Our admission staff travel across the U.S. and around the world to meet prospective students and families—check our travel calendar to see when Emory will be in your area and register for an event near you.

Students in front of a mural on a building in downtown Covington

Oxford: An Intimate College Experience in an Iconic Location

Oxford College sits in the small, historic town of Oxford, Georgia, and just a few minutes away, Covington adds unexpected energy to the experience. Covington is a town you already know, without ever having been there. Known for its charming historic square and thriving local businesses, it has been featured in countless films and television series, from Footloose to The Vampire Diaries. Together, Oxford and Covington offer a setting that feels both personal and dynamic.

Students spend most of their time in Oxford’s close knit campus environment, while Covington’s restaurants, shops, events, and creative industries provide a nearby backdrop for exploring, relaxing, and experiencing the culture of the region.

Personal by Design. Rich in Opportunities.

At Oxford College, students experience the close attention of a small residential campus, with Covington’s creativity and iconic backdrop just minutes away. From film sets in the historic town square to farmers markets and service projects across the region, learning extends seamlessly beyond campus. It is a college experience grounded and close knit, with more happening just beyond the gates than you might expect. Living and learning here means experiencing a place that feels both iconic and distinctly your own.

students sit on a bench in downtown Covington

The Covington Square

At the center of Covington is its historic square—a walkable downtown filled with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and bakeries. It’s a place where students go to celebrate birthdays, grab coffee with friends, or explore the town on a free afternoon. Throughout the year, the square hosts events that bring the community together, including:

Outdoor concerts
Seasonal festivals
Holiday markets and celebrations
Local art events

With its string lights, historic courthouse, and lively storefronts, the Covington Square has become one of the region’s most recognizable gathering places. Explore Covington, GA

Students harvest greens at the Oxford Farm

The Oxford Farm: A Classroom in the Fields

Just across the street from the main gates, the Oxford College Organic Farm is one of the college’s most distinctive learning spaces. The farm functions as both a working organic farm and a living laboratory where students explore sustainability, environmental science, and food systems.

The farm also connects directly with the surrounding community through programs like:

A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that provides produce to local residents
A seasonal farmers market open to the community
Volunteer opportunities and sustainability workshops

Students don’t just study environmental issues—they grow, harvest, and help distribute the food themselves.

Lights. Camera. This is Your Scene.

Known as the “Hollywood of the South,” Covington is one of Georgia’s most active filming locations. Just minutes from Oxford College, its historic square has served as the backdrop for countless television shows and films, making it a town you and your family may already recognize. Living and learning here means experiencing a place that feels both iconic and distinctly your own.

The Hollywood of the South

Known as the “Hollywood of the South,” Covington is one of Georgia’s most active filming locations. Just minutes from Oxford College, its historic square has served as the backdrop for countless television shows and films, making it a place you and your family may already recognize. Explore Covington on a guided tour and experience its on screen legacy firsthand.

Living and learning here means experiencing a place that feels both iconic and distinctly your own.

TV Series

The Vampire Diaries
Sweet Magnolias
In the Heat of the Night
Dynasty
The Dukes of Hazzard
MacGyver (reboot)
The Walking Dead (selected scenes)

Movies

Footloose
Remember the Titans
Sweet Home Alabama
My Cousin Vinny
Doctor Sleep
Selma
The Duel

Fun Facts

Covington’s historic square doubled as Mystic Falls in The Vampire Diaries.
Many filming locations are within walking distance of Oxford College.
Guided film-location tours make Covington a popular destination for fans.
It’s not unusual for students to see film crews transforming storefronts into movie sets.

From Curiosity to Career at Oxford

Through internships, partnerships, and experiential learning, Oxford students engage with professionals across diverse fields. Leveraging opportunities throughout the region and the Oxford Center for Pathways and Purpose, we help students follow their curiosity and interests — bringing together academic excellence, industry insight, and a spirit of discovery.

A Local Economy That Connects Learning to Industry

Just minutes from campus, Oxford and Covington connect students to major companies shaping global industries. From biotechnology and healthcare to advanced manufacturing and food production, the region offers a firsthand look at how ideas move from the classroom into practice.

Organizations nearby include Takeda Pharmaceuticals, a global biotechnology leader with major manufacturing and research operations in Covington; Briggs and Stratton, a leading power equipment manufacturer; General Mills, with large scale food production facilities in the region; and Piedmont Newton Hospital, a key healthcare provider serving the community.

Through internships, partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities, students engage directly with professionals across these fields. Even within a small town setting, Oxford places students within reach of global companies and essential industries, offering an early view of how academic interests translate into meaningful, real world impact. Learn more about internships and practical training at Oxford College.

Service That Connects Campus and Community

Oxford students regularly step into the surrounding community through service and community-engaged learning. Many courses include partnerships with local organizations where students apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.

Students work with:

Local schools and youth programs
Community organizations across Newton County
Healthcare providers like Piedmont Newton Hospital
Nonprofits addressing food access, education, and public health

These experiences allow students to engage with the region in meaningful ways while gaining perspective that extends beyond campus.

EMroey students visit the Georgia Aquarium

Discover Atlanta

Atlanta is a city shaped by reinvention, symbolized by the phoenix rising on its seal. That spirit of momentum and growth defines the Emory experience.

Minutes from campus, students explore the High Museum of Art, Alliance Theatre, and the Woodruff Arts Center, or bike the 22 mile BeltLine connecting 45 neighborhoods filled with art, music, and food. Atlanta also ranks among the top U.S. cities for Fortune 500 headquarters and offers more than 3,000 internships across healthcare, business, technology, and nonprofits

At Emory, Atlanta is not just where you live. It is where you learn, create, and begin what comes next. Learn more about Atlanta.