Vol. 3, No. 1                                                    January 4, 2013
Mother Cunningham's "Extreme Makeover"
 
As we start a new calendar year, our biggest news is that several of our student service departments are moving into "the new Cunningham Hall."
 
The campus family, led by President Pollard and the Administration, paused for a special dedication and prayer service on Thursday, January 3. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place in March, 2013.  
   

Many found the reading by Kisha Norris, Executive Director of Advancement & Development, to be particularly moving:

 

Today we celebrate the completion of this building, Cunningham Hall. And today, we ask that God will come in and fill each and every space that has been prepared.  Not only do we want God to come in, we want him to dwell here and continue to hover over this place, always.

 

Although this is not a church, we know that this building, this house of student services will definitely be a house of prayer, so today:

 

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE - For the preparation of young minds

For the ministering to the needs of our students;

 

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE - For the keeping of records, for the giving of reports and finances;

 

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE -

Kisha Norris reads "We Dedicate this House of Student Services."
manner of diseases, for the administering of Christian counseling;

 

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE - For the recruitment of students, for the sharing of how God is working on these hallowed grounds;

 

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE - For the discovery of new and innovative concepts, for performing duties to assist in the education of young people;

 

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE - For getting men and women ready for the soon coming of Christ, for preparing them to depart to serve;

 

WE DEDICATE THIS HOUSE.

 

 

Vice President for Student Services David Knight said that "Time has a way of winking at us; crowning those who dare to dream, with the splendor of accomplishment. Today is a testament of how an old and somewhat put aside building with sturdy walls and a solid foundation can rise from the rubble of uselessness into a master-piece of elegance and purpose.

For several months, we watched from a distance; we prayed for your completion; we agonized over your colors and cast lots on unclaimed spaces. For all of us this moment could not have come any sooner. Amidst the excitement that this day brings may the echo of 'well done' round every corner; leap from every office; shout from every wall and dance on every floor. We like you like this. Sharp as a razor's edge with the 'pop' of well placed colors of blue and gold.

Today, we herald you as a treasure re-gifted to us from God. In the days ahead when the excitement of newness wears off and we find ourselves retreating into the cave of complacency, wake us up to a new reality. Don't let us spend our days hibernating with the idleness of fools. Wake us up to the reality that howls for deep introspection. Wake us up to see the rubble of uselessness inside of us that needs to change.

Let me thank you Cunningham Hall, for giving us a guided tour of your life. What is it that we need? Do we need fresh colors of love, joy, peace or patience...? Do we need to tear down walls of hatred, envy, strife or greed? Or do we need to rewire our attitudes, judgment, faith or convictions? Cunningham Hall you look like you would be satisfied to go another 65 years before another renovation. Not so with those gathered here today--we want the work of sanctification to take place every day of our lives. We want to go the distance. We want eternity. Thanks for your wisdom. We will occupy your space but live for the kingdom." 

Read al.com/Huntsville Times reporter Kay Campbell's summary of the event here, and be sure to stop by to see what has become of Cunningham Hall when you come for Alumni Homecoming Weekend (March 28-31, 2013). 
  
Movin' on up. . . and into Cunningham Hall -- to serve our students and their families better. 
  

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

 

First Floor:  Faculty Development, Leadership & Quality | Faculty Resource Center | Health Services & Counseling | Registrar's Office

 

Second Floor:  Center for Academic Success | Enrollment Management | Student Information 

 

Third Floor:  Career Services & Testing | Financial Aid | Financial Resolution | Student Accounts

 

  
Sabrina Cotton commends employees' sacrificial service.

 

Student Accounts staff contemplate where to put everything.

 

During the Christmas break, several employees worked to move in, unpack, set up, etc.  Vice President of Financial Services Sabrina Cotton commended the IT team (who worked the entire break) and all other directors who been working on the $5 million renovation project.  

 
  

Q:  What's up with the downed trees between Blake Center

          and the Library?

 

A:    Most of those pine trees were rotting and some were even leaning toward the library, posing a threat to that facility should a strong wind come along. Therefore, the trees were cut down during the Christmas break. No plans have been made for the utilization of the cleared space.

 

Because pine trees are generally very water absorbent, they would not have made good firewood or lumber.

 

The University has committed to planting some additional trees on campus to replace those in an effort to continue making Oakwood a place "where loveliness keeps house." 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

While most employees were Christmas breaking. . .

 

Ted N.C. Wilson, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

 

Former OU Alumni Association President DeWitt S. Williams recently released a book titled Highly Committed. The book chronicles the life of Ted N. C. Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and that of his family. For more than 100 years, the Wilson family has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in some capacity, beginning with William Henry Wilson, Ted N. C. Wilson's great grandfather. Read more here.     

OU Alumnus Jonathan Slocumb

 

*** 

While alumnus and clean-comic Jonathan Slocumb was in town to MC the greater Huntsville Chapter of the 100 Black Men in America's annual Holiday Gala, al.com/Huntsville Times entertainment reporter Matt Wake interviewed him.  Read the complete story here.

 

***

WAAY-TV reported that OU-birthed singing group Committed" returned "home" to Huntsville for Christmas performances.  Read the story here. 

 

  ***

Oakwood's Service Learning Department, directed by Patricia Stewart Daniel, partnered with The Salvation Army to provide entertainment at the Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas luncheon for Senior Citizens. "The DIVAS" (OU employees Doris Collie, Cheryl Sullivan, Ivy Starks, Selita Harpe, Diane Rugless and Debbe Millet) led in the singing of Christmas carols. Service Learning employee Samanta Burt played a classical selection on the violin.  A good time was had by all.  

 

 

Enrollment Management acquires GEM-E6

by James Hutchinson, Executive Director of Student Enrollment Services 

 

Jorge Bartholomew and new GEM-E6.

Joyce Smith, former Enrollment Management Director, always dreamed of that department owning a golf cart to be used primarily to "showcase" Oakwood University to prospective students, parents and supporters, especially during the peak seasons of College Days, Registration, South Central Conference Campmeeting, Alumni Weekend, and for giving Campus Tours. 

 

 

A request to purchase two golf carts was submitted to Dr. Garland Dulan, VP for Academic Affairs, and subsequently 

to the Admiministration. A suggestion to review the option of purchasing the GEM-E6 came from Sabrina Cotton,VP for Financial Affairs, and Dr. Dulan.

 

After reviewing the options, Joyce and I agreed on the selection to purchase the GEM-6. Before purchase the President's Council wanted assurance that the vehicle would be stored in a secure, lockable, unit. Thanks to Dean Kibler of Wade Hall, and Collins Alexander, Director of Physical Plant, we have such a place, in one of the annex apartment garages.
 
In our opinion, the GEM-E6 is the "Lexus" of electric low speed vehicles.  It features a top speed of 25 mph, horn, turn indicators, a CD player, heat, head lamps, is a highway-rated, 6-passenger vehicle with stop lights, tail lights and cushioned seats.

 

 

 

James Hutchinson with Enrollment Management's "Lexus" of golf carts. 

 

 

   

 

GEM-E6 interior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 Take 6 and Aeolians to perform in Tuscaloosa - January 19, 2013

  

  
Take 6

 

The singing ensemble Take 6 and the Aeolians of Oakwood University will highlight the 23rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Realizing the Dream concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 19, in the Concert Hall at The University of Alabama's Moody Music Building. Tickets for the event may be reserved by calling 205/348-7111.

 

Among the nation's most recognized vocal ensembles, Take 6, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has received 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards and a Soul Train Award. Take 6 features Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley. The group was founded at Oakwood University in Huntsville in 1980 and took its current name in 1988. Take 6's newest recording, "One," in 2012, is notable for the group's return to its spiritual heritage.

 

The Aeolians of Oakwood University is a vocal ensemble founded in 1946 by Dr. Eva B. Dykes. The group has traveled around the world, including a 2012 performance at the Moscow International Performing Arts Center under the patronage of Michael McFaul, U.S. Ambassador to Russia.

Aeolians at Battle inauguration 11 5 12
Aeolians at recent performance in Huntsville.

  

Two days prior, the Aeolians will be performing at the UAHuntsville's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program, at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 17, in the University Center Exhibit Hall.