Oakwood to Become a North American Division Institution

In a vote of 129 to 1, Oakwood University is being recommended to become a North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists-sponsored institution of higher learning. This vote was taken today at a "Called Session" of the Oakwood University Constituency, held on the heels of Annual Council at the World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Md.

"Oakwood University has been a vital part of Seventh-day educational system, training many leaders of our Church, said Elder Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. "On behalf of the World Church, we value Oakwood," he said. These words were shared as he opened the meeting.

From left: Leslie Pollard, president of Oakwood University, and secretary of the Board of Trustees; Dan Jackson, president of the Adventist Church's North American Division, and chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Ella Simmons, vice president of the Adventist Church, and chairman of the OU NAD Transition Committee. [photo: Ansel Oliver/Adventist News Network]

The rationale for the recommendation of the Oakwood University Board of Trustees anticipates a number of benefits which would accrue to the Oakwood University enterprise. These benefits include:

Oakwood finds greater mission congruence and financial support within the North American Division; the Division most directly impacted by its operation;
the decision to become a North American Division institution grants greater legal, constitutional, and voting influence to the core NAD constituencies served by Oakwood University;
the new organizational placement would reconcile the historic purpose for Oakwood's founding with the focus, scope, and results of its 118-year operation.

During the meeting, Elder Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division and Oakwood University board chair, praised the General Conference for taking the heed of God and the counsel from Ellen G. White on the education of African Americans. It was White's counsel in the late 1890s to open a school that would educate recently-freed African-Americans of the South. "We offer deep gratitude to the General Conference for they way in which they have fostered this work," said Jackson. "And to Oakwood University, we say welcome home," he stated.

The vote also included recommended changes to the University's Constitution and Bylaws. Both recommendations will be received for a vote at the North American Division's Year-end Meeting which will take place at the end of October.

Oakwood Participates in Domestic Violence Awareness Month Activities

The Oakwood University Social Work Department has partnered with the Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Morgan Coordinated Community Response Task Forces Against Domestic Violence and Crisis Services of North Alabama, to present several activities during the remaining days of October, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m., the annual "Break the Silence" Candlelight Vigil; sponsored by Crisis Services of North Alabama, Madison County, takes place in Wade Hall. Sponsored by the Madison County CCR Taskforce Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault and Crisis Services of North Alabama, the event is a special service celebrating survivors of domestic violence, and honoring those whose lives have been taken as a result of domestic violence.

On October 30, the Oakwood University Social Work and Psycholology Departments will sponsor a "Recognizing the Red Flags of an Abusive Relationship" workshop in the Social Work Lab.

During the entire month of October, the Oakwood University Police Department will display purple ribbon magnets on their patrol cars, in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Alumni Notes

LaTasha Hewitt, '00, has recently been selected to be the new communication director of the Allegheny East Conference (AEC). Hewitt replaces Robert L. Booker, who retires October 1. Hewitt was previously employed as an administrative assistant in the conference's youth department and is the current host of AEC Today,

a video series covering the news and activities of AEC.

Note: Share your Alumni News with us at pr@oakwood.edu.

OU Picture of the Week

The Office of Enrollment Management reports that more than 600 potential students attended the annual College Days event, October 12-14. Although some groups (and their chaperones) were able to travel to Huntsville by air, the majority arrived in cars, vans, and buses from all over the United States and Canada. During College Days, the guests met and talked with current Oakwood University students, experienced residential life, received information on scholarships and financial aid, met their future professors, toured the campus, and participated in recreational activities. Pictured are the attendees just before the closing Chapel service this past Tuesday. (Photo by Anthony Chornes, II)

About Oakwood

The mission of Oakwood University, a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution, is to transform students through biblically-based education for service to God and humanity.