Oakwood University Convocation Set for September 1

by Jeffrey Wilder, student writer

A new school year is underway, and Oakwood's students, faculty and staff have begun settling into their daily schedules and routines. To signify the start of a new semester, Oakwood will be holding its annual University Convocation service tomorrow, September 1, at the Oakwood University Church.

The purpose of this annual program is to renew the institutional commitment of the Oakwood University mission within the administrative team, University employees, and student bodies of both the University and the Oakwood Adventist Academy.

President Pollard's address to the assembly is entitled "Lest We Forget." Also included in this year's program will be recognition of the lives and service of both former, as well as current, faculty or staff, who have been laid to rest during the past year. A special anointing service will conclude the program, where the University chaplains and local pastors will stand ready with small bottles of oil used to anoint, and pray with, all who wish to renew their faith for the upcoming year.

Tune in to OUBN to watch

University Convocation tomorrow, beginning at 9:50 a.m. CDT.

Oakwood Students Among the Smartest in Alabama

It looks like some people have been hitting the books... Using SAT/ACT score and opinions from students, al.com recently reported that Oakwood University has some of the smartest students in Alabama. You can see the list and methodology here.

Eva B. Dykes Library Open House and Art Exhibit

by Paulette Johnson, director of Library Services

The familiar aroma of popping corn, beautiful flowers, and a welcoming staff greeted everyone who entered the Eva B. Dykes Library for its Annual Open House on Thursday, August 25, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Students had an opportunity to meet and greet library staff and ask questions about the library and its services; complete a self-guided tour, and earn essential items such as note cards, lint brushes, hand sanitizers, boxes of tissue and other household items. Students and guests also enjoyed refreshing popsicles.

In collaboration with the Office of First Year Experience, students had the option of completing a Freshman Seminar assignment relating to the history of Oakwood University and Black Seventh-day Adventists, in the Clara Peterson-Rock Museum (pictured). Several students opted to complete the assignment during Open House.

However, the art exhibit by 16-year-old homeschool student Micah Bryant was the highlight of the evening. Faculty, students and community members viewed Micah's collection of pencil sketches which included self-portraits, portraits of presidents (including Dr. Leslie Pollard), presidential candidates, wildlife, and other notable persons, including Dr. Carlton P. Byrd. Attendees who engaged the artist in conversation learned about her creative processes and shared about theirs.

One faculty member who attended the Open House and Art Exhibit commented, "I had an enjoyable opportunity to talk with several students as they engaged in what seemed to be a scavenger hunt activity. The facility is bright, attractive, and refreshed each year. This year, the art exhibit provided a brilliant opportunity to appreciate the work of a young person in the community, and to acquaint this youthful artist and her family with Oakwood and some of its students."

Open House is a great time to introduce new students and faculty to the heart of the campus and to demonstrate the library's aim to connect, collaborate and create @ your library. Click here to see more photos from the event.

Register for Oakwood Live!

Oakwood University cordially invites potential students to Oakwood Live! (formerly known as College Days), scheduled for October 5-9, to fellowship with current students, administrators, and employees.

Oakwood Live! immerses prospective students into life at Oakwood University. During the event, guests will meet people from all over the world and participate in a variety of activities allowing them a chance to explore the unique qualities of an Oakwood University education. This annual event is offered to high school seniors and college transfer students, so don't let your youth miss out on the excitement.

For more information about Oakwood University or the Oakwood Live! event, call (256) 726-7356 or click here.

OU Pride in Alabama!

For well over a decade, the Division of Advancement and Development has provided a dual-purpose opportunity to Oakwood students who are Alabama residents. In addition to an available scholarship, funded by the purchase of an Oakwood license plate, Oakwoodites can simultaneously show their pride in OU. We believe that Oakwood University is the only Seventh-day Adventist educational institution participating in this program.

When an Oakwood license plate is purchased, in addition to the regular annual vehicle registration fee, an additional fee is donated to student scholarships at OU. This can be claimed as a charitable contribution to scholarships for students from Alabama (Section 32-6-156, Code of Alabama 1975).

Purchasing couldn't be easier - just visit your nearest Alabama DMV office and request an Oakwood license plate.

Currently, this scholarship-generating initiative is available only in Alabama.

Join the Oakwood Family - Employment Opportunities

Oakwood continues to build the quality of personnel that will serve our students and constituents in the best possible way. The Department of Communication is currently looking to fill the position of Assistant/Associate Professor. This position is ideal for someone with university teaching experience, and/or a minimum of 10 years professional experience in the broadcast industry.

HOW TO APPLY:

Persons interested in this position, and any other positions listed, must submit an Oakwood University Employment Application (online at oakwood.edu under Human Resources), along with a resume, copy of transcript(s)/diploma(s) to Human Resource Management. Application and supporting documents may be emailed, mailed, faxed, etc.

Click here to see the listed positions.

Thank you for your interest in Oakwood University.

Alumni News

Kristina Desir, '12, currently works as the program manager for a partnership between the City of Boston and the American Association of University Women, to offer free salary negotiation workshops to every woman who lives or works in Boston. The partnership hopes to help close the gender wage gap. She also serves as a Board Member and Chair of Fundraising for Emerge Massachusetts and Board Member/Finance Chair for Let's Bridge The Gap. Desir believes that fundraising is a transferable skill. "I want to challenge myself and use those skills to raise money for student scholarships for my alma mater, Oakwood University, and give back. I also want to continue raising funds to elect more African-Americans into public office - that's where my focus is right now," she said in an interview with Jessica Washington, at www.capitolheel.org.

During the 2016 Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists on August 29, Ricardo Graham, '73, was re-elected as president. Graham was first elected president by the Pacific Union Executive Committee in 2008.

Picture of the Week

As part of Oakwood's Healthy Campus 2020 initiative, colorful reminders of the STANDOUT principles of health are being placed around campus. In addition to these reminders, a 2-mile course around campus is being marked to encourage students (and employees) to make exercise a part of their weekly activities. Carlos Cole, director of the Grounds Department, is pictured installing the markers. The eight STANDOUT principles are Sunlight, Temperance, Adequate Rest, Nutrition, Drink Water, Outdoors, Use Physical Activity, and Trust in God. Click here to read more about Healthy Campus 2020.

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.