Vol. 2,  No. 52                                                                                                                                                    December 21, 2012 

Movin' on up. . . and in -- to serve you better.
 

The following departments are in the process of relocating to the renovated Cunningham Hall:

 

Career Services & Testing         

Center for Academic Success

Enrollment Management

Faculty Development & Leadership

Financial Aid

Health & Counseling Services

Quality Enhancement Plan

Registrar's Office

Student Accounts

Student Enrollment Services

Student Information

 

 

 Look for their offices in Cunningham Hall beginning January 2, 2013.

   

 

 

  

   

Committed by the numbers

 

In interview with al.com/Huntsville Times reporter Matt Wake, Oakwood alumni group Committed describe what life has been like since winning the second season of NBC's "The Sing-Off."  Read the article here.    More at committedsings.com.

  

  

LETC brings cheer to cities across the South

 

During the Thanksgiving break, LETC sent students to St. Louis, MO, Douglasville, GA, Birmingham, AL, and Kinston, NC., who reported outstanding results. The groups raised over $3,500 in sales,  delivered 1,200 tracts and signed 80 individuals for Voice of Prophecy Bible lessons.



The accommodations were the best in LETC history! Not only did members take students into their homes, but the Kinston church placed them in hotels! The students were required to teach Sabbath School classes, conduct personal ministries, take members out Sabbath afternoon for tract attack, sell books to members after AY, visit a non-Adventist church, and witness during the week. 

 

Then, for three weeks during the Christmas break, 28  student missionaries are spreading hope and cheer to a dying world, reminding people that "Jesus is the reason for the Season!"  In Birmingham, Elder Jason McCracken taught the Sabbath School lesson,  and trained the new leaders for both events!       

Mayan prophecy 'not the last word. . .'

 

Check out what OU's New Testament professor Dr. Finbar Benjamin has to say about 12-21-12:  read the al.com article here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

(l-r) OU Ambassadors Coaches James Roddy, Tony McGinnis and Simon Jacob, between games during the La Sierra Christmas Basketball Tournament

OU's Ambassadors basketball teams (men and women) participated in the La Sierra Christmas Basketball Tournament, December 15-17, 2012, along with teams from La Sierra University, Pacific Union College, and Andrews University.

 

Oakwood students, alumni and friends --  wearing their "blue and gold" -- showed up at the La Sierra Gymnasium in great numbers to support the Ambassadors for the games on Saturday night.  

  

 

 

Both the Men's and Women's Ambassadors played three games each in the tournament.  The men won one out of their three games; the women won two out of three of their contests.  "The women have 'turned the corner' to understanding what it tkaes to win games -- especially close ones," said Women's Coach Alton Conwell.

Three of the athletic directors and coaches who helped make the tournament happen: (l-r) James Roddy (Oakwood); Javier Krumm (La Sierra); David Jardine (Andrews)

  (Thanks to OU Board Member Cynthia Powell-Hicks for the photos.)
 

  

 Just a few weeks ago when President Pollard said to OU employees: "(...)  It's sobering to realize that we have no guarantee that the people who accompanied us through 2012 will be with us through 2013," neither he nor any of us had any idea what was to happen in Newtown, Connecticut, on Friday, December 14, 2012.  In the ensuing week, we've been just as shocked as the rest of the country as the reports have streamed through the airwaves.

 

 

 

   

  

OU 'Connecticut native' staff member reflects: "this is not the end"

 
 by Linda Anderson

Residential Life Coordinator, Carter Hall

 

 

Last Friday's newscast reported that 20 children had been killed at an elementary school in Connecticut --shot down by a gunman. I didn't hear the name of the town in which the horrible massacre had occurred ,  so my mind immediately went to the grade school-age babies in my family. Staring at the television screen, I panicked and began calling relatives.

 

When I learned that it wasn't my town, and they weren't our babies, my relief was fleeting because I soon realized that although I didn't know the children, they were still our babies...all of our babies. Innocent lives taken so brutally...that is a tragedy and loss for us all.

 

Having grown up in Connecticut, I sorrowed also at the loss of innocence for my quaint little state, and our sleepy little towns. And the teachers and staff killed while attempting to save the little ones only punctuated the viciousness of the assault.

 

How can any of us make sense of this heinous crime? I dare say we can't. We may never know what drove a man to commit such an unspeakable act. But we do know that in the world we will have tribulation. We know that evil exists and will continue until the return of our Savior.

Linda is heading home to enjoy the holidays with her family in Connecticut .

 

With Christmas only days away, last week's horror is a reminder that the world is still indeed need of a Savior...now more than ever. And as we pause to mourn along with 28 families in Connecticut, let's also pause to celebrate the fact that Christ came to give us LIFE and that more abundantly. His act of love didn't make any sense either.

 

 

So, weeping may endure for a night for us all, but joy comes in the morning and this is not the end. Jesus will one day soon return for us...and for our babies.  

  

 

 

 

 

"Across the upcoming holiday, let us enjoy the time we have with God and with each of the people who mean so much to us. (...)  thank you for all that you do to advance the mission of Oakwood University," said Dr. Pollard -- as he offered the opening prayer of the Employees Christmas Party, on December 18.

   
 

 

 

 

 
Along with the rest of the University, Team PR offices will be closed  December 24, 2012 through January 1, 2013.    
 

 

 Happy Holidays!   

 

This is the last issue of OU? Oh, Yes! in 2012.

OU? Oh, Yes! production will begin January 9, 2013.

 

May you have a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year's season!