insideOakwood: Neurotheology Lecture, Retool Your School, UNCF Gala, and more

Guest Lecturer to Discuss Neurotheology, How God Changes the Brain

Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, renown neuroscientist and professor, will be the guest lecturer for the Departments of English, Psychology and Religion at Oakwood University on March 21. The focus of his presentation will be on prayer and the brain.

The lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the C.T. Richards Chapel in the Moseley Complex. All are invited.

Dr. Newberg has been particularly involved in the study of mystical and religious experiences, a field referred to as "neurtheology." He has also studied the more general mind/body relationship in both the clinical and research aspects of his career including understanding the physiological correlates of acupuncture therapy, meditation, and other types of alternative therapies.

He has taught medical students, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as medical residents, about stress management, spirituality and health, and the neurophysiology of religious experience. He has published over 200 peer- reviewed articles and chapters on brain function, brain imaging, and the study of religious and mystical experiences. He is the author of the new book entitled, How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain: The New Science of Transformation. He is the co-author of the best selling books, How God Changes Your Brain (Ballantine) and, Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief (Ballantine). He is also a co-author of Born to Believe: God, Science, and the Origin of Ordinary and Extraordinary Beliefs (Free Press).

Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, M.D. is currently the Director of Research at the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia. He is also a Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University and he is adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.

He has produced a 24 lecture video program entitled, "The Spiritual Brain," for The Teaching Company. He has presented his work at scientific and religious meetings throughout the world and has appeared on Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, Nightline, 20/20, CNN, and ABC World News Tonight, as well as in nationally distributed movies: "What the Bleep Do We Know?"; Bill Maher's "Religulous"; and "Awake: The Life of Yogananda." His work has been featured in a number of media articles including in Newsweek, Time, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, London Observer, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Readers Digest.

Additional information regarding Dr. Newberg's books and research can be found at www.andrewnewberg.com .

Oakwoodites Raise Awareness About Hunger in "Carts for Hearts" Event

by Dillon Sinyard, School of Business student

Members of Oakwood's Phi Beta Lambda Club pause for a photo op during the "Carts for Hearts" Event on February 11.

Roman 12:16 says: "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

On Sabbath, February 11, 2017, members of Oakwood's Phi Beta Lambda business club participated in the second Downtown Rescue Mission "Carts for Hearts" event. This annual event is a fundraiser to raise awareness about Huntsville's homeless community. These Future Business Leaders of America supported the event, not only representing the School of Business, but also to demonstrate the characteristics of Christ. "It was a wonderful experience for the club to partner with the community to raise awareness about hunger, especially because so many of Jesus' miracles dealt with poverty and hunger," said Dillon Sinyard.

Students from Oakwood participated in the event by working hand-in-hand with the Downtown Rrescue Mission's "clean up" event. Our help was greatly appreciated, and we look forward to helping our brothers and sisters on a regular basis Christ. We are fully aware that by serving others, we are helping to further the ministry of Christ.

"Oakwood on the Road" in New Orleans

On Friday, April 7, all Oakwood alumni and friends in the New Orleans area are invited to meet the cyclers from Tour de Youth 2017, as they arrive by bicycle from Houston. Oakwood cyclist Kenn Dixon, director of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations, says that the emphasis of the six-day, 533-mile Tour de Youth, is to help youth and adults understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and bring awareness to the growing obesity problem, particularly in the Southern United States.

On Sabbath, April 8, Oakwood University will present a special edition of "Oakwood on the Road" at the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2400 Delachaise Street, New Orleans, LA 70115. The emphasis of the day will be health and Christian education.

Oakwood University President Dr. Leslie N. Pollard will deliver the sermon during Divine Worship, and special music will be provided by Dynamic Praise. Following the Dynamic Praise concert at 5:00 p.m., a reception will be held in the fellowship hall.

Oakwood's Dynamic Praise will present a concert at 5:00 p.m. on Sabbath, April 8, in New Orleans.

#GiveMe5OU -- Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program

Oakwood Nation, 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.

Let's make this year #5!! Voting continues through April 16, 2017, at http://retoolyourschool.com.

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.

GiveMe5OU -- let's do this!!

The new GiveMe5OU video encourages everyone to vote for Oakwood every day through April 16 at retoolyourschool.com.

39th Annual UNCF Gala set for April 13

Globally-acclaimed musician Jonathan Butler will be the special guest performer at the 39th Annual UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Gala on Thursday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. The Gala will be held in the North Hall of the Von Braun Center, and will feature an award presentation to radio personality and philanthropist Tom Joyner.

To purchase individual UNCF Gala tickets or sponsor a table, go to www.ougiving.com, or www.eventbrite.com. For information about the UNCF North Alabama Campaign, contact Kisha Norris: [email protected] | 256-726-7201.

During an extraordinary musical life that has unfolded in the public eye, Butler has seen and endured a lot. His music has purpose, providing comfort and genuine inspiration. When he sings, he testifies to the glory and healing power of love. Jonathan Butler's recording career has carried him far, far beyond his wildest dreams. He's living his dream and that is a blessing for us all.

Oakwood University is the Tom Joyner Foundation School of the Month for April 2017

Oakwood University has been selected as the Tom Joyner Foundation School of the Month for April 2017. Dr. Tim McDonald and Mrs. Stacia Wright are the honorary co-chairs of the campaign. Click here to watch an explanatory video.

Alumni News

Kim Cliett Long, Ed.D., '82, Associate Provost for Administration and Extended Education and Professor of Organizational Management at Wiley College, was recently elected to serve a three year term on the board of directors for the Online Learning Consortium (OLC).

OLC is the leading professional organization devoted to advancing the quality of online learning worldwide. The member-sustained organization offers an extensive set of resources for professional development and institutional advancement of online learning, including, original research, leading-edge instruction, best-practice publications, community-driven conferences and expert guidance. OLC members include educators, administrators, trainers and other online learning professionals, as well as educational institutions, professional societies and corporate enterprises.

Dr. Long was also elected to serve on the executive committee of The Courseware in Context (CWiC) Framework. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the CWIC supports postsecondary decision-makers in effectively navigating the market of courseware solutions. The CWIC was designed to help stakeholders make better-informed adoption and implementation decisions with the goal of advancing the adoption of high-quality digital courseware in higher education and ultimately achieving improved outcomes for students.

Advertise in the Oakwood Magazine

With affordable rates, advertising in the Oakwood Magazine is a great solution to market your business and strengthen your brand. We offer different-sized ads, ranging from a quarter-page to a full page, to accommodate your advertising budget.

While optional, you may elect to place a special offer or coupon in your ad, designed to compel readers to take immediate action, or to highlight certain products.

Won't you partner with us? Call Richard Hodnett for pricing and additional details.

Richard M. Hodnett

Assistant Director for Alumni Relations & Marketing

Phone: (256) 726-7663

Email: [email protected]

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.