Erik Oliver
1971 -
Erik Oliver, son of Hoyt and Latrelle Oliver, was born in Oxford and received both bachelor and masters degrees in history from Emory University, graduating summa cum laude. Later, he worked for several years at the Carter Center in Atlanta before joining the Peace Corps, serving in Nepal from 1999 to 2001. From 2005 to 2009, Oliver worked at Oxford College as the special assistant to the dean for strategic initiatives.
A dedicated community activist, Oliver served on the Oxford Trees, Parks, and Recreation Board from 2002 to 2007, and as chairman from 2005 to 2006, overseeing the completion of the George Street Park and other projects related to identifying and removing dangerous trees, coordinating the planting of new trees, and educating the public on tree ordinances. In addition, Oliver served on the Oxford Planning Commission from 2007 to 2012 and was chairman from 2011 to 2012.
Oliver was instrumental in the Oxford Trail Project, working first as a consultant and later serving on the board of the Newton County Trails-Path Foundation, Inc. from 2007 to 2011. He served as advocate, planner, and primary fundraiser for the project.
He is the author of two published books about Oxford, Cornerstone and Grove: A Portrait in Architecture and Landscape of Emory’s Birthplace in Oxford, Georgia (Oxford College, 2009) and Images of America: Oxford (Arcadia Publishing, 2014). He also authored and illustrated a children’s book, Kid Cavalier on a Halloween Quest (2010), inspired by Oliver’s “little brother,” Cody, who he mentored through the Big Brothers Program.
A dedicated community activist, Oliver served on the Oxford Trees, Parks, and Recreation Board from 2002 to 2007, and as chairman from 2005 to 2006, overseeing the completion of the George Street Park and other projects related to identifying and removing dangerous trees, coordinating the planting of new trees, and educating the public on tree ordinances. In addition, Oliver served on the Oxford Planning Commission from 2007 to 2012 and was chairman from 2011 to 2012.
Oliver was instrumental in the Oxford Trail Project, working first as a consultant and later serving on the board of the Newton County Trails-Path Foundation, Inc. from 2007 to 2011. He served as advocate, planner, and primary fundraiser for the project.
He is the author of two published books about Oxford, Cornerstone and Grove: A Portrait in Architecture and Landscape of Emory’s Birthplace in Oxford, Georgia (Oxford College, 2009) and Images of America: Oxford (Arcadia Publishing, 2014). He also authored and illustrated a children’s book, Kid Cavalier on a Halloween Quest (2010), inspired by Oliver’s “little brother,” Cody, who he mentored through the Big Brothers Program.