Oakwood University Hosts and Wins Honda Qualifying Tournament -- We're Headed to the Finals

by Naomi Coggs, student writer

On February 5, Oakwood University was one of seven campuses to host teams from HBCUs competing in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) national qualifying tournament.

Competing in the 27th season of HCASC, Oakwood's All-Star team rose to the challenge, beating Alabama A&M University, Concordia College, Harris Stowe State University, Miles College, Morehouse College, Philander Smith College, Stillman College, Talladega College, and Tougaloo College, to win first place in the qualifying tournament.

The victorious Honda Campus All Star Challenge (HCASC) team representing Oakwood University includes (pictured, l-r): Olivia Campbell, Greg Edouard, Kenesha Bennett, captain; Sesly Huerfano, and Rennae Elliott, Ph.D., coach. Team alternates are Caleb Briggs, Joshua Nwaoka and Jevez Robinson.

During the non-stop day of competition at the McKee Business and Technology Complex, Kenesha Bennett, shared that she was "excited to be part of the tournament again. We're ready to play and have fun and represent Christ."

Each team put their best foot forward and was happy to participate in the National Qualifying Tournament. Khalil Wadell, a Morehouse All-Star team member explained, "It's been exciting; this is the second year I've done it and so I'm looking forward to hopefully qualify for the national tournament."

As a result of the exciting win, Oakwood's All-Star team will be one of the 48 Historically Black Colleges competing in the National Championship scheduled for April 2-6, 2016, in Torrance, California. The National Championship Team will win a $50,000 grant for the school represented.

For more information about the Honda Campus All Star Challenge, visit www.hcasc.com.

"This is Rocket City, U.S.A.: Let Freedom Begin Here"

by Naomi Coggs, student writer

Today at Blake Center, Kelly Hamlin's "This is Rocket City, U.S.A. - Let Freedom Begin Here" display showcased events of the Civil Rights Movement that occurred in Huntsville, Alabama, in the effort to desegregate schools and fight for equality.

Led by the Community Service Committee, students from Alabama A&M, Oakwood College, and Council High School organized months of peaceful protest in the early 1960s. The efforts of each individual eventually led to the desegregation of public and private schools, universities, and public facilities in Huntsville, Alabama -- the first city to desegregate in the country.

Hamlin shared, "I really want people to take away from this that important, dramatic and historically significant things happened in Huntsville, too, not just the big names and big places you see in a textbook. It required bravery and persistence by people all across the country. In particular, Huntsville has a special story."

Hamlin designed the display in fulfillment of a master's degree in public history at UAHuntsville, combining historical research, oral history recordings, primary source documents, and striking visuals.

"Within These Walls" to Shed Light on Civil Rights Experiences

During tomorrow's Chapel program at 9:50 a.m. at the Oakwood University Church, Productions by Danita Jones will present "Within These Walls," a dramatic presentation depicting the experience of women from the Civil Rights era, during the time they spent in prison. Through letters and essays, these iconic women share how their incarcerations led to a movement that would change a nation.

Oakwood to go "On the Road" - to Both Coasts

Oakwood's president, administrators, students, faculty, and staff will be attending two "Oakwood On the Road" events, on consecutive weekends.

On Sabbath, February 27, President Leslie N. Pollard will be the speaker for the Divine Worship service at the Linden Seventh-day Adventist Church, 228-20 137th Avenue, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. The world-renowned Aeolians will minister in music during the service.

That evening at 7:30 p.m., the Aeolians will be in concert at the York College Performing Arts Center, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11451. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the Adventist Book Centers of the Northeastern Conference and the Greater New York Conference.

On March 5, Oakwood will participate in the worship experience at the Kansas Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4491 Kansas Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507. The Voices of Triumph will minister in music at the Divine Worship Service, and will be in concert at 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. Rubidoux Seventh-day Adventist Chrch, 5320 Victoria Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506.

Following the concert, a reception will be held where attendees can hear about the latest developments about Oakwood, enjoy lively fellowship, get a bite to eat, and learn how to get involved and support Oakwood University.

For more details, email alumni@oakwood.edu, or call (256) 726-7201.

Get Your Tickets Today - for the 38th Annual UNCF Gala

Tickets are now available for the 38th Annual UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Gala on Thursday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Hall of Huntsville's Von Braun Center. This elegant fundraising occasion is an annual event that hundreds of Oakwood alumni look forward to each year.

Proceeds from the Gala support the five UNCF member institutions in Alabama (Miles College, Oakwood University, Stillman College, Talladega College and Tuskegee University) and the thousands of students they serve. The outcome of our corporate, academic and community partnerships is enhanced resources to prepare young people with the education and professional skills required to compete in today's global marketplace. This is especially critical as Huntsville continues to grow and prosper.

The UNCF is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. The 37-member organization provides operating funds for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), scholarships and internships for students at approximately 900 institutions, and faculty and administrative professional training. For more than 70 years, UNCF has raised more than $3.6 billion to help more than 400,000 students attend, and graduate from, college.

For more information about the Gala, sponsorship or to purchase tickets, visit www.ougiving.com, or contact (256) 726-7201, or email uncf@oakwood.edu.

Alumni Notes

DeWitt S. Williams, Ed.D., '62, has released a new book, entitled, Precious Memories of Missionaries of Color, Vol. 2. Dr. Williams is the former Health Ministries Director of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, and a former missionary. His book includes the stories of 95 African-American missionaries beginning with the very first black pioneer, James E. Patterson.

Would you like to share Alumni news with us? Please send to pr@oakwood.edu.

Picture of the Week

Starting this semester, believing "Much Prayer, Much Power," the United Student Movement is encouraging students, faculty, and staff to pray across the campus on a regular basis throughout the day. To help in this initiative, this week students began having "Prayer at Noon" at the Bell Tower on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pictured is the group of students who braved the cold temperatures yesterday for prayer. (Photo: Richard Hodnett)

Share Love. Support Students!

Valentine's Day is just days away! Try something new this year AND have the added benefit of supporting scholarships at Oakwood University! As a gift, we're sending you a 10% off coupon for you to show someone how much you care. Give us a call at (844) FRUIT-OU and place your order today! Share love. Support students!

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.