News Articles

Oakwood University IT Division to Receive AAUA Award

March 22, 2018 | Huntsville, Ala. | Oakwood University

Kirk Nugent, Oakwood Univeristy IT — Under Kirk Nugent's leadership, the Information Technology Division at Oakwood University will receive an award from American Association of University Administrators. Photo provided by Oakwood University

The American Association of University Administrators (AUAA) has decided to present the Blackburn Award and Exemplary Models Award to the Information Technology Division at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, under the leadership of Kirk Nugent.

The award will be presented at a luncheon during the organization’s annual leadership seminar in June, at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Blackburn Award is considered AAUA's highest institutional/programmatic recognition.

To be considered for the award, the technology team submitted a report describing some of the notable accomplishments of the Division. For the Exemplary Models Award, OUIT led the institution through the ever-evolving developments in information technology. Major accomplishments are expanding the campus network, building and testing a business continuity plan with offsite infrastructure, and working with faculty to bring technology literacy to all students including those in career preparation.

The Blackburn Award and Exemplary Models Awards recognize outstanding examples of college/university leadership that demonstrate creative solutions to common problems in higher education. These include programs or methods that exemplify successful efforts to meet internal or external challenges and demands-including, but not limited to-those posed by one or more of a wide variety of influencing sources such as legislative bodies or public policy bureaucracies, accreditation agencies, institution-based strategic aspirations, and/or external demands for documentable evidence of the effectiveness and value of higher education.

AAUA’s mission is to develop and advance superior standards for the profession of higher education administration. Through its policy statements, programs, and services the association emphasizes the responsibility of administrators, at all levels, to demonstrate moral and ethical leadership in the exercise of all their duties.

— Oakwood University Information Technology; article taken from the Spring 2018 Oakwood Magazine.

Young Adult LIFE Tour Coming to Portland, Oregon

Many of our local churches love their young adults but are at a loss as to where to begin a thriving ministry with them. The North Pacific Union Young Adult LIFE Tour stop intends to bring insights and relevant, doable steps toward building a flourishing young adult ministry now. The tour’s next stop will be in Portland, Oregon, from April 19-20, 2024, at the Pleasant Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church.

What’s in Your Hand? eHuddle Inspires Attendees Toward Creative Evangelism

From February 26 to 28, nearly 200 pastors and other leaders gathered at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, Florida, for the 2024 eHuddle, an annual evangelism and leadership think tank hosted by the North American Division’s (NAD) Ministerial Association. Thousands more tuned in via Facebook and YouTube.

Mardian J. Blair, Former CEO of AdventHealth, Passes to His Rest

Mardian J. Blair, who led AdventHealth (formerly Adventist Health System) from 1984 until 2000, passed away on March 26 at the age of 92 in Apopka, Florida. Blair leaves behind a profound impact on the organization and in faith-based health care, particularly during a time of significant change in the health care industry.

It Is Written Conducts Alaska Evangelism and Mission Trip

This spring, It Is Written will conduct a mission trip and evangelistic campaign in Alaska, culminating in the Revelation Today: Hope for Humanity series. At the end of March, a mission team of 70 volunteers are serving in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, and Bethel, the largest rural community. The evangelistic series begins April 5.

Pacific Union College Gains Approval to Expand Nursing Program to Sonora

Pacific Union College (PUC) recently announced that it received state approval for a new nursing training partnership with Adventist Health Sonora. The PUC education center will further the college’s goals of growing its nursing program and help meet the rising need for highly qualified healthcare professionals in the Tuolumne County area.