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OU Board of Trustees Fall Meeting Summary
The Oakwood University Board of Trustees met for its Fall Board Meeting, October 15 and 16, 2017. Board subcommittees met on Sunday in various locations across the campus, and the fully assembled Board met in the Leroy & Lois Peters Media Center on Monday. Following are some of the highlights from the Official Session, which began promptly at 8:30 a.m.
New Board members were welcomed:
- Terry Shaw, President/CEO of Adventist Health Systems
- Maurice Valentine, President of Lake Union Conference
- Andrew Taylor, USM President, representing the Oakwood University student body
A Resolution of Appreciation was voted for Don Livesay, former President of Lake Union, who is an outgoing member of the Board of Trustees.
North American Division President Dan Jackson, Board Chair, and Dr. Leslie Pollard, Secretary, opened the meeting with a season of prayer that focused on three open requests:
- the fires in California and the loss of church property in the Pacific Union;
- the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and our willingness to follow His leading; and
- healthcare delivery to the millions who, given the uncertainty of our nation's healthcare debate, may stand in need of healthcare.
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Dr. Pollard provided a
video report of events, plans and progress at Oakwood University that have occurred since the last board meeting in April 2017.
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Each Board member and attendee was presented a copy of the new OakTree Press publication,
Values Matter, which is being used as the training text for the 2017-2018 Oakwood University Leadership Academy.
The finished version of the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan was reviewed, and a unanimous vote was taken to move forward with the five-year strategy.
Alphonce Brown, from Docere Consulting, provided Board Education on Philanthropy and how we could launch our capital campaign and the tools needed to be successful. At the end of the session, Board members committed $115,000 in personal contributions to the institution!
During the annual audit, completed in September 2017, Oakwood University received an unqualified opinion (clean opinion) and one of the highest Composite Financial Index scores within the North American Division institutions of higher education.
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The KPS Group architectural firm shared the preliminary drawings of the new Health and Wellness Center. This site will include a complete wellness, fitness and social gathering place for the entire campus community.
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The Board of Trustees received an outcomes report on the data findings of the 5-year Quality
Enhancement Program. The Board responded affirmatively to the information provided and the implications for improving student performance, student placement, and student outcomes.
The Board also received selected highlights from its Subcommittee deliberations on Sunday. The following subcommittee initiatives were highlighted:
Spiritual Life and Mission-
- Discussed expansion of International Missions (Voted for approval)
Provost/Information Technology-
- Provided update on two students receiving professional certifications (Voted for approval)
Student Services-
- Provided updated policy revisions to Title IX (Voted for approval).
Academic Administration-
- Oakwood University moving to add the online education model
- A number of new academic programs were voted, including a Master of Arts degree in Urban Ministry & Community Development, and Bachelors degrees in Sports Management, Human Resource Management, Sports Marketing, and Applied Mathematics.
- Eleven Faculty Appointments into existing slots were voted
Research & Faculty Development-
- Board was introduced to the new Oakwood University app GEMConnect and the TOT Administrative Center, which both focus on developing the whole student for future workforce.
- Healthy Campus 2020 was reviewed and the rationale for the new Community Action Health Clinic as a place for students to do service learning activities. (Voted for approval)
Advancement & Development-
- Capital Campaign is in the pre-implementation stage, and the whole campus will be engaged in fundraising for the new Health and Wellness Center (Voted for approval)
Financial Administration-
- Shared information on new scholarship program. Every student with a 2.0+ GPA who will attend Oakwood University receives a scholarship.
- New scholarships include $600 each semester for books or educational support materials (Voted for approval)
Provost's Summary
In a new feature, the University Provost provided a summary of the information covered and the actions moving forward from the Board meeting.
The final element of the Board meeting was a tour to the sites of the Health Action Community Clinic, the Health and Wellness Center, and a visit to Oakwood Farms.
Our University is very thankful for the dedication, devotion, and wisdom of the University Board of Trustees. We thank them for their contribution of time, talent, and treasure to "our dear Oakwood."
Leslie Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min., MBA
President, Oakwood University
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The Dialogue Holds Town Hall Meeting
 President Leslie Pollard and the members of the Administration recently met with students in "The Dialogue" to discuss and listen to students' concerns and future plans for making Oakwood University a better community environment.
A wide range of items were discussed at the meeting, held in the Leroy & Lois Peters Media Center, including housing improvements, more online engagement with students through the use of surveys, dining hall selections, and more. Our students love to have their voices heard and this forum is a great opportunity to allow them to share, as well as listen, as the Administration continues to improve the Oakwood Experience for all.
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English & Foreign Languages Writing Workshop
 At the invitation of the Department of English & Foreign Languages,
Carmela Monk-Crawford, '87, editor of
Message Magazine, and Lucas Johnson, director of media relations at Tennessee State University, presented a writing workshop on October 17. Crawford juggles leadership at the world's oldest continually published religious magazine aimed primarily at the African-American audience, with being the mother of three, a member of the Oakwood University Board of Trustees, and being active in her home church.
Workshop co-presenter Lucas Johnson was offered a job in the Nashville, Tennessee, bureau of the Associated Press immediately after graduating from Middle Tennessee State University. For 10 of the 24 years he spent there, he covered the Tennessee Legislature.
Lucas is also author of the book, Finding the Good, which was featured on National Public Radio.
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Sign Up Today for Oakwood's UNCF North Alabama Golf Classic
The first fundraising event of the 2017-18 UNCF North Alabama Campaign is the UNCF Golf Classic, scheduled for Monday, October 30, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Cource. The fee for individual golfers is $250. The following sponsorships are available:
| Individual Hole: $1000 |
1 foursome at the UNCF Golf Classic |
| Bronze: $2,500 |
1 foursome at the UNCF Golf Classic OR 1 table of 8 at the 40th Annual UNCF Gala |
| Silver: $5,000 |
1 foursome at the UNCF Golf Classic AND 1 table of 8 at the 40th Annual UNCF Gala |
| Gold: $10,000 |
2 foursomes at the UNCF Golf Classic, and two tables of 8 at the 40th Annual UNCF Gala |
All proceeds from the campaign support the 37 UNCF member colleges and universities, including the five schools in Alabama: Miles College, Oakwood University, Stillman College, Talladega College, and Tuskegee University, and the thousands of students attending member institutions.
For more information about the local UNCF campaign and to register for golf, visit
www.ougiving.com
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Alumni News
 Petrina Thomas, '17, is a native of Orlando, FL. She earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. Petrina served as a senator for the United Student Movement (SGA), and was a member of Oakwood's first Pre-law Mock Trial team, the Social Media Coordinator for the United Collegiate Black Scholars and President and member of the Oakwood University chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International. She plans to pursue her MA in Public Policy, and later earn a JD. Petrina currently serves in the office of Senator Bill Nelson.
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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.
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| 1-844-FRUIT OU
STORE #819
5000 Whitesburg Dr. S, #148 Huntsville, AL 35802 (256) 881-7575 STORE #759 6290 University Blvd. Huntsville, AL 35806 (256) 721-7999 Share Love, Support Students |
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| Click here to see the Summer 2017 issue of Oakwood Magazine or visit www.oakwoodmagazine.com |
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