The Aeolians -- 2017 Choir of the World 

A group of excited, supportive Oakwood employees and students gathered to welcome the Aeolians and Dr. Ferdinand back to campus earlier today. A formal recognition of their accomplishment will take place at the beginning of the semester.

The Aeolians, with their unique eight-part harmony sound and musical excellence, competed in the Choir of the World competition in Llangollen, Wales, July 5-9, and were awarded the Choir of the World Pavarotti Trophy 2017. Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand is recorded in history as the first conductor to receive the Gwobr Jane Davies Prize for Outstanding Conducting. Click here to hear some of their award-winning performance.

The first International Musical Eisteddfod was held in Llangollen in June 1947, the same year that Dr. Eva B. Dykes organized the first group Aeolians at Oakwood College. In the following 70 years, the International Musical Eisteddfod and its celebration of "Peace and Harmony" has made it one of the world's great music festivals, which began with a vision that the ancient Welsh eisteddfod tradition could provide a means of healing the wounds of the Second World War, and help to promote lasting peace. This focus continues today as the Eisteddfod brings people together from around the globe to perform and compete in an "unparalleled spirit of friendship and goodwill."
 
In addition to receiving monetary prizes and trophies for placing first in a variety of competition categories, first place awardees compete for the two ultimate awards - Choir of the World 2017 Pavarotti Trophy and Dance Champion 2017. Of particular note, for this 70th year celebration a new ultimate award has been added - The Gwobr Jane Davies Prize for Outstanding Conducting.

The win was a rather emotional moment for Desmond Pierre-Louis, vice president of the Oakwood University Alumni Association, and son of former Aeolians Director, Mrs. Joni Mae Pierre-Louis. Traveling with the choir throughout the British Isles, he expressed great pride in the legacy his mother helped to shape during the 1950s and 1960s.

While overseas, the Aeolians also performed at other venues in the United Kingdom, including London, Birmingham and Manchester, as part of their 70th Anniversary Tour.
Oakwood's Honda All-Star Challenge Team Nominated for Award
    
 
 

Oakwood University's Honda All-Star Challenge Team is one of the finalists for the Best Student Organization award, presented by the HBCU Digest. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony during the HBCU Executive Media Training Summit, in Washington D.C.'s Gallup Building, on July 14.

Other nominees in the Best Student Organization category include:

- Fayetteville State University Student Nurses Association
- Office of University Engagement and Lifelong Learning - Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Service Spree - Hampton University
- Alcorn State Honor Student Organization

OU's ALSAMP Summer Bridge Enrichment Program  
    
 
 
 
The Alabama Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program is in its 22nd year.
The Oakwood University Summer Bridge Enrichment Program is a two-week immersion experience of the University environment for high school seniors, who are scheduled to enroll and attend Oakwood University in the upcoming fall semester.

Started in 1995, the goals of the program are to prepare these students for future academic success and to facilitate their transition from high school to college. Students receive holistic instruction preparation in formal academic training, life skills and learning strategies.

Academic instruction sessions include advising, review and introductions to college level Mathematics, Biology, English and Chemistry. Life skill seminars include campus survival strategies, mentoring, introduction to dormitory living, etiquette, and conflict resolution. Learning strategy sessions include identification of learning styles, time management, goal planning, team building, and general study skills with emphasis on how to effectively study.

Students visit and tour the campuses of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, and the Space and Rocket Center. A total of ten students are participating in the program this summer.
Oakwoodites Show OU Pride in Alabama!
   
 

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Can you guess which Oakwoodite owns this license plate? Respond to pr@oakwood.edu.  
Purchasing an Oakwood license plate couldn't be easier: just visit your nearest Alabama DMV office and request an Oakwood license plate.

W hen an Oakwood license plate is purchased, additional funds collected are donated to student scholarships at OU for Alabama residents. This contribution can be claimed as a charitable contribution to scholarships for students from Alabama (Section 32-6-156, Code of Alabama 1975). Also, this purchase is a way for alumni and friends to show their pride in their alma mater.

We believe that Oakwood University is the only Seventh-day Adventist educational institution participating in this program. Currently, this scholarship-generating initiative is available only in Alabama. 
Employee Notes
  
 

Shirna Gullo, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN, is currently the director of Healthy Campus 2020 at Oakwood University.
Dr. Shirna Gullo's doctoral dissertation, entitled "Computerized testing of level III associate degree nursing students versus paper and pencil testing," was recently quoted in "The DNP Degree & Capstone Project: A Practical Guide."

A doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree is the terminal degree that focuses on preparation of experts in specialized advanced nursing practice (AACN, 2006).  
OUAA Bahamas Chapter
   
 
by Daniel Smith

The now global Oakwood University Alumni Association (OUAA) is pleased to announce the formation of its first international chapter in Nassau, Bahamas.

On the occasion of "The Aeolians in Paradise" visit to The Bahamas in January 2017, the Oakwood University Alumni Bahamas Chapter was initiated. This introduction took place during an enjoyable and informative Mix and Mingle Session, hosted at the Bahamas Academy with Dr. Leslie Pollard, president of Oakwood University; Dr. Karen Benn Marshall, vice president of academic administration; Dr. Cynthia Powell-Hicks, president of the OUAA; Desmond Pierre-Louis, vice president of the OUAA; Pat McBean Pates, OUAA Secretary and International Alumni Coordinator; as well as other Oakwood University personnel.

The following officers were elected in January, 2017 to mobilize the Chapter:
President - Mrs. Allison Rolle, formerly Mason (Class of 1985)
Vice President - Colyn Major (Class of 1973)
Treasurer - Christopher Hanna (Class of 1994)
Interim Secretary - Ms. Tomiko Williams (Class of1994)
Chaplain - Dr. John Carey (Class of 1967)
Interim Social Co-ordinator - Daran Clark (Class of 2012)
Public Relations Officer - Ian Antonio (Class of 1977)

We wish the Bahamas Chapter officers and members every success as they set the pace in making our former National Alumni Association one that reaches around the globe.

Alumni News
   
 

Patricia Charitable, '12, recently  graduated with a Masters in Nursing Education degree (Cum Laude) from South University. She currently works as a Nurse Administrator at University of Pittsburg Medical Center in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.


Breanda Mulzac, '12, (right) recently graduated with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Advanced Public Health from Rush University. Dr. Mulzac currently works as an advisory triage registered nurse for United Healthcare.


Give to Oakwood through Tom Joyner Foundation
 
 

Every dollar contributed to Oakwood University through the Tom Joyner Foundation will be used to give scholarships to Oakwood students.  The goal of the "School of the Month" campaign campaign is $40,000, and gifts are accepted throughout the year To contribute, you ca n give directly online at www.ougiving.com, noting that your gift is for Oakwood University in the Tom Joyner Foundation School of the Month campaign - or you can donate in the ways listed below.


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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In This Issue - 7/12/17
  
(256) 726-7418
  
  
  

 

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


 
Click here to see the Spring 2017 issue of Oakwood Magazine or visit www.oakwoodmagazine.com

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Oakwood is published by the Office of Integrated Marketing & 
Public Relations at Oakwood University
Executive Editor: Kisha Norris | Managing Editor: Debbe Millet |  Photographer: Anthony Chornes, II | Designer: Ron Pride
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