President's Message
Greetings! This year's Homecoming Weekend was one of the best that I have ever experienced. Many people feel that the weekend is just the Sabbath sermon, but exciting things started to happen on Thursday. Thursday's golf and basketball tournament provided exercise and interaction with a whole range of classmates. The UNCF Banquet that evening had a stimulating speaker, Dr. Charles Bolden Jr. who was the first black astronaut. His message was inspiring and spiritual as he described the earth and God's presence from miles up in space.
The basketball and golf tournaments continued on Friday but were joined with the Nursing Advisory and the C-100 Luncheon and other departmental events. To me, the highlight of the preparation day was Vespers at the Oakwood University Church. Both of our weekend speakers were preacher's kids. Pastor John S. Nixon Jr gave us an outstanding message which blended seamlessly into outstanding music. The youth were treated to a special AYS Concert in the Von Braun Arena. What a great way to open the Sabbath!
Sabbath Divine Worship saw the young people and adults worshipping together. The praise team and the Aeolian choir were superb. After the offering was taken everyone had an opportunity to donate an additional $5 by texting! Dr. Carlton Byrd, pastor of the Berean Church in Atlanta proclaimed a shouting good message. The awards luncheon gave us an opportunity to feast together while we acknowledged those who had accomplished great things through Christ. The Aeolian concert and the 70s and 80s Reunion rounded out the day.
On Sunday the Oakwood Young Alumni held the 2nd Annual OYAA Dash and hundreds of alumni and friends gathered on campus for the Vendors Mall and OU Expo. Yes, the 43rd annual Oakwood Alumni Homecoming Weekend was a spectacular event!
On behalf of the Alumni Association executive board and officers, I want to thank all of you who returned to your alma mater and made this weekend a special time.
Put Homecoming into your schedule now for next year-Easter weekend. We will be looking for you April 21-24, 2011 at the next Alumni Homecoming. Our vesper's speaker is Pastor Melvin Warfield, Jr. and our Sabbath speaker is Pastor Furman "Pucky" Fordham- both from Nashville TN. I know God's blessings will be poured out again next year as they were poured out this year. Until then, I remain
DeWitt S. Williams, EdD MPH, CHES
Oakwood University Alumni Association