Oakwood's Alumni Homecoming Brings Thousands to Huntsville

 

Thousands traveled to Huntsville last week to be a part of the annual Alumni Weekend sponsored by the Oakwood University Alumni Association. From the Virtue concert, to the UNCF Gala, to the Running Back to the 80s, Aeolians and VOT concerts, to the worship services, to the Alumni Village, this year's activities were ones that will leave a deep impression in the minds of those who attended.

 

If you missed this year's activities, you can view pictures on Oakwood University's Flickr page.

 

Also, various activities of Alumni Weekend garnered attention from the local media. Listed below are news reports from Huntsville television affiliates:

 

Oakwood alumni flood Stanlieo's

 

Oakwood University Alumni Weekend draws thousands (second video) 

 

5K International run brings out dozens who support Oakwood Universityl

 

Oakwood Alumni Homecoming Weekend ends (first video)

 

Mark your calendars now for Alumni Homecoming Weekend 2016, scheduled for March 24-27.       

Oakwood Alumni Association Officers Announced

 

During its annual meeting in October 2014, an ad hoc Nominating Committee of the Oakwood Alumni Association (OUAA) Board of Directors developed a slate of nominees for the election of officers for the next three-year term (2015-2018). The following election results were announced at the OUAA meeting during the 2015 Alumni Homecoming Weekend:

 

 

President                                             Cynthia Powell-Hicks ('76, Pacific Union)

Vice President                                     Desmond Pierre-Louis ('81, Allegheny East)

Vice President for Development         Shelli Palmer ('94, Allegheny West)

Treasurer                                            Deirdre Robinson ('87, Southeastern)

Assistant Treasurer                            Tammy Woodfork ('80, Allegheny East)

Secretary                                            Patricia McBean Pates ('83, Southeastern)

Assistant Secretary                            Harry Swinton, Jr. (Southwest Region) 

Chaplain                                             Donald Bedney, II ('79, Lake Region)

Sergeant-at-Arms                              Jayson Brown ('05, Northeastern)

Parliamentarian                                 Antony Albury ('03, Southeastern)

 

Regional Vice Presidents

 

Allegheny East                                   Robert Patterson, Jr., '90

Allegheny West                                  Ron Mainess, '80

Lake Region                                       Barbara Ann Esco Bryant, '82

Northeastern                                      Leslie Phipps, '86

Pacific Union                                      Danette Bryant Batiste, '94

South Atlantic                                     Emile Parker, '83

South Central                                     Debrah Slack, '06

Southeastern                                     Shawn R.H. Smith, '98

Southwest Region                             Peggy Burns 

Oakwood Students Learn, Serve in Community Classroom     

 

On March 31, approximately 59 students who are enrolled in OU 101 (Freshman Seminar) "departed to serve" and to learn in the community classroom.

 

Students chose from two service options:

  1. Work at the Red Cross facility, washing and cleaning emergency service vehicles, preparing materials and making mats used by individuals who are homeless, power washing the entrance, and preparing coolers for the upcoming tornado season.

  2. Work at the Habitat for Humanity warehouse, building walls for a home soon be inhabited with by a family from Cameroon. Other students disposed of debris and other non-useful items to tidy the warehouse.

Students shared their thoughts after the experience in reflective essays. One female student said, "As believers of Christ, it is our duty to serve. Even the son of man came not to be served but to serve. As it says in the Bible, 'As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.'" (1 Peter 4:10)."

 

A male student admitted he was "a little nervous about working with someone of a different race, as an African-American young man, especially after what has been transpiring [across the country]. Meeting other people definitely showed me that everyone isn't the same and some people do not see color, but character."

 

The students were accompanied by their instructors, Regina Jacob and Patricia Stewart Daniel, and Dee Hill from the Huntsville Green Team.

 

Pictured: Red Cross volunteer Sheila tests one of the mats made by Oakwood students during their day of service learning. FYI: It takes 700-750 bags to make one mat.

Oakwood's Student Services Hosts Tim Wise

 

On March 30, the Oakwood community gathered in Moran Hall as antiracist author and educator, Tim Wise, returned to campus to speak on issues surrounding the treatment of minorities in this country, and how communities can respond appropriately to injustices. In 2010, Wise, along with several other notable presenters, including Cornel West and Roland Martin, spoke during Oakwood's "Sharpen Your Mind" Lecture Series.

 

Wise has spent the past 20 years speaking to audiences at 1,000 college and high school campuses, in all 50 states. He has also lectured internationally in Canada and Bermuda. Wise's antiracism work traces back to his days as a college activist in the 1980s, fighting for divestment from (and economic sanctions against) apartheid in South Africa.

 

Sophomore theology major Paul Deshield expressed, "Tim Wise's presentation was both informative and inspiring. I knew him from his book White Like Me, but hearing him speak in person is a totally different story. He spoke with so much passion on the topic of inequality that there was no question that he was genuine. His speech reinforced things I already knew about society but he also opened my eyes to many things that 'slip under the radar.' I think the university should definitely bring Tim Wise back again."

 

In explaining why the Office of Student Services invited Wise to speak to students, Ryan Smith, assistant vice president for Student Services explained, "Ferguson has shed some light on the importance of recognizing civil and social injustices but also has opened the dialogue with college students about what they can do to make a positive difference in the U.S. This is parallel to our motto, 'Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve.' Tim Wise has a powerful way of speaking the truth and providing an avenue on how to address societal issues."       

Oakwood Chapter of NOBCChE Hosts Community Science Career Fair

 

 

On March 27, the Oakwood University Chapter of NOBCChE (National Organization for the Advancement of Black Chemists and
Chemical Engineers) hosted a Community Science Career Fair in the Northwood Community of  Huntsville.

 

Minorities, including African Americans, remain
underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Disciplines. One reason for this is because there is a lack of role models in
science-based careers to be found in low-income communities.

 

The goal of the Science Career fair was to inspire young people that careers in science are within their reach. Several career options were presented to the attendees.

North American Division Affirms 'Mission' Role of NAD Regional Conferences

 

March 25, 2015

 

Responding to requests, the North American Division Administration (NAD)
voted the following action concerning Regional Conferences:
   

The North American Division has been given a mandate by both God and its constituency to serve one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. Since a request has been formally made to clarify the history and present role of its Regional Conferences, which have been a valued and integral part of our North American Division governance structure since 1944, 

We resolve that:


Whereas the North American Division is one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the World...

Whereas the North American Division is presently ministering in a racially-charged society...

Whereas, the effectiveness, challenges, and history of our Regional Conferences need to be better understood...

Whereas, there is a growing number of requests for the NAD leadership to clarify the history, mission effectiveness, and cultural relevance of Regional Conferences...

We vote, to affirm that the historical establishment and current role and function of Regional Conferences are structurally essential, mission effective, and relevant in reaching the diverse populations and urban centers within our division.

The Administration of the North American Division and the Administrations of our Regional Conferences are deeply committed to continuing our mission focus and evangelistic unity as we seek to fulfill God's commission within our territory.

Throughout our division we will continue to seek ways and means to further racial cooperation, understanding, and growth.
 

Huntsville/Madison County Leaders Leave Oakwood Inspired 

by Cheri Wilson, CFRE, director of development 

 

Leadership Huntsville/Madison County hosted the last of a three-part "Mind, Body, and Spirit" series at Oakwood University on March 19, in the Peters Hall Music Auditorium.

 

The "Spirit" event was led by Jason Max Ferdinand, conductor; Justin Jordan, student conductor; Wayne Bucknor, D.M.A., pianist; and the internationally renowned, award-winning choir, the Aeolians. The conductors, pianist, and choir demonstrated the leadership that it takes to manage focus, discipline, and preparation. They compared singing and conducting to leadership and workplace management styles. The event ended with songs of praise and an inspirational exchange of questions and answers from the Leadership participants and the students. 

 

"Together we had quality discussions on things like excellence in our craft, learning, listening, following God's purpose, having mentors, valuing people, balancing work and giving to community, following our passion and making a living... and so much more. We experienced a little piece of Heaven tonight here in Huntsville, Alabama. I can only imagine the music and talent we will have in Heaven. It was beautiful," exclaimed one of the Leadership members, Nansi Clark.

Take the Blue & Gold Challenge by June 30 

 

Join us in the Blue and Gold End-of-the-Year Challenge by making a gift to the Oakwood Annual Fund by midnight, June 30, 2015. Our goal is to increase the annual giving participation rate of our alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends.

 

Your participation at any level is valued, appreciated, and counted! Annual Fund donors will be listed on the OU Donor Roll in the Oakwood Magazine as a sign of our appreciation.

 

For your convenience, you may give online at www.ougiving.com. Or you may send a check, made payable to Oakwood University (Annual Fund), and mail to: Oakwood University, Office of Advancement and Development, 7000 Adventist Blvd., NW, Huntsville, AL 35896. Gifts must be made by midnight, June 30, to count for the Blue & Gold Challenge.

 

Your commitment, demonstrated through your tax-deductible, charitable gift, is important to our students, faculty, and staff, and the advancement of Oakwood. 

 

Together, we can make a difference! Thank you for your generosity!

Continue to Vote for Oakwood Through April 20  

 


 

Online voting continues through April 20, at www.retoolyourschool.com/vote-now in The Home Depot's Retool Your School grant program. You can help us by voting once per day, per electronic device (computer, smart phone, laptop, tablet). Also remember to frequently use Oakwood's designated hashtag #Oakwood_RYS15  on all social media. 

     

This year, the grant program is using a new structure which categorizes into three clusters; based on enrollment. Oakwood is in cluster #2 ("between 1,201 and 3,999 students").

 

Oakwood's three proposals highlight how each project will make a lasting, positive impact on the campus. The three projects are: 

  • $50,000 - Mile-long circuit of outdoor exercise stations emphasizing the laws of health 
  • $25,000 - Fruit trees and an outdoor screen and projector near the Unity Pond
  • $10,000 - Bleachers for fans and seating for players on the soccer field  

More voting, more tweeting - let's show them the power of the Oakwood network! 

 

Faculty News 
 

Huntsville ABC affiliate WAAY TV interviewed Oakwood Biology Professor Onesimus Otieno, Ph.D., about the recent massacre on a university campus in his homeland of Kenya. His prayer is that "those families get courage and rebuild and somehow find a way to keep hope alive." Click here to see the story. 

Alumni Notes

 

 

Akunna M. Iheanacho, Ph.D., '00is a staff biomedical scientist at Paragon Bioservices, Inc., scheduled to be honored later this month for her tireless work that is making a difference in communities. Most notably, she was recently part of a team that developed a vaccine for the ebola virus. She is the daughter of Oakwood University retirees Morris and Shirley Iheanacho.

 


 


 


 

During the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Voting Rights Act, Oakwood University Alumni Living Legends Cynthia Powell-Hicks, '76, (left) and Beautina Robinson (right) participated in the National Alliance of Faith and Justice Moving Classroom. From March 21 to 25, they visited several sites significant to the Civil Rights Movement. In Selma, Alabama, they met with the mayor, walked over the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and toured the home of Dr. & Mrs. Jackson, where Dr. King and other leaders stayed during the movement. In Montgomery, Alabama, they met with the mayor, visited the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the Rosa Parks Museum, the City of St. Jude, and a few other historical sites.

 

Representatives from the National Alliance of Faith and Justice (10 youth, including some from Ferguson, Missouri, and four adults) joined the National Park Service Walking Classroom. This group of 300 reenacted the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery.


According to Powell-Hicks, "No one left this tour the same way we came. We all have a better understanding and respect for our heritage and for those that paid the price for our right to vote." 

Hotel Rates for Commencement Weekend  
 

Oakwood University has received information from two local hotels that are offering special rates for graduation weekend (May 7-10):


 

The Hilton Garden Inn/Space Center in Huntsville is offering a rate of $115/night (Monday through Thursday) and $89/night (Friday through Sunday). The phone number is (256) 430-1778.


Embassy Suites Hotel and Spa Huntsville is offering a rate of $151/night. The group code is GDN. That rate will include a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast buffet, our complimentary evening reception every evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport. The number is (800) 362-2779. 


 

Please call the hotels for more information.

Picture of the Week
 

 

Under an agreement with QTEC (Quality, Timeliness, Efficiency and Courtesy), Northrop Grumman will work with Oakwood University to provide information security training to QTEC employees to obtain key security credentials. Read more from AL.com and WAAY TV. [Photo by Kisha Norris].

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.
 

YouTubeFacebookFlickr
In This Issue - 4/8/15
  
  
(256) 726-7444
  
  
  

 

1-844-FRUIT OU


STORE #819

5000 Whitesburg Dr. S, #148

Huntsville, AL 35802

(256) 881-7575

 

STORE #759

6290 University Blvd.

Huntsville, AL 35806

(256) 721-7999

 

Share Love, Support Students


 Click here to see the Spring 2015 issue of Oakwood Magazine, or visit www.oakwoodmagazine.com
insideOakwood is published by the Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations
Editor: George Johnson Jr. | Managing Editor: Debbe Millet 
Copy Editor: Michele Solomon | Student Writer: Monica Spencer
www.oakwood.edu