Oakwood University Remembers 9/11

Photo by Anthony Chornes II

During Chapel on September 8, Oakwood University paused to honor and remember the service of first responders during the tragedies that occurred 15 years ago on September 11. The guest speaker was Dr. Washington Johnson, assistant director of Adventist Chaplaincy and commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Service personnel from the Huntsville Fire Department and Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc., were also in attendance. U.S. military service was represented by Oakwood students and employees who are veterans. Pictured are members of the Oakwood University Police Department, students and staff, with (1st row, l-r): Dr. Howard Weems, Dr. Karen Benn Marshall, Huntsville Police Deputy Chief Kirt Giles, OUPD Chief Melvin Harris, Dr. Joyce Johnson, Dr. Washington Johnson, OUPD Captain David Clarke, OUPD officer Eric Davis and Chaplain Kimberly Mann.

Photo by Anthony Chornes II

During the 9/11 Honor Walk at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on September 11, the Aeolians of Oakwood University sang The Star Spangled Banner. The event honored those in military service, first responders, and their families, with the theme "Remember. Heal. Celebrate."

Dykes-Rivers Lecture Series Presents Erika Alexander

Oakwood University's Department of Communication is schedule to host award-winning actress Erika Alexander for the Dykes-Rivers Lecture Series on September 15 at 7:00 p.m., in the Peters Media Center Studio. The event is free to the public.

In addition to being an actress, Erika Alexander is a writer and producer, known to television fans as "Maxine Shaw" from the hit series Living Single (for which she won two NAACP Image Awards) and as "Cousin Pam" on The Cosby Show. Erika is an activist and advocate on behalf of women's and children's issues. She has been a delegate to Africa for the Clinton Global Initiative. Erika co-created, produces and stars in the new hit YouTube series, #TheBFFChronicles and co-created and writes the graphic novel series Concrete Park.

Oakwood to Host Former ITT Tech Students for Transcript Review

by Kisha Norris, M.Ed., CFRE, executive director of Advancement & Development

On September 20, Oakwood University will be hosting an information session to reach out to the former students of ITT Tech after that institutions's recent closing. The information session will include representatives from the Registrar's Office for transcript review, the Financial Aid office for assistance with funding, and academic advisors from various departments.

"Education is vital to the future of our society," says Dr. Leslie Pollard, president of Oakwood University. If we at Oakwood can do anything to assist the students who were displaced by the closing of ITT Tech, we want to support them."

The information session will take place from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the McKee Business and Technology Complex on the campus of Oakwood University.

"We're excited for these students to finish what they started," remarks Vice President for Academic Administration, Dr. Karen Benn Marshall. "We plan to work very closely with every individual student to determine which credits will transfer and how they can complete their degree."

"Oakwood University is a great place and we want as many local students as possible to be able to complete their education right here at home," says President Pollard. "We also plan to serve non-local ITT students through our online services."

For more questions on the information session, or if you are an ITT student and want to know what to bring, please contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at 256-726-7356.

Student Spotlight

Alana Henry, a senior social work major at Oakwood University, and an intern at Global Ties Alabama, spoke to Huntsville business leaders, at the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville on September 7.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Jacquelyn Gates-Shipe, Alana has been involved in several international affairs projects. One of the most memorable was the Peace Corps' World Mapping Project, conducted at the Academy for Science and Foreign Language (ASFL).

On September 7, at the Redstone Federal Credit Union's Atrium, Alana was recognized by the Rotary International Club of Greater Huntsville for her hard efforts as the team leader for the Mapping Project. She explained the project to audience of approximately 50 business leaders, including the Rotary president, members, and honorary guests, indicating that she had been involved with the project since the spring of 2015. Alana continues to involve herself with international affairs, and her career goal is to become a Public Diplomacy Officer for the US Department of State.

Oakwood Student Interns at Mayo Clinic

by Jeffrey Wilder, student writer

The summer of 2016 proved to be very productive and educational for promising Oakwood University junior, Gregory Darville II.

During the Spring semester, after completing a rigorous and competitive application process, Gregory was chosen to participate in a summer undergraduate research program at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Gregory was selected out of a pool of hundreds of applicants, and was the only contender from Oakwood University for the internship.

While interning at the Mayo Clinic, Gregory conducted research on developing a tool to screen antibodies, and said that participating in this program solidified his desire to enter the medical field.

In his spare time during the summer, Gregory enjoyed going to the gym and mingling with the other students from colleges and universities all over the United States. Upon completion of his matriculation at Oakwood with a bachelor's degree in biology, he hopes to be accepted into medical school in pursuit of his goal to become a doctor.

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.

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

On September 10, Alabama State Representative Laura Hall (D-19) presented Donald F. Blake, Ph.D., '53, with Alabama House Interim Resolution #78, during services at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Huntsville. Blake, an entomologist and retired ITT Hartford Insurance Group corporate education director, has held teaching positions at Oakwood, the University of Rhode Island, Ohio State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Southern Illinois University, the University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University and the University of Hartford. Upon his return to Huntsville in 2010, Blake served as an adjunct biology professor at Calhoun Community College. He accepted the resolution, by reciting briefly his single mother's commitment to Christian education for him and his siblings.To read more about Donald Blake's journey, click here.

Officers of the Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists recently voted Larry Key, '84, as the principal of Peterson-Warren Academy in Inkster, Michigan, Lake Region's only K-12 academy. Believing that "Education is the key to success in life," Key has been an educator for more than 25 years. His son Emmanuel Key, '16, graduated from Oakwood University in May of this year. His daughter Micah Key is presently in her third year at Oakwood. Key is also the founder of Keys to the Prophecies, a 501c ministry that provides Bible studies and evangelistic meetings about end time events and Daniel and the Revelation.

Jennifer E. Patterson, Ph.D., '98, was recently honored by the Oakwood Adventist Academy Alumni Association as one of its 2016 alumni honorees for her professional achievements and service to the community. After graduating from Oakwood University with a degree in elementary education, Jennifer began teaching in the Huntsville City Schools, and transitioned to the role of literacy coach. In 2000 and 2009, respectively, she earned an M.Ed. in elementary education and a Ph.D. in reading and literacy, both from Alabama A&M University. Currently, Dr. Patterson is the CEO of My Bookworm Project Education Services, LLC, a community education initiative positioned to help raise awareness of literacy education. She also provides private instruction, tutorial services, basic assessment, and consultation services to individuals and families in North Alabama who are seeking specialized literacy instruction.

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.