Oakwood Produces LIVE Program for Global Youth Day

George Johnson Jr. (right) speaks with

Chaplain Ronald Pollard about the 4HIM

missionary initiative of Oakwood University.

March 15 marked the second annual Global Youth Day (GYD) sponsored by the General Conference's Youth Department. GYD is dedicated to spending time as the "hands and the feet of Jesus" in serving others. This year, Oakwood University was given the opportunity to report on both its reoccurring community service activities, sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Life, and its Global Youth Day activities, during a one-hour broadcast that was one of 22 sites broadcasting LIVE on Hope Church Channel within a 24-hour period.

On that day, more than 300 students participated in clothing and food distribution in three of Huntsville's urban housing communities."Since its inception, Oakwood has had a culture of helping students understand what it means to serve others," said George Johnson Jr., director of integrated marketing and public relations and executive producer/host of Oakwood's one-hour broadcast. "We were happy to share in this event that allowed us to be a part of a global compassion initiative," said Johnson.

The General Conference Youth Department has planned the next GYD for March 21, 2015. If you missed Oakwood's one-hour broadcast, click here.

Oakwood University Sponsors Lecture on US-Iranian Diplomatic Relations

On March 13, students, faculty and members of the Huntsville community assembled at the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center's Powell Auditorium for a lecture and discussion on US-Iranian Diplomatic Relations.

The lecture was delivered by Dr. Darrell Ezell, a native of Huntsville and author of the recently published, Beyond Cairo: US Engagement in the Muslim World. Dr. Ezell is also a Global Expert with the United Nations Alliance of Civilization.

Following the lecture, three experts provided critical responses: Mr. Khalid Razak from the Alabama Islamic Education Center, Dr. Ann Smith Winbush from Oakwood University, and Dr. Charles Mercieca from International Educators for World Peace. After Dr. Ezell addressed the main issues raised by the respondents, audience members were provided an opportunity to ask questions.

The feedback to the program has been positive, and there have been several requests that we continue to provide opportunities for the diverse Huntsville community to engage in discussion on current issues. The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations and the Department of History and Political Science.

Oakwood Student Lands Job at Local TV Station Before Graduation

Senior Communication Major Brionna Sutton has recently signed a contract with Huntsville's NBC affiliate WAFF 48 News, where she produces the 5:00 a.m. news program. "I'm responsible for putting together that entire hour of news, which means choosing the stories, writing the scripts, putting in camera shots, graphics, and basically everything you see on the show," said Sutton.

"It always makes us proud when we see a student's work pay off," said Rennae Elliott, Ph.D., chair of the Communication Department. According to Elliott, Sutton learned about an internship with the station from Dwyane Cheddar, broadcast media professor. After completing the internship, the station decided that they wanted to hire Sutton as a full time employee.

"Working at night and going to school during the day has definitely proved to be a challenge, but by God's grace, I'm making it. I know He's got big plans for me, so I do what He says."

Sutton's ultimate goal is to produce her own TV show and possibly get into film as well. "I want to get my hands in as much as I can so I'll leave a mark [that] you can't help but notice. God has a plan for me, I'm simply following it," she said.

Have You Voted, Oakwood Nation?

Your votes helped Oakwood win the 2013 competition to construct this outdoor pavilion.

From now until April 14, we need you to vote for Oakwood University's campus improvement project in the Home Depot Retool Your School Campaign. "We need everyone's support to help Oakwood win this grant," said Kisha Norris, executive director for advancement and development for Oakwood. Oakwood is only Seventh-day Adventist university in the competition.

The winning school of the Campus Pride Grant will be selected by a combination of the applicant's social media activity and voting score. The three applicants with the highest votes and most social media activity, as determined by the sponsor during the voting period, will be awarded with the Campus Pride Grants.

Oakwood University had the most votes last year! Let's do it again. Vote as often as possible - and from all of your personal computers and devices. You can also Tweet about the competition using #OakwoodTHDRYS.

VOTE NOW and be sure to tell your family and friends to do the same.

Faculty and Staff News

George Ashley, Ph.D., '87, assistant vice president for academic administration and social work professor, and Cherryl Galley, Ph.D., chair of the psychology department, are currently in Cape Town, South Africa, attending the "In His Image: Scripture. Sexuality.Society" summit. They are among 350 worldwide pastors, academics, and human services experts attending this event that is sponsored by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The Summit is focusing on the topic of sexuality and LGBT issues. Click here to read a story about the event by Adventist News Network. (Photo by Adventist News Network)

The Tennis Camp being offered by OU's physical education department this summer has been noted as one of 70 nationwide locations that are offering Nike Tennis Camps. "High quality venues and ease of access are two prominent benefits in providing the best possible tennis camp experience," said Wendy Shpiz, national marketing director, Nike Tennis Camps. OU's Nike Tennis Camp will take place June 2-August 15. For more information, call (256) 726-7312.

Alumni Notes

Some of our readers may be familiar with this season's hit song "Happy." The Source, a music magazine, recently noted the popularity of the song as well as Theron "Therry" Thomas, '10, and current students - Brent Hoyte, Ciara Scott, Rachel Williams, and Devon O'Brannon's - remake/cover of the song.

Note: If you are an OU alum and would like to share news about yourself, please send them to us.

Pollard's Places

This past Sabbath, Prudence and I had the opportunity to fellowship at the Capitol City Seventh-day Adventist Church in Indianapolis, where I delivered the morning sermon. The emphasis of the day was Christian Education, with a special feature on Oakwood. William Lee, senior pastor, offered a stirring appeal to the overflow audience to get "all our children in Seventh-day Adventist education." During the sermon, I shared with the congregation why I believe that Adventist education is God's tool for the end-time preparation of our youth and young adults. This last-day preparation will empower them to "stand up" by being "filled up" before the coming storm. Whenever Prudence and I visit other churches, we cannot help but feel the love that our constituents have for Oakwood University - their openness, their interest, their receptivity, and their support. While in Indianapolis, we met many alumni who all send their love and prayers back to the Oakwood community. Until the next time, remember, today is a great day to be alive. - Dr. Leslie N. Pollard

OU Picture of the Week

Oakwood students performed at the USM Spring Banquet, themed ROAR! Brittany Scott (center) recited poetry, with Devon Morris, Tarik Townsend and Antonio Smith playing music in the background. The banquet was held on March 16, at Huntsville's Von Braun Center.

(Photo by Raymond King, director of student activities)

About Oakwood

Oakwood University, a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution in Huntsville, Alabama, has as its mission to transform students through biblically-based education for service to God and humanity.