"Oakwood is in the Business of Transforming Lives"   
 
Oakwood's "God First!" mission commitment is stronger than it has ever been. One illustration of the transformational mission of Oakwood is the testimony of young Detroit scholar Tavonne Dillon. He has one word to describe his experience at Oakwood: "Amazing."

An Oakwood graduate, Antwan Knight, brought this young man to Oakwood for registration in August, and started him on the path to a whole new way of living.
 
On November 13, Tavonne's mother and 15 of Tavonne's friends from Detroit also traveled to Huntsville, to watch Tavonne and 34 other individuals be baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Ellen White says: "After a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our joy in the Lord and our efficiency in His service would be greatly increased by recounting His goodness and His wonderful works in behalf of His children. These exercises drive back the power of Satan. They expel the spirit of murmuring and complaint, and the tempter loses ground." (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 299).
Education Department Celebrates Stellar Review by NCATE  


Last week, the Department of Education completed the national teacher education program review by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), which is conducted every seven years. All Education Department faculty and staff breathed a sigh of relief when the exit report was read on November 11. President Pollard, Oakwood University administrators, and members of the Teacher Education Assessment Council (TEAC) were also present.

The exit report indicated that the Education Department has passed each of the six standards, and has "excelled" in the area of assessment. One of the focal points was the Professional Development School partnership between the Education Department and a local Huntsville City school, Highlands Elementary. In other words, the department passed "with flying colors!"
 
The process for obtaining this national accreditation that allows us to offer a recognized bachelor's degree has been upgraded over time and has become extremely stringent. Dr. James Mbyirukira, dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences, began coordinating the preparation for the visit more than two years ago. The Education faculty labored many times until late at night, and during weekend hours, in order to meet countless mandatory deadlines. Members of the TEAC, the Field Experience Assessment Committee (FEAC), teachers and administrators at Highlands Elementary, and our current interns and students, have worked diligently to help us reach this very significant milestone.
 
As we met and deliberated during the preparation sessions, we were certain of one thing. We knew in Whose work we were engaged, and relied on our Savior to reward our efforts. The certitude of His presence brought us much comfort. While the visiting team's decision needs to be ratified, we expect that the final recommendation will be full term (seven years) of accreditation for the Education Department. The final results will be available in March, 2016. To God be the glory!

Oakwoodites Honored at Annual AEW Luncheon 
Timothy McDonald, Ed.D., Debbe Millet, B.S., and Tarsee Li, Ph.D., (seated, left to right) were recognized for their service and support of educational excellence at Huntsville's annual American Education Week Luncheon on November 16. Additional photos are available on flickr.

Several Oakwood faculty and staff attended the event at the Holiday Inn Research Park, which honors Teachers of the Year for area school systems, colleges and universities, and individuals who serve in educational leadership and administration. The 26 honorees also included Teresa Johnson, Chantel Callender and Gwendolyn Woods of Oakwood Adventist Academy. 
 
Keynote speaker, James Klauber, J.D., Ph.D., president of Calhoun Community College, pointed out that "reading, writing and arithmetic" remain the three most important skills to teach. He said that even 1000 years from now, people are going to need to know how to read about the previous generation's experience, calculate various situations (math), and record their knowledge (writing).
 
Music was provided by the lively duet of Mrs. Edrene Malcolm and Trevor Fraser, D.Min., accompanied by Wayne Bucknor, DMA.
 
(Photo by Anthony Chornes II.) 
UNCF Women's Leadership Tea Described as "a Success" 

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Women's Leadership Tea on November 15, celebrating both strong women and higher education for young people, was "a success," said Kisha Norris, M.Ed., CFRE, executive director of advancement at Oakwood. She indicated that The Ledges of Huntsville clubhouse ballroom was filled with an audience of approximately 95 attendees.
 
"We are so grateful for all the ladies (and one gentleman) who came out to support the UNCF," Norris said. Approximately one third of the audience was populated by students, thanks to the generosity of the Offices of Spiritual Life, the Division of Research and Employee Services, and 2 Men in a Kitchen.
 
Oakwood University students, Esther Benjamin and Arielle Rush, provided music for the event. Remarks were given by Cheri Wilson, area development director, UNCF, and "I Am Your Investment" testimonies were shared by Camille Moore, '16, and Ja'Nece Dickerson, '15. Adrienne Rowe Saulsbury guided attendees in a brief painting class.  
 
This event is the third of four major events to raise funds for the UNCF. The next event in the 2015-2016 North Alabama Campaign will be the UNCF Gala, on March 24, 2016.
 
"Thank you for your dedication toward raising funds for Oakwood University and the UNCF. We look forward to seeing you again next year," Norris concluded. 
OUPD to Present "Public Safety Day"

The Oakwood University Police Department (OUPD) will present a variety of activities tomorrow, November 19, as part of Public Safety Day" at Oakwood University.
 
On November 3, final papers were signed with the National Weather Service and Huntsville-Madison County Emergency Management Agency designating Oakwood University an official StormReady University. The StormReady designation will be presented during Chapel tomorrow, scheduled to begin at 9:50 a.m. at the Oakwood University Church.
 
StormReady is a nationwide preparedness program of the National Weather Service to help communities develop plans to handle all types of severe weather, by providing emergency managers with clear-cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations. Oakwood University is one of nine StormReady colleges and universities in all of Alabama. 

Also during Chapel, OUPD officers will discuss active shooter survival. Following Chapel, representatives from the FBI and police departments in Huntsville, Decatur, Madison and Montgomery will be available to discuss careers in law enforcement.
 
To help those who are preparing to travel home for the Thanksgiving holiday, OUPD will be sponsoring the 9th annual "Operation Safe Travel, Safe Return" from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event is held each year to provide vehicle inspections and fluid topoffs, primarily for students who will be traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday. However, this initiative has been such a huge success that faculty, staff, and community friends have been invited to participate. Melvin Harris, chief of OUPD, states that the institution is "not only concerned with the safety of our students on campus, but off campus as well as they travel over the holiday season." OUPD officers will distribute travel safety brochures and offer a word of prayer with participants.
OU Student Services Provides "Home Away from Home" 

With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, there are a number of students who will be staying on campus during the holiday break. Because of this, the Division of Student Services has arranged for a Thanksgiving feast in the Student Dining Hall on Thanksgiving Day.  "It's important to us that our students who will be staying in the residence halls know that they have a place to feast on Thanksgiving Day," said David Knight, vice president of Student Services.  "Just because they aren't leaving the campus for the holiday doesn't mean they can't have a grand celebration!" 


Giving Tuesday is December 1

 
The #oakwoodgivingtuesday campaign starts at midnight, Tuesday, December 1, until 11:59 p.m. 
In just 24 hours on December 1, our goal is to raise $25,000 for Oakwood University in celebration of giving and generosity.
 
Before going shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, plan to invest your resources in the mission of Oakwood University. Whether $10,000, $1,000, $100, or $25, your gift is valuable at any level and will help us reach our December 1st goal of $25,000 in one day.
 
We are especially reaching out to our GOLD - that's "Graduates Of the Last Decade." All of our alumni from the classes of 2005 to 2015 are challenged to give a collective minimum of $5,000 to your alma mater. 
 
Call, Facebook, Tweet, Snapchat, text, and Instagram your family, friends, and classmates to give a gift of any amount to any campaign: annual fund, departmental gift, scholarships, etc. You choose. Blow up social media and promote #oakwoodgivingtuesday and make a difference in the lives of students.
 
It's simple:
  1. Go to www.ougiving.com.
  2. Enter your donation amount.
  3. Select a campaign, any campaign you like. Scroll down and you choose.
  4. Complete required fields. Be sure to enter your class year if you are an alum.
  5. Make a comment, such as, "I designate my gift to the Business Department."
  6. Spread the word.  Invite 10 of your friends and family to join you in #oakwoodgivingtuesday.
Both one-time gifts and reccurring gifts count towards our Giving Tuesday goal.
 
For more information, please call (256) 726-7201.

Employee News

Makeda Hampton, '07, assistant professor of music, has been invited by the Long Beach Central Area Association arts branch "MusicUNTOLD"  to perform in a classical music concert celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery. Ms. Hampton will join other acclaimed artists in this historic performance on Saturday night, November 21, at the DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW, in Washington, D.C. 
Prepare to Give Thanks During Alumni Homecoming Weekend 2016

It's that time of year again, when a lot of us start to make up the menu for the big feast, and planning our travel itinerary to spend that special time to be with loved ones, friends and family for another memorable "Thanksgiving" time well spent.
 
Your Alumni Association is also making plans on a big "Thanksgiving" festival that will be celebrated March 24-27, 2016. The Association is very thankful for 90 years of existence, and thankful that God has blessed Oakwood University to celebrate 120 years of providing exceptional Christian education.
 
When Thanksgiving comes around we know that there is a feast being prepared for us. The OUAA officers are preparing a feast of spiritual food as well, for the 2016 Homecoming weekend. Featured speakers will be Carlton Byrd, Jerome Hurst and Wintley Phipps (what a buffet!).  Did you know that the association is also planning a spectacular Banquet Feast? Individuals from all the Honored Classes will be our guests and all of our alumni are invited to take part.
 
Please contact the class representatives for details:

Class of 1966: Fred Pullins - phone: 256-726-8278 | [email protected]
 
Class of 1976: Freda James - phone: 256-722-2671 | [email protected]
 
Class of 1986: Joseph Follette - 256-690-6260 | [email protected]
 
Class of 1991: Sam Cort, Jr. - 770-656-6639 | [email protected]
 
Alumni Notes

Jonathan Tankard, '08, recently shared his story about keeping a promise that started him on the road to music lessons and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Pink Sand Entertainment, a website dedicated to the arts scene in Bermuda. Read the complete interview in The Royal Gazette. (Photo by Pink Sand Entertainment)
 

  



Would you like to share Alumni news with us? Please send to [email protected].
Picture of the Week 

 

 

As part of Healthy Campus 2020 activities, November 17, was designated as Hopscotch Day. A hopscotch grid was drawn on the sidewalk between Blake Center and the Eva B. Dykes Library, and young people, as well as the 'young at heart' participated in the activity.
 

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.
 

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In This Issue - 11/18/15
  
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Huntsville, AL 35802

(256) 881-7575

 

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Share Love, Support Students


 
 
Click here to see the Fall 2015 issue of Oakwood Magazine, or visit
insideOakwood is published by the Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations
Editor: George Johnson Jr. | Managing Editor: Debbe Millet | Student Writer: Naomi Coggs | Student Photographer: Teymi Townsend