Oakwood Launches Healthy Campus 2020

During the 2015-2016 Student Orientation and Registration Week, Oakwood University launched its new program - Healthy Campus 2020, an initiative that seeks to make the University the healthiest collegiate campus in the United States. University faculty and staff will educate the students to be healthy through eight laws of health - sunlight, temperance, adequate rest, nutrition, drink water, outdoors, use physical activity, and trust in God (STAND OUT). University administration believes that following these simple rules will help to decrease the risks of many diseases plus increase academic performance. The initiative garnered local and national media attention from WAAY, WHNT, WAFF, and HBCU Digest. Pictured here is Dr. Prudence Pollard, administrator for Healthy Campus 2020, speaking with a videographer from WAAY.

Back to School Revival to Feature Former NBA Player

The Oakwood University Church and the Breath of Life Television Ministry will welcome Ed O'Bannon, former NBA player and 1995 NCAA College Basketball Player of the Year, to kick-off their Back to School Revival this evening, August 19, at 7:00 p.m.

Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min, '93, senior pastor of the Oakwood University Church and speaker/director for Breath of Life, invited O'Bannon to encourage students on the importance of making good choices.

"We, at the Oakwood University Church, want students to know that the choices they make today will affect the choices they will be able to make tomorrow. If they ask God to help them make wise choices, they will have multiple opportunities available to them," said Dr. Byrd.

The Back to School Revival, held from August 19-22 at the Oakwood University Church, is a way to help all students in North Alabama to begin the school year on a positive, spiritual tone. The revival will culminate this Saturday morning, August 22, at 11:00 a.m. with the preaching ministry of Dr. Byrd, and the music ministry of the Oakwood University Aeolians, and gospel recording and Stellar Award winning artists, Anthony Brown and Group Therapy.

Alumni Notes

On September 17, Rear Admiral Clara Henderson Cobb will be retiring from the United States Public Health Service after 30 years of honorable service. Her most recent position in the United States Public Health Service has been as the Regional Health Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' largest region, Region IV, directing five regionally- based health promotion programs in the southeastern United States. She attended Oakwood University and is a supporter of the Oakwood University Alumni Association. Her experience has been the embodiment of the school's motto, Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve.

Thessicar E. Antoine, Ph.D., '09, postdoctoral research fellow at George State University, was selected by the American Society for Microbiology as Minority Microbiologist Mentor for the month of July. Antoine received her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2014, in the field of Microbiology and Immunology. She is pictured here (L) with one of her mentors, Alexandrine Randriamahefa, Ph.D. (R), professor of biology at Oakwood. MORE

Stacey Wallen, Ph.D., '94, is an accomplished speech-language pathologist who has worked in her profession for 17 years. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from Oakwood University and received her master's and doctorate degrees from The Ohio State University. Wallen works with children on speech and language disorders and serves as a clinical associate professor at Georgia State University. Wallen recently shared with rolling out magazine why planning for your future is imperative and how she manages to stay on top of her game. MORE

Pollard's Places

New Chief of Police for Huntsville Police Department, Mark McMurray (seated, left), stopped by to meet with the university administration to affirm their support of the OUPD and Oakwood University. He also discussed upcoming internships in law enforcement that may be of interest to our students.

Picture of the Week

It's the first day of classes for the 2015-2016 school year at Oakwood University. Pictured here are students in the General Chemistry class with Kenneth Lai Hing, professor and chair of the chemistry department.

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.