2016 University Convocation
Oakwood University held its annual University Convocation on September 1. Administration, faculty, and staff marched down the aisle of the University Church, which was filled with university students, as well as students from all grades of Oakwood Adventist Academy.
Following the welcome by President Leslie Pollard and USM President Gabriel Carter, the congregation and platform participants, including Dr. Leslie Pollard, Dr. Karen Benn Marshall, Dr. Howard Weems, Dr. Prudence Pollard, OAA principal Gabriel Madrid, Kisha Norris, Sabrina Cotton, Kirk Nugent, David Knight, and Oakwood University Church Senior Pastor Dr. Carlton Byrd, led the congregation in reading the litany for Oakwood’s new school year.
Together the platform participants and congregation prayerfully committed to keeping God first in every part of their lives. Part of the litany read: “From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, we will praise You. You are first in our worship, first in our prayer, and first in our praise. We will lift You up by putting You first every day of this new school year. Amen.”
Students, administrators, faculty, and staff were admonished to remember victories and successes of the past, in a powerful address from President Pollard entitled “Lest We Forget.” The world renowned Aeolians lifted the congregation’s spirits as they sang “Lift Every Voice.”
The 2016 University Convocation concluded with a special anointing service in which Huntsville area pastors prayed over students and employees of the University.
