Oakwood's President Addresses the Mission of Higher Education

The Adventist Review recently published an article by President Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D., which addresses the mission of Seventh-day Adventist higher education. The article is taken from Dr. Pollard's remarks at the Inaugural Faculty Development Institute (May, 2016).

In part, he said that since 1896 Oakwood has, through all its program adjustments and adaptations, consistently attempted to implement its mission in every generation.

Oakwood's mission is to lead students into a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the principal purpose of an Adventist education. However, the second is "like unto it": We work every day at Oakwood University to impart a worldview that equips students for success in service now, and that outfits them for service throughout eternity. Newly tooled and totally surrendered graduates leave this institution to honor God, have an impact, and serve humanity.

This dual purpose--to lead students into a relationship with Jesus Christ and to effectively impart a distinctively Seventh-day Adventist world-view designed to provide the biblical foundations for moral and ethical decision-making--fulfills our educational mission.

This dual process is foundational to the curricular and cocurricular environments of our university. These purposes grant us our unique identity within the marketplace of higher education. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

Miss Oakwood Featured on The HBCU Nation Radio Show

We are proud to announce that Miss Oakwood University 2016-17, Courtney Buckhanon, is the featured HBCU queen this week on The HBCU Nation Radio Show.

With a weekly reach of over 10 million listeners, The HBCU Nation Radio Show is the only nationally syndicated talk show in America that exclusively promotes HBCU excellence, innovation and sustainability.

Produced from the studios of Elizabeth City State University and broadcast on HBCU Sirius XM Channel 142, powered by Howard University, its recent partnership with The African American Public Radio Consortium makes The HBCU Nation Radio Show, the fastest growing and one of the most highly regarded media properties in the HBCU community and all of Black radio.

Healthy Campus Week 2016

The activities during Healthy Campus Week 2020 followed the health principles outlined in STAND OUT (sunlight, temperance, adequate rest, nutrition, drink water, outdoors, use physical activity, and trust in God). Oakwood is utilizing the eight laws of health in order to foster a holistic approach to a healthy mind, body, and soul. The goal of Healthy Campus 2020 initiative is to make Oakwood University the healthiest campus in America.

Monday, September 19

To kick off the week of activities, several students and employees, like those pictured here, wore their Healthy Campus 2020 t-shirts and caps. (Photo: Anthony Chornes II)

Calorie Burn II Weight Loss Challenge Kick-off

Sponsored by Oakwood's Public Safety Department, this activity is a spin-off of the "Biggest Loser." Seven teams have signed up to track how much weight is lost through this challenge, which lasts through December 9. The current team holding the roving championship trophy is Student Accounts.

Tuesday, September 22

Walk & Pray: Walkers could choose to meet at either 5:45 a.m. or 6:00 p.m., by the pond near the Oakwood University Church, for fellowship and exercise.

Healthy Hashtag: Pictures were taken of 30+ students engaged in exercise - hula hoop, jumping jacks, push-ups - or some other form of exercise, to encourage their classmates to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day. Participants used the hashtags #Healthycampus and #oustrong when photos were posted on various social media sites.

Gloria Brooks, from the English & Foreign Languages Department, tries on a sleep mask given to participants in the STANDOUT Reading Club. Reinforcing the principle of Adequate Rest, the book selection for this semester is The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington. (Photo: Anthony Chornes II)

Wednesday, September 23

"Health Reform in the Food Industry" was the topic of Dr. Bert Connell's lecture in the Food Lab/Dining Room of the Cooper Science Complex.

Caribbean Cooking Lunch Power: Attendees can learn how to cook a scrumptious, healthy Caribbean meal with the instructors from the Dietetics Department.

There's Still Time to Register for Oakwood Live!

Departments across the campus of Oakwood University are in the final stages of preparation for Oakwood Live! (formerly known as "College Days"), scheduled for October 5-9.

Oakwood Live! immerses prospective students in the "Oakwood Experience," giving them the chance to fellowship with current students, administrators and employees. During the event, which has been expanded to five days this year, guests will meet people from all over the world and participate in a variety of activities that allows them a chance to explore the unique qualities of an Oakwood University education. Oakwood Live! is offered to high school seniors and college transfer students, and over 500 potential students and their charperones are expected.

For more information about Oakwood Live!, 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 25, Whitney Morrison, '12, won the "Audience Favorite" and $500 cash award during final auditions on at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Having successfully completed the audition, Whitney has been selected for the 2017-18 Ensemble of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. While at Oakwood, Whitney was a voice student of Dr. Julie Moore Foster.

(Photo: Jaclyn Simpson)

The Oakwood University Alumni Association invites you to "Save the Dates" for a power-packed Alumni Homecoming Weekend, April 13-16, 2017. Some of the programming includes:

70th Aeolian Anniversary Celebration Concert
Honoring the musical gifts of Mervyn Warren, Jr.
Friday Vespers Speaker: Dr. Morgan Medlock
Divine Worship Speaker: Dr. C. Wesley Knight
Sabbath Vespers Speaker: Dr. Carlton P. Byrd

More information is available at www.oakwoodalumni.org.

Last week, we reported incorrectly that Oakwood alum David Person as a member of the class of '86; he is a proud graduate with the class of '85. He collaborates with the Communication Department to produce the Dykes-Rivers Lecture Series at Oakwood University once per semester.

Picture of the Week

Healthy Campus Week 2016 concluded with hot air balloon rides over the soccer field on the south side of the campus, sponsored by the Office of Student Activities. Balloon pilot and local balloon company owner Kenneth Gardner expertly shared the joy of hot air ballooning with 75 students and employees. The rides reinforced the STAND OUT principles of sunshine and (being) outdoors.

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.