, Look Forward
to Many More
Oxford, OH - Miami University President Dr. David Hodge, former Miami
President Dr. Phillip Shriver, and other university and community
members joined 150 residents and representatives of the Knolls of
Oxford Nov. 6 to celebrate and renew Miami’s affiliation with the
Knolls, a continuing care retirement community just a mile and a-half
west of campus. The affiliation, launched in 2005, is one of more
than 100 such partnerships forged between colleges and nearby retirement
centers and has helped Oxford establish a reputation as one of the
more desirable inland places to retire in America. Dr. Hodge and John
Green, board of trustees’ chairman of Maple Knoll Communities (of
which the Knolls of Oxford is an affiliate), signed the three-year
renewal of the affiliation agreement at the event, held at in the
Knolls Commons Auditorium.
In broad summary, the purpose of the renewed affiliation is “to foster
cooperation and interaction between (the Knolls) and Miami University
for the benefit of both Miami University and the Knolls and their
constituent groups … and to enhance educational (and intergenerational)
opportunities for Knolls residents and Miami University students and
faculty.”
“I want to tell you how very much we appreciate this affiliation,”
Green noted after the signing. He cited a Miami gerontology graduate
student’s art program with memory-loss residents as one of many examples
“of the wonderful things that have happened, and will happen, because
of this partnership.” Dr. Hodge returned Green’s gratitude, stating,
“I can’t say enough good things about this extraordinary relationship.
It’s a tremendous opportunity for our students in a variety of disciplines
to be engaged in meaningful ways; and, at the same time, your involvement
(Knolls residents) with (and attendance at) so many university events
has been so very beneficial to Miami,” he continued. “I can’t think
of a better way to improve this relationship other than to do more
of it.”
Dr. Shriver saluted the affiliation for strengthening the bonds between
Miami and the Oxford community, and thanked the Knolls for providing
a beautiful place for Miami grads and faculty to return to in their
retirement. He summed up the partnership by describing it as “a match
made in Oxford, a little piece of heaven on earth. … And the best
is yet to come.”
Entertainment from The Cheezies, an a capella group from Miami’s Men’s
Glee Club followed. They sang, appropriately enough, “For the Longest
Time,” “I’m a Believer,” and closed the formal ceremony by leading
all in singing Miami’s alma mater.
For more information on the affiliation, please contact Stacey Brekke
513.524.7991 or e-mail: SBrekke@mkcommunities.org