Vol. 3, No. 45                                                                           November 22, 2013

Adventist Accrediting Association site visit concludes

 

The site visit team began meetings with administrators on Monday, November 18.

The Adventist Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (AAA) is the denominational accrediting authority for all tertiary and graduate educational programs and institutions owned by Seventh-day Adventist Church entities.

 

Every ten years, a team from AAA visits Oakwood University to evaluate the quality of Oakwood's academic programs and our implementation of the Seventh-day Adventist philosophy of education.  The central emphasis of the visit revolves around the question of how well is the mission of SDA education being implemented at Oakwood University.

 

Led by Dr. John McVay, president of Walla Walla 
Dr. John McVay, AAA Site Visit Team Leader

University, the site visit team spent the early part of the week interviewing a cross section of Oakwood students, employees and administrators, and reviewing materials. 

 

The committee's recommendations were shared with Board of Trustees' Chairman Daniel Jackson and President Leslie Pollard during a private session. That briefing was followed by a public presentation of findings to administrators, faculty, staff, students and available Board members on Wednesday, November 20, during the exit interview.

 

The committee reported that there were an exceptional number of commendations of Oakwood University, that included commendation of:

 

"The Board and administration for the staffing of the Office of Spiritual Life with four chaplains so that each of its [Oakwood's] publics receives that full attention and ministry of a University Chaplain;

 

"The President and administrative team for developing and implementing a comprehensive, efficient, mission-focused hiring process. This process includes a hiring rubric that ensures candidates fit the spiritual mission of Oakwood University;

 

"The Administration and Faculty in their thoughtful and deliberate approach to providing a quality curriculum that seeks to develop the Oakwood Man and Woman for service and heaven;

 

"The Board of Trustees and the Administration for fostering a healthy fiscal environment for Oakwood University, which currently has above-mandated financial reserves and a Combined Financial Index (CFI) of 6.4, and for planning for this healthy fiscal environment to continue by seeking increased extra-tuition funding streams in the context of the 2012 Strategic Plan."

 

The AAA team concluded that "Oakwood University is operating a highly-efficient University that is poised for outstanding growth in the future," said Dr. Leslie Pollard, OU President. Final confirmation of the AAA team's report will be ratified at the January meeting of the AAA Board in Silver Spring, Maryland.

 
AAA Site Visit Team (l-r): Isaac Oyewole, Joy Fehr, Marcel Sargeant, John McVay, Adam Fenner, A. Jean Warden, Hudson Kibuuka and R. Clifford Jones.

 

  
Singing group "Serenity" at the UNCF Ladies Tea on November 17.
    

UNCF Ladies Tea described as "a success" 

 

The UNCF Ladies Tea on November 17, celebrating both strong women and higher education for young people, was "a success," said organizer Ashley Simpson, development associate. She indicated that The Ledges of Huntsville ballroom was filled with an audience of approximately 150 attendees.

 

Before the program officially began, Miss Eleejah Kitchell-Bush played her violin."

"We are so grateful for all the ladies (and two gentlemen) who came out to support the UNCF," Simpson said. Almost half of the audience was populated by students, thanks to the generosity of the Offices of the President and Spiritual Life, the Office of Regional Conference Ministry, the Division of Research and Employee Services, and 2 Men in a Kitchen.

 

An Oakwood Elementary student, an Oakwood University student, and two Oakwood staff members presented poetry selections in a "Tribute to Womanhood." Local businesswoman Valerie Rowan, owner of Bodyology, showed attendees how to create their own body scrub and body lotion. 

 

"Thank you for your dedication toward raising funds for the United Negro College Fund. We look forward to seeing you again next year," Simpson concluded. 

 

 

Tea guests enjoying Russian Orange Spice or Camomile Herbal Tea at The Ledges.
Beautiful hats on our guests at the UNCF Ladies Tea.

  

  
 
 
Click image to be directed to the Fall 2013, Vol. 1, Issue 2 of the School of Business and Adult and Continuing Education newsletter.  


Staff from Express Oil Change, Napa Auto Parts and OUPD - at the start of the 2013 "Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return" initiative on November 21.

"Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return," returns
by Lewis A. Eakins, Director, OUPD 

 

"Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return," a free travel initiative sponsored by the Oakwood University Police Department (OUPD), took place on November 21, 2013, on E.C. Ward Way (drive leading to the Oakwood University Church). Drivers started lining up at 11:15, prompting staff to begin a few minutes earlier than the posted 11:30 a.m. start time.   

 

For the past seven (7) years, the OUPD has sponsored this 
Staff from Express Oil Change top off fluids.

event for students, employees and community members, in partnership with Express Oil Change and Napa Auto Parts. The focus has been on insuring that vehicles leaving for trips during the Thanksgiving break have undergone inspections with topping off of fluids, and oil and headlight checks.  And all for free.  Thompson Hospitality provided lunches for the visiting vehicle technicians.

 

According to OUPD Chief Lewis Eakins, "I think it is important that the institution demonstrate a concern for our campus community when they leave for the various school breaks. Each year we find several students preparing for extended road trips with only two (2) quarts of oil or balding tires. Our officers have given of their personal means to assist several students in the purchase of suitable used tires."  

 

Each year, Eakins summarized, this program services in excess of 200 vehicles. 

 
"Ma'am, your oil level is a little bit low, but we'll take care of that for you."
 

 

 

Huntsville Multicultural Affairs Director Speaks to the OU Pre-Law Society

 

At the weekly meeting of the OU Pre-Law Society on October 22, 2013, the Society's guest was Kenny Anderson, class of 1983 and Director of Multicultural Affairs for the City of Huntsville.

 

Anderson appealed for Oakwood students to apply for the internship programs sponsored by the Mayor's Office. In discussing his duties as the Multicultural Affairs Director, Anderson explained that he is one of five officers who work directly under Mayor Tommy Battle.

Kenny Anderson, class of 1983, closed the energetic and engaging hour-long presentation with the quote: "To whom much is given, much is required." 
In this capacity, he ensures that every segment of the Huntsville community gets equal and fair treatment. In addition, he manages the office's Facebook page and Twitter account, meets with various persons and interest groups in the community, and represents the mayor at special events.

 

 

Over the past 20 years, Anderson has hosted his own radio program, Second Chance, which airs on Oakwood's radio station, Praise 90.1 WJOU. The program features community guests and various topics of interest.

 

After Anderson's presention, he answered a plethora of student questions.

 

  

Oakwood professor honored at local AEW celebration 

 

 

During American Education Week, communities around the country have the opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education.

 

OU Provost Dr. Tim McDonald, left, presents award to
Mrs. Patrice Conwell, honoree.

Huntsville's celebration began on Monday,November 18, with the annual AEW Luncheon at the Holiday Inn Research Park. This event honors Teachers of the Year for area school systems, colleges and universities. Oakwood's Dr. Roy Malcolm chairs the local committee.

 

The honorees this year included Oakwood's Mrs. Patrice Conwell, assistant professor of communication, and Oakwood Adventist Academy retired teacher/volunteer Mrs. Zeola Allston.

 

Click on the National Education Association's website to learn more about AEW history.  

 

  

 

Strategic Plan Overview, 2013-2017

Installment 2

 

As you recall from last week's OU? Oh, Yes!, the OU Board of Trustees has approved Oakwood's direction for the next five years, called "The Strategic Plan Overview." For the next several issues, OU? Oh, Yes! will present in installments the Organizational Priorities for each division.

 

You are also welcome to view the document in its entirety on the Oakwood website. 

 

Priority 2: Educational Effectiveness.

C. Garland Dulan, Ph.D.

VP, Academic Administration

 

Oakwood University's Academic Division will ensure academic effectiveness in teaching and learning.

 

Goals across the next 5 years include:

 

  1. Expand traditional delivery by creating an online delivery system for instruction;
  2. Develop an academic master plan that takes into consideration the changes in the academic and professional climate;
  3. Design and implement an Honors Program to attract academically-gifted scholars;
  4. Strengthen the freshman advising and retention program;
  5. Expand graduate degree program offerings
  6. Enhance degree program in Communication Media with the addition of a TV production/recording studio; and
  7. Review and update existing programs.

 

   

 

  

 
  
Stay tuned, for more information. . .
  
Coming soon -- Oakwood Adventist Academy & Elementary School Grand Opening and Dedication Service on Sunday, December 8, at 4:00 p.m. 
   
  

   

For more information, visit the PELC website:  www.pelc.cc