Oakwood University Consecrates School Year


	University administrators and local pastors prepare to receive prayer requests from the congregation during the convocation service.

Oakwood University held its annual University Convocation on September 1. Administration, faculty, and staff marched down the aisle of the University Church, which was filled with university students, as well as students from all grades of Oakwood Adventist Academy.

Following the welcome by President Leslie Pollard and USM President Gabriel Carter, the congregation and platform participants, including Dr. Leslie Pollard, Dr. Karen Benn Marshall, Dr. Howard Weems, Dr. Prudence Pollard, OAA principal Gabriel Madrid, Kisha Norris, Sabrina Cotton, David Knight, and Oakwood University Church Senior Pastor Dr. Carlton Byrd, led the congregation in reading the litany for Oakwood's new school year.

Together the platform participants and congregation prayerfully committed to keeping God first in every part of their lives. Part of the litany read: "From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, we will praise You. You are first in our worship, first in our prayer, and first in our praise. We will lift You up by putting You first every day of this new school year. Amen."

Students, administrators, faculty, and staff were admonished to remember victories and successes of the past, in a powerful address from President Pollard entitled "Lest We Forget." The world renowned Aeolians lifted the congregation's spirits as they sang "Lift Every Voice."

The 2016 University Convocation concluded with a special anointing service in which Huntsville area pastors prayed over students and employees of the University.

President Pollard prays with University Church senior pastor Dr. Carlton Byrd.

Poet Sonia Sanchez Visits Oakwood

On September 6, the Department of English and Foreign Languages at Oakwood University and the Alabama State Council on the Arts hosted an evening with poet, mother, professor Sonia Sanchez on the "Poet as Creator of Social Values" on September 6, at 7:00 pm. The poetry reading/lecture was held at Moran Hall.

Sanchez is the author of over 20 books, and has lectured at over 500 universities and colleges in the United States, and has traveled extensively, reading her poetry in Africa, Cuba, England, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, Nicaragua, the People's Republic of China, Norway, and Canada.This is her third visit to Oakwood University: the first in 1994, the second in 2000, and this the third. Ramona Hyman, Ph.D., associate professor of English, coordinated the poet's visit, and thanked everyone for their attendance.

Dr. Sanchez is shown here receiving a proclamation from the City of Huntsville, declaring September 6 as "Sonia Sanchez Day." The proclamation is being read by Kenneth Anderson, Huntsville's director of Multicultural Affairs. The evening concluded with the audience singing "Happy Birthday" to Dr. Sanchez, as her 82nd birthday is September 9.

Oakwoodites Participate in Making History

Octavio Ramirez, Ph.D., chair, Department of Social Work

Photo by: Roger Hernandez, Ministerial Director, Southern Union Conference.

On August 28, 2016, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, history was made when, under the leadership of the Ministerial Department of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, more than 45 churches came together to sponsor a free health clinic in the Atlanta region. Oakwood was the only Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning assisting in this collaborative effort. Hundreds of volunteers were involved, including students from Oakwood's social work and nursing departments. Oakwood students assisted with dental and medical screenings, translation, and advocacy.

The students were accompanied by Mrs. Vilma Ortiz, enrollment specialist/ Hispanic recruiter, Admissions & Recruitment; Mrs. Anayansi Ramirez, customer service representative, Student Accounts; and Dr. Octavio Ramirez, chair of the Social Work Department.

September Calendar Spotlight

The 2016-2017 Academic Calendar highlights the values of Oakwood University. September emphasizes health, shown by Martin Escobedo's using equipment at the outdoor Fitness Activity Center. Oakwood empowers its students and employees to make wise choices as it relates to their overall health: mind, body, and spirit.

The calendar is on the Oakwood website, and can be accessed by clicking here.

OUPD Joins the Conversation on Community Policing

by Victoria Joiner, Ed.D., assistant professor

Oakwood University student government leader, Gabriel Carter, and OUPD Chief Melvin Harris traveled to the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC, recently for a special focus group discussion hosted by the HBCU-LEEA and the National Center for Campus Public Safety.

Student leaders and the chiefs of police from around the nation came together to have "A National Conversation on Police and Community Interactions on HBCU Campuses." Carter said, "It was terrific to connect with the other HBCU student leaders and the police to discuss the crisis that is taking place in this country. I am so glad that Oakwood University is a part of these important conversations."

Chief Harris was one of 15 campus police chiefs to attend the event that consisted of round table discussions for several days. Harris said, "These discussions are very important and I am honored to be a part of this organization and for Oakwood University to have a voice at the table."

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.

UNCF North Alabama Campaign Kickoff

The UNCF North Alabama Campaign has scheduled its kickoff event on September 13, at the Bradford Cleveland Brooks Leadership Center. The kickoff is the annual start of a year-long campaign, that includes three major scholarship fundraising events.

The UNCF Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2016, at The Ledges of Huntsville golf course. This is an opportunity for our corporate sponsors, employees, students and friends to have some fun, all while supporting scholarships.

The UNCF Women's Leadership Tea is scheduled for Sunday, November 13, also at The Ledges of Huntsville ballroom, that overlooks the city of Huntsville.

The culminating event of the campaign will be the 39th Annual UNCF Gala on April 13, 2017, which is one of Huntsville's premiere social occasions. It is hosted by the North Alabama UNCF Planning Committee and Oakwood University.

We are grateful to our returning and new sponsors, donors, and volunteers that have invested in the UNCF North Alabama Campaign and the lives of our future leaders. For more information about the giving opportunities, visit the UNCF North Alabama Campaign website.

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

Charde'Je'Rie Hurst, '12, has been appointed as Young Adult Ministries director in the Allegheny West Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. After graduating from Oakwood with a bachelor's degree in social work and Spanish, she pursued a master's in social work, and noticed a need for fellowship and spiritual growth within the young adult community. In 2013 she initiated what is now the AWC annual Young Adult Retreat. This year, Hurst has organized several meetings throughout the conference territory, where young adults learn about the role they play in fulfilling the vision of conference leaders.

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.