The Division of Research and Employee Services recently announced that each of the following faculty members have received $15,000 faculty research fellowship grants from the Henry C. McBay Faculty Research Fellowships through the United Negro College Fund. This program, open to faculty of UNCF Institutions, provides fellowships to support research in a field of the recipient's choosing.

Darayas Patel, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and computer sciences, is developing a sensor of ammonia in air, based on rare-earth upconversion phosphors with improved characteristics, and will demonstrate its feasibility.

Elaine Vanterpool, Ph.D., associate professor, biological sciences, will study "The Role of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Sialidase in Microbial Host Interactions." The focus of Dr. Vanterpool's research examines the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis (i.e., how pathogens cause disease).

Alexandre G. Volkov, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, has the goal of determining the bioelectrochemical mechanisms of nanophytosensors, signal transduction, and their response to environmental stimuli. His proposal is entitled "Phytosensors."

Oakwood's radio station, WJOU 90.1 FM, and the Oakwood University Church are partnering to present a community back-to-school event on Sunday, August 2 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at Huntsville's Mason Court Community Center. Free school supplies, haircuts, health checks will be available. Domino's will provide free food. WJOU's weekly "2nd Chance" public affairs radio program, with host Kenny Anderson, will be broadcast live. The event is open to the public.

Dr. Prudence Pollard, Dr. Leslie Pollard, Mayor Tommy Battle, Carlos Cole,    and Sabrina Cotton.

Oakwood University hosted the 41st Annual Awards Program of the City of Huntsville Beautification Board. This Board was created in 1965, to improve the appearance of Huntsville through ordinances, and by recognizing the efforts of private and public sectors in creating a more healthful and beautiful city. 

The work of Oakwood's Grounds Department has been recognized on the City's Beautification Honor Roll for more than 14 years. There are 375 properties on the Honor Roll, and Oakwood's Grounds Director Carlos Cole was present to receive yet another Honor Roll award. The Grounds Department is responsible for approximately 600 acres of Oakwood's 1,200-acre campus.

Sydney Freeman, Jr., Ph.D., CFD, '07, is a new associate professor of Adult, Organizational Learning, and Leadership at the University of Idaho. He most recently served as the Director of a Teaching and Learning Center at the historic Tuskegee University. Freeman is a former National Holmes Scholar, a certified faculty developer through the Learning Resources Network, and an affiliate of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Minority Serving Institutions. Freeman was recently named to the Board of Directors of the American Association of University Administrators and was honored with the "2015 Emergent Leader of the Year" award by the same professional society. He serves on multiple academic journal editorial and review boards, including serving as managing editor of the Journal of HBCU Research + Culture. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of The Journal for the Study of Postsecondary and Tertiary Education. His wife, Dr. Lynda Murphy Freeman, '05, will be serving as an instructor in the medical education program at the University of Idaho.

Tamara Bodie, Telecommunications Switchboard Operator/Supervisor, is a top 10 finalist in BET's "Sunday Best Race to the Stage" singing contest. She is asking for your votes, August 2 to 20. Visit the website to check out Tamara's video submission.