January 19, 2022
Oakwood University to Launch
 "Windows on the Word" on February 4, 2022
Oakwood University will celebrate a special block of Friday evening programming with a unique broadcast called "Windows on the Word," hosted by Dr. Leslie Pollard, President of Oakwood University. Dr. Pollard, holding earned doctorates in both New Testament Scholarship and Preaching and Worship, will serve as host-facilitator.

Dr. Pollard commented “For 125 years, Oakwood University has populated both business and industry as well as churches and communities, with graduates delivering service to God and humanity. We celebrate our 125 years of service by expanding our global reach with the launch of the new broadcast "Windows on the Word.”  
 
Windows on the Word will be an inspirational and informative weekly broadcast designed to highlight voices and contributions to mission and faith from communities around the world. It will embrace the weekly Bible Study Guides of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, however, it will not limit itself to those alone. Windows on the Word will show how they can be supplemented and expanded by faith perspectives from around the world. Special features will include student voices, women’s voices, voices of the elderly, and even children’s voices, as we explore the journey of faith by diverse groups.
 
Pictures below represent the first tapings for Black History Month, where the first four broadcasts explore the topic “Social Justice in the Word of God.” Click here to download your copy of the study guide and follow the discussion. The first broadcast airs on February 4, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. Central time.
Above, Elder Debleaire Snell, Senior Pastor, Oakwood University Church and Speaker Director, Breath of Life Ministries (left), and Dr. Ifeoma Kwesi, Professor of Religion, Oakwood University School of Theology (center) discuss Social Justice in the Old Testament.
Below, Dr. Gilbert Ojwang, Professor of New Testament, Department Chair, Oakwood University School of Theology (left) and Dr. R. Clifford Jones, Dean, Oakwood University School of Theology (center) discuss Social Justice in the New Testament.
Oakwood University's President to Explore the Role of "The Remnant"
Join us for President Pollard’s presentation to Pastors on “Social Justice in the Book of Revelation.” Dr. Pollard says, “I believe that we would be surprised at how often the themes of injustice, oppression, marginalization, stigmatization, and a number of other ills appear in Revelation. However, God’s people are called to be the counterpoint and corrective to these social maladies.”  Tune in to learn more! 
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech at Oakwood University
by Xavier Wherry - waaytv.com
As we remembered Martin Luther King Jr. on the national holiday celebrating his life and legacy, we acknowledged King’s impact in the city of Huntsville and those that were there to witness it.

The date was March 19, 1962. The location was Ashby Auditorium at Oakwood University. King addressed more than 2,000 people at the only higher education institution in Huntsville that would allow him to speak.

Click here to see Wherry's interview with Dr. Mervyn Warren, a retired Oakwood University administrator who attended the speech, who remembers that day very clearly. 
Oakwood University Awarded Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
A “living history museum” at Oakwood University, based on the life of Dred Scott, is among 208 projects across the country that will receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Dreded Life Living Museum Project will be set on the Blow Plantation (land that is now Oakwood University) in the 1820s. The project will include the following aspects:

  • Museum Theater, which will include timed theater pieces with actors acting out scenes, and interpreters there to contextualize the piece;
  • Historical Interpretation, which will include a guide who navigates the public through the historical time period; and
  • Living History, which will demonstrate historical trades such as blacksmiths, seamstresses, and food preparation.

The Departments of History & Political Science and English & Foreign Languages will collaborate to create and produce The Dreded Life Project to advance knowledge of and interest in African American history. Students in the History Department will conduct archival and local research on the Dred Scott Case, the Dred Scott Plantation, and slave and antebellum history in the Northern Alabama area. Students in the Department of English & Foreign Languages will take that research and write scenes for a one-act play, then produce and perform that one-act play for live audiences. Professor Paul Nixon will oversee the writing, production and direction of the one-act play.


Enter to Learn...
Oakwood University Student Named Winner in Sodexo's "Pedal Forward, Give Back" National Sweepstakes
by Taleigha Davis, SodexoUSA.com
Victor Matos, a student at Oakwood University, was recently named one of 19 randomly selected winners in Sodexo’s “Pedal Forward, Give Back Sweepstakes” as part of its fall resident dining promotion series. This national prize sweepstakes is centered on the concept of positive movement, in terms of actionable steps towards positive change, giving students across the United States the chance to win one of nineteen $500 donations.

These donations are made in their name to their campus food pantry or a local hunger-related charity. Victor selected Alabama Childhood Food Solutions, as his charity beneficiary. In addition to the donation, Victor will receive two cruiser bikes – one for him to keep and one to give to a friend.

Featured at more than 600 Sodexo-managed colleges and universities nationwide, Sodexo’s fall resident dining promotion series included a number of enjoyable events for students in addition to the Pedal Forward, Give Back Sweepstakes. Two core dining showcase events, Harvest GrEATings and Planet EAT, were full of gratitude-focused, fun, out-of-this-world activities that included fresh, seasonal fall favorites as well as cosmically delicious pizza and pasta creations.

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), the leading Quality of Life services company in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation (HelpStopHunger.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $22 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at (https://us.sodexo.com/inspired-thinking.html).
There's still time! All Oakwood alumni and friends, our Miss UNCF of @oakwoodu Briana Brooks needs your help. Her goal is $50k by close of business January 20, 2022. Alumnus Dr. Eric Thomas ("E.T.") is leading the way with his gift and asking you to meet his challenge.
Oakwood Nation -- We Need Your Feedback

Attention All Oakwoodites --

We need your input. We are reviewing the themes for our marketing campaigns.

Since you are part of Oakwood, your opinions will help us understand why Oakwood University was your choice.
Please take a moment to give us your feedback on this Google form: https://forms.gle/keRGaRmoiHzinTv69
 
We appreciate your time to help Oakwood University. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
"Blessings and Breakthroughs" Available Electronically


President Leslie Pollard presented the institution's annual report at the North American Division year end meetings on November 4, 2021.

View a recorded version of his report, beginning at the 52:21 mark, on YouTube, or you can also read a digital version of the report by clicking here.
Thursday @ 8:30 a.m.

Join us at 8:30 a.m. (Central Standard Time) Thursdays on Morning Joy with Dawna Baker, for a special edition of "Inside Oakwood with Dr. Leslie Pollard." The program is broadcast on Facebook Live, and you can also listen to our live stream at http://wjou.org. Click the links below to listen to previous episodes:


...Depart to Serve: Alumni News
Dr. Summer Wood is one of the Nashville Business Journal's "40 Under 40" for 2022. A management major, 2006 Oakwood grad, MA in teaching from John Hopkins University, Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, and an extraordinary Principal at F.H. Jenkins Preparatory School. Her administrative and teaching excellence is shining in the greater Nashville area while working in the Seventh-day Adventist educational system. Congrats and blessings to her as she represents her God, her family, and her Oakwood. MORE
Jimmie L. Brown, Jr., Ph.D., a Human Resources Specialist, is the Assistant Superintendent for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest school district in the U.S. He is a transformational leader who inspires his staff to perform their work with integrity, collaboration, objectivity, and mutual support. Throughout his 35-year career, Dr. Brown has served as a teacher, assistant principal (voted Regional Assistant Principal of the Year), principal, and district administrator – where he established the “Ethics Matter” training for large-scale rollout.

Dr. Brown earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Oakwood College in 1984. A short time later, he enrolled at Barry University in Miami, FL, and obtained a master’s in Computer Science. In 2008, he defended his dissertation titled, “Special and General Education Administrators’ Job Satisfaction, Perceptions of Workload and Prior Expectations,” and earned his Ph.D. Dr. Brown is certified in teaching and administration in the state of Florida.

He adores his adult daughter, Myla, and loves hanging out with family. Dr. Brown is an avid cyclist who enjoys being outdoors.
In a WashingtonPost.com article by Paulina Firozi and Allyson Chiu, an Oakwood graduate answers the question, How many times can I reuse my mask?”
 
“In the ideal world — or pre-pandemic — many masks were really viewed as single-use,” said Michael G. Knight, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University. “The reality is they do have a little bit more length in the amount of time we can use them.” What’s crucial, Knight said, is making sure the mask has “maintained its integrity.”
 
Think about how many times you’ve used it and for how long, he said. “If I’m just putting a mask on to go to the grocery store for 45 minutes and I’m taking it off, that mask very well should be able to last me a couple of days,” he said. But if you’re wearing a mask all day, such as during a long work shift where you may be sweating and talking all day to the point the mask becomes soiled, “then that may not be a mask that I can reuse.”
 
“If I’m wearing it for three hours, I’m going for a workout and I’m sweating, then that mask is most likely going to be soiled,” Knight said. When you start seeing signs that the mask is soiled, “you’re getting to the point that that mask needs to be replaced,” he added. Even with normal use, if you wear a mask for a few hours a day, “within four or five days, it’s going to be visibly soiled,” Knight said.
In politics, it’s never enough to simply pass legislation, shape policies or deliver on pledges to voters. It’s just as important – if not more so – to communicate to constituents what you’ve accomplished and why it matters. Fortunately for politicians in New York, Oakwood graduate Krysten Copeland is one of the experienced professionals who can ensure that the right message gets delivered to the right people. Copeland is listed as one of the top public relations pros in New York politics and government. MORE
At 85, Oakwood alumna Dollie Williams, a vibrant grandmother with a throaty laugh, has not slowed down. In June 2021, after 66 years of serving in one capacity or another, she officially retired from leading the church’s Adventist Community Services (ACS). Yet, months later, as she bustles around her home filled with photos of the people and memories she cherishes most, you can’t help wondering how she finds the energy to keep going. MORE
It’s the 125th year celebration of Oakwood’s existence and our Reunion Honor Classes – the 2s and the 7s -- are NEXT UP to CELEBRATE!
 
These 13 AMAZING and MEMORABLE CLASSES will help us celebrate and engage in a BIG way, as they organize their financial gifts to ‘the Oaks’ during their reunion year, and plan to join us in person for Alumni Homecoming, April 13-17, 2022.
 
Last year, our Reunion Honor Classes (the 1s and the 6s) gave over $140,000 by Homecoming. Will the classes of the 2s and the 7s outdo the last year’s Honor Classes? We will see. The Reunion Year GIVING CLOCK started the day after Homecoming 2021 - April 5, 2021. Exciting!!!
 
Members of these NEXT UP Reunion Honor Classes, look for more information soon. We especially want to hear from the class presidents of these honor classes. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 256-726-7039 today.
Call for Submissions: Young Women's Devotional
The Anna Knight Women's Leadership Center & Museum is excited to announce the upcoming production of the 2022 Young Women’s Devotional. Sharing your story is important and we have compiled templates and guidelines to help you put your story in motion, to help, motivate, and encourage other young women. We encourage you to submit as many entries as you wish!
 

We want to encourage you to submit as many entries as you wish. We cannot do this without you!

Submit your story or your artistic expression today! If you have any questions, please contact Adrienne Reid at [email protected], or (256) 726-7245.
Leave a Legacy at "the Oaks"
Pave the way into the next 125 years of success by purchasing a personalized brick on the Legacy Walkway, that leads from Ford Hall and Peters Media Center to the rest of the campus.

The Legacy Walkway Brick Campaign provides an opportunity to leave a legacy and support campus improvement at the same time. Our Legacy Walkway features names of donors, loved ones, special remembrances, and favorite sayings. Bricks are a great opportunity to congratulate a graduate, celebrate an advanced degree or accomplishment, or honor your loved ones.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to leave more than a memory at Oakwood University. You can leave your own legacy as we continue our mission – to transform the lives of our students.
Give back year-round to Oakwood University
while shopping online with AmazonSmile.
The AmazonSmile Foundation will send OU .5% of eligible purchases when you choose Oakwood University.
It's simple:

  • You can use your current Amazon account.
  • Just click https://smile.amazon.com.
  • When prompted, select Oakwood University as your charitable organization, and then
  • Shop as you normally do.

Donations are made by the AmazonSmile Foundation and are not tax deductible by you.

Your Oakwood University family thanks you for all you continue to do for our dear Oakwood.  
Show yOUr Pride in Alabama!
Purchasing an Alabama “Oakwood University License Plate” is a simple way to contribute to scholarships for Oakwood students who are Alabama residents.

Request your Oakwood University collegiate plate when you normally register your car in Alabama so you don’t have to double pay.  Contact Debbe Millet in IMPR if you have any questions.
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.


InsideOakwood is published by the Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations.

Editor: Debbe Millet
Photographer: Teymi Townsend
Graphic Designer: Ron J. Pride

[email protected] | (256) 726-7202