John Stewart from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

For Dr. John Stewart, president of the University of Montevallo, Ollie’s Game is not just any other board game.

John Oliver “Ollie” Tetloff, son of UM Professor Meredith Tetloff, died July 24 last year at age 7 after a courageous, yearlong battle with neuroblastoma cancer.

“The whole Montevallo university family was emotionally invested in Ollie and his struggle,” Stewart said. “We stood by the Tetloff family and honored Ollie with a memorial at the Student Activity Center.

“The John Oliver ‘Ollie’ Tetloff Memorial Scholarship was offered, and the university’s game design students and faculty designed Ollie’s Game to be played specifically on a hospital tray. It is full of colorful graphics and a theme of deep space fishing, combining two of Ollie’s favorite things.”

Stewart is not your typical university president. He is in deep touch with faculty and students, and he is a pro at deflecting attention from himself.

“It was one of the most monumental times for the UM family, incredibly gripping and painful, and at the same time inspiring,” Stewart said. “The game is emblematic for the UM family coming together.”

Today is the one-year anniversary of Ollie’s death. It is also a new day for the university family he inspired.

Since his arrival five years ago, freshman enrollment has increased by 17 percent, and housing registration has grown by 18 percent. Alumni giving has also increased, with 909 new alumni donors. Stewart has renegotiated contracts with vendors, saving the university $3.3 million.

“The secret is out,” he said, smiling, “We have grown in tough times because of our hyper-focus on value. Our students can study under accomplished faculty and attain a first-class university experience for the price of a small state college.”

Before Montevallo, Stewart was the vice president for Institutional Development at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla. He is a big proponent of teaching students not what to think, but how to think.

“I see this place holding on to great traditions, yet we are evolving with the times. Our students are garnering attention from employers because they are critical thinkers,” he said. “They are also getting a deeper appreciation for the liberal arts. I call it the magic of what happens in the classroom.”

Reflections on the future

Stewart looked out of the window for a second, then added:

“Our students will change this world.”

Stewart has worked hard on his partnerships with the city of Montevallo and Shelby County, as well as with many of the corporations that support the university.

He also loves that untouchable, but incredibly fathomable quality of the University of Montevallo.

“A professor told me that UM is a slice of Bohemia, where students can learn the classics, become critical thinkers and informed citizens who genuinely care.”

But what if that perfect slice of Bohemia was in the middle of the Deep South?

“Having grown up in the Mid-Atlantic, my favorite people are Southerners,” Stewart said. “They are thoughtful and progressive thinkers. They also look ahead and possess a civility and a charm and a certain warmth that enhances the quality of life.”

Then with all seriousness he added, “I am proud to be an Alabamian.”

Information about Ollie’s Game can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSDatUM/photos_stream

Alabama Bright Lights captures the stories, through words, pictures and video, of some of our state’s brightest lights who are working to make Alabama an even better place to live, work and play. Award-winning photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha tells their inspiring stories. Email him comments, as well as suggestions on people to profile, at karimshamsibasha@gmail.com.