Administrators and student leaders from Oakwood University and Southern Adventist University collaborated from January 23-25 during their annual DEEP retreat. Themed "Calling, Vocation, and Diversity in the Body of Christ," this year's retreat was hosted by Southern Adventist University at Camp Chula Vista in Pell City, Alabama.

Diversity Education Exchange Program (DEEP) is a program designed to encourage understanding among university students from diverse backgrounds. In 1997, former President of Oakwood University, Dr. Delbert Baker, and President of Southern Adventist University, Dr. Gordon Bietz, decided to bring a group of student leaders together to learn of various aspects of diversity, to fellowship, and build lasting relationships.

Amanda Hendricks, president of the Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS) at Oakwood University, expressed, "The retreat gave me a unique opportunity to exchange dialogue with Southern students. I was able to give and take ideas for making our school's various organizations better and more serving to the students and us alike."

Southern Adventist University's Sigorney Creighton shared, "This year's retreat was an insightful and challenging experience. The focus on God's calling and its relationship to our vocation and job expectations really clarified how to incorporate service to God into every fiber of my career. I also appreciated the administrator's candid insight and meaningfully connection with other student leaders as well."   

by Monica Spencer, student writer 

 

Students gathered inside the Oakwood University Church, January 20-24, for the United Student Movement's (USM) annual Student Week of Prayer. During each program, students were challenged to allow God to takeover specific aspects of their lives. Speakers were Kiran David, Kyle Smith, Wesley Nathan, Darchell Clark, and Jordaan Houston.

 

When asked what inspired the theme, "Takeover," USM Religious Vice, Jordaan Houston, explained, "We chose 'Takeover' because we understand students have many different struggles, whether it's financial clearance, academics, family, or relationships."

 

He continued, "We understand that in order for us to grow and our faith to be fortified in Christ, we need to allow God to take over everything including our everyday struggles. Matthew 6:26 declares 'Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Birds of the air are totally dependent upon the Lord for everything, we should be as well.'"

Oakwood University has planned an entire month of activities for the observance of Black History Month. "The administration, faculty and staff of Oakwood University is committed to helping people understand how important it is to recognize African-American history and how it has helped to shape our culture in America," said Timothy McDonald, Ed.D., provost and senior vice president of Oakwood University and chair of the Black History Program Committee. "We are proud to be a part of history ourselves here in Huntsville, being an institution that was originally founded to educate freed Blacks in the South," he said.

The Black History Program Committee has planned activities (click here to see list) that will not only educate the students, but also serve as a way to bring the campus together for other means of fellowship.

Please save the date - October 11-13, for "Oakwood Live!" This event is the new name for what was formerly known for many years as "College Days." 
 

Oakwood Live! is an annual 3-day event that immerses prospective students into life at Oakwood University. Guests will participate in a variety of interesting activities that will allow them a chance to explore the unique qualities of an Oakwood University education. This event is offered to high school seniors and college transfer students.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for more information concerning Oakwood Live!  

This past weekend, members of the University's administration and student leaders spent time in Pell City, Alabama, for the annual DEEP Retreat. We were joined by the administration and student leaders of Southern Adventist University. At the end of the Sabbath evening vespers, Dr. Gordon Bietz (SAU president) and I answered questions from the student leadership regarding challenges in leadership and higher Adventist education. [Photo by Pamela Henry]

Pictured above is a portion of a recent advertisement that will be featured in a special issue of USAToday in February. How many alumni do you recognize in this "I am Oakwood University" advertisement? Test your knowledge. Next week, we will introduce to you the faces of this "I am Oakwood University" campaign.