insideOakwood: Oakwood Wins Honda National Qualifying Tournament, Black History Month, PHA and HBCUs at Oakwood, UNCF Gala, and more

Oakwood University Hosts and Wins Honda National Qualifying Tournament

The Committee of 100 Auditorium in the McKee Business & Technology Complex bustled with activity, during a day of non-stop academic competition on Friday, February 3, 2017.

Oakwood's All-Star team rose to the challenge, beating Alabama State, University, Harris Stowe State University, Miles College and Talladega College, to win first place in the qualifying tournament.

Oakwood University was one of seven campuses to host teams from HBCUs competing in national qualifying tournaments of the 28th season of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC).

Oakwood University's Honda Campus All Star Challenge (HCASC) team includes (l-r): Mrs. Adrienne Matthews, assistant Honda campus coordinator, Joshua Nwaoha, Olivia Campbell, Coach Dr. Rennae Elliott, Sesly Huerfano, Caleb Briggs, and team alternate Tori Allen. Additional team alternates (not pictured) are Greg Edouard and Grayson Mejia.

As a result of Friday's competition, Oakwood's All-Star team will be one of the 48 Historically Black Colleges competing in the National Championship scheduled for April 8-12, 2017. Mrs. Matthews, who is also Oakwood's assistant vice president of Student Services, is looking forward to traveling with the team to the Championship games in Torrance, California.

During competition, Oakwood's team consistently acknowledges "God First" in prayer before each round. Please continue to remember this team in prayer as they pursue another academic victory. The National Championship Team will win a $ 75 ,000 grant for the school represented.

For more information about the Honda Campus All Star Challenge, visit www.hcasc.com.

The Partnership for Healthier America and HBCUs to Convene at Oakwood University

Oakwood University is excited and prepared to greet guests tomorrow from The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) and several Historically Black Colleges (HBCU).

The purpose of this event is to encourage other HBCUs to join PHA and create a culture of health on their campuses as well. The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is to bring awareness to the crisis of childhood and youth obesity.

Oakwood University was selected to join in the program by completing initiatives in the areas of food and nutrition, and physical activity, which are part of our Healthy Campus 20/20 program, coordinated by Dr. Shirna Gullo.

Tomorrow's events include a Chapel presentation by the President and CEO of PHA, Lawrence A. Soler, and a tour of Oakwood's Healthy Campus 2020 initiatives, such as the 2-mile walking path, the outdoor fitness station, the vending machines with healthy options, and the bike station. A news conference for all attending media outlets will also be held.

The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is devoted to working with the private sector to ensure the health of our nation's youth by solving the childhood obesity crisis. PHA brings together public, private and nonprofit leaders to broker meaningful commitments and develop strategies to end childhood obesity. Most importantly, PHA ensures that commitments made are commitments kept by working with unbiased, third parties to monitor and publicly report on the progress our partners are making to show everyone what can be achieved when we all work together.

Oakwood University Celebrates Blac k History Month -- Moving Foward

Oakwood University's recognition of Black History Month continues tomorrow during Chapel service at 9:50 a.m. at the University Church. The program will feature Dr. Tene Lewis, associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Dr. Lewis will speak about "The Health of Our People."

For children in grades pre-K through sixth, the Children's Literature Expo will be held in the Eva B. Dykes Library from 10:00 a.m.t o 2:00 p.m. This event will feature interactive reading stations with works written by African-American authors.

During the Divine Worship service on Sabbath, February 11, Mr. Bright Baah, USM Religious Vice President, will present a message entitled "Let's Talk About Love" at the Oakwood University Church.

On Monday, February 13, Mr. Tim Wise will be guest speaker at the Frank Hale Diversity Chapel. Mr. Wise is a prominent anti-racist author and educator. Following Chapel will be a book signing at the church, and a panel discussion in the Peters Media Center.

To see the complete line-up of Oakwood University's programs and activities planned for the rest of Black History Month 2017, click here.

Oakwoodites Attend Laserfiche Empower 2017

Valuing innovation, Oakwood University has recently signed on to use Laserfiche Enterprise Content Management software. This will transform how Oakwood manages information, will help optimize costs and drive better business results.

Laserfiche Empower 2017, held in Long Beach, California, is a conference for customers to further engage with the platform. Oakwood employees and the other attendees listened to success stories, and strategized an institution-wide rollout plan. This year, multiple Seventh-day Adventist entities from the North American Division and the Inter-American Division attended. Oakwood University was well represented with five employees attending classes ranging from Forms Designer, Streamlining HR, and Going Paperless, just to name a few.

Pausing for a photo op, are (l-r) Pierre Smith, Laserfiche consultant; Levi Woodson, OU Application Support Specialist; Anthony Walker, OU Administrative Systems Director; Michelle Ramey, OU Grants Manager; Gail Caldwell, OU AVP for Finance; Kirk Nugent, OU Chief Information Officer; and Menfis Bido, Laserfiche consultant.

Tickets On Sale for the 39th Annual UNCF Gala

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

Employee Notes

David Richardson, Jr., has joined Oakwood University as Vice-President for Spiritual Life and Missions. He will work side-by-side with Dr. Howard Weems to execute a smooth hand off of all responsibility by April 15. Dr Weems will introduce Dr. Richardson to the expansive responsibilities of OSL, including international missions for our students.

Dr. Richardson's move to Oakwood University marks a return to the campus where he grew up and which he later attended for his undergraduate degree. "We wish him well in his new responsibilities at Oakwood University, knowing that our sister institution will be blessed by his leadership," said John McVay, president of Walla Walla University, where Dr. Richardson had been serving as Vice President for Student Life and Missions.

Alumni News

Through bold curiosity, teamwork, and an interdisciplinary perspective that not only solves problems, but does so with purpose, Sheldon L. Holder, '98, MD, PhD, of the Penn State Cancer Institute, exemplifies commitment to engaging basic scientists in the development of clinical trials. Holder's interest in medicine developed while he was growing up on the Island of Bermuda, and gained a passion for scientific research while a student at Oakwood. Acclimating to both the lab and clinic was natural for Holder. "For me, it is the perfect fit because I am able to satisfy my scientific curiosity, but at the same time I am able to see patients and make immediate impact on people who need medical attention."

120 Most Influential Oakwoodites

We are in search of nominations for a list of 120 Most Influential Oakwoodites.

Nominees will be presented during Alumni Homecoming Weekend 2017.

We are looking for names of those Oakwoodites who were either influential here at Oakwood -- classroom, church, dormitory, basketball court, etc. -- or an individual who has positively influenced your life, or has transformed lives through his/her service following their time at the Oaks.

We need the following information:

Your name, and
(in 100 words or less) why you're nominating someone as an Influential Oakwoodite. **
Please include the date(s) nominee attended Oakwood, especially the year he/she graduated.
Where the person lives now.
If possible, please include a high resolution photo (300 dpi or higher).

Email to [email protected] -- OR mail to:

Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations

Oakwood University

7000 Adventist Boulevard

Huntsville, Alabama 35896

**All submissions subject to editing for space.

Deadline has been extended to: Midnight, February 15, 2017

Advertise in the Oakwood Magazine for "Alumni"

We would love to have your business advertised in the Spring 2017 edition of the Oakwood Magazine, which will be released just in time for Alumni Homecoming Weekend (April 13-16, 2017).

With affordable rates, advertising in the Oakwood Magazine is a great solution to market your business and strengthen your brand. 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.

We offer different-sized ads ranging from a quarter of a page to a full page, to accommodate your advertising budget.

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

All advertisements are due by February 24, 2017. This is an issue you won't want to miss. Let's make sure your business is represented!

Richard M. Hodnett

Assistant Director for Alumni Relations & Marketing

Phone: (256) 726-7663

Email: [email protected]

Pollard's Places

Dr. Pollard stopped by one of Oakwood's Edible Arrangements stores and has a message for you .

Don't forget to place your order today. Call 1-844-FRUIT OU (1-844) 378-4868.

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.