February 10, 2022
Primero Dios Ministry in South Florida
The weekend of February 5, 2022, will be remembered by the Hispanic community of south Florida!

Enoc Balbuena, the Latino recruiter at Oakwood University and assistant pastor of the OLA Church on campus, joined Elder Isaac Ibarra, special assistant to the president for Diversity and Inclusion, in bringing "the Oakwood experience" to six churches that gathered together under the leadership of Pastors Hector Garcia, Milkos Hidalgos, and Jaffet Toledo.
Oakwood students and members of the OLA church conducted the worship experience. In his sermon titled "Victory is Not By Coincidence," Elder Ibarra (pictured above) motivated youth not to give up and to fight for their dreams.
 
In the afternoon, parents and students came together to hear of the opportunities at Oakwood University, and to listen to the testimonies of OU students about how Oakwood is the best place for Latinos to get their higher education. The conclusion of the event was a social activity that created a bonding experience that will last forever.
Oakwood University Celebrates Black History Month
Oakwood Professor Describes
the Black Experience in Adventism
In the February 7, 2022, edition of the Adventist Review, Dr. R. Clifford Jones, dean of Oakwood University’s School of Theology, describes “the Black Experience in Adventism.” The article is part of the Review’s ‘This is Our Story’ series.

Jones writes: “Around the time Edson White began traveling the Mississippi promoting the Gospel Primer, Adventists who placed a premium on education established Oakwood Industrial School in Huntsville, Alabama, for African Americans. Ellen White’s influence was key in the launch of the school, which she visited to offer encouragement and inspiration, and included in her will.
Today, as Oakwood celebrates 125 years of transforming lives, students from around the world still enter to learn and depart to serve. Breakthroughs and blessings continue to define life at Oakwood, which unashamedly leads with ‘God First’.” MORE
Incoming Oakwood Student Featured
During Black History Month
Janiah Hinds, a high school senior in Florida, is the owner of Slay It Proud, an educational and apparel company dedicated to educating others about Black history. She is planning to attend Oakwood University, and wants to be a Black history professor.
Seeing how Black history is not taught in schools has encouraged her to teach others.

Education Week took notice and featured Janiah's essay -- "My School Didn’t Teach Us Black History, So I Started Doing It Myself -- on its website.

“When I was younger and how it was easier for me to associate with my Black identity because I lived in Kansas City and Tennessee and was in Black private schools. I was surrounded by so many people who looked like me. Now, in high school in Florida, I’ve had to do more digging because that’s not the major group around me anymore. I go to a majority-white public school. It was a culture shock in some ways. I definitely learned more about myself here.

I see how Black history is not taught and some people don’t understand what is right and wrong. My environment now is not terrible, but I want to make sure that I educate others even of different races, not just Black people.

I’m also in a program now where I’m dual enrolled in high school and college. So, I really have to be on top of my work and make sure that I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. I want to go to an HBCU in Huntsville, Alabama, called Oakwood University." MORE
Oakwood University 's Trust Officer
Earns Certification
Miriam W. Battles, BA, CFRM, Oakwood University's Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, is among the latest group of individuals to receive Certification in Planned Giving from the General Conference Planned Giving & Trust Services Department. She succeeds Lewis Jones in the position, who served as Trust Officer in the Office of University Advancement for eight years. He is now the Director of Enrollment Services
 
“Planned Giving” isn't just for the wealthy, and it isn't just for seniors. Throughout the life cycle, an individual’s changing needs are discussed to build financial security, protect loved ones, and sustain the causes you love.

In her role as Oakwood University’s newest Trust Officer, Ms. Battles, provides useful financial, estate, and gift planning information – with special sensitivity to the Seventh-day Adventist faith.
 
Ms. Battles is a member of an Oakwood Legacy Family, and has 13 years of experience working at Oakwood University. 
"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.
...Depart to Serve: Alumni News
Alumnus Chef Rawlston Williams is scheduled to participate in a virtual presentation on Black Health and Wellness, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown, on February 23, 2022.

Born on the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, raised in Brooklyn, and trained at the French Culinary Institute, Chef Williams offers an elevated, forward-thinking take on Caribbean classics, a unique approach influenced by the chef’s worldly background and free-spirited life experiences.

After immigrating to New York at ten years old and living in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, Chef Williams studied theology at Oakwood University in Alabama, a private university operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. While faith still plays a large role in his life, he found his true calling in the kitchen.

Williams graduated from New York’s famed French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center) and opened the first Food Sermon location in 2015. Originally intended to be a small outpost for his catering business, the pint-sized restaurant quickly attracted loyal neighborhood fans, soon drawing the attention of food critics.
Now with devoted customers throughout New York City, Williams’ innovative approach features creative takes on traditional Caribbean standards. Inspired by an array of cultures, cuisines and techniques. Chef Williams is constantly experimenting with new flavor combinations, always paired with bold and beautiful presentations.
Oakwood Alumnus and Former Professor’s COVID Ministry Featured in Adventist Review
James Doggette, pastor of Patmos Seventh-day Adventist Chapel in Apopka, Florida, United States, leads one of the drive-in services. [Photo: Curtis Walker]

The drive-in church experience, begun during the pandemic, is contributing to the expansion of ministry at the Patmos Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Apopka, Florida, where Oakwood alumnus James Doggette, Sr., is the senior pastor. “Drive-in church at Patmos Chapel continues to be an innovative, spirit-filled worship experience as many congregations across the world seek new ways to spread the gospel in the midst of a pandemic,” church leaders said. MORE
Oakwood Alumni & Friends,

Introducing the Office of Alumni Relations and the Alumni Council's first of its kind "Oakwood University's 30 UNDER 30" for 2022. We are CELEBRATING OUR VERY OWN YOUNG ALUMNI, or as we call them, our GOLD Society (Graduates of the Last Decade)!!
 
If you are an Oakwood graduate and will still be 30 years old or younger on April 17, 2022, or you know someone who will and you want to nominate them or YOURSELF -- for the nominee's amazing accomplishments and service work since graduating from Oakwood -- please submit this "Oakwood's 30 UNDER 30" Nomination Survey by February 10 to be considered. Look out for the winners in the upcoming Oakwood Magazine exclusive. Submit your nomination TODAY!
Celebrating Engagement Through Giving UPDATE!
by Emile D. Parker, MBA, Director, Alumni Relations
The Reunion Honor Classes of the 2s & 7s are already giving and participating since our last Alumni Homecoming 2021. The Office of Alumni Relations will be celebrating the top three Reunion Honor Classes for their participation and engagement through giving.

The record-breaking numbers to beat from last year's Reunion Honor Classes of the 1s & 6s are:
  • Over $144,000 was given to every type of Oakwood cause from student scholarships, to the Annual Fund, to the endowment, and even giving to all three by starting a recurring monthly Ignite 10 gift https://give.oakwood.edu/ignite/ with all these gifts of support given by Alumni Homecoming 2021. Note: Over $90,000 of the $144,000 was given in the last 5 weeks! WOW!!
  • Over 200 Oakwood alums from 2021 Reunion Honor classes of the 1s & 6s participated in giving!

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN for giving back to your Oakwood in a BIG WAY!!

Here is how THIS YEAR'S Reunion Honor Classes of the 2s & 7s are ranking so far in participation & engagement through giving with eight (8) weeks left to go before Alumni Homecoming 2022:

Almost $34,000 has been given from 59 generous alums participating. Now THE CURRENT CLASS RANKINGS:

  • 1982 1st in Giving   1982 1st in participation of giving
  • 2007 2nd in Giving  1987 2nd in participation of giving
  • 1992 3rd in Giving   2007 Tied 3rd in participation of giving
  • 2002 4th in Giving   2002 Tied 3rd in participation of giving
  • 1977 5th in Giving   1997 4th in participation of giving
  • 1987 6th in Giving   2012 Tied 5th in participation of giving
  • 2012 7th in Giving   1977 Tied 5th in participation of giving
  • 1972 8th in Giving   1992 6th in participation of giving
  • 1997 9th in Giving   1972 Tied 7th in participation of giving
  • 2017 10th in Giving  2017 Tied 7th in participation of giving

GET FIRED UP or Keep it up, our 2022 Reunion Honor Classes!! Only the top three will be announced during our Alumni Homecoming 2022 Divine Worship Service just before offering.

IF YOU ARE PART of our 13 Reunion Honor Classes and have not yet engaged through giving during YOUR REUNION YEAR, simply click https://give.oakwood.edu/ and SHOW YOUR LOVE by getting engaged through giving back today.

To our Reunion Class Presidents, members of your class leadership, or someone who just wants to reconnect with your class reunion activities and also find out about the other 3 main reunion honor class engagements through SERVICE, through MEMORIES, and through HAVING FUN FELLOWSHIP, please email alumni@oakwood.edu and get connected. TO LEARN MORE see the attached Oakwood Reunion Class TOOLBOX for SUCCESS for 2022.  
To get connected with your classmates and update your info, here are some of the Reunion Honor Classes who have set up their ENGAGEMENT SURVEY LINKS through the University:


Look for others next week!
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.
Call for Submissions: Young Women's Devotional
The Anna Knight Women's Leadership Center & Museum is excited to announce the upcoming production of a 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 wlc@oakwood.edu, 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

pr@oakwood.edu | (256) 726-7202