On Sabbath, October 12, 2019, Dr. Leslie Pollard, president of Oakwood University, announced "Our university realized an outstanding increase in fundraising and philanthropy among our alumni and friends last year," Dr. Pollard said. "Once we explained the vital necessity to increase our percentage of donors giving directly to the University, nearly 300 new donors responded, and donations increased by nearly $300,000."
The congregation, including hundreds of "Oakwood Live!" visitors, watched a video testimonial of Dimitri Scavella, a graduating senior, sharing how the devastation is still affecting his family in the Bahamas, and how he is depending on his faith in God to help him make it through each day and provide money for graduation. Following the testimony of Mr. Scavella, all Bahamian students affected by Hurricane Dorian were asked to stand to be recognized by those in the audience.
Pollard announced that 17 Bahamian Oakwood students will receive over $250,000 dollars in educational expenses during the 2020 Spring semester to decrease their financial stress. The Bahamian students received the news in quiet disbelief, cried tears of joy, and smiled as they warmly embraced each other.
Pollard continued, "While increasing our general scholarship program, we are able to also support the needs of our Bahamian student population. I can only imagine the devastation to life and property caused by Hurricane Dorian. Our Bahamian students can now focus on their studies and caring for their families.” The OU Bahamian students, whose homelands are the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, were personally affected by Hurricane Dorian this past September. After the hurricane, the University launched a fundraising campaign in support of its students whose homes were located in the path of the storm.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Wednesday, October 16th 2019 at 6:52PM
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