Oakwood Alum Helps Answer Question, "Does God Exist?"

With the assistance of the Oakwood Biomedical Association, on November 14, hundreds of students filled the C.T. Richards Chapel at the Moseley Complex, eager to learn from the Nature Speaks Science Foundation, and their guest, Oakwood alumnus Dr. Paul Musson, '80.

The event, entitled, "Proof God Is," was presented by Dr. Musson, who has been practicing internal medicine in Flint, Mich., for 33 years. Along with his passion as a physician, Dr. Musson is also a dedicated minister and serves as the current Pastor of the Eternal Life Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Flint.

The Nature Speaks Science Foundation is the brainchild of two Oakwood University Biology students, Adrian Beyde and Amal Taylor. During the summer of this year, Beyde and Taylor started this non-profit organization in an effort to reveal the character and existence of God through scientific principles.

"Over the years people have somehow been taught that science and religion, especially Christianity, are mutually exclusive; that to believe in science is to abandon Christianity, and to live religiously is to abandon logic. We started the Nature Speaks Science Foundation to show that as science is being advanced and new discoveries are made, there is nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with Divine revelation. In fact, the "book of nature" and the written Word originate from the same author; they shed light on each other," said Taylor.

The overall purpose of Dr. Musson's presentation was to provide students with proof of the existence and power of God through science. "I truly believe that the event was a success. There was a great turnout," Taylor continued. "Some had their questions or doubts about God addressed, and many are now better prepared to convincingly reason with others for the existence God through scientific principles. Most importantly of all, God was glorified."

Oakwood's "Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return" -- Returns

The annual "Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return" will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on E.C. Ward Way, on the campus of Oakwood University.

For the eighth consecutive year, Oakwood University Police Department (OUPD) will be sponsoring this event in partnership with Express Oil Change and NAPA Auto Parts. "Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return" is held each year to provide vehicle inspections and fluid topoffs for students who will be traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday. The program has been such a huge success that faculty, staff, and community friends have been invited to participate in recent years.

Additionally, Thompson Hospitality will partner with OUPD to provide refreshments for the workers during Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return.

Every year, vehicle inspections have brought to light balding tires, broken headlights, and low fluid levels. It's not uncommon to find vehicles with only one (1) quart of oil about to embark on a 12-hour trip! Even though repairs are not done, all fluids are filled to their proper levels, and recommendations are given for mechanical repairs at great discounts.

Parents have expressed overwhelming appreciation for this annual service. Lewis Eakins, chief of OUPD, states that the institution is "not only concerned with the safety of our students on campus, but off campus as well, as they travel over the holiday season." Public Safety officers are present and go from car to car passing out travel safety brochures, giving advice on getting plenty of rest, and having prayer with participants.

If you are in the Huntsville area and you are planning a road trip for the Thanksgiving holiday, be sure to stop by to have your vehicle inspected.

CAMROU Lectureship Features Dr. Mahmoud M. Ayoub

(l-r) Dr. Mohamed Seif (Huntsville Islamic Center),Ms. Gabriela Profeta-Phillips (North American Division), Dr. Keith Burton (Oakwood University), Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub (Hartford Seminary), Dr. Timothy McDonald (Oakwood University), Dr. Leslie Pollard (Oakwood University)

The Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations at Oakwood University held its annual 'Ahl al-Kitāb Lectureship on October 23-24, 2014. This year's lecture was cosponsored by the Huntsville Islamic Center and covered the theme, "Islamic Visions of Peace." The speaker was Dr. Mahmoud M. Ayoub, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, and Emeritus Professor of Islamic Studies and Comparative Religion at Temple University.

The first lecture was held in the Powell Auditorium of the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center, and focused on a Qur'anic perspective on salam ("peace"). Dr. Ayoub argued that while the Qur'an allows war for defensive purposes, the powerful message of universal salam is unavoidable.

The second lecture was hosted at the Huntsville Islamic Center and focused on societal perspectives of peace. After lamenting the lack of positive news coverage about Islam in spite of the scores of influential leaders who have denounced the violent acts of extremists, Dr. Ayoub challenged the Muslim community to work together as witnesses of peace.

Following both lectures, Dr. Ayoub gracefully and poignantly responded to questions from the audience. Among the attendees at both lectures were Rodney McCallum from the Michigan Conference and Gabriela Profeta-Phillips, Director of Adventist Muslim Relations for the North American Division, who presented Dr. Ayoub with a gift on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Oakwood Students Model Compassion at Local Nursing Home

OU students assist nursing home residents with arts and crafts during their recent Thanksgiving-themed visit.

On the recent, cool morning of November 9, at 10:00 a.m., members of Oakwood University's Eta Pi Chapter of the Phi Alpha National Honor Society for Social Work modeled one of Oakwood's values - compassion - as they visited with residents at the Millennium Nursing and Rehab Center. Their purpose was to put on a small program for the nursing home residents, to help generate excitement about the upcoming holiday season, and to get the residents out of bed and active on a Sunday morning.

Once they arrived at the facility, which is right down the street from West Oaks Apartments, our students invited all the residents to participate. A general announcement was made over the loudspeaker, and some students went door-to-door asking residents to leave their rooms and come to the cafeteria for some fun.

The program began with a welcome by Eric Bell. Next, Janelle Jones, a newly inducted member of the chapter, and Kamaaya Byers, chapter secretary, led everyone in songs of Thanksgiving. Next, the students introduced the theme of being thankful, which correlates with the upcoming holiday. Then, the chapter members assisted the residents in an 'arts-and-crafts' project of making construction paper turkeys, the feathers of which were labeled with things for which people were thankful. Each person who made a turkey was asked to name two things they had written, explaining what they are thankful for this season. The residents expressed their appreciation as the students said their goodbyes.

The activity was organized by Eta Pi Chapter President Aleece Holliman and Vice President Deyana Cox. Dr. Octavio Ramirez is the faculty sponsor.

Oakwood Professor Honored at Local AEW Celebration

Oakwood University Provost Dr. Tim McDonald, left, presents award to Dr. Maxine Garvey, honoree.

"During American Education Week (AEW)," said President Barack Obama, "we celebrate the devoted educators who instruct and inspire students of all ages, and we continue our work to provide every person with the best education possible."

The presidential proclamation was quoted during Huntsville's annual celebration on Monday, November 17, at a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Research Park. This event honors Teachers of the Year for area school systems, colleges and universities. The honorees this year included Oakwood's Dr. Maxine Garvey, chair of Oakwood's Allied Health Department, and Oakwood retirees Drs. Garland and Jeannette Dulan.

Pictures of the event are available on Flickr.

Employee News Notes

(l-r) Mark Elysee, Director of the SAU Orchestra; William Costa, Jr., Director of Media, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; John Wall, Director of Choral Activities at Southwestern Adventist University; Adriana Perera, Associate Professor of Music, Oakwood University; Nick Zork, pastor and promoter of Andrews University Worship and Music Conference; Armando Miranda, Jr., Youth Director, Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Mrs. Adriana Perera, associate professor of music, lectured on "Jesus and The Arts," "SDA Contemporary Music," and "Finding Balance," during DOXA: A Creative Worship Conference sponsored by the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, on the campus of Southwestern Adventist University (SAU), on November 7-9.

DOXA was a gathering of Seventh-day Adventist musicians, worship leaders, poets and creative arts people to help our leaders be more effective in leading their churches to a new height in communion with God through thoughtful and prayerful planning, and to create music/songs with an Adventist doctrinal focus.

Additional guest speakers included William Costa Jr., director of media at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Nicholas Zork, from Andrews University, led workshops with tips and principles in preparing to lead and plan worship; John Wall - Director of Choral Activities at Southwestern Adventist University - gave vocal tips and training; and Marc �lysee, director of the SAU Orchestra - shared tips in orchestration and how to be effective in worship practice.

Mrs. Perera is the main editor and co-author for "En Esp�ritu y en Verdad," a book on Music and Worship released by Pacific Press in 2013. She is currently working on her second book, entitled "More than Music: Worship," which will be published by the Inter American Division Publishing Association in April 2015.

Alumni News

While a second-year internal medicine/urban health resident physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., Dr. Ryan Lang, '09, is serving as a visiting resident with the Medical Unit at ABC News in New York, NY, for a four-week period in November/ December. Lang is pictured here (right) with Dr. Richard Besser, ABC's chief health and medical editor, who presented a report on eye health and the danger of improper contact lens hygiene on Good Morning America on November 14, a story that was researched, summarized, and vetted by Dr. Lang.

Pollard's Places

My wife, Prudence, and I had the opportunity to listen to Oakwood's world-famous Aeolians, under the directorship of Jason Max Ferdinand, in the comfort of our own home, as we worked with the Oakwood University Broadcast Network staff to tape the 2014 Oakwood University Christmas Card. This year's video greeting features an update on giving opportunities and music by the Aeolians.

Picture of the Week

This week's picture is a compilation of photos from the American Red Cross blood drive taking place on our campus today. This annual drive is sponsored by the Alabama Zeta Chapter of the Alpha Chi Honor Society. (Photos by Gregory Johnson)

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.