Students have gotten back to Huntsville from their Christmas vacation, and registration for the 2015 Spring Semester began this past Monday. The campus is now filled with eager returning students and ambitious new ones. Classes have resumed today for the Oakwood University campus. 

by Flora Flood, DPN, RN, dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions

 

Oakwood's nursing program prepares students for graduate study in nursing or to practice at the professional level in a variety of healthcare settings, including the community, industry, government, hospitals, and clinics. Pictured here are graduates of the Class of 2014: Christine Coleman, Chaunielle David, Larry Fullard, and Albert Jalloh. Photo by Anthony Chornes, II.

 

Nursing continues to thrive at Oakwood University after 40 years. Although nurses composed the first class to graduate from the industrial school in 1909, the nursing program closed completely between 1936 and 1951. After a 20-year hiatus, in 1972, an associate of science program was opened and graduated its first class in 1975. As the complexities of the healthcare system increased, the associate of science program closed in 2003, as plans for the baccalaureate program were started in 2001. The first class to complete the baccalaureate program graduated in 2005. Hundreds of caring Christian nurses have graduated and daily participate in the healing ministry of health to improve the lives of the populations.

 

Nursing is one of the most complex curriculums on the University's campus. Yet, each year students seek to pursue their dreams to become nurses. They come to Oakwood because of their desire to become caring and compassionate nurses in a Christian environment that puts God first.

 

The mission of the Nursing Department is to provide Christ-centered education for nursing students that promotes excellence in character, achievement of professional goals, leadership, and service to a multicultural community and prepares nurses to care for the biopsychosocial and spiritual needs of clients across the life cycle in a variety of healthcare settings. Oakwood has qualified, mission-driven, Christian professors, dedicated to preparing Christian nurses who will change the world through their compassion, caring, competence, and love. Oakwood's nursing graduates have consistently gained employment in all areas of nursing, and have typically gone on to advance their education. 

 

Have you secured your brick for the Legacy Walkway that is being constructed in front of the Peters Media Center and Ford Hall? The Oakwood University Brick Campaign provides an opportunity to leave a legacy and support campus improvement at the same time.

 

The Legacy Walkway will feature names of donors, loved ones, special remembrances, and favorite sayings. Bricks are a great opportunity to congratulate a recent graduate, celebrate a degree or accomplishment, or honor your loved ones.

 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to leave more than a memory at Oakwood University. If you are interested in securing your brick in time for Alumni Weekend, the last day to order is Friday, January 16. Please visit Brick Pathway website www.bricksrus.com/order/oakwood to create your personalized brick. Leave your own legacy as we continue the Building on the Past Campaign (brick by brick).

 

One of the responsibilities of Oakwood's Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations is to develop and maintain relationships with national and local media. "Media relations allows us to introduce to others the great things that are happening at Oakwood," said George Johnson Jr., director of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations. Click here to view the "media wrap" for the 2014-2015 Fall Semester. 

 

Frenita Buddy, '99, is the new Communications & Resources Manager for Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM). Buddy will lead the revamped Communications & Resources department, which manages overall corporate communication, public relations and branding functions. Additionally, this department will focus on resource development to enhance and expand ARM's risk management education programs.

  

Buddy comes to ARM from Hope Channel in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she worked as production director and producer since 2005. She is experienced in live and taped productions. Prior to joining Hope Channel, she was a producer for 48 News Today, WAFF-TV (NBC) in Huntsville, Alabama. She has also earned several awards, including multiple Telly Awards, the Young Professional Award from the Society of Adventist Communicators, the James E. Dykes Communicator Award from Oakwood University, and the Ava Award.

 

This week, I am in San Diego, California, attending the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Annual Presidents' Meeting. I am also attending a meeting with the Adventist Association of Colleges and Universities. Approximately 777 administrators are attending this event. Both meetings are addressing innovation, the President's Scorecard, and national and regional accreditation issues. Pictured here, I am chairing a special session at the CIC meeting on Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Special thanks to Dr. Sandra Price who generously shared her insights on the CPL process used in our LEAP program.

 

 

Check out the brand new wheels - Oakwood University's 4HIM (His Hands in Mission) now has a new 15-passenger van that will allow the mission group to travel safely and "in style." The van will help to transport participants of short-term mission excursions. The van was purchased from our neighbors, Woody Anderson Ford, a North Alabama dealership.