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The Visit to the White House
"If we are not at the table..."
I will never forget February 27, 2017 - the day that Oakwood saw
its
first University President visiting in the Oval Office. But I was not alone. Standing in the Oval Office with 60 other leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities will be forever etched on my mind.
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| Pictures from the White House visit traveled around the world. |
"But
Dr. Pollard,
why did you go?" asked some of our students, who were understandably distressed over the results of the 2016 Presidential campaign, and the intense partisainship currently dividing
our country.
To make it so simple that it could not be misunderstood, I would like to answer that question in three
words: "Because
I'm
fighting."
Here's what I mean.
Every opportunity that I get to advocate for resources to
flow back in
support of Oakwood University's unique mission, I plan to seize on it. Whether it is during our "Oakwood on the Road" trips, or when I am visiting with individual donors, or planning the strategic direction for the campus, every single day God sends finds
me, and hundreds of others,
advocating
and fighting
for Oakwood University and its mission.
As I was making my decision about the pros and cons of attending the meetings in Washington, after President Trump's administration extended the invitation to HBCUs to spend the final day of Black History Month in dialogue with his senior representatives, I recalled one of my favorite leadership sayings, "If
we are not AT the table,
our agenda is not ON the table." I believe that my job is to make sure that Oakwood's agenda is always on the table--in Huntsville, in Silver Spring, Maryland, and yes, in Washington, DC.
Going to the White House also represented a chance for Oakwood University to represent ALL of Seventh-day Adventist higher education. As an HBCU, Oakwood, along with 101 other treasured institutions, holds a place of esteem in national consciousness. Every year, we are invited to the White House Conference on HBCUs. Were it not for Oakwood, in many ways the 12 other Adventist higher education institutions might remain largely invisible to the gaze of our White House colleagues.
I am grateful that our church owns and operates an HBCU. I say this without pride of place, but as acknowledgement of God's wisdom in handing to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America in 1896 an HBCU, which is committedly Seventh-day Adventist. On many occasions I have the opportunity to chat with White House officials, or Department of Education members, about the educational work of Seventh-day Adventists
in North America or around the world. So on one level, while fighting for Oakwood, I am/we are also fighting for
SDA higher education.
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Developments Since the Feb. 27 White House Visit
I shared in
my
February "From the President's Desk" that we would provide you an update
on the developments following
the visit to the White House.
On March 16, President Trump unveiled a $1.15 trillion FY 2018 discretionary budget blueprint.
The budget outline did
not
include programmatic specifics,
mandatory spending or tax plans, which will be part of the detailed budget slated for release in May. The proposed budget includes agency-wide cuts ranging from
1%
to 31%
in order to offset $84 billion in increased defense and security spending over two years; $54 billion in FY 2018 and $30 billion in FY 2017. Among the agencies most impacted are the
U.S. State Department and Environmental Protection Agency, which would see a 28%
and 31%
reduction, respectively, from current levels.
Interestingly, the
President's
budget proposes $59 billion for the U.S. Department of Education,
which is a $9.2 billion (13.5%) reduction below current levels.
As expected, the budget reflects $1.4 billion in new investments for school choice initiatives and $1 billion more for Title 1 K-12 funding for disadvantaged children, offset by the elimination of all teacher training and after school funds totaling, $3.6 billion. I will be hosting a meeting with the leaders of Oakwood Adventist Academy to determine if and how Oakwood Elementary can benefit from
some of the
private
charter
school funds becoming available this summer.
Higher education did not escape deep cuts. The budget skeleton pu
lled
$3.9 billion out of $10.6 billion in Pell Grant funds that have accumulated in recent years as the economy has improved; makes cuts to Federal Work-Study, TRIO and GEAR UP programs; and eliminates Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds.
In response to the President's proposal, UNCF
President, Dr. Michael Lomax, released a statement:
"Last month, while meeting with Presidents of the nation's HBCUs, President Trump pledged to do more for HBCUs than any other president has done before; however, this budget is not reflective of that sentiment. Without strong federal investments, President Trump's commitment to HBCUs and the rebuilding of African American communities will be promises unfulfilled," said Lomax. "If we truly want to make America great again, we must invest in the first-generation, low-income students of color, who will become the college-educated workforce needed to fill high-skilled jobs of the 21st-century global economy-and the HBCUs that produce these college graduates."
As Presidents of HBCUs, we along with the UNCF,
will continue working with
local and state
elected officials and the President's administration to strengthen
and fund
the mission of HBCUs. Stay tuned.
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That Was DEEP
On the weekend of March 16-18, administrators from Oakwood University and Southern Adventist University enjoyed our annual Diversity Educational Exchange Program (DEEP) Leadership Weekend, designed to enhance fellowship and contribute to a greater commitment
to the Seventh-day Adventist Higher Educational mission.
We met at the Lake Guntersville Lodge, and the theme for the weekend was "Education in the Last Days."
Drama, teaching, preaching, dialogue, and partnering created a needed respite from the grind of
administrative
ministry and provided ample food for discussion and development. I want to especially thank each of the planning team from the President's Office, the Academic Division, and the administrative assistants in Blake Center, along with the President's Office at Southern Adventist University.
 More Photos from DEEP
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OU and SAU faculty praying together for each institution's students, faculty, staff and future. |
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| Dr. Pollard and Dr. Smith leading the weekend retreat with the theme "Christian Education in the End Times." |
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Strategy Matters
"If you aim at nothing, you are already successful."
This leadership quote reminds me of the
amazing March 19 Strategic Planning Retreat
organized
and conducted
at Lake Guntersville for 70 student, faculty, staff and administrative representatives of the campus.
The leadership team's
goal was threefold:
- to expose every layer of our organization to the strategic progress we will make between now and 2022;
- to invite input and participation in the goal-setting and modifications from the grassroots drivers of our strategy; and
- to guarantee that each of the seven areas of focus within our strategic plan are cross-pollinated by each of the other six areas of focus.
The context for our planning was set by the initial presentation of the President of the Adventist Enrollment Association, Adam Brown, who also serves as the Vice-President for Strategic Planning and Enrollment for Kettering College in Dayton, Ohio. He presented data that I will share with you in another e-mail. I personally have never seen such a high degree of engagement with the priority areas.
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Oakwood leadership participated in the Strategic Planning session in Guntersville, March 19 and 20.
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Below I have listed the 7 Focus priorities for 2017-2022. Each Division has designated deliverables
expressed in goals and expressive of
the priorities
across the next five years.
Priority 1: University Mission & Culture: Oakwood University's Office of Spiritual Life and Mission will deliver curricular and co-curricular programming and resources to students so that they model the mission of Oakwood University.
Priority 2: Educational Excellence: Oakwood University's Academic Division will ensure
academic excellence in teaching and learning.
Priority 3: Learning Supportive Environment:
Oakwood University's Division of Student Services will facilitate a nurturing environment that is sensitive to the needs of students and supportive of the academic mission of the institution.
Priority 4:
Research & Faculty Development: Oakwood University's Research and Faculty Development Division (RFD) will facilitate the expansion of our grants and research infrastructure, and will assure exceptional performance of faculty and staff through the utilization of best-in-class professional development in support of the strategic mission of the University.
Priority 5: Advancement & Development of the University:
The Division of Advancement and Development will secure the University through increased philanthropy and fund development.
Priority 6: Fiscal Growth, Responsible Management, and Revenue Diversification:
Oakwood University's Division of Financial Administration will secure the fiscal health of Oakwood University in harmony with the strategic mission of the institution.
Priority 7: Operational and Technological Leadership: Oakwood University's Division of Information Technology will facilitate the use of
technology to improve operational efficiency and to broadcast
the
Oakwood mission globally.
Thank you for your prayers and
may
God bless our Oakwood University's work and mission
. Our leadership vision and commitment
reads
"We will launch plans that are destined to fail, except God intervene!"
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Giving Back to Oakwood -- from Generation to Generation
In this role, there are some blessings that come in unexpected ways. Recently,
a
lumni
love for "our dear Oakwood" brought two generations
together in ways that only I could experience, because both of the conversations flowed through my office. First, comes a love for Oakwood that has burned brightly for more than 80 years. I received his letter and it stirred my soul. Read his letter and be inspired:
Open Letter to the People of God
January 27, 2017
Greetings,
We have a common heritage, a common bond, a piece of property with a name taken from its natural setting, "Oakwood." A prophetic voice urged this people, strangers in a strange land, to settle in this place and develop a unique community of learning and instruction with the command to prepare sons and daughters to carry to earth a message that would call out of its teeming masses a worldwide fellowship. "The meek shall inherit the earth." They called it the Lord's farm. Oakwood is a part of that fellowship. An institution founded on a prophetic vision is now a highly-respected institution in the city referred to as a shining example of the new south. We were urged by that same voice to attack the bondage of sin that held fast all people free and bond.
I speak as a son of the soil: my grandmother was born a few years before slavery, that awful blot on our nation, was abolished. Emancipation day for me is more than a historical marker. "The Lord worked in freeing the Southern slaves." This property, once a slave plantation, is evidence of the hand of God at work. In all of the places I have served, especially the Conference, when believers came to visit I have taken the liberty of saying "Welcome to your property."
In my forefather's culture, grandmothers were highly respected. In some instances, Granny may have come into possession of a little piece of property of which she was very proud. Occasionally, Granny would be seen dressed in meeting clothes, parasol and all. Should someone ask, "Granny, where are you going?" The answer came loud and clear, "Going to see about my property."
This superannuated preacher is here to challenge us all, "Let's see about our property." The conferences that support our property make available an appropriation equal to 3% of their tithe. Of course, we all give. But there is something else we can do. We can avail ourselves of the very fine informational materials produced by the PR people of the university.
Remember, Oakwood began with 16 students; the enrollment today is almost 1800. "Do not despise the day of small beginnings." It is not just a group of people with a different lifestyle. Oakwood is good for our brand name. There are more than 10,000 adherents to the faith in the community. They are a blessing to the world church making a huge financial contribution (the University Church tithe was $3 million dollars for 2016).
We just were moved by the story and thought we should urge you to "go see about your property."
God bless,
Charles and Ethel Bradford
P.S. And when you stop by Oakwood, be sure to note the re-emergence of Oakwood Farms, near the main entrance to the campus.
On the more recent end of the generational service spectrum stands an alumnae who loves Oakwood and has pioneered a contemporary way for alumni to give back. Listen to her commitment and be blessed:
Enter to learn, Depart to serve has long been the motto of Oakwood University, and
at
every May
graduation, our students depart from these hallowed grounds and do just that as they launch into cities across the country, armed with unique talents and the knowledge acquired during their undergraduate years.
As much as we celebrate our graduates who launch into the world making positive and tangible contributions to the workforce and society at large, we also celebrate our alumni who return to the Oaks to serve our community.
Oakwoodites
returning to
serve
isn't a new concept. This is evident when we consider that 44% of our instructional faculty, and a good number of our staff, are Oakwood graduates.
Dr. Nicole Houghton graduated from Oakwood University in 2005. After completing her pediatric residency training at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital in 2013, she returned to Huntsville with the sole purpose of
freely
offering supplemental advisement to aspiring health professions students. On any given day you can find her animatedly engaging with a student during a one-on-one advising session or addressing a group about how to write a personal statement, what to do during their gap year, or how to develop a study schedule for the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test).
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MCAT prep course students |
In October of 2016, she organized a successful series of mock interviews, where junior and senior pre-health students had an opportunity to engage in two 30-minute mock interviews with area healthcare professionals. With the support of the leadership in the Biology Department, Dr. Haughton strategized and executed the implementation of a
12-week
live on-site MCAT prep course, which started in January of this year.
This project was envisioned by former student and USM Academic Vice President, Daniel Chandler; however efforts were tabled due to insufficient funding. Dr. Haughton took Chandler's vision and aggressively raised funds to help offset the cost of the course to our students. She was successful in that endeavor and raised just under $25,000 to fund the course. This allowed 19
Oakwood
students to be able to participate in a highly ranked prep course for 25% of the actual cost. She continues to actively fundraise in hopes that the course will be offered in the next academic year.
Since the successful launch of the MCAT prep course, Dr. Haughton has now focused her energy on developing an academic scholars program that provides physician job shadowing, community
service opportunities, in addition to mentoring, advising and other enrichment experiences. The primary goal of Dr. Haughton's efforts is to increase the number of Oakwood students who gain admission to professional school. "Working with students in this capacity - offering insight and encouragement - is truly a fulfilling work. I count it a blessing to be able to offer to them what was offered to me along my journey. My only request from them is that they work hard and pay it forward."
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Career Pathways and UNCF
 Finally, on April 13 our UNCF Gala and our Career Pathways initiative converge.
We will begin with a Career Pathways Press Conference at 4:00 p.m., and a VIP Reception at 5:30.
The 39th Annual UNCF Gala will begin promptly at 6:30. Themed "Elegant Africa," this gala promises to be exceptional.
S
pecial guests will include Mr. Tom Joyner, of the Tom Joyner Morning Show; Dr. Michael Lomax, President of the UNCF; Dr. Beverly Wade-Hogan, President of
Tougaloo
College; Dr. Billy Hawkins, President of
Talledega
College; and recording artist Jonathan Butler.
I
hope to see you at the UNCF Gala on April 13.
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Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program
Finally, with your
help for the past four years, Oakwood University has been blessed to win top prizes in The Home Depot's Retool Your School grant program.
Simply vote every day on every device,
AND please use the hashtag #oakwood_RYS17
on every post on all social media platforms, especially Twitter and Instagram.
The Retool Your School Program was established in 2010 to provide support for campus improvement projects to the nation's HBCUs. Since the program's inception, over one million dollars in grant money has been awarded.
Until next month, I remain yours in service,
Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D.,
D.Min.,
MBA
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