Oakwood's radio station WJOU 90.1 FM partnered with the Good Samaritan Hospice in Madison, AL, to produce a Community Health and Wellness Fair on October 30, 2013, as promoted on WAFF TV; see story here.

Objectives included increase awareness of good health practices, and provide free health screenings to attendees from all over Greater Huntsville.

Local establishments and businesses shared information about self-care, senior care and resources, chiropractic care, physical therapy, financial management, and housing opportunities. 

 

 

(L-R: Ron Gilbert, WJOU; Jim Pride, Good Samaritan Hospice; Kenny Anderson, Multicultural Affairs, City of Huntsville; President Leslie Pollard, Oakwood University; David Hereford, Good Samaritan Hospice)

While welcoming attendees to the campus, President Leslie Pollard reminded everyone that

one of the ways in which Oakwood University helps transform lives is promoting the principles of good health and disease prevention. This follows the spirit of what we find in 3 John 1:2 ("Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, (...)."

Basic chiropractic screenings were available.

Kenny Anderson, Director of Multicultural Affairs from the Huntsville Mayor's office, read a proclamation from Mayor Tommy Battle, declaring October 30, 2013, as "Oakwood University, WJOU and Good Samaritan Hospice Health and Wellness Day."

Organizers anticipate that the Community Health and Wellness Fair will be an annual event.

Oakwood nursing students conducted blood pressure, BMI and balance screenings.

"Oakwood products" win top 2013 denominational communications awards

by Helen Fischle, Chairman of the Department of Social Work

The social work profession is populated with individuals taking action to help others. For the month of October, 2013, faculty and students in Oakwood's Social Work Department have been on the move -- advocating for issues related to social justice in the immigrant population of the south, domestic violence and breast cancer awareness.

Oakwood students and faculty pause for a "photo op" during their travels to Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 4.

The month began with 22 students and four faculty attending the 8th Annual Social Justice Retreat in Chattanooga, TN, on October 4th. This annual retreat is organized and supported by social work faculty and students from the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga, Chattanooga State College, Alabama A&M University, Cleveland State Community College, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Southern Adventist University, and Oakwood University.

This year's topic was, "The New South: Welcoming the Stranger," presented by special guest speaker Anton Flores, founding member of a Christian missional community, "Alterna." The day's agenda focused on the many issues Latin American immigrants face and how social workers need to be culturally competent when working with such groups.

On October 17, the OU Social Work Department found itself busy once again working with Crisis Services of North Alabama; the Coordinated Community Response Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; Asha Kiran; Morgan County Domestic Violence Task Force; Redstone Arsenal Army Community Service; Soroptimist International of Huntsville; and SOAR of Huntsville, to host the Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil at Wade Hall. This event provides an opportunity to remember the victims and celebrate the survivors of domestic violence in Madison County, Alabama.

Dr. Howard Weems, Oakwood's Senior Chaplain and Special Assistant to the President, gave the welcome and prayer to open the evening's program, which was then followed by testimonies, poems, music and a pledge to support victims and survivors of domestic violence. WAFF TV Ch. 48 covered the annual observance.

Finally, on October 24,  Oakwood's Social Work Club's President, Caprice Brathwaite, and the Education Club's President, Monique Euell (both clubs are housed within the School of Education and Social Sciences), joined forces to organize a breast cancer awareness program at Wade Hall.

In a room decorated with pink balloons and pink ribbons (with pink cupcakes and pink juice to be served later), approximately 100 female and male students sat quietly as they listened to two breast cancer survivors, Joann B. Clark and Donna Green-Goodman. These two brave individuals shared their stories of how God worked miracles in their lives to save them from a cancer that has taken the lives of so many other women. Both women indicated that it was their faith in God and dramatic lifestyle change that were keys to their survival.

At the end of this inspiring evening, pink balloons were released in honor of those who have survived, or succumbed to, breast cancer. 

 "An Evening with Professor Bryan Fair"

On October 24, 2013, approximately 200 interested students and staff listened to guest speaker Bryan Fair, J.D., the Thomas E. Skinner Professor of Law at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa.  The Department of History and Political Science hosted the evening in the C-100 Auditorium of the McKee Business and Technology Complex. 

Bryan Fair, J.D.

 

Miss Sesly Huerfano, a freshman Pre-Law major and Treasurer of the OU Pre-Law Society, opened the evening with prayer and welcomed the attendees. Dr. Samuel London, Chair of the Department of History and Political Science, introduced the guest speaker.

In his presentation, Professor Fair discussed the civil wrongs of modern society such as discrimination, poverty, and government corruption. He also shared a compelling and inspirational account of his personal journey toward becoming an attorney and law school professor.

In her follow-up remarks, Assistant Professor Anne Smith-Winbush, J.D., highlighted the immense value of Professor Fair's advice to students aspiring to enter the legal professions. She also emphasized the motivational aspect of Fair's personal testimony.

Miss Alexandra Carrington, a junior Pre-Law major and Chaplain of the OU Pre-Law Society presented the tokens of appreciation to Professor Fair. Gramond McPherson, a senior History major and President of the OU Historical Society, concluded with the closing prayer. Following the program, refreshments were served.