by Cheri Wilson, CFRE, director of development

   

On January 29, administrators from the Kettering Health Network (KHN) visited Oakwood University to share KHN's mission and ministry, and explore ways to match Oakwood's mission and impact.

 

The Kettering team included George Lewis, Oakwood alumnus and president of Kettering Physician Network; David Gordon, Recruitment Manager, Kettering Health Network; Keith Jenkins, HR Director, Grandview and Southview Medical Centers; and William Ragland, Leadership Partner, Grandview and Southview Medical Centers.

 

The day began with a breakfast discussion with OU administrators and academic department heads. Lewis stated that their goal is to "expand our partnership with Oakwood University with intentional efforts on recruiting students for internships and full-time positions."   

 

Organized by Career Services Director, Sonia Paul, the KHN administrators presented the weekly chapel program, conducted student interviews and an information session, and hosted dinner with a small group of students representing various academic departments. 

 

David Gordon expressed gratitude for the "excellent hospitality," and said that the Kettering team "felt a strong connection with the Oakwood administration, department heads, and students. We anticipate follow-up visits that will strengthen our partnership, and we look forward to engaging the students for internships and full-time positions. We are excited for where this will take us and look forward to connecting again, soon!"

   

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13

 

Love is in the air! Maybe you will be spending Valentine's Day with a loved one, catching up with friends, or delivering flowers, or an Edible Arrangement. Whatever your plans are, it's always nice to share affection with others. 

 

Whether it's a small gesture or a grand display, Valentine's Day is a perfect reason to let someone know you care. Why not express your love for Oakwood University during this Valentine's Day season? A donation is a great way to honor your loved ones, the students, an academic department, or a professor - while showing your affection for Oakwood.

 

Send your Valentine's Day "love" gift to the Oakwood Annual Fund by visiting the website www.ougiving.com, or call us at (256) 726-7586.

 

The Black History Month special edition of USA Today features Oakwood University (page 83) and other HBCUs across the nation. This issue also contains stories pertaining to the the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," 100 years of Black history and culture, and voting rights. Click HERE to see the digital issue.

 

 

 

by Monica Spencer, student writer

 

Photo: Lauren Morrison

Janna Peterson-Waddell, '10, recently launched a nationwide Valentine's Day practice that encourages participants to love themselves.

 

While growing up, Janna was the recipient of bullying from school mates, which had a damaging effect on her self-confidence. As a result of her childhood experiences, she has decided to spread the message of self-love and confidence to everyone she meets, and even to those whom she cannot.

 

At the beginning of February Janna hid 100 Valentine's Day cards across Huntsville, in various public locations, like inside books at libraries, park benches, or gas stations. Janna's 'Love Hunt' has spread across the nation to Texas, Chicago, and California. Her project was reported on WAFF.com.

 

Janna has hosted and spoken at several workshops aimed at teaching confidence to elementary students across the nation, including the 2014 National Stop Girl Bullying Conference. She is also the author and illustrator of The Little Girl with the Too Big Hair, a book that teaches confidence as an answer to bullying.  

 

 

Oakwood has received word that its team for the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is officially one of the 2015 "Great 48." InsideOakwood will keep you posted on results.

 

Calvin B. Preston, '75, Senior Pastor of the West End Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of several Oakwoodites scheduled to speak at the 2015 North American Division Pastoral Family Convention in Austin, Texas, June 28-July 1.

 

Preston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Oakwood College, and later earned a Master of Arts degree in Church Administration from Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Mich., in 1979.

 

Since being assigned to West End, the Lord has used Pastor Preston to add over 100 souls to the church each year, through baptism. He has undertaken a $1,000,000+ church renovation project, which was completed in June 2010. Most recently, because of his vision, the church has been blessed to purchase a former Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club building, now known as the West End Family Life & Community Center, used primarily for community outreach.

 

Pastor Preston has been married to his college sweetheart, the former Wynona Wimbish of Akron, Ohio, for 38 years. God has blessed their union with three adult children, Devon, DeNeil, and DeShawn.

Pastor Preston enjoys meeting people, traveling, reading and sports. His mottos are: "Never give up" and "I will survive." His favorite Bible text is Romans 8:37, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."  

 

 

 

Richard D. Martin, '12, was featured in the Bermuda's Royal Gazette newspaper in the Lifestyle section last week. Martin commented on his personal style and his relationship with his then-fiancé/now-wife, Kylah Allers, '05. Read the article here. 

 

  
  

This week, the Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations acquired themed picture frames for a fun, interactive way to boost awareness with Oakwood's social media pages, such as Facebook and Instagram, This recent picture of Boontang Cartwright in the Dining Hall instantly received many "likes" when it was posted on Facebook. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Our Instagram and Twitter handles are @OakwoodU.