Oakwood University Students Accepted into Early Assurance Program at UAB School of Medicine |
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This is the first year of the partnership between University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine and Oakwood University for a new Early Assurance Program that was announced in March, 2021. In this program, qualified students are offered early acceptance to the UAB School of Medicine, along with shadowing and research opportunities. Of the 20 students accepted into the program, five slots are for students attending HBCUs. UAB has selected five Oakwood University students for the Early Assurance Program:
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Christyn Byrd (Biology: Pre-Med)
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Jayda Caldwell (Biology: Pre-Med)
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Durell King (Biology: Pre-Med)
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Andisa Labossiere (Biology: Pre-Med)
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David Reid (Biochemistry)
“The Early Assurance Program is a key partnership for Oakwood University. The early reward for such remarkable work by our student-scholars is a gift to their parents, families, peers, and professors. Congratulations to Christyn, Jayda, Durell, Andisa, and David. You have made us proud!” said President Leslie Pollard.
All five of the HBCU students are current juniors from Oakwood University, who applied at the conclusion of their sophomore year. “Four of the five students are graduates from Oakwood Adventist Academy, and had participated in the dual enrollment program. I am so proud of them!” said Dr. Elaine Vanterpool, faculty liaison and Professor and Chair, Biological Sciences.
Dr. Robert Blake, an Oakwood alumnus and assistant professor of Pediatrics in the UAB School of Medicine’s Huntsville Regional Medical Campus, approached Oakwood University about the opportunity. Dr. Karen Benn Marshall, Vice President at Oakwood, was the initial contact and is the administrator for the Memo of Understanding agreement with UAB.
"The Early Assurance Program provides an excellent opportunity for the UAB School of Medicine to ensure a pipeline of high-caliber trainees and for Oakwood University students to solidify their academic futures. This winning combination lessens the traditional anxieties of both parties and in turn provides for the future healthcare needs of Alabama’s residents," said Robert A.L. Blake, M.D., assistant professor of Pediatrics on the School of Medicine's Huntsville Regional Medical Campus and Oakwood alumnus. "Oakwood University is much more than my alma mater—it is my home, and it is a sincere privilege to serve as faculty at the UAB School of Medicine, as we launch this momentous endeavor together.”
“Our mission at the UAB School of Medicine is training the next generation of physicians to care for Alabama’s citizens. An important aspect of that mission is ensuring that we’re developing a physician workforce that reflects our state’s population,” said Craig J. Hoesley, M.D., senior associate dean for Medical Education at the UAB School of Medicine. “We felt partnering with Oakwood was a great fit because of the university’s mission and with the School of Medicine’s presence in Huntsville.”
Oakwood University’s STEM program has been ranked 4th of small HBCUs to graduate African American STEM students, and has consistently ranked in the top 15 for matriculating African American students to medical school. The biology program also has a strong record of matriculating African American students to other professional and graduate programs.
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Remembering 'A Spiritual Giant Among Us' |
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The Oakwood community, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church at large, has lost a legendary leader. Dr. G. Alexander Bryant, President of the North American Division, and Dr. Ron C. Smith, President of the Southern Union, are among the several church leaders who reflected on the life and ministry of Dr. Charles E. Bradford in an article in the Adventist Review.
“Elder Bradford was a spiritual giant among us. The impact of his legacy and ministry can never be fully measured or ascertained. It continues in the lives of generations of leaders, pastors, and members who have been influenced and inspired by his life,” Bryant said. “He always encouraged us to excel in our God-given talents and assignments.”
Bryant added, “Elder Bradford had a rare collection of passion, grace, power, and humility. He made an incalculable impact on our lives, our church, and our world. Indeed, a prince of Israel has passed away, but his legacy lives on.”
On behalf of the Bradford family, we announce the following services:
Friday - September 24, 2021 - 12:30 p.m.
Burial at Oakwood University Memorial Gardens Cemetery is open to the public.
Sunday - October 3, 2021 - 12:00 noon
Memorial service at the Oakwood University Church
The burial and memorial service will both be livestreamed on the Oakwood University Church (OUC) website:(www.oucsda.org) and the OUC YouTube page.
Cards and messages of condolence may be sent to:
Mrs. Ethel Bradford
110 Westin Place
Madison, Alabama 35756
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to:
Oakwood Adventist Academy
7000 Adventist Blvd., NW
Huntsville, Alabama 35896
Your charitable donation in honor of Elder Bradford will afford young people to receive a quality Christian Education, one of the core values of Elder Bradford’s ministry.
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Every Fall, Oakwood University hosts Oakwood Live!, where high school seniors and prospective students come to campus from all over the United States and Canada, excited to learn everything they can about life at Oakwood. Some groups are able to travel by air to Huntsville, but the majority travel in cars, vans, and buses with their chaperones.
From October 6 to 9, 2021, our guests will be immersed in the academic culture and day-to-day life of the Oakwood student. Activities include visiting academic departments, participating in social activities such as Western night and basketball games, and a highly anticipated Oakwood Live! concert.
Prospective students and their chaperones will get a glimpse, if only for a moment, the coveted "Oakwood Experience." This year, due to Covid-19 precautions, rather than sharing rooms on campus with current students, our guests will be staying at local hotels at no charge to attendees, paired as roommates with individuals from their respective groups.
A full day of spiritual enrichment is planned for Sabbath, October 9, including the Sabbath School and Divine Worship Services at the Von Braun Center. Saturday night will feature a block party and carnival-type activities.
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WJOU Praise 90.1 FM Fall Support Drive Starts Next Week |
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During the WJOU Fall Support Drive, many will be giving an amount by faith as God leads, believing that He can be trusted to provide. Ever do it that way? If not, prayerfully consider it for this support drive and remember God promises to supply all your needs through His riches.
Join us for WJOU’s Fall Support Drive! On Tuesday, September 28, Ivy Starks, host of Bread of Life, and Anthonye Perkins, host of Sunset to Sunset, will lead in a day of Prayer and Praise. You can submit your prayer and praise requests by simply filling out a form online at www.wjou.org.
On Wednesday, September 29 and Thursday, September 30, join the WJOU Team hosted by Dawna Baker of Morning Joy and Pastor D.L. McPhaull, speaker of the program The Joy of Faith and former WJOU General Manager, as they lead us in two days of the Support Drive.
Our goal is $60,000 as we focus on our theme “Do Great Things: It All Starts with Hope.” You can send in your gift early and we will count it toward the goal. Just visit www.wjou.org and click the donate tab!! We can’t do great things without you!
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White House Initiative on HBCUs Announces
2021 HBCU Scholars
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The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities recently announced its eighth cohort of HBCU Scholars. This program recognizes 86 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, civic engagement and much more.
Currently enrolled at 54 of our nation's HBCUs, Oakwood student Brianna Brooks, from North Port, Florida, and 85 other scholars were selected from an applicant pool of over 200 students who submitted completed applications that included a transcript, resume, essay, and letter of recommendation. Applications also required the signature of their university president, adding a level of prestige to this application process.
"The HBCU Scholars all have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their learning and exemplify the talent that our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities have nurtured for generations," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "The students who hold this honor are committed to creating a more just and equitable society through their civic engagement. They are leaders and change-makers in their communities, and I cannot wait to learn from them as they serve as ambassadors both for the White House Initiative and their institutions of higher education."
Over the course of an academic school year, the HBCU Scholars selected through this program will serve as ambassadors of the Initiative and their respected institution. The Initiative will provide scholars with information about the value of education as well as networking opportunities. Scholars can also share these resources with their fellow students.
Through their relationships with community-based organizations, and public and private partners, all of which are gained through this recognition, scholars will also share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential.
This cohort of HBCU Scholars will also participate in national and regional events and monthly classes with Elyse Jones, HBCU Scholar Program Coordinator, Initiative staff and other professionals from a wide range of disciplines. All HBCU Scholar events are designed to connect HBCU students with non-profit, business, and federal leaders to discuss professional development while identifying challenges and providing equitable solutions to barriers that HBCU students face when preparing and entering the 21st century workforce.
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NASA Invests in Partnerships Between
Minority-Serving Institutions, Small Businesses
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Diverse teams comprised of individuals with different skill sets, perspectives, and solutions contribute to NASA’s successes. The agency takes various approaches to create an even more equitable and inclusive environment.
In 2021, NASA released its first-ever opportunity for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to propose for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research planning grants. Called M-STTR, the initiative aims to foster partnerships between MSIs and small businesses to prepare them to submit technology proposals to NASA’s annual STTR Phase I solicitation.
NASA has selected 11 proposals – six from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and five from Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) – to receive M-STTR planning grants.
The grants last four months and provide NASA funding up to $50,000 to the universities. The schools will establish partnerships with a small business identified in their proposal well ahead of the Phase I submission period.
“Investments in MSIs allow NASA to tap into underutilized innovation and talent,” said Deputy Program Executive Gynelle Steele, who is spearheading the effort for the agency’s STTR program. “We’re hopeful that these planning grants will create the foundational partnerships needed to successfully compete for an STTR award and enhance the potential for long-term collaboration.”
A small business must partner with a U.S.-based research institution to apply for funding from the agency’s STTR program. Feedback from past program participants indicated that one of the persistent challenges faced when applying to STTR is the need to both build a partnership and co-create a strong technology proposal so quickly. The M-STTR planning grants intend to address that challenge by cultivating partnerships and enabling the two sides to engage in substantive conversations about shared areas of interest, goals, and long-term outcomes before applying for a Phase I award.
Selected institutions include Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama, involved in the study of UV Protective Coating for Photovoltaic Solar Cells in Space
M-STTR is a partnership between NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP).
About MUREP
Administered through NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, MUREP supports the training and development of students and faculty at minority-serving institutions in STEM fields. MUREP awards are established to strengthen and develop these institutions’ research capacity and infrastructure in areas of strategic importance and value to NASA’s mission and national priorities.
About NASA SBIR/STTR
NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program encourages small businesses to develop innovative ideas that meet the federal government's specific research and development needs with the potential for commercialization. It is part of STMD and managed by NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.
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Oakwood University's Honors Program Match Day |
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During the Honors Program Match Day at Oakwood University on September 19, 2021, Honors students were matched with alumni mentors in their specific disciplines. |
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Sophomore Elise Hall (International Studies Major) Honors Program student in her Honors letterman jacket. |
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To all our Oakwood alumni business owners --
We want to hear about your business and how your alma mater and the Oakwood Alumni Network can support your business.
This Sunday - September 26 at 6:00pm Central time, the Office of Alumni Relations, the Alumni Council, and its Network of alums present another “Beyond the Oaks Cafe" where we serve alumni impact, on Oakwood University's Facebook Live. On Sunday's menu: Oakwood alumni businesses.
You don’t want to miss out.
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The 4th Annual Oakwood Alumni Summit 2021 on September 17 was Spirit-filled and strategically focused. The insightful and inspiring devotional message was delivered by our very own Oakwood alumnus and Oakwood Legacy parent Dr. Abraham Jules. His message was taken from Genesis 8:6-12 entitled, "Find Your Leaf," about transforming lives and change. Jules said that you must FIRST acknowledge we must change from your current situation, but unfortunately many of us stay satisfied with our life and never change. It was simply powerful.
This year's Alumni Summit highlighted the University's next 5-year strategic plans and how our alums can help their alma mater achieve those plans and goals. President Dr. Leslie N. Pollard led the way in outlining our course for the one-day event. He shared that, "as we continue to transform lives even in this pandemic, we must expand our global outreach not only by our online delivery of education, but expanding our broadcasting capabilities by launching our own Satellite Network through using Oakwood University Broadcast Network (OUBN)."
A video was shown about the Oakwood University Alumni Council MOU for all alumni organizations wanting to partner with the University and the Office of Alumni Relations to chart a new path for alumni organizations' engagement. Click to watch the Direct Relationship Model Promo video Click here (See attached).
Attendees also heard about "Alumni Experience" on the OU app where alums will receive a free and NEW ALL ACCESS EMAIL to network with other alums and students on the OU app, especially during this year's Oakwood Alumni Homecoming 2022; from discounts for Oakwood alums to becoming a SUCCESS MENTOR for a current student.
4th Annual Oakwood Alumni Summit 2021 - By the Numbers:
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Throughout the 4 hour session more than 50 Oakwood alums attended.
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For the first time the Alumni Summit was streamed live on Facebook. Currently with over 975 viewers. Click here to view the entire Summit
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Top 3 states who've viewed online the Summit thus far #1 Alabama, #2 Florida, and #3 California
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Top 3 Countries who've viewed online the Summit thus far #1 United States, #2 Canada, and #3 Bermuda.
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Oakwood grads from as far back as 1963 and as recent as 2021, as well as students set to graduate in 2022.
- The highest Oakwood major represented was from the School of Business: Business Administration.
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Of those surveyed, over 47% while at Oakwood experienced an internship or shadowing opportunity which accounted for more than 50+ internships.
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Attendees were asked: What's the #1 reason why you choose to engage with you alma mater --Oakwood? The #1 reason selected: To impact student's positive experience while at Oakwood.
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Of those attendees surveyed, 100% of them want to engage with their alma mater by joining the Alumni Council to do everything from recruiting students, to working with one of the Alumni Council committees.
We had alumni professionals with titles from an Academic Dean at Duke University to pastors and medical doctors; from a bank chairman, to a retired Adventist school principal and university professor.
Remember, ALL Oakwood alums are welcome to attend these annual Alumni Summit gatherings. YOUR ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT MATTERS!! The Alumni Summit is always the third weekend in September. Make plans to join us NEXT YEAR September 16-18, 2022. On our agenda: the Alumni Council Elections.
To join with other alums in engaging with the Alumni Council and its NETWORK, please email alumni@oakwood.edu or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 256-726-7039 today.
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Alicia Massop-Flowers, D.O., has worked as a general pediatrician for almost 15 years. Her medical ministry has allowed her to serve the community in the areas of the Bronx, Harlem, and Upper Manhattan. She also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medical School in Harlem.
Community service is very important to Dr. Massop-Flowers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Massop-Flowers, along with the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, conducted free testing not only for New York City and New York State, but throughout territories of the Northeastern Conference. She and her team were also asked to conduct COVID-19 testing in the Men’s Shelter in Brooklyn, which they did free of charge.
Dr. Massop-Flowers has a private practice in Springfield Gardens that allows non-patients in the community to get COVID-19 testing at no cost, a practice she continues to this day. Dr. Massop-Flowers is the product of a Christian education. She attended Westchester Area School, Northeastern Academy, and Oakwood College (now Oakwood University). She majored in Biological Sciences and minored in Chemistry, graduating cum laude in 1996. MORE
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Grammy Award winning pianist and arranger Craig Terry perform at the South Jackson Civic Center in Tullahoma, Tennessee, on Saturday, September 25. Terry will be accompanied by fellow performers Lauren Decker, Hugh Russell, and Oakwood alumna Whitney Morrison.
Morrison is a soprano who has received praise from publications like the Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal for her performances. A Chicago native and an alum of the Ryan Opera Center, Morrison embraces a style of performance that blends classical singing technique with elements of the gospel singing tradition while championing the African American aesthetic in classical music.
Some of her roles include Sister Rose in “Dead Man Walking” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Liù in “Turandot,” Marguerite in “Faust,” and performed as Countess Ceprano in “Rigoletto,” Gerhilde “Die Walküre,” and the Confidante in “Elektra.” Other recent credits include the role of Donna Anna in “Don Giovanni” with Chicago’s Floating Opera Company and appearances at the 2018 Grant Park Music Festival and the Rochester Institute of Technology’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, “MLK Expressions.”
Morrison’s musical career started an early age where she would perform at her church. She attended Oakwood University and earned her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and pedagogy. While attending university she performed her first operatic roles as Miss Pinkerton in “Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief” and as the Countess in scenes from “Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.” She continued her studies to earn her master’s degree in music from Eastman School of Music.
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It’s the 125th year celebration of Oakwood’s existence and our Reunion Honor Classes of the 2s and 7s are next up to celebrate!
These 13 AMAZING & MEMORABLE CLASSES will help us celebrate in a BIG way in the engagement of their time to organize their giving financially to their alma mater during their reunion year up to Homecoming 2022. Last year, our Reunion Honor Classes of the 1s and 6s gave over $140,000 by Homecoming. Will our Reunion Honor Classes of 2s and 7s outdo the last year’s Honor Classes? We will see. The Reunion Year GIVING CLOCK started April 5, 2021, the day after Homecoming 2021. Exciting!!!
If you are a member of these NEXT UP Reunion Honor Classes, information is on the way. 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.
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Reminders & Opportunities |
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Thursday @ 8:30 a.m. CDT
Join us at 8:30 a.m. (Central Daylight Time) Thursdays on Morning Joy with Dawna Baker, for a special edition of "Inside Oakwood with Dr. Leslie Pollard." Programs are broadcast on Facebook Live, and you can also listen via our live stream at http://wjou.org. Click the links below to listen to previous episodes:
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Grab your running shoes and get moving with the Team WJOU for the virtual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run! Our goal is to raise $2500 to help the fight against breast cancer and benefit the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund at Huntsville Hospital Foundation. It's easy to do!
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Go to www.wjou.org and register today. Registration ends on Monday, October 4.
- Pick up your running packet from WJOU on October 13 and 14.
- Pick your run or walk route, clock your time and log your results on any day before October 16.
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Take a selfie or video and tag us at #wjourunwithliz!
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Call for Submissions: Young Women's Devotional |
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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 wlc@oakwood.edu, or (256) 726-7245.
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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.
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Show yOUr Pride in Alabama! |
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When an Oakwood license plate is purchased from the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles, the additional annual fee is donated to student scholarships at OU. This can be claimed as a charitable contribution to scholarships for students from Alabama (Section 32-6-156, Code of Alabama 1975).
There is the option of keeping the same expiration date as the plate being replaced, or beginning the Oakwood plate with a full year’s registration. Currently, this initiative is available only in Alabama.
Contact your local Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles office for more information.
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Give back year-round to Oakwood University
while shopping online with AmazonSmile.
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The AmazonSmile Foundation will send OU .5% of eligible purchases when you choose Oakwood University.
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It's simple:
- You can use your current Amazon account.
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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.
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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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InsideOakwood is published by the Office of Integrated Marketing & Public Relations.
Editor: Debbe Millet
Photographer: Teymi Townsend
Graphic Designer: Ron J. Pride
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